Crisis Dissipates

The roar of the hover battle chariot approached from afar and soon stopped at the entrance of the canyon. The door opened, and a middle-aged general in silver armor with a resolute face was the first to step out. He was Zhao Gang, the commander of the reinforcements sent by General Li Jianguo.

Zhao Gang quickly walked up to Fang Yan and gave a standard military salute. "Captain Fang Yan, I am here under General Li's orders with five hundred Martial Masters and twenty Great Martial Masters to provide support!"

"General Zhao, thank you for your hard work!" Fang Yan quickly returned the salute, a warmth surging in his heart. With these reinforcements, the defensive strength of Black Wind Canyon had increased severalfold.

Zhao Gang surveyed the battlefield within the canyon, his expression turning serious as he saw the ground littered with corpses and injured Martial Masters. "What's the situation? Has the Dark Demon Race made any follow-up moves?"

"We just repelled a wave of attacks, killing one Qi Transformation Realm leader and dozens of Exotic Beasts. However, the main force of the Dark Demon Race is likely still outside the canyon," Fang Yan said in a deep voice. "Their numbers are vast, and with the help of Exotic Beasts, their strength should not be underestimated."

"I understand," Zhao Gang nodded and immediately gave orders. "All personnel, listen up! Squad One will take over the defense of the canyon entrance and reinforce the fortifications; Squad Two will treat the wounded and clear the battlefield; Squad Three will follow me to the cliffs on both sides of the canyon to set up defensive lines and prevent the Dark Demon Race from flanking us!"

"Yes!" The reinforcements responded in unison and immediately began to act in an orderly fashion.

Watching the busy figures of the reinforcements, Fang Yan breathed a sigh of relief. He walked over to Chu Feng, Lin Mengyao, and Li Hao and asked, "How are you all? Are your injuries serious?"

Chu Feng shook his head. "It's nothing, just superficial wounds. I'll be fine after some rest."

Lin Mengyao also said, "I'm alright, just a little tired."

Li Hao said with a grimace, "An Ironclad Bear hit my arm, and it's still numb. But don't worry, it won't affect my fighting!"

Fang Yan smiled and patted their shoulders. "You've all worked hard. Now that the reinforcements have arrived, we can rest for a while, but we can't let our guard down. The Dark Demon Race won't give up just like that and might launch another attack at any moment."

Just then, a scout ran over hurriedly, his expression panicked. "Captain, General Zhao! A large number of Dark Demon Race tracks have been discovered outside the canyon. They seem to be gathering their forces and preparing to attack again! And... and this time there are more of them, plus several larger Exotic Beasts!"

"What?" Fang Yan and Zhao Gang's expressions changed simultaneously.

Zhao Gang immediately said, "Fang Yan, you lead your squad to stay in the middle of the canyon and be responsible for the frontal defense; I will lead the Great Martial Masters to support you from the cliffs. Once the Dark Demon Race launches their attack, we will attack from both sides and ensure we repel them!"

"Understood!" Fang Yan replied, immediately gathering his squad and returning to the defensive position in the middle of the canyon.

Soon, earth-shattering roars and footsteps could be heard from outside the canyon. Fang Yan peered through the gaps and saw the Dark Demon Race, as black as a tide, surging forward, numbering at least ten thousand. At the forefront of the army, several Giant Ironclad Bears, larger than ordinary Ironclad Bears, strode forward with heavy steps towards the canyon. Their bodies were covered in thicker shells, making them appear indestructible.

"Are those... King-level Exotic Beasts?" Li Hao said, his face pale.

Fang Yan's heart sank. The strength of a King-level Exotic Beast was equivalent to a human Martial King Realm, several times stronger than an ordinary Ironclad Bear. Dealing with them would be extremely difficult.

"Don't be afraid, everyone!" Fang Yan said in a deep voice. "Although the Giant Ironclad Bears are powerful, their movements are slow. We can use the terrain to our advantage, avoid their frontal attacks, and strike their weak points. Chu Feng, aim your arrows at their eyes and throats; Lin Mengyao, use the Flowing Water Sword Technique to harass their joints; Li Hao, lead a portion of the men to set up traps at their feet to slow their advance!"

"Yes!" The three responded in unison.

"Boom!"

With a loud bang, the Dark Demon Race's attack began again. The Giant Ironclad Bears charged forward, their massive paws striking the ground, shaking the entire canyon.

"Fire arrows!" Chu Feng shouted.

The archers on the cliffs immediately shot their arrows, a dense volley raining down on the Giant Ironclad Bears. However, these arrows could not cause any damage when they hit their shells; instead, they only enraged them.

