On the jade floor of the Undersea Camp in the East Sea, Ao Guang stared in shock at Jiang He, who stood before him with a calm expression. His voice trembled with disbelief. "F-Five Sages? Clan Leader Jiang, is that really true?"
Jiang He rubbed his fingers over the bronze military seal on the table. The carved White Tiger pattern shimmered in the watery light. A composed smile curved his lips. "Old Dragon King, Empress Nuwa is the Human Race's Mother Goddess. There's nothing more to say about that. And most of the disciples under the Three Pure Ones are now members of the Human Race. Why do you think that is?" He raised a hand and slapped the bronze seal onto the table. "Besides, even without the Sages' support, our Human Race's swords and spears are enough to protect ourselves and help the Dragon Clan secure the Four Seas."
Before he had finished speaking, a roar shook the seabed outside the camp. It wasn't a dragon's roar, but it carried such overwhelming force that it seemed capable of shaking mountains and rivers. Ao Guang's heart tightened. He followed the sound with his gaze and saw a phantom White Tiger soaring beyond the water curtain over the camp. Its roar pierced the blue waves and reached the heavens. Geng Jin Sha Qi swirled around its body, and its brilliant white light shone like the blazing sun, illuminating the entire surface of the East Sea. The Sea Clan soldiers, who had been advancing, stopped in their tracks and stared at the soul-shaking apparition.
"This is..." A flicker of surprise crossed Ao Guang's eyes.
"The White Tiger Legion has arrived." Jiang He rose and walked toward the camp entrance. "The White Tiger leads our Human Race's Four Great Legions in killing and specializes in breaking through enemy lines and formations. The one who has come to the East Sea this time is the White Tiger Legion's commander—Bai Qi."
As it happened, Bai Qi's name had been given to him by Jiang He. Back then, Bai Qi had been the most bloodthirsty of them all, so Jiang He had blurted out the name Bai Qi on a whim!
The two left the Undersea Camp and stood on a floating coral reef. On the sea's surface, countless bronze warships surged through the waves. White Tigers devouring the moon were carved into their hulls, and Dragon Breaking Crossbows several yards long were mounted along both sides. The bolts glinted with the cold light of Geng Metal. Every warship was packed with Human Race soldiers clad in Black Iron Heavy Armor. They carried spears and broadswords, with Talisman Pouches at their waists. Their auras were as hard as iron. They lacked the Demon Race's viciousness, but exuded a fierce, unyielding resolve.
On the massive flagship at the head of the fleet stood a proud commander wearing a White Tiger Cloak. His face was as sharp as a blade, and his eyes were keen as an eagle's. He was none other than Bai Qi, commander of the White Tiger Legion. Seeing Jiang He and Ao Guang on the reef, he immediately leaped down. His Black Iron boots didn't sink into the water. In a few strides, he reached them, dropped to one knee, and clasped his hands in salute. "Bai Qi, commander of the White Tiger Legion, leads one hundred thousand soldiers to pay his respects to the Clan Leader!"
Behind him, one hundred thousand Human Race soldiers shouted in unison. Their voices thundered, overpowering the crash of the waves and stirring even the seabed's hidden currents. Ao Guang stared at the Human Race army, its ranks in perfect order, and was utterly shaken. He had known the Human Race was rising, but he had never imagined they possessed such an elite force. The concentrated Army Soul Qi they exuded was even more imposing than a million Demon Soldiers.
"Rise, Bai Qi." Jiang He raised a hand. "How was the journey? Any trouble along the way?"
"Clan Leader! Aside from clearing out a few foolish little demons, nothing much happened!"
Jiang He patted Bai Qi's shoulder, signaling him to sit and talk. "I called you here for two reasons. First, to help our ally, the Dragon Clan. As you've seen, the Demon Race has already reached into our borders. This time, we're going to drive them back. But we can't provoke a full-scale war, or we'll just hand an advantage to those people in the Anti-Demon Alliance!"
"Second, our Human Race hasn't fought a major battle since its birth. This time, we're going to show everyone our strength and make them understand that we don't rely solely on the Mother Goddess's protection, nor do we only know how to do business. We have to make it perfectly clear to every race in the Primordial World that the Human Race isn't to be trifled with!"
At Jiang He's words, a strange gleam flashed in Bai Qi's eyes. He looked like a hunter about to seize his prey, his gaze filled with hunger.
"Yes, Clan Leader! I'll make sure to keep things under control!"
Watching Bai Qi's excitement, Jiang He felt a little uneasy himself. Had calling Bai Qi over really been the right choice?
Still worried, he reminded him again, "Listen carefully. This time, you're only to strike the Demon Race reinforcements coming to support them. Withdraw when you should, and don't ruin my plans!"
"Yes! I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"
Jiang He watched Bai Qi for a moment. "According to our reports, the Demon Race reinforcements have reached Blackwater Bay. Your mission is to destroy that force and clear out the area around our territory while you're at it!"
"Yes!"
Bai Qi returned to the army and shouted, "The Clan Leader has given the order! March!"
As the command flag waved, the one hundred thousand soldiers responded in unison. The bronze warships turned about and raced toward the river's lower reaches. They split the waves, raising walls of water several yards high. Geng Jin Sha Qi and Army Soul Qi intertwined, forming a white torrent across the sea—unstoppable.
