Chapter 274 Great War Begins_2
Even though thousands of Demonic Beasts had fallen to the Formation, the remaining force was clearly more superior, consisting of nine Third Order Demon Beasts, several thousand Second Order Demonic Beasts, and over forty thousand First Order Demon Beasts.
Such a massive force, in both number and quality, clearly demonstrated that the Demon Beasts' overall strength was stronger than that of the Cultivators present.
At this moment, the two sides looked at each other. Even though the Third Order Blazing Flame Celestial Lion was angry, it did not rashly launch an attack, seemingly wary of any tricks the Human Race might play.
This cautious behavior was, after all, normal, since a Third Order Late Stage Demonic Beast possessed Spirit Wisdom not inferior to humans.
Seeing the Human Cultivators walking out from the Formation, it wasn't a three-year-old child, so naturally, it dared not take risks lightly.
As a result, neither side took the initiative to attack, and the situation momentarily entered a deadlock, the atmosphere turning somewhat eerie.
The Human side, of course, was pleased to see such a stalemate.
Chen Jingtian was very cautious. If the Demonic Beasts did not launch an attack, the Human side also would not act recklessly.
The standoff continued for a short while, with neither side able to advance or retreat.
Seeing the Human Cultivators making no moves and showing no intention of attacking, it seemed that the Blazing Flame Celestial Lion was growing impatient.
After all, they were Demonic Beasts, inherently irritable, perhaps a flaw in the nature of Demon Beasts.
It growled lowly at the few Third Order Demon Beasts nearby, seemingly discussing tactics.
As time quickly passed, the Third Order Demon Beasts growled at each other and then simultaneously turned their heads to stare at Chen Jingtian and his companions, their eyes filled with a fighting spirit.
Seeing this, Chen Jingtian and his companions were taken aback, their eyes filled with wariness, seemingly understanding that the Demon Beasts were about to attack.
As expected, unable to contain its impatience, the Third Order Demon Beast launched an attack with the angry roar of the Blazing Flame Celestial Lion.
At that moment, the Third Order Demon Beasts charged at Chen Jingtian and his companions, but they were cautious, their advance was limited and they did not directly rush into the Formation's attack range.
Clearly, the Third Order Demon Beasts did not want to give the Human Cultivators the geographical advantage, and only moved forward a small step.
With the battle horn sounding, the vast Demon Beast Tribe surged forward toward the Human Cultivators like endless waves.
The sight of thousands of beasts stampeding was an overwhelming and awe-inspiring spectacle.
Upon seeing this, everyone's faces turned incredibly grim, waiting for the Golden Core Cultivators to give orders.
At the very front of the Cultivators, with the Demon Beasts initiating the attack, Chen Jingtian and the others refused to fall behind.
After issuing the attack command, Chen Jingtian leaped forward as four Golden Core Cultivators joined forces to advance, clashing with the nine Third Order Demonic Beasts high in the sky.
Immediately following, the tens of thousands of Cultivators behind them all stepped forward, each activating various techniques, engaging in a fierce battle with the oncoming Demon Beast Army.
Just outside Yuyao City, scenes of battle were everywhere, with Third Order Demon Beasts and Golden Core Cultivators fighting in the highest skies, and Second Order Demonic Beasts occupying the vast southern region with Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
Meanwhile, the remaining Qi Refining Cultivators and First Order Demon Beasts occupied the largest territories, in the western and northern directions, all filled with the figures of these Cultivators and Demonic Beasts.
Both sides seemed to agree tacitly; every group had a clear target and did not often see Second Order Demon Beasts running into First Order Demon Beast's fighting locations.
It was clear that both sides understood that High Order Cultivators going to the battle sites of Low Order Cultivators could achieve greater victories, but the Demon Beast side would not allow Cultivators to slaughter Low Order Demon Beasts at will.
If the Human Cultivators acted recklessly, the Demon Beasts would similarly deploy Second Order Demonic Beasts to the Qi Refining Cultivators' battleground to slaughter Cultivators.
Thus, unless one side gained an overwhelming advantage, it would be unlikely to witness such a reckless scene.
The spectacle was truly magnificent, with three groups fighting among each other, trying not to affect other areas as much as possible.
