New Crisis

The battlefield's smoke had yet to dissipate when a system prompt suddenly rang out in Fang Yan's mind:

"Ding! Host's performance in the Battle of Black Wind Canyon was outstanding. With Great Martial Master realm strength, you turned the tide, assisted in repelling a Dark Demon Race army several times our size, and slew two King-level Exotic Beasts. Reward: Martial Emperor Realm Trial Card (1 hour) x1, stored in system space, ready for immediate use."

A Martial Emperor Realm Trial Card? Fang Yan's heart stirred. The Martial Emperor Realm was far beyond the Great Martial Master, just one step away from the legendary Martial Ancestor and Martial Venerable. Experiencing an hour of Martial Emperor Realm strength was undoubtedly an ace up his sleeve.

He subtly put the trial card away and looked into the distance. Although the Dark Demon Race had temporarily retreated, no one knew when they would return. With this trial card, he at least had more confidence to deal with any unforeseen circumstances.

"General Zhao," Fang Yan walked over to Zhao Gang, who was tallying casualties, and said gravely, "Although we repelled the Dark Demon Race this time, their main force is still intact and could launch a new attack at any moment. I suggest we immediately reinforce the canyon's defenses and send more scouts to monitor their movements."

Zhao Gang nodded, a look of approval on his face. "You're absolutely right. I've already made arrangements. However, after these two major battles, the soldiers are exhausted and need time to rest. If the Dark Demon Race attacks again in a short period, our situation will be very dangerous."

Fang Yan understood. After two consecutive fierce battles, everyone had reached their limit, both physically and mentally. He pondered for a moment and said, "General Zhao, I have an idea. We can utilize the canyon's terrain to set up more traps and defenses. For example, we can install catapults and archer towers on the cliffs on both sides of the canyon. This way, even if the Dark Demon Race attacks again, we can effectively defend using the terrain advantage."

"Excellent idea!" Zhao Gang's eyes lit up. "I'll have people prepare immediately. Fang Yan, you're more familiar with this terrain than we are, so I'll leave this matter to you."

"No problem," Fang Yan replied and immediately gathered several experienced Martial Masters to begin planning the construction of the defenses.

Over the next few days, the human soldiers rested while accelerating the construction of defensive fortifications. Catapults and archer towers rose on the cliffs on both sides of the canyon; the canyon entrance was filled with various traps and obstacles. Everyone knew that the next battle would be even more brutal, and thorough preparations were essential.

Fang Yan was not idle either. He used his free time to continuously familiarize himself with his strength and study the application of the Profound Ice Domain. He discovered that as his understanding of the domain deepened, the power of his Profound Ice True Qi also continuously increased. Moreover, he could clearly feel that he was still a long way from the true Martial Emperor Realm, but this trial card might allow him to experience the power of that realm in advance.

One early morning, just as the sky began to show the first light of dawn, a scout rushed over, his expression panicked, and shouted, "General Zhao, Captain Fang Yan! Something terrible has happened! The Dark Demon Race has gathered a large force, and there are several stronger Exotic Beasts among them, heading this way towards the canyon!"

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

Zhao Gang immediately ordered, "Everyone to your combat positions! Prepare to meet the enemy!"

The soldiers sprang into action, rushing to their posts, weapons in hand, ready for battle.

Fang Yan stood on the high ground in the middle of the canyon, looking at the vast, dark mass of the Dark Demon Race army in the distance, his heart sinking to the bottom. This time, the Dark Demon Race's numbers were even greater than the previous two times combined, numbering at least over thirty thousand. At the forefront of the army, several enormous Exotic Beasts were approaching with heavy steps. One of them resembled a giant lion but had three eyes and was covered in golden fur, exuding a chilling aura.

"Is that... a Sect-level Exotic Beast?" Zhao Gang's voice trembled slightly. The strength of a Sect-level Exotic Beast was equivalent to a human Martial Ancestor Realm, far stronger than a King-level Exotic Beast.

Fang Yan was also startled. The appearance of a Sect-level Exotic Beast meant that the difficulty of this battle would increase exponentially. He took a deep breath and secretly took out the Martial Emperor Realm Trial Card.

System, use Martial Emperor Realm Trial Card, Fang Yan silently commanded in his mind.

"Ding! Martial Emperor Realm Trial Card has been used. Experience time countdown begins: 59:59."

As the system prompt sounded, a surge of immense power instantly flooded Fang Yan's body. His aura rapidly ascended, breaking through from the Great Martial Master realm, bypassing the Martial King realm, and directly reaching the level of the Martial Emperor Realm. The surrounding air seemed to freeze under his aura, and the Profound Ice Domain automatically expanded around him, its range several times larger than before, and the temperature dropped even lower.

