"Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom."
The Heavenly Demon-Quelling Drum thundered in every direction. Amid its heaven-shaking beats, horns sounded from military camps throughout the Far North of this Heavenly Realm, and troops steadily gathered into formation.
Heavenly Soldiers and divine generals assembled in ranks, converging near the Demon-Subduing Palace amid the neighing of Heavenly Steeds and the clatter of weapons, banners fluttering and command flags waving.
Some of these troops had ascended to become gods over the years, while others were elite soldiers and powerful generals transferred from across the Heavenly Realm. A considerable force had gathered this time.
The divine light shining from the soldiers' and generals' armor bathed the Training Ground outside the Demon-Subduing Palace in dazzling radiance, stretching far into the distance.
Two Yi Shuyuans stood outside the Demon-Subduing Palace. Whether Divine Beings or Immortal Cultivators, everyone beside them was deeply excited. Such a grand spectacle was rarely witnessed, not merely within the brief span of a mortal life, but even by those who cultivated.
Amid the beats of the Demon-Subduing Drum, a divine general descended on a cloud before the Manifest Holiness True Lord outside the palace, cupped his hands, and reported loudly.
"Reporting to the Imperial Lord! All thirty thousand infantry and twenty thousand naval troops of our Demon-Subduing Palace are assembled. The Heavenly Realm's warships and beast thralls are all in position. Please give your command!"
A small command banner appeared in the Manifest Holiness True Lord's hand.
Mortal armies were mobilized with tiger tallies and official seals, while celestial armies used the Heavenly Soldier Command Banner. Clouds formed beneath the Manifest Holiness True Lord's feet, carrying him and several divine generals into the sky above the Demon-Subduing Palace to survey the troops below.
Their ranks stretched all the way to the Celestial River,