A bitter wind swept through Youzhou, slicing across the northern plains. The skies, already desolate and cold, were now shrouded in rolling black clouds. Within the mist, grotesque shapes twisted and surged, and low, bestial howls echoed as if the heavens themselves were being crushed under the weight of countless monstrous cries.
Below the city, three thousand armored soldiers stood in formation. Black steel glinted coldly in the dawn light, their spears and shields interlocked to form an unyielding wall. War drums thundered like rolling thunder, and the killing intent hanging over the army seemed ready to shatter the sky.
Li Tianyuan stood at the forefront, gripping his spear, heart heavy. Having marched north with the army, he had witnessed the horrors of the demon plague: villagers corrupted into monstrous thralls, blood-soaked forests, and villages torn apart. Yet, facing the looming might of the Yan King's army, he felt his chest tighten in apprehension.
"So this… is the force of armies confronting each other," he murmured.
Fu Yuan stood beside him, hands clasped behind his back, expression stern. Mu Changfeng donned his armor, sword in hand, eyes ablaze with determination, while Mu Xueyin drew her bow, the arrowhead gleaming sharply. All four understood this battle would not be a skirmish—it was life and death.
On the high platform of the command tent, General Qin Yue sat astride a snow-white warhorse, clad in heavy armor, gripping his tiger-headed golden blade. His gaze swept across the ranks like a hawk, and his voice rang out across the battlefield:
"This battle at Youzhou is a battle of destiny! Behind us are millions of lives—if we falter even a step, the northern lands will drown in blood! Only by fighting with our lives can we protect our mountains and rivers!"
"To protect our mountains and rivers!"
The three thousand armored soldiers roared in unison, a thunderous wave of killing intent rising into the sky. At that moment, the fury of war surged, echoing the monstrous cries above.
The demon army pressed forward.
From the black mist came the pounding of drums, a cacophony as if ten thousand spirits were wailing. Figures emerged: some humanoid, some beastly, all with blood-red eyes and sharp fangs. Clad in black demonic armor and wielding bone blades and iron halberds, they moved with frightening discipline. This was a trained army of demons, not a chaotic swarm.
At the center rolled a black war chariot. Seated atop was a towering demon general, draped in a crimson cloak, face hidden behind an iron mask. His aura alone s*ck*d the life from the air.
"One of the Yan King's Four Great Demon Generals—Liè Tiānhòu," Fu Yuan murmured, eyes narrowing. "This battle is destined to be perilous."
Qin Yue snorted, raising his blade: "Sound the drums!"
Boom! Boom!
The war drums answered, and the armored soldiers surged forward as one, transforming into a relentless torrent aimed at the black-mist demon army.
"Kill!"
The collision sent blood spraying. The iron-wall formation held, spears striking down the advancing demons. Yet the enemy pressed on, undeterred, the mist churning as if it sought to engulf everything.
Li Tianyuan tightened his grip on his spear, his heart drumming. The demon horde seemed endless. Three thousand armored soldiers might be strong, but even they were only a fragile wall—any breach, and the battle could collapse.
"Tianyuan, forward!" Qin Yue shouted.
Li Tianyuan drew a deep breath and spurred his horse forward. Spear gleaming, he struck the approaching demons. Gold light flared in his palm as the "Ding Force" surged, thundering through his veins.
"Hah!"
The spear moved like a dragon, light searing, cutting through the shadows. Demons shrieked as they were blown apart, black mist dissipating under his strikes. The army's morale soared instantly.
"Excellent spear work!""The Destiny Overseer does not disappoint!"
Shouts rang out. Li Tianyuan had become the banner of their hearts.
Yet deep within the mist, Liè Tiānhòu sneered, eyes blazing red. He swung his colossal halberd, and the void itself seemed to tear. A black lightning bolt descended upon the army.
"Hold the line!"
Qin Yue leapt, golden blade blazing, shattering the bolt, though blood trickled from his mouth.
"Liè Tiānhòu's power… has reached this level!" Fu Yuan's face darkened.
Li Tianyuan gritted his teeth, spear poised, gold light surging like wildfire through his palm. The Ding Force throbbed violently, threatening to shatter his body, but he knew inaction would collapse the formation.
"Stand firm!"
He slammed the spear into the ground. Boom! A radiant golden barrier erupted, halting the demon assault.
The three thousand soldiers roared in response, counterattacking. Spears like a forest, blades like rain—demons recoiled dozens of steps.
"Li Tianyuan!""The spear that holds the line!"
The shouts of the soldiers swept across the ranks like a tidal wave.
Liè Tiānhòu narrowed his eyes, murderous intent flashing. He summoned waves of black mist again, a demonic projection of the Yan King looming behind him, shaking the mountains and rivers:
"Human upstarts, with only a single spear, dare defy heaven? Today, Youzhou shall fall beneath my demon legions!"
Li Tianyuan's eyes blazed. The Ding Force roared within him, resonating with the world, as if an invisible giant cauldron hovered in the sky.
"Today, retreat is not an option!"
He bellowed, raising his spear. Gold light tore through the black mist, striking Liè Tiānhòu.
Storm clouds of war had begun to gather, and the earth trembled.
—The decisive battle for Youzhou had only just begun.