Zhao Gang and the Martial Masters around them felt the change in Fang Yan and looked on in shock.

"This is... the aura of the Martial Emperor Realm?" Zhao Gang said in disbelief.

Fang Yan offered no explanation, his gaze fixed on the Sect-level Exotic Beast. He could feel that this Sect-level Exotic Beast was extremely powerful, even among Martial Ancestors, it was considered mid-tier.

"Roar!"

The Sect-level Exotic Beast let out a world-shattering roar and charged into the canyon first. Its speed was incredibly fast, instantly covering hundreds of meters and arriving at the canyon entrance.

"Stop it!" Zhao Gang shouted, leading twenty Great Martial Masters to charge forward.

But their attacks on the Sect-level Exotic Beast were like mud falling into the sea, unable to cause any damage. The Sect-level Exotic Beast merely flicked its tail, sending several Great Martial Masters flying, spitting blood, their fates unknown.

"It's useless!" Fang Yan shouted, leaping forward to block the Sect-level Exotic Beast.

At this moment, Fang Yan exuded the pressure of the Martial Emperor Realm, confronting the Sect-level Exotic Beast.

"Human, you are strong," the Sect-level Exotic Beast surprisingly spoke, its voice hoarse and deep. "But you cannot stop our advance. Surrender, and I will spare your life."

"If you want to pass here, you'll have to get through me first!" Fang Yan said coldly. The Little Black Sword in his hand condensed a surge of Profound Ice True Qi, its blade covered in a thick layer of ice.

"Foolish!" The Sect-level Exotic Beast roared and lunged at Fang Yan, its massive claws tearing through the air as they swiped towards Fang Yan's chest.

Fang Yan's eyes sharpened. Without dodging, he thrust the Little Black Sword directly forward.

"Clang!"

With a loud crash, the Little Black Sword collided with the Sect-level Exotic Beast's claws. An immense force was transmitted, and Fang Yan felt his arm go slightly numb, but his body remained motionless.

A flicker of surprise flashed in the Sect-level Exotic Beast's eyes, clearly not expecting Fang Yan's strength to be so formidable. It attacked again, its three eyes simultaneously shooting beams of golden light towards Fang Yan.

Fang Yan snorted coldly, fully unleashing his Profound Ice Domain, freezing the golden beams in mid-air. Then, he leaped up, the Little Black Sword in his hand carrying a world-destroying momentum as he thrust it towards the Sect-level Exotic Beast's head.

"Pfft!"

The Little Black Sword accurately pierced the Sect-level Exotic Beast's head. Profound Ice True Qi instantly surged in, frantically freezing its brain.

The Sect-level Exotic Beast let out a piercing scream, its massive body crashing to the ground with a thud, motionless.

After dealing with the Sect-level Exotic Beast, Fang Yan's aura was slightly unstable. Although the power of the Martial Emperor Realm was immense, its consumption was also enormous. He glanced at the system countdown; there were still over fifty minutes remaining.

Seeing the Sect-level Exotic Beast killed, the Dark Demon Race army descended into chaos. Fang Yan seized the opportunity and roared, "Kill!"

He was the first to charge towards the Dark Demon Race, the Little Black Sword in his hand like the Grim Reaper's scythe, continuously reaping enemy lives. Zhao Gang and the other Martial Masters also reacted, following Fang Yan in the charge.

With Fang Yan at the Martial Emperor Realm leading the charge, the Dark Demon Race was no match. They collapsed like a tide, fleeing towards the outside of the canyon.

Fang Yan did not order a pursuit. He knew that the trial card's time was limited and he had to conserve his strength. He watched the retreating backs of the Dark Demon Race, a cold glint in his eyes.

This time, the Dark Demon Race suffered a heavy blow and should not launch an attack for a while. But he also knew that this was only a temporary peace; the real battle was yet to come.

When the trial card's time expired, Fang Yan's aura dropped back to the Great Martial Master realm. He felt a wave of fatigue, but his heart was filled with excitement. The power of the Martial Emperor Realm had shown him a higher realm and strengthened his resolve to become stronger.

Zhao Gang walked up to Fang Yan and said with admiration, "Fang Yan, you are truly incredible! To be able to slay a Sect-level Exotic Beast, such strength is probably possessed by very few people in the entire alliance."

Fang Yan smiled and replied, "General Zhao is too kind. It was just luck. Now, we must recover our strength as quickly as possible and prepare for the next battle."

"Mm," Zhao Gang nodded. "I've already had people prepare food and medicine. Everyone needs to rest well. With you here, I believe we can defend Black Wind Canyon."

Fang Yan looked in the direction outside the canyon, secretly vowing in his heart: No matter how great the difficulties I face in the future, I will persevere and protect humanity's home.