"Roar!"

The Giant Ironclad Bears roared and lunged towards the archers on the cliffs. Seeing this, Zhao Gang immediately led the Great Martial Masters forward, engaging in a fierce battle with the Giant Ironclad Bears.

"Bang bang bang!"

The attacks of the Great Martial Masters landed on the bodies of the Giant Ironclad Bears, making dull thudding sounds. Although they could inflict some damage, it was far from enough to take them down.

The battle within the canyon was also extremely fierce. The Dark Demon Race poured in continuously, engaging in a life-and-death struggle with the human Martial Masters. Fang Yan, wielding the Little Black Sword, continuously slew the approaching Dark Demon Race, Profound Ice True Qi circulating around him, freezing the encroaching dark energy.

But the sheer number of Dark Demon Race members was too great. Even with the support of the reinforcements, the human Martial Masters gradually felt overwhelmed. Several Martial Masters were accidentally struck by the Dark Demon Race's weapons and fell to the ground.

Fang Yan was anxious. He knew that if this continued, the defense line would eventually be broken. He glanced at Zhao Gang, who was locked in a fierce battle with a Giant Ironclad Bear, and an idea formed in his mind.

"Li Hao, you lead some men to hold this position, I'm going to support General Zhao!" Fang Yan shouted.

"But Fang Yan, it's too dangerous for you to go alone!" Li Hao said worriedly.

"Don't worry, I have a plan!" Fang Yan said, then leaped forward, charging towards the Giant Ironclad Bear on the cliff.

At this moment, Zhao Gang was being forced back step by step by a Giant Ironclad Bear. The Giant Ironclad Bear's strength was immense, and every attack put immense pressure on Zhao Gang.

"General Zhao, I'm here to help you!" Fang Yan shouted, his Little Black Sword, imbued with Profound Ice True Qi, stabbing towards the Giant Ironclad Bear's abdomen.

Sensing the attack from behind, the Giant Ironclad Bear immediately turned and swiped with its paw. Fang Yan, prepared for this, flipped nimbly in mid-air, dodging the attack while simultaneously thrusting his sword into its abdomen.

"Pfft!"

The Little Black Sword pierced the Giant Ironclad Bear's abdomen, and the Profound Ice True Qi surged in instantly. The Giant Ironclad Bear let out a painful howl and staggered.

Seizing this opportunity, Zhao Gang immediately unleashed his strongest attack, smashing his fist into the Giant Ironclad Bear's head.

"Bang!"

With a loud crash, the Giant Ironclad Bear's head was severely injured, and its massive body crashed to the ground, lifeless.

Having dealt with one Giant Ironclad Bear, both Fang Yan and Zhao Gang breathed a sigh of relief. But they had no time to rest and immediately charged towards another Giant Ironclad Bear.

With Fang Yan's addition, the tide of the battle gradually began to turn. With their combined efforts, the second Giant Ironclad Bear was also quickly dealt with.

Without the cover of the Giant Ironclad Bears, the Dark Demon Race's offensive momentum immediately weakened considerably. Zhao Gang seized the opportunity and ordered, "All troops, attack! Drive the Dark Demon Race out of the canyon!"

"Charge!"

The human Martial Masters' morale soared, and they launched a counterattack against the Dark Demon Race. Seeing this, the Dark Demon Race lost the will to fight and fled towards the canyon entrance.

This time, Zhao Gang did not order a pursuit. He knew that the main force of the Dark Demon Race was still present, and it was not advisable to chase them relentlessly.

"Clear the battlefield and take stock of casualties!" Zhao Gang ordered.

After a headcount, the human side suffered heavy casualties, with over a hundred Martial Masters sacrificed and countless more injured. The Dark Demon Race, however, sustained even more devastating losses, with at least several thousand killed and dozens of Exotic Beasts slain.

Fang Yan looked at the ground filled with corpses, his heart heavy. He knew this war was far from over, and more challenges awaited them in the future.

Zhao Gang walked up to Fang Yan and patted his shoulder, "Fang Yan, we owe this victory to you. Without you, it would have been very difficult for us to hold Black Wind Canyon."

Fang Yan shook his head, "This is what I should have done. However, the Dark Demon Race won't give up just like that. We must be prepared for the next battle."

"You're right," Zhao Gang nodded. "I've already sent someone to report the situation here to General Li and requested more reinforcements. Until the reinforcements arrive, we must hold Black Wind Canyon."

Fang Yan looked towards the direction outside the canyon, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes. He knew that no matter the cost, they had to defend this place and buy more time for humanity's survival.