Hundred-Thousand Strong Armies in Battle

Hundred-Thousand Strong Armies in Battle . . . 

On the training grounds, Qin Wentian and his comrades diligently immersed themselves in mastering various battle formations.

A multitude of battle formations existed, ranging from those suitable for teams like theirs, consisting of around a hundred individuals, to colossal formations requiring the coordination of tens of thousands. The essence of each formation lay in the unity and synergy of the team members, enabling them to unleash unparalleled power. However, at this moment, the practice field was bereft of other teams; only Qin Wentian's hundred-plus immortal battle team was present.

Immortals possessed extraordinary comprehension abilities. With just a cursory examination of the energy flow within a battle formation, they could grasp the techniques needed to combine their strengths for maximum effectiveness.

The formation they were currently studying had been passed down by General Ox himself—a titan ox formation that emphasized overwhelming strength.

"Tianwen, Jun Mengchen, what are your thoughts?" After their practice session, Ye Qing directed the question at them.

"No issues, Captain," Qin Wentian replied. Complementary battle formations didn't require every individual to be well-versed in the Dao of Formations. If that were the case, how could everyone participate and contribute effectively?

Jun Mengchen and the others nodded in agreement. Ye Qing continued, "This battle is extremely perilous. It's best not to leave the city unless it's absolutely necessary, as you might become targets for enemy forces. During periods without battles, focus on improving your cultivation or seek sparring partners to enhance your combat skills. Understood?"

"Yes, Captain," Jun Mengchen responded energetically, earning a smile from Ye Qing.

"Young ones, the battlefield is no place for jesting. Take this matter seriously, as lives can be lost in an instant," a middle-aged immortal-foundation expert chimed in from the sidelines. "I'm Xiao Yehan, your vice captain. Where do you all hail from?"

"We come from Cloud Prefecture City, members of the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect," Qin Wentian replied.

"Oh." The eyes of the others gleamed with interest as they focused on Qin Wentian and his comrades. Xiao Yehan raised an eyebrow, asking in bewilderment, "So, all of you are from the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect? Then why would they assign you to our team?"

"Captain Xiao, what do you mean?" Qin Wentian inquired with curiosity.

"You're unaware?" Vice Captain Xiao looked at Qin Wentian and chuckled. "It seems you're among the less significant disciples, and you're not even privy to this information. In this army of a hundred thousand, only a minority are from the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect. The majority are recruits gathered from across the immortal realms specifically for this war."

"You mean you all aren't from the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect?" Jun Mengchen chimed in, surprised. He had initially assumed that everyone here was part of the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect.

"This army is composed of a hundred thousand immortal-foundation experts, assembled for a single battle. Currently, the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect can't compare to the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. The latter has a much longer history and has raised numerous armies. The force they've sent here is merely under the command of the Dream Demon King—the Dream Demon Regiment. Even so, the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect still recruits additional members for this regiment; they don't rely solely on the Dream Demon Regiment's experts for this battle. Otherwise, in the long run, they wouldn't be able to bear the losses."

"What?" Qin Wentian's eyes widened. "Then Vice Captain Xiao, why are you participating in this battle?" Jun Mengchen asked, equally perplexed.

"Are you genuinely naive or merely pretending to be so?" Xiao Yehan fixed Jun Mengchen with a stern gaze. "Or perhaps you belong to a prestigious sect? I'm just an independent cultivator. If I want to acquire cultivation resources, I must rely on my own efforts. Even if I were part of a sect, as long as I'm not from the main line of descent, my progress would still depend on my own talent. If you refuse to participate in the war, how do you plan to earn enough merit to exchange for resources? Right now, I'm at the seventh level of immortal foundation. Do you comprehend the staggering amount of resources required to advance to the eighth level? Without any fortuitous encounters, participating in an immortal war to accumulate merit is unquestionably the quickest path."

"Many formidable individuals use this opportunity not only to gain merit but also to hone their skills," Xiao Yehan continued. "Some within the army have remarkable backgrounds and seek to refine themselves at the brink of life and death. Genuine experts constantly yearn for greater strength and ways to enhance their combat abilities."

"As for me, I aspire to become an immortal king and establish my own sect where I can serve as the sect leader. However, this ambition seems excessively challenging," Xiao Yehan concluded.

Qin Wentian observed Xiao Yehan, noting that while he appeared middle-aged, his true age likely spanned thousands of years. His eyes held an ancient wisdom, attesting to a lifetime filled with experiences.

Xiao Yehan's words held undeniable truth. The majority of individuals Qin Wentian encountered in the immortal realms were, without a doubt, geniuses. Each had their own unique journey filled with obstacles. For those with less ambitious goals, they could establish themselves in the particle worlds and rule as the local hegemon. However, those seeking continual growth had no choice but to challenge themselves through combat, clashing with other geniuses of their caliber.

Zi Qingxuan interjected with a question, "Wouldn't this make it easy for spies to infiltrate?"

Xiao Yehan responded, "Indeed, it could. However, what of it? Once the war begins, immortal kings will oversee the battles. As beings on the immortal king level, no one would dare to engage in suspicious activities before their eyes. Do you think anyone would risk their lives by committing treason so recklessly? Are they that eager for death?"

"True," Qin Wentian concurred. "This is our first participation in an immortal war. How exactly do these wars proceed? With the presence of immortal kings, what role do immortal-foundation experts play? After all, immortal-foundation experts wouldn't withstand a single strike from an immortal king."

