[Vol. 6] Chapter 236: The Way of Battle
If the battle continues like this, even though our army is stronger than the Evil Spirits, the constant accumulation of destruction will eventually create an incredibly powerful and terrifying being, leading to unimaginable disaster and casualties.
A thousand years ago, the [Ancient Spirit Realm] was caught off guard and had no way to counter this threat. Civilization was nearly wiped out by this catastrophe until Spirit Veil Immortal Island intervened, and the Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden developed [Void Prison], turning the tide of battle.
Now, however, they no longer have a [Void Prison] to rely on. But over the past thousand years, the [Ancient Spirit Realm] and Spirit Veil Immortal Island have not been idle.
"It’s time… General Chen."
"At your command!"
The silver-haired girl, watching over the battlefield with a solemn expression, waved her delicate hand.
"Order the [Yin-Yang Division] to join the battle. Assign one member for every hundred soldiers to support the frontline, focusing on defense. Their primary task is to cut off the flow of dark energy. Remember, this will be a long battle. Do not seek quick victories or act recklessly!"
"Understood!"
As the orders were issued, the battle formation of the Western Kingdom's army immediately shifted.
From the rear, powerful figures dressed in flexible combat attire, their auras deep and commanding, swiftly moved into the ranks. They merged with the soldiers already fighting the evil spirits.
These specialists were far stronger than ordinary warriors and had mastery over unique mystical techniques designed specifically to combat dark creatures. They also skillfully used the army’s formation as cover to launch their own attacks.
This was the [Yin-Yang Division], a secret organization established by the four nations of the [Ancient Spirit Realm] solely to fight against demonic entities. This battlefield was the perfect stage for them to showcase their power.
The [Yin-Yang Division] was not meant to be the main force in the battle but rather a supporting unit. Their role was to restrain enemy elites, minimizing losses on their side. Whenever an evil spirit was slain by the soldiers and its dark energy was about to escape, these specialists would immediately act. Using silver hourglass-shaped crystals to absorb the energy, turning it into a thick black mist visible to the naked eye.
Though each crystal could only absorb the dark energy once before becoming permanently unusable, this method effectively prevented the Evil Spirits from regenerating and fusing together, greatly easing the pressure on the battlefield.
Watching this unfold, Ling Feng, who had been tense all this time, finally relaxed his furrowed brow.
"Good, it’s working! If we continue like this…"
"Sir! Our western flank is under sudden heavy attack from small enemy squads! They're using poison mist and self-destructing Evil Spirits to break through, forcing an opening in our defenses! They’ve already reached the rear! They don’t seem to be demons… they’re humans!"
The silver-haired girl frowned but did not seem too surprised. She turned to the messenger who had rushed over and asked in a calm, steady voice.
"How many of them are there? Can you tell who they are?"
"There's... around 300 of them in total. Each one is very strong. Based on the accounts of soldiers who participated in the large-scale purge recently, these attackers might be the remnants of the dark sects that managed to escape and disappear, led by the [Yokai Controlling Sect]."
"……The [Seven Heavenly Demon Lords]."
Ling Feng let out a cold snort.
"So, they really have joined forces with the Evil Spirits. A bunch of scum."
Bai'er drew her sword and stepped forward.
"Let me handle this! I'll take an elite unit to intercept them. The Spirit Guard Army is also stationed at the base to assist us. This time, we'll capture every last one of those bastards!"
Surprisingly, the silver-haired girl who led the army simply shook her head.
"No, the main battlefield is our priority. A small group of enemies can still be managed internally, but if the main force of the Evil Spirits breaks through our defenses, Violet and the others in [Mirror Valley] will be surrounded. In our current situation, splitting our forces will only weaken both fronts."
"Send the order. Do not pursue them. Focus on repairing the breach in our defenses immediately. Bai'er, you will personally lead the team to secure the frontline. Make sure the defense holds."
"But, are we really just leaving the base to the Spirit Guard Army and the Spirit Maiden? There are a lot of non-combatants inside, and if the wedge stakes we set up earlier are destroyed..."
Ling Feng glanced at her loyal guard with a knowing look before shifting her gaze toward the towering pillar of light in the center of [Mirror Valley], as if hinting at something.
"Don't worry. Someone will take care of them."
………………………….
Outside [Mirror Valley], within the temporary camp of the Allied Forces of the Four Nations.
A silver-haired girl in a sky-blue gown sat cross-legged in the center of a magnificent magic formation. She was channeling a vast energy from another incomprehensible dimension, allowing it to descend into this world through her body. The energy flowed into the earth veins, then surged upward under a guiding force, gradually activating the mysterious formation.
Silver magical patterns spread across the ground, pulsating rhythmically as if breathing. The girl’s long, silvery hair swayed gently in the energy currents, making her the undeniable core of the entire stronghold.
Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed in her ears.
The girl opened her silver eyes, reflecting the figures of barely a dozen people approaching. Her face remained expressionless.
"…We meet again, Your Holiness, the Spirit Maiden."
The speaker was a handsome young man dressed in white robes and pants. His skin was softer than a newborn’s, yet his eyebrows and hair were as pale and lifeless as an old man’s. Standing at a distance, he smiled and gave a polite bow, as if greeting an old friend rather than an enemy.
Hen did not respond to the young man known as [Apothecary]. Her silver eyes, calm and deep like an undisturbed lake, simply swept over the intruders, as if casting an invisible net that enveloped them all.
"Is it just you?"
[Apothecary] smiled slightly.
"The Spirit Guard Army protecting Your Holiness is far too formidable. We’re also pressed for time, so I had to ask others to keep them occupied for now. Only we were able to come to see you. Please forgive our lack of courtesy~"
For some reason, the silver-haired girl, usually unreadable, curved her lips ever so slightly.
"[Apothecary]… What an interesting human. You’re always so confident, calm, composed, and unshaken. Even though you’ve failed time and time again, you still act like it doesn’t bother you. Do you really think this time will be different?"
[Apothecary] was briefly stunned by her unexpected words, but he quickly regained his usual demeanor, smiling as if unaffected.
"Failure is simply the process of accumulating experience. If one wishes to succeed, they must keep refining and learning through repeated attempts. I've experienced far too many failures to be troubled by one or two more."
"As long as this heart keeps beating, as long as my will and the lessons from my failures can be passed on, I will never stop moving forward. I have countless chances to test different methods. Just like verifying medical theories. If I try again and again, exhausting all possibilities, I will inevitably find the right path. Don’t you think so too, Your Holiness?"
The girl’s expression remained calm, but her voice carried an unusual weight.
"You’re not entirely wrong. [The Immortal Apothecary Saint]… Do you know? There was once someone who tried to reach the highest divine throne by stacking countless failures into a staircase. She succeeded, but her path was completely different from yours. You seek that same realm, but you don’t understand its true meaning."
"Your path is already twisted."
[Apothecary]’s brows furrowed slightly, and for the first time, his ever-relaxed smile faded from his face.
"What do you mean by that, Your Holiness?"
A silver light flickered in the girl’s palm, condensing into a short blade. In her eyes, mysterious patterns ignited. Markings that had never appeared before, resembling the sacred halo engraved behind a divine throne.
"It doesn’t mean anything. You all… come at me together."