"Reporting to the General, the Blood Python tribe's encampment is ten li ahead. As usual, their defenses are extremely lax!"
Within the territory controlled by the Blood Python tribe in the southern part of the Heavenly Demon Wasteland, their million-strong army and elite forces were annihilated on the front lines of Cangmu Prefecture. Since then, the Blood Python tribe had become a mere shell of its former self. If not for the support of the Blazing Python and Great Serpent-tailed tribes behind them, they would have long been eliminated by other tribes.
As the army advanced to this point, the air grew increasingly foul and humid.
A large army, mounted on warhorses, wore yellow armor covered in a thin layer of mist that shimmered with a prismatic glow under the sunlight.
Dugu Xin, Hua Mulan, Fu Hao, Zhang Han, and Lu Junyi, leading three hundred thousand cavalry, had rushed day and night since annihilating Hu Lifu's army, finally arriving at this location.
"Commander, how much further is it?"
Hua Mulan scanned the surroundings with a calm expression. All the cavalry of the Qiongqi Legion were gathered here. The remaining infantry was led by Meng Tian, who was stationed at the center of the army.
"General, the last report was fifty li behind us!"
The scout knelt on one knee, panting.
"Fifty li. By the time we finish dealing with the Blazing Python army, that should be about right!"
Dugu Xin narrowed his eyes, his gaze indifferent as he looked at the slightly reddish void ahead. The closer they got to the Blood Python tribe, the exponentially the scent of blood in the void increased.
"Lax defenses!"
Fu Hao chuckled coldly.
"According to Hu Lifu's confession, the commander of this army is Bian Tao, the third elder of the Blazing Python tribe. His cultivation realm is not much higher than Hu Lifu's."
"Charge in directly with the cavalry. Before they can react, swiftly deplete their fighting strength. As for Bian Tao, that will be left to General Dugu!"
Fu Hao clasped his fists and nodded slightly towards Dugu Xin.
"Indeed!"
Hua Mulan nodded, agreeing with Fu Hao's suggestion.
Dugu Xin looked at the two of them and smiled faintly, "Since both generals have made up their minds, this general will follow your arrangements."
The Blazing Python army's strength was not much different from the Primordial Bull army. Dugu Xin paid no heed to Bian Tao, who was at the fifth level of the Creation Realm. A single fifth-level cultivator was like an ant, easily crushed by him. Hu Lifu was a prime example.
"Good!"
Hua Mulan chuckled softly, "General Lu, inform the entire army to slow down their pace and approach gradually. When we are within five li, charge in directly and trample them!"
"Yes!"
Lu Junyi clasped his fists, then turned and extended his hand. The three hundred thousand iron cavalry slowly advanced. Due to the heavy moisture, the ground was not particularly firm. The hooves of the horses made little sound, and coupled with the lax vigilance of the Blazing Python soldiers, they never expected the human army to penetrate this deep.
What would have been a five-li journey took about half an hour as the three hundred thousand cavalry slowed their pace to avoid arousing suspicion.
They looked at the blood clouds swirling in the distant void, pressing down heavily, as if one could touch them from within the Blood Python tribe.
The Blazing Python soldiers, in twos and threes, chatted and laughed, completely unaware of any danger. Even the watchtowers were unmanned.
Hua Mulan waved her hand, and a long spear materialized. She turned her head slightly, glanced at Fu Hao, Lu Junyi, and Zhang Han on either side, and nodded slightly: "Kill!"
"Hiss~~"
The three hundred thousand soldiers simultaneously pulled on their reins. The warhorses neighed, shattering the tranquility of the area. The neighing scattered the blood clouds that had gathered in the Blood Python tribe's void, allowing slivers of sunlight to penetrate.
"Rumble!!"
The three hundred thousand Qiongqi Legion cavalry instantly raised their long spears. The cold glint forced the bloody mist in the void to disperse. The dense array of cold glints formed a continuous line, like a dragon of lightning rolling across the land.
"Kill!"
The banners unfurled, and the three hundred thousand cavalry instantly struck the earth with thunderous force. The ground here was damp, and no massive dust clouds were kicked up.
"Boom!"
The void cleared completely. Blinding sunlight once again illuminated the land. They saw various unnamed beasts scurrying in the open, but they quickly retreated at the appearance of the sun, as they disliked the light.
"Clang!!"
The long spears pierced the sky, emitting sharp tremors!
This force of three hundred thousand cavalry, having just emerged from a fierce battle, possessed strong morale and intense fighting spirit. For a time, a blue storm surged in front of the vast army. Above the storm, the Qiongqi strode through the void, its wings sweeping across the sky.
The dried bloodstains on the armor of the soldiers further enhanced the Qiongqi's bloodthirsty aura.
For a moment, the Qiongqi stomped through the air, and all the lurking beasts huddled and prostrated themselves, trembling in dark corners. A fierce, blood-soaked aura, like a storm, directly transformed the surrounding miles into a sea of blood.
A heavy, oppressive aura, so potent that the beasts could barely breathe, swept through the land unchecked, like the most formidable ferocious beast surveying its territory.
"Rumble~~"
The Blood Python encampment in the distance began to shake, as if struck by a natural disaster. All the Blazing Python soldiers looked up in confusion.
"What's happening?"
Bian Tao, with a furious expression, strode out of the great hall. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed, and seeing the blinding sunlight in the void, he became even more enraged: "Xue Ming!"
"Xue Ming!"
"Where the hell are you, you brat?"
"Here! Here!"
"Uncle-Grandfather!"
"Ming'er is here!"
Xue Ming rushed over, seeing Bian Tao's fury, he knew something was wrong. This was his maternal aunt's uncle, the third elder of the Blazing Python tribe, a person of considerable authority.
"Hmph!"
"What is going on?"
"Is some tribe nearby causing trouble?"
"How dare they be so presumptuous in front of this old man!"
Bian Tao glared around.
"Uncle-Grandfather, please don't be anxious. I'll handle this. You should rest. You, yes, you! How can you be so dull-witted serving Uncle-Grandfather?"
Xue Ming looked at the maidservant beside him, his face instantly darkening, and he scolded, "Why aren't you helping Uncle-Grandfather inside to rest!"
After Bian Tao entered the great hall, Xue Ming's demeanor instantly changed. He puffed out his chest and lifted his head: "Come here!"
He pointed at a Blazing Python副将 (fùjiàng - deputy general), a powerful cultivator at the Creation Realm!
"Me?"
The deputy general frowned upon hearing this.
"Yes, you!"
Xue Ming grew impatient. What was so great about a Creation Realm cultivator? His uncle and aunt were both Creation Realm powerhouses. His uncle was even an elder of the Great Serpent-tailed tribe, and his uncle-grandfather was an elder of the Blazing Python tribe. Why wasn't he willing?
He glared at the deputy general.
The deputy general's momentarily angry expression instantly turned into a smile: "Oh, young master, please forgive me. I was just guarding the elder and momentarily distracted, so I didn't hear your command. I hope you won't be angry!"