This strike was like a thunderbolt, stirring up the weeds and debris from the ground, which then hurtled towards Aaron, engulfing him like a sudden storm.
However, by some unknown technique, Aaron advanced instead of retreating, his long spear flickering in his palm.
Saikas felt a sky full of brilliance and boundless killing intent, his entire being caught within the spear's light. Golden light crisscrossed, and energy flew wildly.
The strength in his own body seemed to be drained away by the opponent. Yet, his momentum was too great, and he felt no resistance in front of him. He pierced through the brilliance and landed face-first on the ground with a loud crash, completely disoriented.
Several men from the Saint Roman army formation rushed forward and bound him with great haste.
No one could discern how many times Aaron had thrust his spear in the fleeting moment they passed each other. But no one expected Saikas, with his strength, to be knocked to the ground at the very first encounter.
After approximately two days of travel, the Western Expeditionary Army finally emerged from the eerie and peculiar marshland, stepping onto the vast grassland.
An endless expanse of grassland, with horses galloping and sheep crowding the path, everything appeared so harmonious. The sky was high and the clouds were thin, the air exceptionally fresh, as if entering another world.
The mystical ancient mountain range possessed the most terrifying forests and swamps, yet it also held the most harmonious and beautiful natural scenery in the world—truly a paradoxical entity.
The plains were wide and open, stretching with rolling hills as far as the eye could see, cloaked in vibrant green.
The adjutant remarked with emotion, "The barbarians possess such fertile land; I truly wonder why they still covet our Saint Roman."
Kent smiled slightly and turned his head, replying, "Though the mountains and rivers are beautiful, the soil here is too thin, making large-scale agriculture very difficult to develop. Moreover, the barbarians are naturally lazy and disinclined to think. While their animal husbandry is developed, it's hard for them to thrive solely on this. Therefore, they can only survive by raiding. They are unlike us Atlanteans, who are naturally simple and honest; it's truly the barbarian nature."
Kent nodded, "But if the barbarians' food problems could be solved, would they cease their harassment of Atlantis?"
Kent shook his head and smiled, "The barbarian nature is always greedy. If they were to resolve their hunger one day, they would undoubtedly have other ambitions. Where there is the drive of profit, there will be killing and war."
Xiao Xun pointed to the open terrain before them and asked, "Kent, do you discern anything?"
Kent quickly replied, "This plain is wide and open, perfectly suited for the barbarians to leverage their strengths. It seems Saien intends to fight a decisive battle here."
Xiao Xun nodded, "This place appears peaceful, but killing intent fluctuates. It seems the war is not far off!"
He then ordered the army to camp there with their backs to the swamp, guarding against any surprise attack from Saien.
Unexpectedly, Saien remained inactive for a long time. Xiao Xun was unaware that a fierce debate was still raging in Saien's tent.
Upon learning that three tribal leaders had been killed and two captured, Saien was enraged. Hearing that both the Old Sultan and Saikas had been captured by the enemy in one fell swoop further ignited the ferocity within him, making him eager to clash with Aaron on the battlefield.
As the second-ranked expert on the barbarian expert list, he had few defeats and was always exceedingly arrogant.
Moreover, a martial artist like him, rarely encountering a worthy opponent, cherished such encounters most.
Therefore, he abandoned his original strategy of attacking the enemy while their encampment was still unstable, opting instead to engage Aaron in a fair duel.
This move was met with strong opposition from those led by Zu An, who earnestly advised him against putting himself at risk and urged him to prioritize the overall situation.
However, Saien was rather stubborn and resolute in his decision, thus missing a crucial opportunity to attack. But with Xiao Xun's intelligence, even if Saien had attacked, he would likely have had countermeasures.
The next day, Saien personally led the barbarian troops to confront Xiao Xun. As he advanced, he saw a troop of soldiers flash in the distance and immediately ordered his ranks to form up. When the two formations met, Saien rode forward, two battle axes hanging from his saddle, pointing at the Saint Roman army and asking, "Are you Aaron?"
A general emerged from beneath the banner, his face serious, his broad shoulders and thick back exuding a sense of solidity. A flicker of surprise crossed his face.
"Why is the Tiger Mighty General needed to conquer mere barbarians? I am Tuosen, a general of Saint Roman!"
Despite his words, Tuosen couldn't help but be startled upon seeing Saien standing like an iron tower beneath the banner.
