Jiang Ling made similar arrangements outside the Grand Sky Gate. The Ancient Qilin Clanâs army was composed of about a hundred thousand youths, commanded by Chong Yang.
As an Astral General, Tianmingâs position was equivalent to the exalted ones, and might even be higher than Qilin Kings. As the heavy rain continued pouring down, Tianming glanced at the Ancient Qilin Clan.
He could see complicated expressions written on the faces of everyone from the Ancient Qilin Clan. Chong Yang sighed, âWhy is this the outcome for geniuses of my Ancient Qilin Clan? Especially Li Muyang and Li Tianming, this father and son pair....â
âThatâs just life, donât dwell on it,â replied Jing Yue.
âSpeaking of which, is there any reaction from the Cyclic Map?â
âYeah, Li Muyang is gradually approaching the Divine Capital. It looks like he thinks he has nothing to fear after Autarch Qianâs death.â
âWait, wasnât he crippled by Autarch Qian? Howâd he regain his cultivation? Did he start all over again?â
While they discussed the traitor, their orders finally came. Sitting on his ferocious tiger, Bai Zijun roared, âSkycore Legion, heed my orders! Kill!â
Countless people charged toward the Imperial City from all different directions in an instant. This tactic forced Dongyang Yunâs army to disperse in different directions. If they allowed Jiang Ling or the Decimo Dao Palace to break through, it would spell trouble. After all, the vulnerable and elderly were still in the city. With Jiang Lingâs banner and the Decimo Dao Palaceâs principles, none of them would act hostile toward them.
This was something that Autarch Yun didnât have to fear. When the army charged into the Sun-Moon Imperial Formation, the entire Divine Capital was trembling.
âFollow me!â Tianming wasnât anxious at all. Weisheng Yunxi had said that tonight would be a battle of strategy, not the final battle. They would have to act depending on the situation. Their objective was to weaken their enemies. Regardless of Dongyang Yun or Jiang Ling, it would benefit the dao palace if either of them suffered heavy losses. So there was no need to risk their lives; they just had to put up an act.
âDark Astral Battalion!â Tianming charged into the formation with the Three-Thousand Starfield in his hand. It enveloped the entire battalion, making sure none of them were spread out. That was extremely important.
The Sun-Moon Imperial Formation was enchanted with the Silverymoon Illusory Formation, a five star heavenly pattern formation. Tianming could negate most of the formationâs illusions with his Insightful Eye, but the Dark Astral Battalion didnât have that advantage.
âSteady! Steady!â Tianming shouted.
âUnderstood!â
Tianming paid attention to the position of the other Skycore Legionâs battalions and slowly pressed forth with the Dark Astral Battalion. The Ancient Qilin Clanâs army charged past them. They were ferocious in their advance, as they needed to get on Jiang Lingâs right side.
âIn such a hurry to bootlick?â Tianming smiled. Everyone had their own fortunes, so Tianming didnât want to comment about theirs. It wasnât easy for them, either. The Skycore Legion couldnât fall too far behind the Ancient Qilin Clan, or it would seem too fake.
âOur principle is to speed up their losses. Make sure that none of them are defeated.â That was what Weisheng Yunxi had said. It was also the reason why they werenât taking down Dongyang Yun tonight.
The dao palace disciples increased their speed, speeding up the deaths by following this principle. The fighting had already grown to this extent. But if there werenât any new factors added to the war, Dongyang Yun and Jiang Ling would slow down their battle to drag the Decimo Dao Palace down.
The moment they had stepped into the Sun-Moon Imperial Formation, it was a three-way gamble.
âThis time, killing is second. Our goal is to have the fewest casualties.â Bai Zijun had reinforced that several times. Now that Tianming had become the commander of ten thousand people, he had to be responsible for them.
âBut those that should be killed must still be killed!â Tianming pressed forth with his eyes narrowed into slits. He heard the commotion coming from afar, and if things went as he expected, the formationâs spirit hazard should be coming soon.
The next moment, a wild wind blew within the Sun-Moon Imperial Formation. Flames had taken the form of tornados and were charging toward the Imperial City. At the same time, the rain contained saintly heavenly patterns with corrosive ability. But that was only a small part of it.
âTake on the formation and protect each other! Quickly pass through the spirit hazard! Put away all of your lifebound beasts to reduce the number of targets!â There were no eyes on the battlefield, and anything could take place in a blink of an eye. Luckily, they had the Ancient Qilin Clan taking the spirit hazards head-on.
âCharge!â Tianming charged forth, opening the path with Lan Huang. The Dark Astral Battalion was like a hot blade slicing through butter.
âKeep it up!â The Three-Thousand Starfield extended to its full three kilometer length, allowing the people behind to find him within the illusion. Tianming wouldnât be far away as long as they could see the Three-Thousand Starfield.
âHold it up!â
âRoger!â
With the lifebound beasts returning to their lifebound spaces, it wasnât a problem for the Three-Thousand Starfield to lead everyone. Tianming hung the chain from Lan Huangâs tail. With its immense strength, it wouldnât be a problem to pull ten thousand people along.
