Grafting Flowers and Connecting Trees (Part 2)

Lin Xin cast Levitation Spell, greatly reducing the weight of the four of them without causing Haoyue too much trouble. Wang Yuanyuan, Sima Xian, and Han Yu followed behind. With their External Spiritual Power cultivation, they could keep running even for an entire day, let alone with Lin Xin's Levitation Spell occasionally assisting them.

The other Demon Hunt Squads each had their own methods as well. After all, everyone possessed at least Fourth Rank cultivation, so their overall marching speed was no slower than that of a light cavalry squad.

Yang Wenzhao led his Soldier-grade Demon Hunt Squad Number Two at the rear. The group traveled in silence, and two hours later, they stopped behind a stretch of hills nearly three hundred miles from the Demon Camp.

Long Haochen summoned the captains of each Demon Hunt Squad. He spread out a map and used the mages' Eye of Exploration to survey the surrounding area.

"That's right, this is the place. According to the intelligence, this road is a route the demon grain convoy must take." Long Haochen pointed at a relatively level dirt road below the hill and spoke in a low voice.

Yang Wenzhao nodded. "There's still over an hour until dawn. I think we should send a few people out to scout while everyone else rests here and prepares an ambush."

Long Haochen said, "Rather than sending people out, we should send magical beasts. Which team has a summoner capable of summoning flying magical beasts?"

At his words, everyone's eyes lit up. This was their first time working together, and it was also a military operation. They were far from having any real coordination.

Yang Wenzhao slapped his forehead. "Right, Liao Yu from our squad can do that. You really are thorough. I'll have him send flying magical beasts out to scout immediately, and the mages' Eye of Exploration will keep monitoring the surroundings as well."

Yang Wenzhao briefly gave Liao Yu a few instructions. Before long, several small flying magical beasts silently rose into the air and vanished from sight in an instant.

Duan Yi said, "According to the intelligence, this grain convoy has around three thousand demons. Most of them are low-ranking demons. How should we attack once the battle begins?"

Long Haochen frowned slightly as he looked at the others. "If anyone has any suggestions, please speak."

Lu Xi said, "I think we should coordinate everything as one. Let the mages launch the main assault first, then the knights, warriors, and summoners attack together. The assassins will work jointly to eliminate the enemy commanders. We priests will oversee the overall situation."

Lu Xi was the captain of Demon Hunt Squad Number Four, the squad Li Xin belonged to, and their only Fifth Rank priest.

Upon hearing his words, Long Haochen and Yang Wenzhao both frowned unconsciously, while Duan Yi fell into thought. The other Demon Hunt Squad captains also considered the proposal, but none took the initiative to voice an opinion.

"I don't think that would be appropriate," Long Haochen said.

"Hm?" Lu Xi looked at Long Haochen in surprise. He was already twenty-four this year and had entered this Demon Hunt Squad Selection Tournament right at the age limit, making him one of the older members present. He admired Long Haochen's strength, but Long Haochen still looked far too young. It was not only Lu Xi—none of the other Demon Hunt Squad captains thought much of having him serve as the leader of this operation.

Long Haochen said, "If an army were using Squad Leader Lu's method of battle, there naturally wouldn't be any problem. But we aren't an army. Our primary issue is that we aren't familiar enough with one another. Under such circumstances, facing several thousand enemies, it would be difficult to achieve our intended objective. Although we're already several hundred miles from the Demon Camp, the demons have an air force. Once they discover that the grain convoy has been attacked, their air force will definitely set out immediately. If we get bogged down, it will be very difficult to complete this mission."

Lu Xi frowned. "Then what do you think we should do?"

Long Haochen said, "Each Demon Hunt Squad should fight independently and charge into the enemy formation from different positions. The grain convoy will definitely travel in a long single-file line, with its formation stretched out considerably. Over these past few days on the road, as well as yesterday's coordination on the battlefield, each of our Demon Hunt Squads has at least established a basic level of teamwork. Launching attacks from different positions will prevent us from interfering with one another, while allowing every squad to unleash its greatest combat strength. As long as we cut the enemy convoy apart and then set fires separately, we can definitely inflict heavy losses on the demons in a short time. We must fight for as much time as possible."

Lu Xi said gravely, "But have you considered that, in that case, every Demon Hunt Squad might be surrounded and attacked by powerful enemies? Each squad has only six people. What if we encounter danger under those circumstances?"

Long Haochen answered confidently, "That possibility can't be ruled out. If it happens, each team can only watch out for and support the others as much as possible. Besides, with the overall strength of our squads, even if we encounter a Seventh Rank powerhouse, we should be able to hold out for a while. The chances of a grain convoy having a Seventh Rank powerhouse are extremely low. More importantly, everyone, please don't forget that this is a trial. What we need to do is complete the mission as thoroughly as possible—or rather, earn as much merit as possible. Protecting our own safety is certainly important, but this mission is also part of our trial."

