On the vast central grounds of Throne City, ten thousand elite mages, drawn from the Demon Dragon Banishing Sect, Cangyue, and the native lands of the Snow Domain Continent, were arrayed in the precise configuration of the colossal Octagonal Thunder Formation—the very same array that had crushed the Lord of the Yellow Springs in the Netherworld long ago. Back then, the formation had consisted of barely a hundred participants.

Now, that number was magnified a hundredfold, and every mage involved was a top-tier elite. It was fair to say that the strongest magical might in the entire human world was gathered here.

This included two hundred mages from the Snow Domain Continent, such as Feng Xiao, Sui Feng, and Wu Yin, alongside a staggering five thousand from the Demon Dragon Empire, headlined by Yan Zhao, Yan Lie, and the Blood Wolf Corps, primarily comprised of the original Blood Wolf Tribe members within the Black Banner Legion. The Banishing Demon Empire contributed the Flame Thunder Mage Corps, which belonged to the Thunder Flame Legion.

It was worth noting that this specific contingent was composed of the remnants of the Mage Legion of Ao Tian—my nemesis from thirty years prior—totaling two thousand individuals! Leading this corps was Moluo Tianfeng, the man against whom I held an ancient, burning hatred.

The previous generation's Huoyao Jialie had fallen by his hand. For years, the inability to personally slay Moluo Tianfeng had been a gnawing obsession, yet fate, in its strange design, had forced us onto the same frontline for a common defense.

The Cangyue Empire’s contingent was the Scarlet Moon Corps, drawn from the Mammoth Legion, numbering two thousand. A significant portion of these mages had participated in the fight against the Lord of the Yellow Springs three decades prior.

Leading them was my old comrade, Han Yunzhen! He had long since ascended to the rank of a Super God of Flame, Level One, making him an undisputed titan of magic even on the Marfa Continent.

Bichie had sent forth the Blazing Dragon Corps under the Azure Dragon Legion, two thousand strong. The commander of this unit was named Jian Ting, reportedly another master who had reached the pinnacle of Flame Level One!

Tasked with overseeing the collective training were Feng Qingtian, Shaya, and Han Yunzhen—the young prodigies who were once the core of the Vermillion Bird Alliance! Perhaps no one could have foreseen it: humanity’s final thread of salvation would be the Thunder Formation, refined and passed down through the Vermillion Bird Alliance for over three millennia.

Every face was alight with excitement and fierce resolve. Yes, this was the ultimate moment defining human survival or annihilation.

To be a part of this operation was, in itself, an honor to be cherished and boasted of forever. And standing before the massive array was the core contingent for this entire endeavor!

They were currently scrutinizing the colossal formation before them with intense focus. “If this operation succeeds, the Thunder Formation will surely be etched into history,” Dong Guan murmured with profound feeling.

“A Thunder Formation powered by ten thousand mages—it’s unheard of.” “Ha! Of course it will be,” Feng Qingtian declared with boundless spirit.

“Three thousand years ago, the Thunder Formation was created by the Holy Word True Soul specifically to combat the Beastmen. To think that today, millennia later, it once again fulfills that sacred, historical mandate—the very thought sends blood surging!” “Heh heh,” Han Yunzhen echoed, equally energized.

“The Vermillion Bird Alliance will truly have earned its renown this time.” “It’s too early to celebrate victory,” Shaya cautioned. “Save the boasting until we have actually defeated the Demon Dragon Lord.” “Have no doubt,” Feng Qingtian asserted confidently.

“Thirty years ago, when we were only at Scarlet Moon Level One, we managed to defeat the Lord of the Yellow Springs with just over a hundred people. Now, with our current cultivation and this super-force of over ten thousand, I refuse to believe we can fail to crush the Demon Dragon Lord.” “Before training commences, perhaps the Prince should offer a word of encouragement to the troops,” Shaya suggested.

“A sound point,” I agreed immediately. Having served in armies for so many years, I knew that the most vital component of any fighting force was morale, and that soaring spirit depended entirely on the guidance of its leader.

Without further delay, I stepped to the front of the formation! “The life-and-death confrontation with the Demon Dragon Lord draws near,” I projected, channeling my Lion’s Roar inner technique.

My resonant voice carried far, echoing across the entire plaza. “This is the gravest crisis humanity has faced in fifteen thousand years; it is the most brutal battle for our very existence.” Inside the array, every person stilled their breath, focusing their gaze upon me—a mix of fierce excitement, underlying trepidation, and deep anxiety!

They all understood precisely what this battle signified. “Perhaps in the past, there were disagreements among us,” I continued, my eyes involuntarily drifting toward the Flame Thunder Corps from the Banishing Demon Empire array, meeting Moluo Tianfeng’s complex look.

“Perhaps even grudges that could not be buried.” I paused. “But now, we have no time to quibble over such trivialities or turn our weapons upon each other.

For the future of humanity, for our descendants, and so that the tragedy of three millennia past is never repeated, we must stand united as one.” “This is not for personal comfort, nor for national gain. This is a fight to prevent humanity from falling into ruin again, to live freely, to fight for survival itself!” At this moment, I was swept up by a strange, inexplicable passion; every phrase, every spoken word seemed to flow forth as an instinctual necessity.

“If we fail, we lose tomorrow, left to be dominated and enslaved by those hideous Beastmen!” “Tell me! Who is willing to witness such an outcome!” I roared.

“Never!” The response was a unified, passionate roar from over ten thousand throats. “Send the vile Beastmen back to their Woma homeland!” “Indeed, we are human,” I conceded, sensing the momentum was holding; the speech seemed reasonably successful, though more effort was needed.

“Therefore, we must live on with human dignity and pride.” “Dignity, Pride, Live On!” The immense chorus shook the very air, and everyone joined the unified shout, driving morale to an unprecedented peak! The sheer volume nearly deafened me, but it still wasn't enough!

“To live on,” I declared loudly, “Fight!” I recalled watching Hitler’s orations in a past life; I had certainly absorbed a thing or two, and it seemed useful even now! “Fight!

Fight! Fight!

Fight!” At that instant, the blood of everyone present ignited anew! **Their raw spirit burst forth in defiance of adversity, and in every pair of eyes, fear, anxiety, and terror vanished completely!

In their place burned eyes filled with frenzy, bloodlust, and savage power! Perhaps humanity is truly a strange species.

Self-slaughter and mutual hatred seem woven into their instinctual fabric; they may be easily intimidated by things terrifying and dreadful, yet when faced with the threat of extinction, they rise in fierce resistance, and when their very race hangs in the balance, they stand shoulder-to-shoulder, bound with intimate solidarity! Just like this moment!

Morale soared instantly, and a tidal wave of killing intent rocketed toward the heavens! I suspected that even if the Demon Dragon Lord materialized right then, they would charge forward without hesitation!

Humans, after all, are creatures driven by impulse!