Terracotta Army

"The main enemies of Gudu are the undead. Anyone born in Gudu, even if they haven't eaten pork, has seen pigs run. I don't need to elaborate on this."

"But there's one thing I need to tell you: not all undead are the same."

"Just as Demons are divided into different species, the undead are also extremely diverse."

"In the main urban area, the undead are mainly Black Rot Corpses, Iron Skin Corpses, and other corpse-type undead. Baqiao District has Bone Beasts, and Gaoling District has Yin Soldiers passing through."

"And our Lintong Military Region faces an enemy known as—the Terracotta Army."

The Terracotta Army!

Xu Fang had visited them when he traveled in his previous life, forced to spend a hefty 120 yuan because he forgot his student ID.

He remembered the crowds inside, the tour guide's shouts, the laughter and screams of tourists creating a cacophony, more than double the number of Terracotta Army figures. The little clay figures had huddled pitifully in their pits.

He never imagined that in this world, the Terracotta Army would become so formidable, thriving to the point where a Super Level Mage would need to be stationed here with troops.

"The Terracotta Army are rare Earth Element undead. Their attributes possess special abilities, allowing them to devour city walls and absorb the power contained within."

He Ming paused at this point, allowing the students to digest this difficult-to-accept fact.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

"Devour city walls? That's ridiculous!"

"These walls were created by Forbidden Mages! Even Monarch-level Demons can't break through them!"

For a moment, many students' eyes turned hostile. People of Gudu grew up hearing stories about the city walls. To look down on them was like disrespecting Mazu in front of Fujianese people.

Even if He Ming was the company commander and an Intermediate Mage with maxed-out dual elements, deceiving them with such a preposterous claim was incredibly rude!

"I know it's hard for you to accept. I was the same at first, but the facts are right here." He Ming pointed at the dilapidated city wall. "These were left by the Terracotta Army."

The students fell silent. They wanted to retort but didn't know what to say.

Xu Fang, however, was not surprised.

The Terracotta Army were the embodiment of the Ancient King's Earth Element will. No matter how powerful the Earth Element Forbidden Curse used to build the walls was, it was no match for the Ancient King, the progenitor.

"This is also why we're taking you out of the city. Because of the Terracotta Army's devouring attribute, once the intensity of combat reaches a certain level, Military Mages must go out to eliminate them."

"To protect the city walls, to protect the people—that is our responsibility as Military Mages, no matter how powerful the enemy! The Terracotta Army are elites among the undead, and our Lintong Military Region fights against elites!"

After He Ming's rousing speech, he gestured for his old comrade to continue.

Instructor Li Yi smiled. "You are all good children. There isn't a single coward among those who came here! It's getting late, so squad leaders, lead your teams back. The mess hall has prepared noodles for you; they won't taste good if they get cold."

"Dumplings when you arrive, noodles when you leave." After touring the Terracotta Army Battlefield, everyone returned to the camp.

In the spacious mess hall, each squad had a large basin of hand-pulled noodles, along with pickles and dipping sauces, filling the table.

The students couldn't help but swallow.

They were starving after wandering around all morning…

"Eat! Eat! Eat as much as you can. If it's not enough, get more!"

"Eat until you're full so you have the energy to fight the undead tonight!"

"Don't just eat noodles. If the neighboring military region sees this, they'll think we can't afford dishes."

The students ate with grease smearing their mouths. Before Xu Fang had finished his first bowl, someone else was already on their second.

The meal, from when they put down their things and entered the mess hall to when everyone finally left, took nearly half an hour. Afterward, they were assigned dormitories, with one bunk per person.

From this moment on, their identity was no longer that of students, but of new recruits about to face the undead!

Nightfall.

Lintong City Wall.

Xu Fang, now in his military uniform, stood beside Qi Lao San. His current identity was Qi Lao San's personal soldier, responsible for accompanying him into battle.

Standing on the high city wall and looking down, the distant wilderness and the setting sun merged into one, as darkness descended upon the land.

"They're coming."

Qi Lao San said coldly. At this moment, he had shed the easygoing and friendly demeanor of the daytime, his expression filled with grim determination.

BOOM!!!

The instant Qi Lao San's voice fell, the ground trembled violently, followed by an earthquake.

"Creeeak—!"

In the sky, the Sky Eagle Mage unleashed Radiance.

Before the light was swallowed by the endless darkness, Xu Fang saw the previously flat ground transform into a pit one person high.

Rows of tall Terracotta Army figures stood silently within. The ancient army, their earth-colored bodies forming a continuous line, resembled ferocious beasts crouched on the ground, ready to devour.

Suddenly.

From within the ancient army, a long, drawn-out horn call sounded, accompanied by an unknown war drum.

The Terracotta Army moved. Their necks twisted at an unbelievable angle, turning towards the city wall. They began to advance, their steps slow but firm.

Qi Lao San shouted, "Rookies, enough with the nonsense. Anyone who chickens out in front of the Terracotta Army will get no mercy from my magic. Attack!"

War was imminent!

"Fire Seed · Burn!"

"Ice Vine · Freeze!"

"Radiance · Purify!"

The new recruits spared no Demonic Energy, excitedly unleashing spell after spell, slowing the Terracotta Army's advance and shattering them into pieces.

Xu Fang also spotted a thick purple bolt of Thunder, no doubt the wise brother showing off.

As if intimidated by the fierce assault, the Terracotta Army actually halted its advance.

"Is that all the Terracotta Army's got?" one student scoffed, spitting. "They're nothing special!"

"Isn't it possible that it's not that they're too weak, but that we're too strong?"

"Haha, makes sense! I'll recover some Demonic Energy first, then go all out next round!"

While the new recruits were bragging, the experienced veterans' expressions changed, and they shouted, "Careful, it's a Captain!"

"No, a Centurion!"

Behind the main army, a skeletal horse appeared, carrying a Centurion Terracotta Figurine clad in armor that emanated a bronze glow.

The Centurion Terracotta Figurine raised one hand, with Officer Figurines flanking it. Within the ancient army, a unit of Terracotta Figurines knelt on the ground, holding dusty crossbows.

"Kneeling Archer Figurines, take cover!!!"

Whoosh!

Whoosh whoosh!

A rain of arrows covered the sky. The Water Element Mages in the crowd immediately raised shields, but how could a small Water Guard defend against powerful crossbow bolts?

Before long, Water Guards shattered one after another. The Mages could only scramble for cover, their magical attacks temporarily halted.

The Centurion Terracotta Figurine lowered its hand, and the Officer Figurines advanced again, pressing towards the city walls.

"This is troublesome, a Centurion is leading them this time!" Qi Lao San's brows furrowed tightly. He said to Xu Fang, "A Centurion is a General Figurine, possessing the strength of a great general. They have Officer Figurines, Armored Warrior Figurines, and Kneeling Archer Figurines under their command. I fear we won't have a peaceful day today."

Xu Fang asked, "Are we going out of the city?"

"Probably soon. Hurry up and recover your Demonic Energy, we're about to face a tough battle..."

Woooo~~~ Woooo~~~ Woooo~~~!!!

The piercing alarm sounded again, and a shout was carried by Wind Track to everyone's ears.

"The Company Commander has ordered: all those at Intermediate Rank Two or above, sortie to kill the enemy!!!"