"Hey, have you finally worked it all out?"
Ding Long spoke casually, entirely unaware of what was happening.
Ye Tianming was the son of a Training Institute elder, and an extraordinary natural talent with considerable strength in his own right. Even several of the more senior disciples could only give way to him.
Moreover, he was now voicing what most people wanted. Wu Longjie, who had proposed going up to take a look and seize the initiative, had no way to fight back.
Fang Qianyuan noticed Wu Longjie's expression shift slightly, a trace of vexation appearing on his face, and couldn't help finding it amusing.
Wu Longjie might not genuinely have wanted to go up and seize any initiative. More likely, he had opposed the suggestion simply for the sake of opposing it, never expecting that taking this position would mean lifting a rock only to smash his own foot.
With Wu Longjie silenced, Ye Tianming pressed his advantage and proposed again, "More demons may appear later, but we don't know their strength or numbers, much less how long we'll be trapped here. We need to make sensible arrangements if everyone is to get out safely. How about we take turns fighting and resting from now on?"
"Everyone in each squad is used to working together, so we shouldn't split them up lightly. Each squad can take a turn dealing with the demons that appear. If they're too difficult to handle, we'll send reinforcements as needed."
"Besides staying ready to provide support at any moment, the squads that aren't fighting should seize the chance to get some proper rest."
The proposal was perfectly reasonable. How could anyone object? They all agreed.
Ba Ming stood up to lend his support. "To make coordination easier, let's have Tianming handle the arrangements. Does anyone have any objections?"
Having already agreed to everything before this, they could hardly say much now. Even Wu Longjie struggled to find fault and could only mutter, "I have no objection to letting Tianming handle the arrangements, but make sure you don't use public authority for private gain."
In the end, he couldn't resist slipping in a jab.
Ye Tianming smiled faintly. "That's a little harsh, Senior Brother Wu. But since you're worried, our squad can simply stay on the front line and only rest when we can no longer hold out. We'll work alongside the other squads to help secure an advantage over the demons."
Wu Longjie was somewhat surprised, but then realized that this had given Ye Tianming yet another opportunity to show off and earn merit!
Everyone knew they would have to fight demons next, but the Training Institute elders and elite disciples above weren't dead. How could they possibly leave them here to fend for themselves?
The rescue must already have begun. In truth, they wouldn't have to hold out for very long.
But not everyone thought the way he did. All the others saw was Ye Tianming generously tolerating Wu Longjie's provocation and volunteering to shoulder more of the fighting.
Admiration and respect welled up naturally.
And so, with some burning with enthusiasm, some harboring deep schemes, some oblivious, and some utterly indifferent, command of these demon-slaying squads fell entirely into Ye Tianming's hands.
A little later, he even began openly gathering the squad leaders to assign their tasks.
Once the discussion ended, Ba Ming came over and told Fang Qianyuan and the others, "We've discussed it and decided that you'll fight in the third wave... Hmm? Junior Brother Fang, you've reached the fourth transformation?"
Ba Ming had originally come to announce the arrangements, but when he suddenly discovered that Fang Qianyuan had somehow advanced to the fourth transformation of Human Rank, he couldn't help being startled.
Ding Long smiled. "That's right, Senior Brother Ba. Junior Brother Fang broke through back in the Demon Cave."
Hearing this, the others looked over as well, their faces showing surprise.
With a formidable enemy before them, however, they had little inclination to investigate further and merely marveled inwardly.
"You really are... a genius! Heh, but an increase in cultivation alone is still far from enough."
Ba Ming spoke with intentions that were hard to fathom.
"In actual combat, cultivation is only one aspect. You also have to rely on spirit creatures, combat techniques, equipment, fighting spirit, your surroundings, and even luck."
"An increase in cultivation doesn't necessarily mean you've become stronger. That still depends on your performance in actual combat. High-level demons have tough hides and thick flesh, but they may also have weaknesses, and one blow to those could kill them. Low-level demons can likewise rush up and strike once, and we Spirit Tamers still won't be able to withstand it. So cultivation isn't everything..."
Fang Qianyuan said calmly, "Thank you for the guidance, Senior Brother."
Ba Ming grunted and walked away with a rather odd expression.
"Hey, what's wrong with that guy? Of course improving your cultivation is a good thing. Surely he can't be weaker than he was at the third transformation?" Someone nearby glanced at Fang Qianyuan and whispered to a teammate.
"You don't get it. He's sour with envy!"
"Envious of what?"
"Junior Brother Fang advanced so quickly. His reputation as a genius is well deserved. Ba Ming doesn't have that kind of talent. He's nearly thirty, and he only barely reached the seventh transformation with funding from the Ye Household. How could he not feel sour seeing a young genius like this?"
"Heh, I'm envious too, actually, but I'm not as petty as he is. Damn it, a man that big..."
"Hey, what are you muttering about?" Ding Long seemed to know them and growled fiercely, "Do you think we're deaf?"
"Ah, Brother Ding, sorry! But we're on Junior Brother Fang's side." They jumped in fright, then quickly began grinning and begging for mercy, repeatedly giving Fang Qianyuan sheepish smiles. "Isn't that right, Junior Brother Fang?"
Fang Qianyuan nodded slightly in acknowledgment, but paid it little mind.
Before long, ripples spread through the void, and sure enough, demons appeared out of thin air before them.
Ye Tianming stepped forward of his own accord and formed the Hand Seal of Soldier.
As a mass of silver light appeared, spirit markings emerged all over his body. Thick phantom wolf paws enveloped both his hands, and long claws of Spirit Essence extended from them, gleaming with a cold, razor-sharp light.
That was the power of the Moon-Howling Gray Wolf, a supreme-grade Human Rank spirit creature.
Before the few demons that had just appeared could react, Ye Tianming slew them outright. Then the assigned squad took over the remaining demons and easily wiped them out as well.
After that, demons continued to appear in succession, all scattered minions of various races.
Everyone took turns as agreed and killed them easily, successfully keeping themselves in good condition.
Many began to feel genuine admiration and respect for Ye Tianming. It was clear that his arrangements had played a significant role, and his contribution could not be overlooked.
After a little under a quarter of an hour, Fang Qianyuan suddenly heard the disciple responsible for watching the space beyond the vortex cheer, "There are fewer! Fewer! There really are fewer demons on the other side!"
Fewer demons on the other side? The thought flashed through Fang Qianyuan's mind, and he turned to look.
"Are the Training Institute's reinforcements almost here?" Delight and surprise appeared on the other disciples' faces as well.
But a moment later, the entire hall shook violently. A fierce tremor like a cave-in surged from the void before the vortex.
As everyone watched in horror, a demon more than thirty feet tall broke through the barrier, forcibly squeezing its way in from the other side of the spatial gateway.
Riiip!
Amid a sound like tearing cloth, thousands upon thousands of demons surged out in a ferocious tide!