Although he had heard Ogart's description of Saien, he had never fully believed it. Seeing him today, mounted on a Tang horse, a breed taller than ordinary horses and exceptionally spirited, and Saien himself, over nine feet tall, wearing a purple-gold crown, standing amidst the crowd like a mountain, he was remarkably striking.
As Saien moved out of the ranks, he exuded a powerful oppressive aura. Tuosen, seasoned in a hundred battles, clearly knew this was the mark of an unparalleled master.
Saien let out a cold laugh, "You are no match for me! Retreat quickly! Send for Aaron to fight!"
Tuosen, standing at the front of the two armies with tens of thousands watching, was greatly angered by such contempt from Karul, his blood boiling, "How dare you be so arrogant! Let us fight first!"
Saying this, he spurred his horse and charged towards Saien with his sabre.
Saien said to those around him, "Leaders, who will go and teach this man a lesson?"
The allied巫族 (Witch Tribe) army was composed of the main warring tribes, all of which were weak tribes dependent on Saien, following his lead daily. As soon as Saien's words fell, a leader spurred his horse forward, "Let Mendelu go capture him!"
Watching Mendelu charge out from his own ranks, kicking up dust and soil, Saien nodded, "Mendelu will surely slay this fellow!"
Mendelu's skill ranked tenth among the barbarian experts. However, Saien assessed Tuosen's abilities as not particularly high, though he noted his disciplined formation and stern military bearing, marking him as a talented general. Thus, he remained composed.
As he was thinking, Mendelu and Tuosen grew closer, about to engage.
Mendelu held a truncated saber, its head slightly shorter than a standard broadsword, but its spine was very thick, enhancing its chopping advantage.
As their horses passed each other, both generals raised their sabres and struck. A muffled clang of metal on metal echoed, and bursts of energy rippled out, creating waves of force.
The moment they clashed, they exchanged a solid blow. Tuosen felt his arms go numb, a powerful and domineering energy flowing into his meridians from the saber, causing him indescribable discomfort.
His abilities were indeed inferior to Mendelu's. At the very first exchange, he suffered a disadvantage.
On the other side, Mendelu returned on his horse, his confidence soaring, laughing loudly, "Still not surrendering?"
He raised his saber again and attacked Tuosen.
Tuosen dared not be careless, turning his horse around and raising his saber to meet Mendelu.
As their horses were about to collide, Ya (Tuosen's horse) struck first. However, Tuosen retracted his saber, brushed past his opponent, and headed directly towards his own camp.
Laughter erupted from Saien's ranks. Saien said, "The Saint Roman youngsters are the most cunning! Attack them!"
In an instant, the barbarian tribes roared, ten thousand horses thundered towards the Saint Roman army formation, surging like the angry waves of the Yellow River.
Seeing their commander's unfavorable engagement, Tuosen's army had already turned their horses and were retreating like a tide.
Saien observed Tuosen's scattered banners and intermingled formations, inwardly sneering, "How can such a formation fight my Saint race warriors?" He immediately ordered his army to pursue with full force.
The barbarian warriors, having grown up on horseback and accustomed to galloping, were skilled in archery and horsemanship. They pursued and shot as they went. Although Tuosen's army retreated promptly and managed to create some distance, they still suffered considerable losses.
Tuosen's army had just retreated to a higher ground when suddenly, a troop of soldiers rushed out from behind the elevation, their formation remarkably orderly.
In the blink of an eye, this troop surged onto the open plain and formed their ranks. It was Hecaster.
Upon seeing Hecaster, Tuosen let out a sigh of relief. If Hecaster had arrived any later, his remaining forces would have been completely annihilated by Saien's army.
He hadn't expected the grassland horses to be so fast; his light cavalry couldn't outrun them.
Hecaster's formation left an opening, and Tuosen's army quickly merged into it.
Saien thought he had fallen into an ambush and immediately reined in his horse, halting his advance.
However, looking at the wide-open plain, visible from all directions, it didn't seem like there were hidden troops. He assumed it was merely a reinforcement for Tuosen and sneered inwardly.
Then, a young general emerged from the opposing ranks, holding a long spear, standing majestically beneath the banner, and pointing at Saien, he challenged, "Barbarian general! Dare you fight me?"
Saien, seeing such a young general emerge from the Saint Roman army ranks, let out a hearty laugh, "Little one! You are no match for me! Go back quickly and send your elders to fight!"
As Saien spoke, he exuded a natural grandeur, his aura already overpowering Hecaster.