After completely repelling the first wave of the demon race's offensive, the Star-Sea Continent's side did not rest, but entered an even more urgent state of combat readiness.
In this battle, they had thoroughly witnessed the horror of the demon race. For example, the psychological shadow brought by the Thousand-Eyed Troll had still not completely dissipated.
Once the demon world truly descended and a full-scale war broke out in the world-domain battlefield, just how terrifyingly strong would the fully descended demon race be?
No one knew the answer; they could only infer from a corner of what they had just seen that it was absolutely an unimaginable super meat grinder...
So after a simple recuperation, a small number of people who already possessed the resolution to die, feeling that they could no longer increase their strength in the short term, took a temporary leave to enjoy their final moments. The Star-Sea Mercenaries accounted for the highest proportion of these people.
Their own potential had long since been exhausted. Coming here now was only to kill a few more enemies and fight for a future for their relatives and descendants.
So at such a time, those who still had unfulfilled wishes or things they wanted to enjoy—beauties, gourmet food... even some "poison pills" that would damage the foundation but make the body and mind joyful...
Anyway, the ending was death, and they had already prepared the pills to burn themselves out.
However, even more people were desperately practicing under this massive pressure.
They all held expectations for the future, wanting to earn more merits and contributions, and even more wanting to advance by leaps and bounds in this war, completing a heaven-defying change of fate and becoming a great cultivator who made a name for themselves in the world.
And the effect was indeed very significant. Under the pressure of the demon race, the potential of the physical body was fully stimulated, the will was unprecedentedly strong, and the speed of cultivation and accumulation far exceeded normal times. Even more, many cultivators' original bottlenecks were broken at this moment.
The most obvious feature was that after the Thousand-Eyed Troll was killed by Baili Yun, the advancement lightning tribulations in the Immortal-Slaying City had not stopped.
Such a continuous grand spectacle of breakthroughs made countless people's minds fluctuate.
"Brother Chang, do you think we can survive this war?"
Under the moonlight, at a corner of the walls of the Immortal-Slaying City, a youth carrying a silver spear and wearing silver armor was gazing at the demon blood that had not yet dried outside the Immortal-Slaying City. A righteous aura soared to the sky.
This person was the prodigy "Little Spear Saint" who had risen to fame in the main campus of the Star-Sea Academy, the disciple with the highest spatial talent in the entire Star-Sea Academy. His Void Spear Technique made many super geniuses in the Qing-God Army admit defeat.
And the ones beside him were exactly the siblings Chang Qing and Chang E, who had once worked under Old Man Zhou.
Compared to their former immaturity, Chang Qing had already become a mature and stable man, also earning the title of "Medical Saint" within the Star-Sea Academy. His defensive spells, control spells, and healing spells had nearly reached a level of perfection. His spell-assisting ability was considered number one among his rank.
His only weakness was his lack of skill in offensive combat, but in defense, even if the Little Spear Saint exerted his full strength, it was difficult to heavily injure him.
As for Chang E, she had already grown into an elegant and poised fairy. Her cyan dress and transcendent temperament attracted the favor and admiration of unknown numbers of peers.
"I don't know, but before I die, I will protect your life. In killing enemies, I am not as good as you, but in the matter of saving lives, you still have to count on me!" Chang Qing spoke as if it were business as usual.
After experiencing the massive changes and hardships of his family, his character had become very steady. Because the siblings had once been heavily injured and near death, their path of cultivation had also turned toward healing and protection, which was completely different from the sharp and overbearing Little Spear Saint.
The Little Spear Saint wanted to compete for merit and become world-famous; he only wanted more of his brothers and sisters to live.
Now his greatest regret was being unable to save the old man who had rescued the siblings after they arrived at the Qingtian Domain. Even though he used a lot of connections and resources—though he also knew that even the adult at the very top was powerless—this remained an eternal regret in his heart.
Therefore, Chang Qing now very much cherished the partners and relatives beside him. He did not want any important person to leave him anymore, so he had been desperately researching methods to save lives all these years, just so more people could survive this war.
Some people thought he was foolish, but in his view, precisely because no one did it, this position appeared even more important. He wanted to be the best physician in this war.
He did not expect to kill many enemies and earn much merit in the war, because...
What Chang Qing was most worried about was still this sister beside him. After the old ailment no longer threatened her life, her past liveliness had returned, and she had even started playing with a big hammer. When she fought, she was both violent and had explosive combat power, creating a huge contrast with Chang E's own celestial appearance.
"You, oh you, you truly are a rare oddball in our Star-Sea Academy. Everyone thinks of killing enemies, and only you think of saving people!"
But although the Little Spear Saint said this, the admiration in his eyes was not hidden in the slightest. He was not someone without insight, so he very much understood how precious a person like Chang Qing was.
Precisely because of this, Chang Qing's popularity in the Star-Sea Academy was very good. After all, who wouldn't hope to have such a peaceful and life-saving friend?
