In fact, the battle, as Jun Xiaoyao had expected, did not last too long.
However, the Town Boundary Army still suffered considerable casualties.
Not to mention the annihilated cannon fodder squads.
Even some ace teams suffered losses, with many dead and injured.
It can be said that the Town Boundary Army paid a considerable price in this Demon Tide.
The Town Boundary Army also suffered heavy casualties.
As for the Prodigies who came for training, there's no need to mention them.
Except for some Imperial Clan Prodigies and Disciples of the Great Teachings who had extraordinary identities and were looked after,
for some slightly lesser forces, the Prodigies were not all wiped out, at most only two or three out of ten remained.
But at the Three Emperors Barrier, such deaths were perfectly normal, and no one cared.
Human lives are as worthless as grass, which is the best description.
After another period of time,
the teams that went to the Star Corpse Land also returned one after another.
The Three Emperors Barrier, towering and boundless, seemed to cut off the Universe.
Stars surrounded the city wall at mid-height.
Universe essence Qi and Chaos mist flowed and permeated.
This seemed like a majestic wonder that would stand forever.
And within the Three Emperors Barrier,
people had successively arrived at the resting square from altars and teleportation arrays.
Although the number still looked dense,
it was clearly much less compared to before the expedition.
Moreover, many were wounded and had depleted Qi and blood.
As for some Prodigies, some had pale faces, while others had lingering fears.
Of course, some Imperial Clan Prodigies and Three Teachings Disciples performed adequately and were not so pathetic.
The Ninth Squad, where Xiahou Divine Treasure was, also returned.
Their numbers also suffered losses.
Including Hou Gu, who had previously coveted Lu Xingling, was not seen.
He did not return; he died in this Demon Tide.
However, if Hou Gu knew about it in the netherworld, he might even feel fortunate.
Because even if he had returned alive,
he would probably have died anyway.
Because it is well known that Jun Xiaoyao is very protective of his own.
And Lu Xingling was someone he valued.
Hou Gu dying at the hands of Undead Fiends might even be a blessing.
"Where is Jun Xiaoyao? Has he not come yet, or has he already fallen?"
Xiahou Divine Treasure's figure was like a Dragon and a tiger, and his aura was still vigorous, not having suffered much injury.
As a young king of an Imperial Clan, his status was there, and he wouldn't be made to look disheveled by the Undead Fiends tide.
He swept his gaze around but did not find Jun Xiaoyao's figure.
"You can keep dreaming."
Yun Xuanxu and other Prodigies of the Yun Clan Emperor Clan also returned.
They were not worried about Jun Xiaoyao at all.
Worrying would be a distrust of Jun Xiaoyao's strength.
"Hmph, I have to admit, his strength is indeed not bad."
"But you should know, that is a battlefield, not a one-on-one duel."
"He is in a cannon fodder squad, and perhaps the whole squad has to rely on him."
"No matter how strong one person is, they are ultimately limited." Xiahou Divine Treasure sneered.
He did not question Jun Xiaoyao's strength; that would make him seem stupid.
But individual strength is one aspect.
This battlefield emphasizes teamwork.
To put it bluntly, if he weren't in an ace team like the Ninth Squad,
even Xiahou Divine Treasure might not be able to guarantee his own safety.
And at this moment,
a voice suddenly sounded leisurely.
"I didn't expect you to miss this Young Lord so much; it's quite a surprise."
Hearing this voice, Xiahou Divine Treasure's face darkened.
Sure enough, he shouldn't have held any illusions.
"Young Lord."
"Xiaoyao."
"Young Master."
Everyone from the Yun Clan Emperor Clan, Tantai Qingxuan, Eastern Qingwu, Li Feiyan, Li Youwei, and others all showed joy.
Although they trusted Jun Xiaoyao, they were still somewhat worried about him.
Jun Xiaoyao smiled slightly.
However, what surprised everyone present was that
not only did Jun Xiaoyao himself return,
but most of the members of the Seventy-Two Squad also returned safely.
