Half an incense stick earlier.
"Old Shi, how have the newly arrived fisherfolk been drilling the military formation tactics we drafted the night before last?"
"They can already advance and retreat freely. But General, I'm A Liang. Ten-Thousand-Household Commander Shi fell in battle the day before yesterday."
At the entrance to Tianhai Pass's city tower, the Old General turned at these words and stared blankly at A Liang beside him. Only after a long while did he nod and say:
"I understand."
Then he turned his gaze back toward the sea ahead.
Beneath the gloomy sky, ranks of demonic beasts were gathering along the shore.
Even the weakest aura they gave off was king-level.
Under normal circumstances, even a martial artist in the Martial Ancestor Realm might not be a match for a king-level demonic creature.
Besides the thousand-odd demonic beasts gathering on the shore, clusters of light were continually lighting up in the sea.
Judging by the faintly perceptible auras, many Demon Venerable and even devil master-level demonic beasts within were stirring, eager to act.
"A Liang, why didn't you go to the underground palace?"
The Old General patted his spirit steed's head, then asked without looking back.
"Old General, aside from Tianhai Pass, I have nowhere else to go."
Holding the reins, A Liang looked into the distance and continued with a resolute expression:
"Rather than die a violent death in a foreign land, I'd sooner fall at Tianhai Pass. At least that way, I'll still have a chance to reunite with Father and the others."
"Good lad."
The Old General reached out and patted A Liang's shoulder, then continued:
"I'm entrusting my back to you."
At these words, A Liang firmly clasped his fist in salute and said:
"Even if I die, I will never let the