The twenty disciples had already prepared their formations, but the first wave of ferocious beasts instantly shattered their ranks. At least half of them were wounded within moments.
"What is going on with these ferocious beasts!" Kuang Wuchang of Xinghe Sect could not hide the slight change in his expression.
He was the eldest senior brother of Xinghe Sect and the most prestigious among this group. Facing these beasts, he naturally took the lead.
The first wave of beasts was only twelve or thirteen. The first clash had begun. He could still hold his ground, but at least half of the disciples behind him were already injured. If another wave struck…
Light injuries would turn serious, and the uninjured would suffer wounds. And this was only the vanguard!
The combat power of these beasts was terrifyingly high. Even if they did not reach the level of super spirit beasts, they were probably not far off.
Kuang Wuchang shuddered. Each of these beasts… was equivalent to a spirit beast?
Then these countless ferocious beasts across the wasteland…
Despair gripped him instantly.
Previously, survival was a one-in-nine chance. Now, it was certain death. In a flash, disciples were injured, yet the beasts showed no sign of stopping. They launched attack after attack with relentless ferocity.
Kuang Wuchang struggled to maintain his stance, but in just moments, the repeated assaults had shifted his internal organs, and he tasted blood in his mouth. He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.
The metallic scent of blood filled the air, further enraging the beasts. They seemed tireless, their attacks growing ever more violent.
On the human side, injured disciples multiplied, and resisting became increasingly difficult.
The most hopeless sight of all—
Even more ferocious beasts surged forward. Within moments, their numbers had doubled.
A flicker of despair appeared in everyone's eyes. They had prided themselves on being geniuses, yet now they were all facing death at the jaws of the beasts.
Truly… ironic.
The beasts sensed the weakness of these humans. Their jaws gaped wide, teeth razor-sharp, and they lunged forward. Many spectators in front of the water screen could not bear the cruel sight and closed their eyes.
Suddenly a firm voice rang out.
"Everyone! Expand the formation!"
It was… Fang Mingyue's voice.
On the square, some people blinked in confusion as they reopened their eyes.
They could hardly believe what they saw.
Previously, the water screen focused on these twenty disciples. No one had seen the Wushuang Sect disciples.
Now, their voices came from outside the screen.
In the next moment eighty Wushuang Sect disciples expanded their formation, entering the water screen's view. They surrounded the twenty severely wounded disciples in the center.
The attacking beasts followed.
Because of the larger numbers of the Wushuang Sect disciples, more beasts targeted them. Yet these disciples were extraordinary. Facing such a horde, every one of them maintained perfect discipline and serious expressions, and not a single one was injured.
They forcibly took over the attacks from the beasts. Though the number of beasts had increased, their cooperation allowed them to hold the line once again.
"Attention, everyone! The number of beasts is roughly equal. Switch from defense to offense!"
Under Fang Mingyue's command, the formation instantly shifted. What had been defensive became aggressive. A razor-sharp aura surged into the sky. The instant it descended, it felt as if countless blades sliced through the air. The previously snarling beasts were decapitated in moments, lifeless immediately.
The first wave of beasts was annihilated. But soon, a second wave charged forward.
"Maintain defense," Fang Mingyue commanded.
The formation shifted again. The Wushuang Sect disciples followed without hesitation. The twenty disciples protected in the center were dumbfounded. What was happening?
These Wushuang Sect disciples… were protecting them!?
From their vantage point, they could only see the backs of figures who were not particularly tall, yet radiated a strange sense of security. These were the very people who had once schemed against and ambushed them. Yet in the face of life and death, they stood unwaveringly in front.
They were silent, leaving the twenty speechless.
Kuang Wuchang gritted his teeth and rose abruptly. "I will help too."
He prepared to join the battle.
Fang Mingyue glanced at him briefly: "Do not make things worse. You are too weak."
Kuang Wuchang froze.
Too weak… making things worse… He, the eldest senior brother of Xinghe Sect, the number one among the young generation of a super sect, was being told this?
He wanted to protest loudly. But he could not. These beasts, able to kill with just a few attacks, were being matched blow for blow by Wushuang Sect disciples.
Was the gap truly this vast?
"Remaining under siege is not a solution," Fang Mingyue said calmly. "Several dozen miles from here is a cave. It is special, reinforced with a restriction spell. Its walls are exceptionally hard. Even the beasts may not be able to break it. Prepare to fight while retreating, and finally hold the cave."
With a cave to shelter in, they would only need to handle one side of the attack, which would greatly ease the pressure.
"Yes," the Wushuang Sect disciples responded quickly.
"Are you all able to follow us to the cave?" Fang Mingyue asked.
Kuang Wuchang gritted his teeth: "Yes, we can!"
If they could not assist in battle, then at least they could ensure this.
"Good," Fang Mingyue praised them as if speaking to children.
The twenty from the super sects: "…"
They felt deeply embarrassed. Outside, they were mighty figures. Here, they were being treated like children needing protection.
"If we cannot help, we at least will not hold anyone back. Lightly injured disciples should support the severely wounded. Do not fall behind!" Kuang Wuchang said, lifting a heavily wounded disciple.
The others followed suit. The group slowly moved.
Under Fang Mingyue's command, they fought while retreating, eventually reaching the cave.
The beasts continued to surge endlessly.
But inside the cave, they only needed to guard the entrance, which greatly reduced the pressure.
"Next, one squad guards the entrance, while the others rest. Rotate every half hour," Fang Mingyue issued a new order.
She quickly selected the first squad. The rest entered the cave to rest. No one objected. Seventy disciples retreated immediately, closing their eyes to cultivate. Each squad had at least one support cultivator, who generously placed protective auras around teammates.
"Are we really not helping at all?" someone fretted.
Kuang Wuchang sighed: "With their coordination, if we forcefully interfere, it would only make things worse."