Dog-Eat-Dog Is the Way of the World

Having resolved to finish everything in one swift push, the Cult had clearly increased the dosage of its drugs substantially this time.

When nearly ten thousand deformed aberrant creatures charged forward, dust billowed into the air. Even in the darkness of night, their overwhelming momentum could be clearly felt.

The mutant beasts and plants throughout the mountain pass had long since fled clean away after the disturbances of the previous battles, so their movements could no longer be judged through them. But with only twenty li separating the two sides and tight surveillance in place, the Cult's actions were practically transparent to Starfire.

"Gear up and move out! Your terminals will provide instructions on the battlefield. If one is accidentally damaged, follow the movements of the comrades nearest to you!"

The leading Starfire cultivators loudly delivered their pre-battle mobilization. Over the past several days of rest, emergency training had brought a qualitative leap in these recruits' discipline, but their innate caliber was what it was; no great transformation could be expected.

What was more, the purpose of this battle was not only to defend the main city behind them, but also to screen and select people.

Thus, after analysis, maintaining the status quo remained the best choice.

At a single command, the assembled troops, clad in armor and gripping long spears, marched out while maintaining their formations as best they could, crashing headlong into the mutated monsters already charging before them.

With the psychological preparation from before, this collision went far better than the first.

But organization alone could not entirely prevent casualties. When there was a gap in strength, defensive lines would still be torn open.

Only this time, having spotted the enemy's movements early, Starfire had already gathered enough reinforcements. Fresh forces were swiftly thrown onto the battlefield,