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Chapter 1063: Chapter 1000: Escape_2
The closest forces have already deployed their full strength. They cannot provide any further assistance and can only hope that other forces will respond rapidly.
The Devil Race, having experienced two consecutive defeats and both considered narrow losses, will surely be even more infuriated. They will also deem the strength of the cultivators as mediocre, feeling that victory over them is not impossible.
Moreover, after the first round of the great battle, the time it took for the Devil Race and cultivators to organize large armies or request reinforcements was virtually the same; this time the Devil Race may not be a step behind.
After all, Nine Bend Gorge is geographically closer to the territory of the Devil Race.
"We can only take it one step at a time," Xiaoqing felt helpless about the situation.
"Let’s hope those Array Masters are skilled enough to repair the Formation and buy us a bit more time," Li Zhirui responded helplessly.
But he didn’t hold much hope.
After two rounds of grand battles, the Array Masters were also significantly taxed, and they had to learn the Array Patterns on the spot.
With Li Zhirui’s strength, he had no fear of the Formation being breached and being forced into a bloody battle with Devil Beasts. What he was worried about were his Li family members and the entire Thousandfold Mountains!
The destructive power of the Devil Race goes without saying. n𝚘𝚟𝚙𝚞𝚋.𝚌o𝚖
Even in ordinary times, it was common to hear of towns suffering numerous deaths and injuries under the attack of Devil Beasts.
If the defense line they were on were to fall and millions of Devil Beasts poured out, wreaking havoc in the mountains and brutally slaughtering cultivators and mortals, it would be a colossal disaster for the mountain’s Cultivation World.
——
When that group of seventh-rank Devil Beasts heard once again that their side had been defeated, they were still infuriated, cursing the waste.
"What a great opportunity, wasted just like that!"
"How are the other large armies doing? Can we launch an attack on Nine Bend Gorge before the cultivators’ reinforcements arrive this time?"
Despite their anger, they also saw the opportunity for victory.
After all, it wasn’t they who were dying. They wouldn’t care or feel distressed about the casualties.
But if they managed to drive the cultivators out of Nine Bend Gorge and take over the three major strategic points nearby, they could safely mine the high-grade Fine Gold.
Even if the cultivators were to fight back and reclaim the area, the Devil Beasts could flee with a massive amount of Fine Gold, leave the mountains, and develop in other realms.
As long as they focused on cultivation for a while and integrated the Fine Gold into their Life-bound Magic Treasures, and even managed to trade for other precious Spiritual Objects, their strength could see a significant increase.
"Fifth and sixth-rank tribe members have gathered quite a number, but there are fewer lower-rank tribe members," the sixth-rank Devil Beast responsible for conveying the message said.
The higher the realm of a Devil Beast, the easier it was to assemble them; in contrast, the lower-rank Devil Beasts had to be sought after for a considerable time due to their scattering in all directions.
"Go and tell them to attack the cultivators while waiting for subsequent reinforcements," a seventh-rank Devil Beast said indifferently, not at all concerned about the lives of those Devil Beasts.
"Yes!"
The sixth-rank Devil Beast was already accustomed to this and showed no emotion as it quickly left after replying.
About a quarter of an hour later, it found the group of fifth and sixth-rank Devil Beasts that had assembled, totaling roughly two thousand.
"The Ancestor commands you to attack the cultivators immediately!"
"Isn’t this sending us to our deaths?"
The moment these words were spoken, it prompted intense reactions among many Devil Beasts; many of them had just narrowly escaped from the battlefield and had informed the others about the strength of the cultivator’s side.
With nearly ten thousand supporting cultivators and the original tens of thousands of cultivators, even if they couldn’t exert their full strength, these two thousand-plus Devil Beasts would not be able to contend with them.
The sixth-rank Devil Beast said calmly, "This is the Ancestor’s command, and I am solely responsible for conveying it. Whether you listen or not is of no concern to me."
After speaking, it disappeared from sight.
"Damn it! That bastard!"
"What should we do now?"
