Anomalous Movement

Soon, "Foul Spirit Skinner" became Ange's exclusive title. Warriors from other infantry regiments came to seek Ange's advice, and Ange generously shared his experience.

Because Ange was immune to the corrosive effects of Foul Spirit blood, some of his experiences were difficult for others to replicate. At best, they could only become more familiar with the anatomical structure of Foul Spirits, which was still somewhat useful.

Through the Magic Markings pelts of Foul Spirits, Ange had accumulated nearly 200 gold varks, which would serve as his financial capital for future living expenses.

Ange planned to systematically study at the Warrior Academy after his retirement.

As he was self-taught, he had explored many things on his own or by asking others, lacking a comprehensive understanding of many aspects.

After this period of combat, Ange discovered that he could hold his own against a Foul Spirit for one or two rounds without using his Qi force.

This discovery delighted him. He knew his Qi force was special; without it, he would be like an ordinary person, unable to harm a Foul Spirit.

When dissecting Foul Spirits, he couldn't cut through their skin without imbuing his skinning knife with Qi force. However, the warriors Ange consulted were standard Level 1 Warriors, and they could cut through the Foul Spirit's skin with the same knife without needing to add Qi force.

Ange found that fighting Foul Spirits without using Qi force allowed him to improve his strength more rapidly. This realization led him to re-examine his training methods. Consequently, he decided to pause his skinning work and dedicate all his energy to fighting Foul Spirits. Without the assistance of Qi force, he had to rely on his physical body and skills to confront them.

Ange focused on the details of each battle, and his body gradually adapted and grew stronger through the combat. He learned to utilize terrain, speed, and strength to compensate for the lack of Qi force. Through repeated battles, Ange became more agile, and his reaction time significantly improved. He discovered that his body became more resilient through constant tempering, and each encounter with a Foul Spirit brought substantial progress.

These battles not only strengthened Ange's body but also made him calmer and more decisive in combat. He began to anticipate the Foul Spirits' attacks and react swiftly. This pure physical confrontation allowed him to truly grasp the essence of combat and further solidified his determination to become stronger.

Ange's transformation caught the attention of other warriors, who began to look at him with newfound respect. Although he had paused his skinning work, his performance in combat made everyone realize that he was becoming a true warrior, one who could stand on his own.

Foul Spirit Camp

Gewalong listened quietly to the reports from his subordinates regarding the battle situation with the Foul Spirits, his brow furrowed as he contemplated the next strategy. After the reports concluded, he swept his sharp gaze across the Foul Spirit commanders present and said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, what are your thoughts?"

The first to speak was Foul Spirit Commander Gorta, who gruffly stated, "My lord, I believe our current combat tempo is excellent. The humans are showing signs of fatigue under our assault. It would be best to maintain our current offensive and keep them overwhelmed."

Following him, another commander, Karlstila, stood up and objected:

"No, I disagree. The humans have established a defensive line at the edge of the Kewenhua Grand Plains, and continuing a frontal assault will have limited effect. We should choose a different direction and launch a surprise attack from the flank, catching them completely off guard."

Finally, the elder Foul Spirit Commander Renal suggested in a deep voice, "We cannot delay any longer. The humans have just established their defenses, and they are not yet fully stable. This is a time of complacency for them. I propose we gather all our forces and launch a full-scale assault, directly destroying their camp and leaving them no opportunity to reorganize their defenses."

Gewalong listened to each commander's opinion and pondered for a moment. He weighed the pros and cons of each suggestion, considering how to maximize the combat effectiveness of the Foul Spirit legion while most effectively striking the human defenses.

He knew this decision would impact the subsequent course of the war. Finally, he stood up, his gaze firm as he looked at the commanders, and said, "Gentlemen, I have heard all your opinions. Now, we must formulate a plan that will both strike the enemy and protect ourselves. Next, we will..."

Soon, a contingent of elite troops led by Foul Spirit Commander Karls detached from the Foul Spirit camp and quietly retreated to the rear. No one knew where they were going. Meanwhile, the humans were trapped in the narrow strip between the plains and the canyons, unable to conduct effective reconnaissance due to the Foul Spirits' blockade. The frequency of Foul Spirit attacks increased daily, and the warriors were struggling to cope, gradually showing signs of fatigue.