"The immortal realms have established strict rules for immortal wars to prevent chaos," Xiao Yehan explained. "Consider the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor and the Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord. Their strengths are evenly matched; otherwise, the Eastern Sage would never have relinquished six prefectures to the Emperor Lord. However, in the war between their two powers, these two immortal emperors don't interfere. If they did, their subordinates would perish together. For this immortal war, the strength of the Dream Demon King and General Ox are evenly matched, allowing the conflict to persist. Otherwise, one commander could simply eliminate the other to secure victory."

He continued, "As such, strict rules are upheld. Immortal kings must only engage with other immortal kings. Immortal Emperors are prohibited from interfering. Therefore, the primary forces of each army are composed of immortal-foundation experts. In battles involving these experts, immortal kings are forbidden to intervene. Otherwise, immortal-foundation characters would instantly perish once an immortal king steps in. If any party violates these rules, the consequence is mutual annihilation. It's a senseless waste of life, and no one desires such an outcome. If the immortal-foundation force of one side falls, immortal kings then enter the fray. If they are unable to secure victory, they must retreat voluntarily. These are the battlefield's regulations. However, if one side's immortal kings emerge victorious, the participation of immortal-foundation experts becomes unnecessary."

Jun Mengchen raised a concern, "What if those defeated refuse to accept their loss and violate the rules by targeting immortal-foundation experts with full intent to kill?"

"That would be murder for the sake of murder," Xiao Yehan remarked. "If the immortal kings from one side take such actions, the other side will undoubtedly retaliate. Both factions would spiral into a frenzy of carnage, leading to a mutually assured destruction only halted when both sides are obliterated. Those who reach the immortal king realm are exceedingly proud individuals who adhere to these unspoken rules. Of course, if an exceptionally high-status individual from the opposing army were involved, the dynamics might change."

"Understood. I appreciate your guidance, Vice Captain," Qin Wentian acknowledged with a respectful bow. He recognized that he had to conceal his identity on the battlefield. If any immortal kings from the opposing side recognized him, they might employ various tactics to eliminate him. Qin Wentian was well aware that he topped the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's kill list.

"The battlefield has its own set of rules that both sides must adhere to," Jun Mengchen remarked, shaking his head.

"This is the immortal realms, and the participants in this war are all immortals, so there are naturally rules in place," added Ye Qing. "No one would engage in wanton slaughter. In the past, when the Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord sought six out of the thirteen prefectures, didn't the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor grant it to him after they fought to a draw? Furthermore, the Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord agreed that if the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect could cause his established power to collapse within a hundred years, he would return the six prefectures to the Eastern Sage and withdraw from the region. These are the rules between immortal emperors."

Ye Qing continued, "However, you must understand that these rules have a prerequisite: both parties must have equal strength. Otherwise, if the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor had the power to kill the Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord back then, would he have needed these rules? He would have certainly wiped out the entire Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect."

"Captain is absolutely right. The foundation of any rules is indeed equal strength with one's opponent. But as soon as the peak-level figure of either side falls, the other party becomes the strongest and the rule maker," Jun Mengchen added.

"In the end, strength remains the ultimate determinant," Jun Mengchen concluded.

As they conversed, a deafening roar pierced the air, echoing for miles around. Ye Qing's expression shifted, and she listened carefully as the booming sound reverberated three times. Her expression grew even graver as she turned to Qin Wentian and the others. "You guys are truly 'fortunate.' On your first day here, the booming sound has echoed three times."

"What does that mean?" Qin Wentian inquired.

"It means that the hundred-thousand-strong army of the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect is mobilizing for battle," Ye Qin explained, causing Qin Wentian's eyes to flicker with concern. "Distinguishing friend from foe will be challenging. Put on the armor with our allied colors and prepare to march into battle."

"Understood," Qin Wentian and his companions quickly donned the armor provided by Ye Qing. Then, the over one hundred members of their battle team ascended into the sky. They observed that the entire regiment of troops was also taking flight, exuding a formidable aura. Thunderous battle cries echoed through the air, creating an apocalyptic scene as a terrifying pressure engulfed the heavens and the earth, sending shivers down the spines of onlookers.

"What immense power," Jun Mengchen exclaimed in astonishment.

"A hundred-thousand-strong immortal army can rend mountains asunder and part rivers with a single thunderous roar," Qin Wentian mused aloud. The mere thought of this immense power made his heart tremble. He realized that if the entire army directed their vocal onslaught at a single point, even immortal kings would feel the overwhelming force.

Suddenly, a deafening "BOOM" resounded from the sky. A colossal figure, roughly ten thousand meters in size, descended from above. It was none other than the Commander-in-Chief, General Niu, who had appeared before the army. Every eye in the vicinity was fixed on him as he surveyed the troops below.

"Prepare the formation! We march to battle!" General Niu's voice echoed like thunder, resonating throughout the region. In response, the army of immortals began to move forward in perfect unison, radiating an overwhelming aura of authority. Observers from a distance couldn't help but feel their souls quaking. The impact of this spectacle was truly awe-inspiring.

The hundred-thousand-strong army surged out of the city gates, causing golden sand to swirl in their wake as they marched with resolute determination. Their formation was precise and orderly, and there was ample spacing between each unit. This meticulous arrangement was necessary, given the nature of the immortal war they were about to engage in. Once the battle commenced, they would require the space to maneuver and fight effectively.

In the distance, a fearsome tempest could be seen approaching. Even from afar, the oppressive aura exuding from this approaching force was palpable. It was clear that this was the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's army, and both sides possessed spies who provided valuable information about each other's movements. These spies may have infiltrated the city controlled by their opponents, masquerading as ordinary humans. The tension in the air was palpable as the two formidable forces prepared to clash.