The moment the overwhelming number of Sentinels charged across the chains, Hou Jian's sharp voice cut through the chaos.
"Xue Mor! Hou Liang! Fall back!" he commanded.
Without hesitation, the two obeyed.
"Xue Mor, you're the leader. Stay back and give commands. Liang and I are needed on the frontlines."
Xue Mor's sharp eyes scanned the battlefield. She could already see the challenge ahead—the Sentinels were elite warriors raised from childhood for battle, and they outnumbered them greatly. There was no room for hesitation.
Noticing the trio's discussion, the other fifteen geniuses instinctively moved into formation. They channeled their Qi to reinforce their footing and prepared to block as many attacks as possible.
Zhao Hui unleashed a barrage of wide-range flame attacks, forcing the Sentinels to halt their advance. At the same time, Yan Feiyan used her Blazing Fans to absorb incoming assaults and redirect them, creating a temporary deadlock in the battle.
Hou Liang's eyes gleamed with determination as he turned to the two strongest warriors in their group.
"Raikai, Shinryu—you two are our best! Go deep into their ranks and cause as much chaos as possible!"
Raikai cracked his knuckles, a wild grin forming.
"Got it."
Shinryu simply nodded, his silver hair glinting under the moonlight as his sharp eyes focused on their enemies.
Hou Jian continued shouting orders.
"Shin Aoren! Torra Yun! Shin Gou! You're on the frontlines with me and Hou Liang!"
"Understood!" The two warriors nodded, stepping up with unwavering resolve.
"Hou Ren! Shin Keilan! Use your speed and footwork to outmaneuver them. Bai Yue, your Moonlit Death Arms were made for battles like this—get behind their lines and take out their backline fighters!"
Bai Yue's eyes gleamed as she smirked. "Consider it done."
Xue Mor swiftly added her own orders.
"Xue Lan, set up traps with me. We'll create a battlefield that favors us!"
The two nodded, their hands already in motion as they spread invisible thread-like wires laced with frost and flame, making it difficult for the Sentinels to advance without consequence.
Hou Jian turned his gaze to Zhao Hui.
"Zhao Hui, unleash hell. Keep looking for gaps in their ranks and strike with everything you have."
Zhao Hui grinned wickedly. "You won't have to tell me twice."
Finally, Hou Jian's eyes landed on their longest-range attackers.
"Meilin Zhen, Shin Suyin, Yan Xifeng—keep them under pressure from a distance. Make sure they never feel safe."
"Understood," Meilin Zhen answered as she swiftly loaded her mini crossbows. Yan Xifeng knocked her flaming arrows, her sharp gaze already seeking weak points.
Hou Jian's gaze then locked onto Feng Xuan, who had remained quiet throughout the exchange.
"Feng Xuan! Your job is to protect our backline! If anyone gets past, it's on your life!"
Feng Xuan hesitated for a brief moment, gripping his dual spears tightly. Doubt clouded his mind, but before he could waver, Shin Aoren spoke.
"The spear is the emperor of blades. Show no fear if you wield two."
Feng Xuan's eyes widened at those words. The doubt vanished. His grip tightened, and he took a deep breath before roaring,
"WITH MY LIFE, NONE SHALL PASS!"
Xue Mor smirked at the transformation.
"So that's all it took? I guess spearmen really do speak their own language."
A small chuckle rippled through the group, lightening the tension just before the battle erupted.
Hou Jian raised his weapon high.
"NOW BREAK!"
The battlefield exploded into chaos.
Raikai and Shinryu shot forward like lightning, carving a path through the Sentinels with ruthless efficiency. Shin Aoren's spear weaved through the enemy ranks like a storm, while Torra Yun stood like an immovable mountain, striking down Sentinels with bone-shattering blows.
From the backline, Meilin Zhen's crossbows fired deadly shots, while Yan Xifeng's flaming arrows rained destruction from above.
Feng Xuan stood firm at the rear, his twin spears spinning as he blocked an approaching Sentinel's attack. With a swift movement, he drove both blades through the enemy's chest, his confidence growing with every kill.
Meanwhile, Xue Mor and Xue Lan's traps began to take effect. Several Sentinels found themselves caught, their movements restricted just long enough for Zhao Hui's devastating flames to engulf them.
Ling Chen, watching from above, smirked.
"Hmph. So this is Hou Feng's daughter and her allies. Interesting... Let's see how far they can go."
The battle was only beginning.