Chapter 91: Beware of the Opponent's Hidden Tricks
Chapter 91: Beware of the Opponent's Hidden Tricks
Xue Ruyan was very talented, and with Jiang Tian's help, she was making rapid progress.
At this moment, her strength was fully displayed.
The unique characteristics of the Qi Refiner profession allowed Xue Ruyan to switch between close-range and long-range combat styles.
Likewise, she could seamlessly merge the two styles.
Jiang Tian simply stood by and watched as Xue Ruyan killed the Fire Frog and Fire Fish tribes in a very short time.
It was a perfect outcome. Xue Ruyan gained valuable combat experience, and Jiang Tian secured more food reserves.
After finishing off the Fire Frog and Fire Fish tribes in that area, Jiang Tian and Xue Ruyan didn't stop but continued forward.
Jiang Tian was concerned that unexpected developments might arise again, so he decided to take advantage of the opportunity to kill as many Fire Frogs and Fire Fish as possible.
By noon, Jiang Tian and Xue Ruyan had hurried along their journey and finally arrived at the third line of defense.
The so-called third line of defense was a defense base positioned directly in front of the space-time gate base.
The entire base was only slightly smaller than the space-time gate base itself.
From a distance, one could see a net-like formation spreading out, expanding in both directions from the base.
Further ahead, there were tower-like structures, each radiating formation energy.
This was the third defense zone.
The purpose of the defense base was to act as a foothold in this location.
If an alien attack occurred, they would first have to take down the defense base.
After all, if they tried to bypass the defense base, they would be flanked by both the defense base and the space-time gate base.
Additionally, because of the defensive formations covering both the left and right sides, any attempt to bypass the base would require a much longer detour.
Jiang Tian and Xue Ruyan quickly passed identity verification but were stopped upon entering the defense base.
"For candidates taking the martial arts college entrance examination, your activities must remain within the third line of defense. You cannot go beyond this point," said the examiner stationed at the defense base.
"Examiner, we are confident in our strength and can handle those alien races," Xue Ruyan explained, attempting to argue their case.
However, the examiner shook his head. "If you leave the third line of defense and move toward the front, you will likely encounter the Fire Feather Clan."
"Although the Fire Feather Clan's army cannot breach the first line of defense, their scouts take detours and ambush our forces."
"The Fire Feather scouts, along with the Fire Frog and Fire Fish tribes they command, are stronger and more reckless."
"Since they know that once they are discovered, their chances of survival are slim, they will fight to the death against you."
The examiner shook his head again and told Jiang Tian and Xue Ruyan, "These are the rules, and they are for your own safety."
"Stay within the third line of defense. The number of scouting teams from the Fire Frog and Fire Fish tribes will only increase."
"This is already a significant challenge for you."
The examiner was patient, understanding Jiang Tian and Xue Ruyan's intentions.
Young and talented students always wanted to prove themselves and stand out.
As someone who had been through this himself, he understood their eagerness.
Jiang Tian and Xue Ruyan left the defense base, exchanging silent glances.
For Xue Ruyan, whether or not she advanced to the front lines didn't matter.
The real issue was Jiang Tian.
"What a pity! I was really hoping to test myself against the Fire Feather Clan this time, but I didn't even get the chance to hunt them," Jiang Tian sighed.
The examiner had good intentions and was simply following the rules.
Xue Ruyan also found it unfortunate, as she knew Jiang Tian's strength was far greater than what others perceived.
With the exam's sudden expansion and the absence of monitoring equipment or surveillance formations,
as long as Jiang Tian stored his military medal in his space ring, no one would be able to track his true level of strength.
Even if they encountered the Fire Feather Clan, Xue Ruyan was confident that Jiang Tian could defeat them with ease.
"Let's take a detour," Jiang Tian suddenly suggested, looking toward the sides of the base.
The defense base's coverage was limited. If they traveled far enough in either direction, they could likely find a way around it.
The farther from the defense base they went, the wider the range of the sentry towers.
The Fire Feather Clan's scouts had bypassed the front defense base to infiltrate the rear using the same method.
Jiang Tian and Xue Ruyan immediately set their plan into motion.
---
Meanwhile, outside the first line of defense,
Xue Xiao, who had arrived earlier, stood with a spear in hand, gazing into the distance.
Outside the defense base, the human army had regrouped, and the Fire Feather Clan, which had previously launched an attack, had retreated.
The ground ahead was littered with the corpses of Fire Feather warriors.
Even more Fire Frog and Fire Fish corpses were piled up, forming mountains of the dead.
"Are you still planning to fight?" Xue Xiao called out, her sharp eyes fixed on a towering Fire Feather Clan warrior in the distance.
However, this Fire Feather warrior looked miserable—one of its outstretched wings had a bloody hole, clearly pierced by a spear.
"Human woman, you are indeed formidable," the Fire Feather warrior spoke in broken human language. "But don't celebrate just yet..."
"Wait, this isn't over."
With that, the Fire Feather Clan warrior led his subordinates into a slow retreat.
Never chase a desperate enemy.
Xue Xiao didn't pursue. The Fire Feather Clan's attack had been frenzied, and their numbers were considerable.
Within the Fire Soup Small World, reinforcements for the first line of defense continued to arrive from various directions.
With the enemy army still looming, it was crucial to monitor their movements and ensure they didn't launch a sudden, reckless assault.
Once the enemy had fully withdrawn, Xue Xiao let out a soft sigh and returned to the first line of defense base with her spear.
Upon returning to the base, the scouts had already relayed a report.
The Fire Feather Clan's army hadn't actually retreated but was lingering nearby, refusing to leave.
It seemed they were preparing for another confrontation.
"The Fire Feather Clan is clearly trying to stir up chaos," Xue Xiao remarked as she entered the base.
Huang Hui, puffing on a cigar, approached her. "Yeah, but they're not going all in just yet."
"What do you mean?" Xue Xiao asked.
Huang Hui shrugged. "The Fire Feather warrior I fought got scared midway through the battle and tried to escape. Too bad for him—I crushed his head."
"I don't get it. Their army acts like they're ready for a full-on war, but when they actually fight, they're still afraid of dying. What's the point?"
"Do they really think they can break through the first line of defense by just wasting time like this?"
Xue Xiao frowned and exhaled slowly. "Be careful. Stay cautious and alert. The Fire Feather Clan might have some hidden tricks up their sleeves."