Initially, the human warriors had gradually adapted to the Foul Spirits' attacks, but they soon discovered that the Foul Spirits were also rapidly adapting to the combat. Each battle was a trial, and through continuous refinement, the Foul Spirits gradually adjusted their strategies and tactics. After more than twenty rounds of combat, the Foul Spirits not only adapted to fighting humans but also gradually shed the suppression of the plane, with their strength beginning to return to normal levels.

The human defenses began to weaken, and morale continued to decline. The warriors were no longer facing Foul Spirits weakened by planar suppression upon their arrival, but enemies who had been tempered through multiple battles and had become increasingly powerful. The Foul Spirits displayed more agile and ferocious attack methods, putting unprecedented pressure on the warriors.

During a night raid, the Foul Spirits displayed unprecedented combat effectiveness. Ange witnessed the Foul Spirits' transformation firsthand; their movements were faster, their coordination was more seamless, and they even exhibited extraordinary intelligence in combat. Ange realized that he could no longer rely on old tactics and had to find new ways to cope.

Meanwhile, Gewalong was also observing from the shadows, his strategy gradually taking effect. He watched the Foul Spirits return to their peak condition, his heart filled with confidence. The team led by Karls also sent back news; they had discovered a critical weakness in the rear and were preparing to launch a decisive attack.

Ange and the warriors were continuously adjusting their tactics and trying new coping methods, but they knew that the Foul Spirits' immense power could no longer be overcome by simple strategies. They needed more reinforcements, greater strength, to have any chance of survival in this battle.

The commanders of the human camp quickly noticed the changes in the Foul Spirits. After inquiring in detail about the relevant combat situations, Meredith convened a discussion with the other commanders. He looked at each commander and said in a deep voice, "We must reassess our current combat strategy. The Foul Spirits' strength is recovering, and the difficulty of combat has significantly increased. What are your thoughts?"

Count Hugh was the first to speak, his expression grave. "The pressure on the Infantry Regiment has increased dramatically recently. Previously, we could rotate different regiments for combat, but now we have to deploy two regiments simultaneously to resist the Foul Spirits' onslaught. The infantry soldiers have almost no rest time, and their morale is declining."

Meredith nodded, then looked at the commander of the Archer Regiment. Commander Roland of the Archer Regiment replied, "Our archers are stationed on the fortifications and cannot engage in close combat. While their volleys can inflict damage on the Foul Spirits, their effectiveness is limited against frequent close-quarters attacks. We need more archers for support, but we are currently short of personnel."

Next, Commander Frank of the Cavalry Regiment expressed his confusion, "Due to the limitations of the battlefield size, the Cavalry Regiment cannot launch effective charges. Our cavalry excels at large-scale mobile warfare, but in such narrow combat zones, their advantage cannot be utilized. We need to open up a broader battlefield to effectively leverage the cavalry's combat power."

Meredith frowned and pondered for a moment, then said, "We cannot continue to fight head-on with the old methods. The Foul Spirits' changes require us to make corresponding adjustments. First, the Infantry Regiment needs to strengthen its rotation to ensure each soldier has sufficient rest. We can divide the defensive line into more sections, with different regiments taking turns to garrison each section."

He turned to Roland, "The Archer Regiment needs to increase the height and thickness of its fortifications to ensure the safety of the archers during shooting. At the same time, we can train some archers for close combat to deal with unexpected situations."

Finally, Meredith looked at Frank, "We need to open up a broader battlefield to increase the maneuverability of the Cavalry Regiment. I will arrange for the Logistics Regiment to build more passages around the defensive line, ensuring that the cavalry can move flexibly and conduct effective surprise attacks and support."

Meredith surveyed everyone and said firmly, "We must unite as one and face the Foul Spirits' attack together. Everyone must do their best; our compatriots are counting on us. Now, go and implement these new strategies, and let us regain the initiative in the battle!"

The commanders nodded in agreement and quickly began to deploy the new tactics and adjust their respective units. The atmosphere within the human camp was re-energized, as everyone realized they had to continuously improve to survive this brutal war.