Warhorses neighed as arrows rained down like a swarm of locusts!
Two colossal armies, like primordial beasts, clashed with brutal ferocity, tearing into each other the moment they met. Tens of thousands fell in the first exchange alone.
At this scale, individual prowess meant little. Victory hinged entirely on the commanders' leadership.
Ling Feng's troops advanced and retreated in seemingly chaotic yet eerily coordinated movements, maintaining an unshakable cohesion no matter how fiercely Wu Ku's forces struck.
Meanwhile, Wu Ku's army shifted formations seamlessly—fish-scale, wild goose, eight trigrams, celestial gate, serpentine...
Each maneuver packed tremendous killing power, and though they were outnumbered two to one, they still managed to fight Ling Feng's forces to a standstill.
Both commanders wore grim expressions, sensing the other's formidable control. The outcome was still anyone's guess.
Casualties mounted by the hundred thousand. The Boneyard lived up to its name, becoming a mountain of corpses and a river of blood. The stench of blood energy drew crows circling beneath the crimson sunset.
The final moment approached!
Blood pooled into streams; bodies piled into hills. The Boneyard was a graveyard of the dead, its air thick with the weight of slaughter.
Inside the command tent, Han Li, Jia Wenhe, the dark-faced general, and Fang Wentong sighed in unison.
"Still too young, after all."
"He did well to come this far."
Li Bufan shook his head. In the end, Ling Feng had been one move short.
Though Tuoba Yan and Mu Qianxue couldn't grasp the battle's intricacies, Li Bufan's expression told them enough.
"Senior Brother Li," Mu Qianxue gritted her teeth, "if Big Brother Ling lost, I'll give you my spot for the Ancient Tower Grove."
"No need, Junior Sister Mu." Li Bufan shook his head, a look of determination flashing in his eyes. "You're the secret weapon against the Royal Sword Team. You go. I'll stay."
Nearby, Despicable Donkey lounged with a hoof crossed, sneering. "This Divine Beast told you Ling Feng wasn't reliable!"
The surrounding generals shot Despicable Donkey dubious looks. Hadn't it been singing Ling Feng's praises earlier?
But no one dared call it out. A Demon Emperor-level creature wasn't to be trifled with!
Wu Ku stood atop the high slope, roaring with laughter. "General Ling, you've lost!"
Outside the sand table, Wu Ku's eyes snapped open, triumph written across his face.
"Oh? How so?" Ling Feng opened his eyes calmly, smiling.
"General Ling, I admit—you're a commander of rare talent. This humble general respects that. But youth remains your undoing."
Wu Ku pointed at the sand table, grinning. "Before the final clash, I sent an elite heavy beast cavalry to raid your camp. By now, my Tianbai Emperor battle flag should be flying over your headquarters!"
Han Li had declared victory could be won either by annihilating the enemy or seizing their base.
Wu Ku laughed heartily—until his finger reached Ling Feng's camp on the sand table.
Because it was Ling Feng's battle flag that flew over his camp!
Wu Ku's eyes nearly bulged out of his skull. The other generals were equally stunned. Even with a god's-eye view, none had noticed Ling Feng's maneuver.
Now it was Ling Feng's turn to laugh. "General Wu, did you think only you could pull that trick?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Remember the fifty-thousand garrison troops I left guarding the valley? The moment we departed, I had them dig tunnels straight to your camp. While we fought, they were right beneath you."
"I only engaged you to keep your attention diverted." Ling Feng clasped his hands in a fist-and-palm salute. "That said, your command was masterful. This junior admires it deeply."
"Uh..." Wu Ku took a shuddering breath, conflict flashing in his eyes. Then, the towering man dropped to one knee.
"This defeat... I accept it wholeheartedly."
Ling Feng nodded. In that moment, he had earned the respect of these hardened warriors.
Mu Qianxue clenched her fists, eyes shining. Even Tuoba Yan allowed herself a faint smile.
Ling Feng was still Ling Feng—forever defying expectations.
"Ahem! This divine beast knew Ling Feng wouldn't lose. After all, he's under this divine beast's protection!"
Despicable Donkey's latest boast earned unanimous eye-rolls.
This shameless creature had zero principles.
"General Wu, please rise."
Ling Feng helped Wu Ku up. In many ways, the man had been his teacher today.
"General Ling, a bet's a bet. My ninety-one military honor points are yours."
Wu Ku produced his token, ready to transfer the honors under Commander-in-Chief Han Li's witness.
Ling Feng shook his head. "Every point you earned came at the cost of blood. I won't take what's yours. Consider our wager void."
Wu Ku's grip tightened. After decades of service, he'd been outclassed in character by a boy half his age!
The generals exchanged approving nods. Ling Feng could've claimed the honors fairly—but refusing them spoke volumes.
Talent without arrogance. A leader worth following!
Han Li stroked his beard, smiling. "Enough debate. General Wu, keep your points. As for General Ling—victory deserves reward. Take an extra slot for the Ancient Tower Grove."
"Thanks Commander-in-Chief!"
Ling Feng and Li Bufan bowed as one.
As for the Despicable Donkey? Tossing it into the Five Elements Heavenly Palace would suffice.
As a demonic pet, bringing it along wasn't technically forbidden.
Not that it mattered. The Three Thousand Great Daos within the grove were meant for humans. A donkey—no matter how divine—couldn't comprehend them anyway.