He murmured under his breath, then raised both hands. Earth-yellow Spirit Force poured from his body like a tidal wave.
The Spirit Force became two thick ropes that wrapped around Li Bufan and Meng Xinghe, who were embedded in the city wall, and pulled them free of the shattered holes.
Meng Changyuan drew them back onto the wall. He swept his left hand across his waist, and two jade bottles appeared in his palm. Pulling out their stoppers, he placed a pill fragrant with potent medicinal energy into each of their mouths.
The pills dissolved on their tongues. Warm, surging medicinal power flowed through their meridians and began repairing their injuries.
Then he turned toward the oncoming Sea Demons and the Deep-Sea Behemoth slowly approaching the city.
His gaze swept over the soldiers still alive atop the wall. Exhaustion and fear showed on their faces, but every one of them looked to the City Lord, waiting for his command.
Meng Changyuan raised his sword high. A layer of dark-gold light spread across its earth-yellow blade.
His voice rang along the entire stretch of wall. It was not loud, yet it carried the steady weight of a mountain. "Brothers, kill!"
The surviving soldiers leaped from the wall and charged the Sea Demons pouring in. They knew they might never return, but not one of them drew back.
Meng Changyuan glanced at Meng Xinghe, who lay atop the wall as the pill's power healed him. A rare softness flickered in his eyes.
Then he turned, kicked off the wall, and shot toward the enormous Deep-Sea Behemoth like an earth-yellow meteor.
"Beast, fight me!"
His roar rolled like thunder, drowning out the behemoth's low growl for an instant.
He swept his sword across. An earth-yellow sword beam swelled to hundreds of yards long