Jiang He watched the White Tiger Legion disappear into the distance, then turned to Ao Guang. "Rest assured, Old Dragon King. Bai Qi is a master of strategy, and the White Tiger Legion is unmatched in battle. The demons at Blackwater Bay are nothing to fear. With the White Tiger Legion guarding the river, the Dragon Clan can focus on the disturbances in the East Sea. As for the Demon Race's Demon Saints, you'll have to rely on the Dragon Clan's reserves to hold them off!"
Ao Guang watched the iron-blooded army disappear and finally felt at ease. Only now did he truly understand why Jiang He had been so confident. The Human Race's rise was no accident. The White Tiger Legion's strength was enough to become yet another weight on the scales against the Demon Race. From the distant direction of Blackwater Bay came the thunder of battle. The White Tiger's roar swept across the river, its iron-blooded might subduing the waves. A campaign to scour the lower reaches of the river had begun.
Meanwhile, in Lingxiao Palace, a Demon Saint responsible for monitoring the East Sea hurried in with a report, panic in his voice. "Your Majesty! Disaster! The Human Race army has suddenly appeared in the East Sea. One hundred thousand elite soldiers have formed ranks along the river and are intercepting Demon Saint Qin Yuan's reinforcements. That army... is extraordinarily powerful!"
Di Jun sat upon his throne. His golden eyes narrowed, and chaotic energy surged around him. "The Human Race? Jiang He actually dares to openly send troops to help the Dragon Clan? It seems I underestimated this Human Race Clan Leader!" His fingers tapped faster against the armrest. "The Dragon Clan not only has deep reserves, but has also joined forces with the Human Race completely! I'm afraid we'll have to change our previous plan. I wonder whether this was Jiang He's idea or Empress Nuwa's!"
"Your Majesty, whoever's idea it was, the fact remains that the Human Race has intervened, and two of our Quasi-Sages are already trapped. Our most pressing task is to find a way to send reinforcements!" Shang Yang said from the side.
"Then why not divert some forces from the Blood Sea to support them?" Di Jun asked after a moment's thought.
"Your Majesty, the Demon Soldiers under the Demon Saint at the Blood Sea are currently holding off a detachment of the Anti-Demon Alliance. If we pull them out rashly..." Jiu Feng said, frowning.
"We can't afford to worry about that!" Di Jun cut her off, his voice brooking no argument. "The Human Race's involvement has introduced a new complication. If they and the Dragon Clan are allowed to secure their defenses, it'll be all but impossible to subdue the Dragon Clan and suppress the Human Race later! Inform the Blood Sea front line: whatever the cost, stop the Human Race army at Blackwater Bay!"
The order went out, and the situation across the Primordial World grew ever more tangled. The White Tiger Legion's forceful intervention added another volatile factor to the already tense struggle between the Demon Race and the Dragon Clan. The sounds of battle at Blackwater Bay grew louder and louder. Geng Jin Sha Qi, demonic aura, and dragon might intertwined, shrouding the entire lower river. This was only the beginning of the Human Race's intervention in the turmoil of the Primordial World.
The wind howled over the Blood Sea, and its scarlet waves pounded against the Demon Race camp's Black Iron walls. Banners snapped in the wind, but could not hide the emptiness and desolation left by the troops sent away.
Hurried footsteps sounded outside the tent. A messenger demon general in golden armor stumbled in, holding aloft a jade slip engraved with the Three-legged Golden Crow. His voice was urgent. "Lord Bai Ze! An urgent order from His Majesty!"
Bai Ze slowly turned and glanced at the jade slip. He took it and infused it with demonic power. Di Jun's voice exploded through the tent like thunder. "Bai Ze! The battle at Blackwater Bay is dire. Qin Yuan and Ji Meng are trapped, and the Human-Dragon alliance has the upper hand! Immediately withdraw half the forces from the Blood Sea front and send them to Blackwater Bay! Whatever the cost, you must stop the Human Race army from getting past Blackwater Bay!"
The symbols on the jade slip glowed, then dimmed. At last, it dissolved into a wisp of smoke. Bai Ze lowered his eyes to the remaining golden crow fire in his palm. His brows furrowed, and his long fingers tapped lightly against the edge of the sand table. The Blood Sea defenses and troop positions were clearly laid out across it. If half the forces were withdrawn, the remaining troops would barely be able to hold the camp. The Anti-Demon Alliance's army watched them like a tiger eyeing its prey; at the slightest sign of weakness, they could surge forward and tear the Blood Sea front to pieces.
"Withdraw half the forces..." Bai Ze murmured, his voice full of helplessness. "His Majesty has let the battle at Blackwater Bay cloud his judgment."
He walked to the tent entrance, lifted the curtain, and looked toward the outskirts of the Blood Sea. The Anti-Demon Alliance's camps stretched dozens of miles into the distance, their blood-red baleful aura rising to the heavens. Brahma's ambitions were plain for all to see. He was waiting for the Demon Race to show weakness so he could seize the opportunity to attack.
The wind outside carried the Blood Sea's distinctive stench, whipping Bai Ze's robes about. The deputy generals behind him all looked troubled. One of them could not help speaking up. "My lord, His Majesty's orders are absolute, but the Blood Sea defenses..."
"I know that." A flash of keen light crossed Bai Ze's eyes as he cut the deputy general off. "If we withdraw troops, we might not save Blackwater Bay, but we'll certainly lose the Blood Sea. If we don't, the two Demon Saints at Blackwater Bay will be in danger, and I won't be able to answer to His Majesty."
"So be it. There's only one choice now: I'll go there myself. Order the other Quasi-Sages to assist the Eastern Emperor in holding this position."
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