Taking out five Oceanspirit Tomes, Tianming threw them out. The tomes immediately released an ocean into the battlefield. Charging into the ocean, Lan Huang was like a fish, surfing through the spirit hazards while dragging ten thousand people behind it. The Dark Astral Battalion was moving faster than the Ancient Qilin Clan, and only suffered a few casualties from the spirit hazards.
âWait.â Tianming wasnât in a hurry after arriving in a safe area. Patience was the key to this war today. The spirit hazards were being controlled, and they were directed at places with many people gathered together. So they were much safer, as they only had ten thousand people.
On the contrary, the Ancient Qilin Clan had attracted a large number of spirit hazards and was thrown into chaos. The spirit hazards were as lethal as Invincible Sword Ki, with different elements grinding together.
âGeneral, wonât the Ancient Qilin Clan notice us if we stay here?â Liu Yuyi asked.
âWhat can they do about it even if they notice us? Are we going to charge in the front for them? Itâs already good that weâre not using them as meatshields,â replied Tianming.
âAnd here I thought the general would charge in the front,â said Chen Fang.
âHaha! Are you mocking me? Be careful, or Iâll beat you up,â said Tianming.
âPlease forgive me, general,â Chen Fang replied. Everyone was in a good mood.
They could only admit that Tianming was a decent Astral General. They had such an easy atmosphere while they were in the Sun-Moon Imperial Formation, especially how Tianming had pulled everyone along using the Three-Thousand Starfield, which had greatly decreased their casualties.
With that, everyone was convinced by Tianmingâs ability. Honestly speaking, they had been afraid that Tianming would be impulsive, due to his young age. But seeing how he could calm himself down and analyze the overall situation, they felt more at ease listening to his orders. That way, they could fight more efficiently.
âGet ready!â Tianming called out. He swept his glance across the battlefield and saw an allied army coming in their direction. âWeâll be fighting Dongyang Yun under the ravages of the spirit hazards. Keep close to me. Iâll use the Three-Thousand Starfield and fight to our advantage. Donât jump into the enemy ranks recklessly, understood?â
âUnderstood!â the Dark Astral Battalion chorused.
âIn summary, none of you are allowed to die!â Tianming roared.
âRoger!â Everyone agreed with that command. After all, who wanted to die if they could live?
âGeneral, are you trying to reveal your location with the Three-Thousand Starfield for us to find you? But if thatâs the case, enemies will also discover your location and target you. Youâre special, and what happens if you attract someone powerful?â Chen Fang sounded his concern.
âLet them come then. Theyâll only die!â Tianming squinted his eyes.
âGeneral, please be reassured. Weâll follow you to our death!â Chen Fang said with bloodshot eyes.
âVery well.â Tianming came to Lan Huangâs head. âSummon your lifebound beasts and fight!â
The Dark Astral Battalion immediately transformed from infantry to cavalry. Ye Lingfeng was even riding the Soulfiend. Lan Huang was at the forefront, loudly roaring. Its eyes had already turned bloodshot and it was impatiently smashing its claws on the ground.
Beside Tianming, Ying Huo smirked. With Lan Huangâs protection, it would become a nightmare on the battlefield. As for Meow Meow, it was still sleeping between two of the mountains on Lan Huangâs back. It seemed that Meow Meow wouldnât wake up anytime soon, unless they were placed in a dangerous situation. Tianming also couldnât be bothered with the little cat. He had tens of thousands of underlings right now, and one fewer wouldnât make any difference.
Tens of thousands of lifebound beasts roared. Tianming raised the Grand-Orient Sword and separated it into two, wielding each one in his hands. âGet ready!â
The Three-Thousand Starfield coiled around his arm and body, allowing him to use it to defend himself any time. Wearing his Dark Astral Armor, Tianmingâs white hair fluttered in the wind.
âBig brother, you look handsome right now!â Jiang Feiling said in an infatuated tone.
âAre you wet then?â
âIâm ignoring you!â
âWhat the hell is going through your mind? Iâm asking if your eyes are turning wet. What were you thinking about?â Tianming said seriously.
âGo away!â
Tianming laughed. Teasing Lingâer was a joy in his life. Then again, it was time for killing right now. Tianming yelled, âDark Astral Battalion, listen up! Follow me and kill!â
The ground rumbled as Lan Huang opened a path. With his Insightful Eye, Tianming had already discovered his enemyâs location and roared, âPrepare your long-distance abilities!â
The Ancient Qilin Clan was the first to clash with the enemy, and countless spirit hazards were descending upon them. Tianmingâs eyes were cold when he looked at the battlefield. âAttack!!â
Countless abilities shot out, including Lan Huangâs Primordial Soundwave and Ying Huoâs Sixpath Infernal Lotus. The ground was shaking from the collision between abilities.
âWhatâs with all the noise?â Meow Meow opened its eyes to see countless abilities flying by. It was like a fireworks festival. âFighting again? Boring! Iâd better preserve my strength.â
Meow Meow slid off Lan Huangâs back and fell into the muddy water. It had fallen asleep again.