Everyone who had become a member of a Demon Hunt Squad was intelligent. Once Long Haochen made that final point, they immediately understood.

A look of realization appeared in Lu Xi's eyes. He gave Long Haochen a meaningful glance but raised no further objections. Yet inwardly, he was secretly shocked. Although Long Haochen was young, his thoughts were exceptionally meticulous. Moreover, he had remained calm and wise throughout their exchange. Most crucially, he had identified the focus of this trial: completing the mission as thoroughly as possible and earning merit.

Without question, Long Haochen's arrangement was the most beneficial for that goal. They were all Demon Hunt Squads, and everyone hoped to earn more merit. If they acted together, they might very well hinder one another as members of different squads competed for merit.

Though Long Haochen had not said it outright, Lu Xi naturally thought of this as well. If every Demon Hunt Squad fought separately, there would be no such problem. Though their strength would appear dispersed, every Demon Hunt Squad had a complete class composition and extremely strong survivability. They would also fight wholeheartedly for their own squad. Besides, the ten leaders had not openly accompanied them—but would they really allow the Demon Hunt Squads they led to suffer devastating losses?

The captains' eyes had all lit up by then. Every one of them was eager to try. What they were thinking about now was how to lead their members in killing as many demons as possible.

"I agree with Haochen," Yang Wenzhao said, raising his hand first.

Duan Yi nodded slightly. "I agree as well."

Lu Xi took a deep breath. "Agreed."

With the four of them in agreement, the other captains also understood Long Haochen's intent. The battle plan was immediately approved. What remained were the detailed arrangements.

The ten Demon Hunt Squads varied in strength. Long Haochen distributed Demon Hunt Squads Number One, Two, Three, and Four evenly along the battle line, allowing them to rescue nearby weaker squads if necessary.

The ten Demon Hunt Squads quietly separated and positioned themselves across a stretch of hills roughly two miles long. The order was as follows: Demon Hunt Squad Number Five at the front, followed by Long Haochen's Demon Hunt Squad Number One, then Number Six, Number Two, Number Seven, Number Three, Number Eight, Number Four, and finally Demon Hunt Squads Number Nine and Ten at the rear.

Those two squads were positioned close together. Demon Hunt Squad Number Four, the nearest squad to them, was also the team with the strongest healing ability.

Under the swift arrangements of the several captains, this temporarily assembled force was soon organized in an orderly fashion. They rested in their respective positions, rubbing their hands in anticipation as they quietly awaited the arrival of their target.

The pitch-black sky gradually turned dark blue, and birds began flying back from afar. Before long, every Demon Hunt Squad received word. The intelligence was accurate—the demon grain convoy was heading their way and would arrive in roughly half an hour. There were around three thousand demons, mainly Zelin Clan Dual-Blade Demons and Magic Eye Warlocks.

All the Demon Hunt Squad members began preparing as they silently watched the east.

When the first glimmer of dawn appeared in the eastern sky, a long procession also emerged within their sight.

Every eight Zelin Clan Dual-Blade Demons pulled a large cart as they slowly advanced in their direction. The mages' Eye of Exploration began to take effect. The convoy contained roughly two hundred carts, all pulled by Dual-Blade Demons, with some sturdier Dual-Blade Demons and Magic Eye Warlocks guarding them from the sides. There were only a little over a thousand demons assigned to protect the convoy.

"Haochen, there doesn't seem to be any problem with the overall situation, but one grain cart near the front of the convoy looks rather strange." As Lin Xin cast Eye of Exploration and observed the convoy, he spoke quietly to Long Haochen.

Lin Xin could not attack, but when it came to support magic, no one among all these Demon Hunt Squads could match him. His Eye of Exploration was far more detailed than the others'.

"Oh? What's strange about it?" Long Haochen asked quickly.

Lin Xin said, "All the other grain carts have left deep tracks in the ground, but that one has left only shallow tracks. More importantly, six Magic Eye Warlocks larger than ordinary ones, along with four Emerald Twin Blade Demons, are guarding its sides. It seems to be carrying something important. Based on our current deployment, that cart will fall within our attack range. It may be troublesome."

Long Haochen nodded slightly. Six powerful Magic Eye Warlocks and four Emerald Twin Blade Demons were indeed a formidable force.

Sima Xian's eyes were already filled with fighting spirit. "Who cares? Let's kill the bastards."

Wang Yuanyuan stroked her Giant Spirit God Shield. Though she said nothing, she immediately took out her three crystals and looked at Long Haochen, waiting for his decision.