"You don't understand. Your talent is transcendent, but our Academy has been too stable. You haven't experienced any life or death; you don't understand that feeling when a loved one dies before your eyes, or that the most important person could leave you at any time..."
"Hehe, I don't understand, but if I kill a few more demonic scum, the pressure on our brothers and sisters and the fellow countrymen of the Star-Sea Continent will be a bit smaller, right? Anyway, my most critical life and safety fall into your hands, Brother. As for the merits I obtain, I'll give you half then!"
"I don't lack resources; you should keep them all for yourself!"
"Fine, fine, fine, I know you have a big backer behind you and don't lack resources. Even if I give them for free, you don't want them..."
The two young prodigies in their prime were enjoying one of the few quiet nights...
Because no one knew if they could still be alive after this great battle... and after a while, it was not impossible that only one of the three would remain. To be accurate, it was very likely to happen. Everyone knew the enemy's strength would be terrifying, and everyone knew that most of the people standing here today would die.
"Senior Brother Han, I always knew you were hiding strength, but I didn't expect you to hide so much. It turns out you were just playing with me in our previous sparring?"
At this moment, Zhang Daniu was looking at the helpless Han Li with a face full of resentment.
He had known Han Li even before Qi Ping, so he understood Han Li's style better.
But it was only until not long ago when the demons descended and the Qing-God Army went to battle that Han Li erupted with his true strength.
Only when he perceived that incomparably powerful pressure did Zhang Daniu finally know just how strong this good brother of his was!
"Junior Brother Daniu, did I not always tell you that in the cultivation world, the first secret to survival is the word 'Prudence'? Although the current Star-Sea Continent under Senior Brother Crow's leadership has established the best era of order, can you guarantee that there are no bad people or traitors among us? Or that powerful spies haven't sneaked in, or someone is being controlled... in such cases, hidden strength will provide an unexpected life-saving effect."
Han Li seized this opportunity to once again instill his Way of Prudence into Zhang Daniu.
Everything about this Junior Brother of his was good, except he seemed a bit unintelligent, incomparable to Senior Brother Crow!
"Then why did you suddenly erupt with your full strength just now? You didn't even see how others were startled by you! Hehe, that guy Old Liu always thought he was stronger than you, but you didn't see his face just now—it looked worse than if he had eaten feces! It was hilarious..."
After witnessing the terrifying combat power of the Qing-God Army formation, Zhang Daniu and Han Li, in order to better help Qi Ping, had resigned from their positions at the Star-Sea Academy and joined the Qing-God Army. They currently both held important positions in the army.
Old Liu was another general they had met in the army, coming from a place called the Profound Earth Immortal Domain, with a character similar to Zhang Daniu's.
"What do you think? Senior Brother Crow and the others were fighting bloody battles with Void Refinement demons at the front, and with one mistake, they would be in danger of losing their lives. At such a time, how could I still hide my strength? That we have been able to walk smoothly to this day is all thanks to Senior Brother Crow assisting us in the shadows. If I still hid my strength, would I not be a true beast?"
Han Li rolled his eyes at Zhang Daniu after answering.
"Hahaha, it's my brain that didn't turn around! Speaking of Senior Brother Crow, for Old Niu to be able to follow Senior Brother Crow through that trip to Starfall City is the luckiest thing in this life. Even if I die in battle next, I won't have any regrets. I only seek to slay a few more enemies and contribute a bit more strength to preserving Senior Brother Crow's foundation!"
Zhang Daniu's loyalty to Qi Ping was absolute.
And although Han Li didn't show much and was usually low-key to save his life, he had never retreated at critical moments, whether it was going to Starfall City with Qi Ping back then or now erupting with strength without reservation to slay demons!
"Yes! The thing I won't regret most in this life was meeting Senior Brother Crow back then. I also didn't expect that after so many years, I could once again have a moment to fight side-by-side with Senior Brother Crow. Just don't say unlucky words like 'dying in battle.' The demons are strong, but for us, it is also an opportunity. Now the gap between us and Senior Brother Crow is getting larger and larger; this war is our only chance to catch up to the silhouette of Senior Brother Crow's back..."
Han Li and Zhang Daniu were also standing on the mottled walls of the Immortal-Slaying City, looking at the black figure guarding above that broken void tunnel, their eyes filled with admiration.
Just like back then, a white-clothed figure suppressed an entire city into silence in Starfall City. Now, one person was guarding the demon tunnel. The only change might be the switch to a black robe and that his strength had reached a level they needed to look up to.
Although Qi Ping now shouldered the entire Star-Sea Continent and his communication with them had decreased significantly, they knew that Qi Ping's support for them had never stopped. Otherwise, Han Li might be fine as he had a treasure to cultivate spirit herbs, but Zhang Daniu might not have been able to break through the limits of the Golden Core.
So this time, taking advantage of the turbulence of heaven and earth, they must seize the opportunity and ascend to an even higher realm!
This might also be their only chance...