"Master, please don't be angry. Though the defenses of Tianyuan City are more tenacious than reported, if we rotate our dragon and beast armies in successive assaults, gradually intensifying the pressure and forcing out the city's major defensive measures one by one, then systematically overcoming them, and finally launching a unified, all-out attack with our full strength, the city will surely fall. However, by then, our arriving armies of beasts may be greatly diminished." Suddenly, an elder with several golden plumes inserted into his hair stood up and respectfully addressed the man in crimson robes. "As long as we can secure the city swiftly, what matters is the loss of some beasts. Our holy realm has no such shortage—we have countless low-tier beasts that can be replenished at any time. Do any of the others have further suggestions regarding Master Huan Yu's strategy?" After listening to the elder's words, the man in crimson robes nodded in satisfaction, then turned to the other members of the magical race with a cold, composed tone. "Lord, I propose that while launching our assault on Tianyuan City, we dispatch other elite magical clans to eliminate the several smaller human settlements in the region. This way, when the final offensive begins, Lord will be free of any concerns about secondary threats. Moreover, this will allow our Saint-Ancestral elite to gain firsthand experience in human cultivators' combat styles, thereby reducing casualties among our most seasoned forces." Another graceful woman in yellow robes stepped forward to offer this suggestion. "Then, dispatch the Jialun War Magnates, the Xueguang Crystal Guards, and the Wanxiang Mage Riders to clear out all these outposts. As for the rest, follow the elder Huanyu's instructions." After a moment's thoughtful pause, the man in the blood-colored robe made a decisive statement. "Wait—do you really intend to send the Xueguang Crystal Guards? The Jialun War Magnates and the Wanxiang Mage Riders are merely our elite forces from the ancient mage lineage. Though they are assigned to serve under the Grand Ancestral Lords, they are still part of the regular contingents. The Xueguang Crystal Guards, however, are your personal bodyguards. How can they be easily separated from your side?" Upon hearing this, most of the high-ranking mage beings immediately grew alarmed, with several even stepping forward to urge opposition. "I am sending the Xueguang Crystal Guards for a specific reason. There is no need for your objections," the man in the blood-colored robe narrowed his eyes firmly, showing no intention of changing his mind. The high-ranking mage beings exchanged glances, hesitated, and ultimately remained silent, bowing respectfully without further comment. At that very moment, the man with the blood bubbles lifted his head, his gaze seeming to pierce through the ceiling of the hall and directly fixed upon some distant place. Almost simultaneously, atop a towering peak near the city of Ling Huang, a woman with a pale, flowing double horned crown and graceful figure stood upon a massive stone, drawing her gaze toward a certain direction, her jade-faced expression now subtly tinged with scorn. Behind her, fifty or sixty high-ranking magical beings—both men and women—stood in solemn silence, their hands folded. From the summit of the mountain, gazing outward, one could see a dense throng of magical soldiers and towering banners, stretching endlessly into the horizon. Numerous previously unseen high-tier magical beasts, grouped among the soldiers, occasionally emitted low, resonant roars. The city of Ling Huang, just a short distance away, was now completely encircled and utterly besieged by the advancing army of the magical beings. Unlike that Blood-Light Sage Ancestor, the magical race responsible for attacking the Spirit Emperor's City had already dispatched all its forces from the very beginning, determined to achieve a complete victory in a single campaign. Far off, the Spirit Emperor's City was encircled by successive layers of green light, with human cultivators standing straight and orderly atop the city walls. Within the city itself, countless remnants of fortifications lay scattered throughout, as though obliterated by an irresistible, overwhelming force. "Commence the assault!" The woman with dual horns possessed an exceptionally delicate face, yet when she spoke, her words carried a fierce, commanding intensity. "Yes, Master Luixi!" The fifty or sixty high-ranking magical beings, unable to meet her radiant gaze, bowed deeply and responded, their collective aura of lethal energy surging upward from the mountain peak. At the very edge of these high-ranking cultivators, a magical woman dressed in purple imperial robes slightly lifted her face, revealing an unparalleled beauty that radiated elegance and grace. This young woman, facing the dual-horned magical race, though displaying the usual respectful demeanor common among high-ranking magical beings, seemed subtly puzzled and complex in her gaze... Upon returning to his quarters, Han Li immediately entered the uppermost chamber once more, continuing the refinement of the Ten-Thousand-Sword Map in his hands and the Sword within the Cauldron. If he could complete the cultivation of