"They actually came back?"
"They were a cannon fodder squad at the very front."
"How great is their luck to survive this?"
All the Town Boundary Army teams present were dumbfounded.
Especially the captain of the Ninth Squad.
Even their ace unit suffered many casualties, and even their vice-captain Hou Gu died.
How could the Seventy-Two Squad, a cannon fodder unit, not suffer much loss?
For a time, everyone's gazes unanimously fell on Jun Xiaoyao.
There was no other reason besides him.
"Alas, this is the Seventy-Two Squad's fate; one cannot envy it."
Some Town Boundary Army teams were full of envy.
Which team could have Jun Xiaoyao join them would be incredibly fortunate.
Xiahou Divine Treasure's eyes shifted, somewhat disbelieving.
Could it be that they had been hiding somewhere later?
Otherwise, how could Jun Xiaoyao have the ability to protect so many of them?
It was one thing for Jun Xiaoyao to be safe and sound, but the Seventy-Two Squad also being mostly fine.
Didn't this make him seem somewhat incompetent by contrast?
After all, his ace unit suffered considerable losses.
At this moment, in the depths of the Three Emperors Barrier, several ancient elders in simple attire appeared.
They were all the older generation in the Three Emperors Barrier.
Purple Wisteria, who had previously assigned the troops, also followed behind.
Seeing Jun Xiaoyao and the Seventy-Two Squad safe and sound,
a hint of surprise flashed in Purple Wisteria's eyes.
"Alright, everyone, you've all worked hard. I'm sure you've now witnessed the cruelty of War."
"But I want to say, this Demon Tide doesn't even count as an appetizer."
"When the Black Calamity Race truly erupts and ignites a great War, that will be a catastrophe affecting the entire Boundary Sea."
"So we hope that you, this new generation, can grow up quickly."
"Alright, next, we will tally your merits."
Upon saying this, some Prodigies present lowered their heads in shame.
Not all Prodigies were peerless Prodigies who could earn merits in such circumstances.
However, some Imperial Clan elites and Three Teachings Disciples performed well.
There were those with ninth-class merits and eighth-class merits.
"Huangfu Emperor Clan, Huangfu Jing, five ninth-class merits, three eighth-class merits."
Huangfu Jing, in a light-colored long dress, had a beautiful and graceful appearance.
This result was within her expectations.
"Xiahou Emperor Clan, Xiahou Divine Treasure, eighteen ninth-class merits, seven eighth-class merits, one seventh-class merit."
"What!"
Hearing an elder tally, gasps of surprise resounded throughout the entire audience.
Xiahou Divine Treasure actually received a seventh-class merit!
This merit was already quite high.
Even within the Town Boundary Army, it was not bad.
Not to mention that Xiahou Divine Treasure was here for his first training.
"As expected of the young king of the Xiahou Emperor Clan."
Even Huangfu Jing sighed slightly.
"Yun Clan Emperor Clan, Yun Xuanxu, ten ninth-class merits, five eighth-class merits, one seventh-class merit!"
An elder reported, causing another uproar.
The sealed young king of the Yun Clan Emperor Clan also obtained a seventh-class merit.
Yun Xuanxu stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm.
Some people's gazes then turned to Jun Xiaoyao.
It must be said that the Yun Clan Emperor Clan's title as the head of the Imperial Clans was indeed not for nothing.
Leaving aside Jun Xiaoyao, this monstrous Prodigy,
Yun Xuanxu indeed did not disgrace the Yun Clan Emperor Clan and could indeed compare with young kings of Imperial Clans like Xiahou Divine Treasure.
Xiahou Divine Treasure's face darkened again.
He felt immense pressure.
At this moment, an elder took Jun Xiaoyao's merit token.
And upon seeing it, even the elder was stunned, his eyes widening.
Then he took a deep breath and said,
"Yun Clan Emperor Clan's Young Lord, Jun Xiaoyao, has achieved a sixth-class merit!"