Even with both sides exercising restraint, whether it was Human Cultivators or the Demonic Beasts, a large number of lives were still being lost.
However, across the entire battlefield, once the battle commenced, the key to victory lay with the Golden Core and Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Qi Refining Cultivators lacked the strength to influence the final outcome.
In the high sky, Chen Jingtian and several others joined forces against the enemy. Unbeknownst to them, two Third Order Demonic Beasts appeared within the cultivators' field of vision.
Looking out, both were at the early stage of the Third Order, fighting together against the three demonic beasts they faced.
Many cultivators were puzzled, but as the fight went on, they realized that these two suddenly appearing Third Order Demonic Beasts were Spirit Beasts raised by the Zhenyang Sect.
That the Zhenyang Sect possessed Third Order Spiritual Beasts was no secret; at the very least, powers with a legacy spanning over a thousand years knew something of it.
Seeing this development, many cultivators couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
Clearly, the Zhenyang Sect had come prepared, and not only had they deployed four Golden Core Cultivators, but they also brought Third Order Spiritual Beasts with Chen Jingtian to Yuyao City.
With the addition of these two Third Order Demonic Beasts, the top fighting strength of the Human Cultivators increased significantly, with four Golden Core Cultivators and two Third Order Demonic Beasts, at least not much weaker than the opposing Third Order demonic beasts.
No wonder Chen Jingtian, facing nine Third Order Demonic Beasts, still had plans to take initiative in the attack; it turns out he had some assurances.
...
The Southern Battlefield occupied by Foundation Establishment Cultivators and Second Order Demonic Beasts.
In the southernmost corner, Lin Tianming and Qin Xi closely followed Li Xiuyuan, fifty Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and nearly a hundred Second Order Demon Beasts were locked in battle.
Near them, there were other Foundation Establishment Cultivators present, almost all part of varying-sized groups, each battling against their own demon beast tribes.
In their combat area, Li Xiuyuan, as the leader and the strongest among them, took on three Second Order Late Stage beasts by himself without falling into a disadvantage.
Besides Li Xiuyuan, Hu Yuan and a few other Foundation Establishment Cultivators were also key figures on whom Lin Tianming focused.
Hu Yuan and Liu Zhenshan were among the top-tier in terms of strength within their team, each dealing with varying numbers of Second Order Late-Stage beasts.
Apart from Hu Yuan who had the upper hand, the situation for the others was also favorable; they wouldn't be defeated so easily in a short time.
However, some cultivators at the Initial Stage of Foundation Establishment within the team were not faring well.
With their limited strength, they faced attacks from two or more Second Order Demon Beasts. Some cultivators were getting injured, and a few had even fallen.
Powerless, Lin Tianming helped when he could, but if someone was too far to reach in time, he could only stand by and witness their demise.
In one corner, Lin Tianming was entangled in a fight with a demon beast.
He was not far from Qin Xi, who was fiercely battling three Second Order Initial Stage Demon Beasts.
Given that Qin Xi's strength was only at the Foundation Establishment Second Layer, she seemed rather frail on this battlefield littered with Second Order Middle Stage beasts.
As a result, Lin Tianming frequently swung his Tiangang Sword, simultaneously handling three Second Order Middle Stage beasts and reducing the pressure on Qin Xi.
Facing the three Middle Stage beasts, Lin Tianming was quite at ease. However, despite his strength, it wouldn't take him long to kill them if he really fought desperately.
Still, he deliberately kept a low profile, not revealing too much of his power, just holding off several Second Order Middle Stage beasts and having a slight advantage.
Even so, the strength he displayed still astonished his teammates.
Li Xiuyuan was not surprised by this; he had interacted with Lin Tianming plenty, and the occasional hint of aura that Lin Tianming let slip made his heart race.
As such, with Lin Tianming's strength at the Sixth Level of Foundation Establishment, along with his numerous treasures and methods, he could truly fight, and even the common Second Order Late Stage Demon Beast might not be his match.
Knowing this, Li Xiuyuan began to fight more freely, engaging fiercely with his opponents.
Lin Tianming wouldn't be outdone either; he suppressed the three beasts he faced, waiting for the right moment to end their lives, then to assist Qin Xi.