these two treasures earlier, he would surely gain an added edge in both strength and capability during the great battle below. After one month, Han Li successfully completed the Cauldron Sword and bestowed it upon Hai, the young noble. Subsequently, he devoted all his focus to perfecting the Ten-Thousand-Sword Map. Thus, day after day passed, and within just over half a year, time flowed steadily. Throughout this period, the senior monks of Tianyuan City, including Jin Yue, had never sent anyone to disturb him; yet, through the daily reports relayed by his disciples, he remained well-informed that the magical race's assaults on Tianyuan City had never ceased. No matter how many probing attacks by the demonic forces are repelled, within a few days, a vastly larger army of wild beasts inevitably appears before the city, as if the number of these beasts were truly endless. The high-ranking demonic commanders leading these armies show no concern for the casualties among the lower-tier beasts, even when the combined cultivators stationed within the city repeatedly activate several of the city's supreme defensive arrays, nearly annihilating the entire contingent of high-ranking demons. On the next occasion, these high-ranking commanders still arrive with unwavering confidence, leading fresh armies of wild beasts to launch assaults on the city. Even more critical is that, over the past half-year, several human outposts established by neighboring human factions—closest to the Tianyuan City—have相继 reported being breached. Most of the human cultivators defending these outposts have perished in battle, while a smaller number have been captured and reportedly transformed into human-beasts through a process of magical infusion. Yet, the ordinary human civilians residing in these outposts have thus far escaped widespread slaughter and continue to live within them. The magical forces launching the assaults on these outposts were not the rank-and-file beast armies, but the true elite of the magical race. These magi were not only individually extraordinary in their abilities, but also skilled in coordinated teamwork—such prowess even proved fatal to several human cultivators who had been stationed to defend the outposts. Upon hearing this news, Han Li felt a deep sense of alarm. It seemed the magical race's true strength was far more formidable than previously believed. Once they identified the vulnerabilities in Tianyuan City's defenses and cleared out all the surrounding human outposts, the very survival of the city would indeed become uncertain. However, these developments could not be controlled solely by his own efforts. He could only watch as the senior cultivators, such as Jin Yue, responded to this critical situation. After all, each of the Tianyuan City elders had lived for tens of thousands of years—none of them would simply sit idle. Moreover, Han Li had a quiet sense of anticipation—he knew that his current tranquil days of refining treasures would not last much longer. Indeed, a month later, Han Li received a message from Jin Yue, the abbot, inviting him to meet in the Hall of Elders. Without hesitation, Han Li immediately left the chamber and arrived at the hall in the form of a streak of light. Half a day later, he sat in a chair within a grand hall. Aside from Jin Yue and Guo Elder, the "Silver Light Lady" whom Han Li recognized, the faces of the other several compound-stage cultivators were entirely unfamiliar. Clearly, these were elders he had never met before. These elders had been occupied with pressing matters during the preceding period and had never appeared before Han Li. Although Han Li was curious about the urgent affairs these compound-stage cultivators had been handling, he concealed his interest perfectly, smiling warmly and engaging in polite conversation with them. All these elders have been active since the early stages of integration, and naturally, they are extremely courteous before the mid-stage cultivator, Han Li. However, during the greetings, Han Li noticed that although the elders' expressions remained composed, there were subtle signs of anxiety flickering in their eyes—suggesting each of them had matters on their minds. "Alright, Zhang, you've all met Brother Han now. Let's proceed to discuss the urgent matters at hand. Just yesterday, the Council received news that the demonic forces have once again dispatched a large army to attack the joint stronghold of the four great sects—the Yitian Sect and the Tianhuang Sect, among others. The four sects believe they can no longer withstand the demonic assault and have therefore sent their envoys to our Tianyuan City, risking their lives in the process. These four sects' strongholds are the next largest after our city itself. If they too fall to the demons, we shall be left fighting alone. Therefore, we must send reinforcements immediately." Elder Gu lightly cleared his throat and then spoke with a serious demeanor. Upon hearing this, the faces of Jin Yue and the others grew serious at once. Yet Han Li only slightly furrowed his brow. The other several newly arrived elders, meanwhile, all displayed expressions of astonishment, as if they had just learned of the news. The Elder Gu explained a few sentences in a low, steady tone.