They truly didn’t want to attack the cultivators’ defense line now, for it was clearly a situation of almost certain death, but they dared not disobey the command of those senior ancestors.
"One step forward is almost certain death, but one step back, we might become food for that group of senior ancestors!" one Devil Beast said helplessly, uttering these cruel words.
Expressions of bitter smiles appeared on the faces of the other Devil Beasts.
They were very clear in their hearts that attacking the cultivators was indeed extremely dangerous, and there was a high chance of death, but at least there was a slim chance of survival.
But if they were to fall into the hands of that group of seventh-grade Devil Beasts, there was absolutely no chance of living!
"It seems we really have to fight with all we’ve got."
A group of Devil Beasts filled with reluctance in their eyes, they too had gone through numerous hardships to attain their current cultivation and power, why should they march towards death?
"No! We can choose to disobey the command and take this opportunity to leave the mountains. The world is vast; can they really find us?!" Just as a group of Devil Beasts was preparing to act with reluctance, a fifth-grade Devil Beast suddenly spoke up.
The Devil Beasts paused upon hearing this, realizing the option. Indeed, why hadn’t they thought of this method?
"So, if fate wills it, we shall meet again!"
After saying this, it quickly broke away from the group and disappeared into the vast mountains and forests.
Seeing a glimmer of hope, most Devil Beasts did not hesitate to leave the group.
In an instant, more than two thousand fifth and sixth-grade Devil Beasts left. Not a single one wished to stay and attack the precarious defense line of the cultivators.
"It looks like I should consider my own situation too!"
The communicating Devil Beast that disappeared earlier reappeared.
In fact, it had never left. It had originally wanted to see if the group of Devil Beasts would carry out the command, as it still had to report back.
To its surprise, they were so audaciously rebelled against the orders and even planned to leave the Thousandfold Mountains.
This situation made it sense a whiff of defeat, so it also began to consider its own future.
And with the escape of these two thousand plus organized higher-level Devil Beasts, the Devil Race completely lost their only chance to defeat the cultivators!
There were still many Devil Beasts within the mountains, but they were scattered in different areas. Gathering them would take some time, and by the time the Devil Race could reorganize their forces, the second and possibly third wave of reinforcements from the cultivators might have already arrived!
Moreover, the Great Array that was about to break had ample time for repairs, significantly strengthening its defense.
Of course, the cultivators did not know about this situation yet. Everyone was racing against time, striving to recover stronger combat power.
Even Li Zhirui, in order to save more of his kin in the upcoming ’fierce battle,’ was rapidly refining Precious Pills to restore his Mana.
But as time passed and the second wave of reinforcements arrived, all the cultivators breathed a sigh of relief, and the safety was greatly improved!
"Did the Devil Race screw up? Such a good opportunity, and they wasted it?" Li Zhirui showed a trace of puzzlement on his face.
Devil Beasts, when cultivated to a certain extent, their Spiritual Intelligence would not be lower than that of the human race, it was unlikely they would overlook such a critical moment before.
Because that was when the cultivators were at their weakest and most vulnerable. The Devil Race could break through the defenses and invade the human territory if they were willing to pay some price.
Not just Li Zhirui, other cultivators also found it unbelievable, feeling a strong sense of relief in their hearts. Luckily, the Devil Race made a mistake, or else they would have been in danger!
"Jiu, are you all alright? How is the situation with the casualties among our kin?"
The reinforcements sent by the Li family were also among them, and the Dragon Carp three brothers asked anxiously.
After all, the message sent back at the time looked like the cultivators were on the brink of collapse, in a nearly-overturned state. They were truly rushing madly the whole way here to the extent that the Cloud Boat’s restrictions even started to experience some problems.
"No issues, we were lucky to win both rounds of the battle."
Li Zhirui said, "Your timing is just right! The final danger has not yet passed."
The Devil Race had made a strategic error, but if they could gather a force as vast as the one in the first round of battle, the cultivators would still be in grave danger and might not be able to hold the defense line.
