Chapter 6702 Unexpected
Space shuddered. Long Chen and the others appeared on a desolate battlefield, the air heavy with the aura of decay and death.
This was the Devil Slaying Battlefield. It was not a minor world, but one of the invasion points through which outsider devils invaded the nine heavens.
Legend said that an immense battle had been fought here. Countless experts of the nine heavens and the other worlds had fallen, their bones buried beneath this land. It had also been one of the central battlefields of the nine star lineage.
Countless experts of the nine star line had fought to the death here. Unfortunately, they had failed to fully seal this invasion point. Even so, thanks to countless powerful experts joining forces to seal this point, they had managed to suppress it long enough to buy time for the nine heavens.
Unfortunately, their descendants had failed to beat their enemies here even after countless attempts.
Over the years, the outsider devils had effectively transformed it into a devil world. Their laws took root, spread, and grew dominant.
By relying on a crack in the heavens, they continuously brought in the laws of the outside world, warping this land until it was no longer suitable for the lifeforms of the nine heavens.
The experts of the nine heavens could only watch as the devils slowly got stronger. None of their attacks managed to beat them.
All they could do was contain them—fighting a prolonged war of attrition along the world’s edges to slow their expansion.
Although these devils temporarily posed no threat to the nine heavens, they were like a malignant tumor, one that was constantly trying to spread.
If that tumor were ever allowed to grow unchecked, the nine heavens would face annihilation. All life would be reduced to prey.
The Devil Slaying Battlefield thus became a training ground shared by multiple major factions.
The Starry River Palace’s standards were especially brutal. For other sects, killing ten devils of the same realm sufficed to pass. Those who failed were expelled.
But for the Starry River Palace, a disciple had to slay ten thousand devils of the same realm to be deemed acceptable.
Only by slaying ten thousand devils of the same realm could they activate the point tracking ability of their tablets. In other words, before killing ten thousand devils, they were not qualified to accumulate any points at all.
Disciples who failed to reach this standard were stripped of their status and reduced to laborers within the Starry River Palace, with virtually no hope of advancement for the rest of their lives.
Thus, every time the Starry River Palace entered this world, they would deal a heavy blow to the outsider devils.
However, the Starry River Palace also paid dearly. Each expedition came with massive casualties.
After arriving, Long Chen and the others remained in place briefly. Seeing Li Yifeng did not appear, Long Chen realized that Qu Liushang had stopped him.
“Big Sister, you are now the commander of our Starry River Legion. I leave the battle to you,” said Long Chen.
The Starry River Legion was the name that Long Chen had chosen, and it represented his hopes for them. He hoped they could one day become like the Dragonblood Legion and have their name resound throughout the nine heavens and ten lands.
He was also deliberately nurturing Qu Yingying as their leader. This was the best opportunity for her growth. Once she could maintain control over the entire legion, Long Chen would be at ease leaving matters to her.
“You want me to lead the way? Then doesn’t that mean everyone has to listen to me?” asked Qu Yingying excitedly.
“Of course,” said Long Chen.
“Even you?”
“Of course!”
“Then first of all, pour me some water!”
Long Chen rolled his eyes.
Just as he reached out to do as she said, Qu Yingying giggled and waved him off. “I was just seeing if you would listen.”
“This is a real battle, not the Seven Treasure Space. If you die, it’s a true death!” reminded Long Chen severely.
Seeing his expression, Qu Yingying did not dare to mess around any longer. She formed a one-handed seal, starlight spreading as she probed their surroundings.
“Our luck is terrible,” she said with a frown. “We’re in the western sector, and we are close to the devils’ central camp. They are elites among elites.”
“Miss Yingying, our Starry River Legion’s warriors are also elites amongst elites! Isn’t it right for elites to fight elites?” asked one disciple carrying a spiked club.
This person’s name was Hu Yang—one of the three captains of the Starry River Legion, handpicked by Long Chen. Hu Yang was extremely powerful and quick-witted. He was a decent sprout.
“Then let’s try our luck against the elites. We’ll see what kind of power gap exists between us!” said one female disciple. “I want to see why the experts of the nine heavens haven’t been able to wipe them out after all these years. But we must proceed carefully. This is our first battle, so we should take things step by step.”
Her name was Qin Yu. She was also one of the three captains—and the only woman among them.
Qin Yu’s display in the Seven Treasure Space had been the most outstanding. She was able to retain her cool even in the face of impending death. As a result, she could make the right judgment no matter what situation she was in.
Long Chen had chosen her not only for her strength, but because he intended for her to serve as Qu Yingying’s strategist.
After all, Qu Yingying’s thinking was... less than meticulous. She needed someone to compensate for that.
The other captain was Gu Feng. He was a taciturn man who rarely spoke, but his character was steady. When he struck, it was swift and decisive. He was the Starry River Legion’s foremost general.
Qu Yingying thought about it and nodded.
She said, “Alright, then we’ll test them out. Little Sister Qin Yu, you direct everyone. Gu Feng, Hu Yang, let’s work together. Move out!”
Long Chen almost spat out blood at Qu Yingying’s directions. It seemed she truly had no ideas of her own.
If she had none, why bother pretending like she was thinking? For him to see?
Xue Ying was holding back her laughter.
Qu Yingying really was adorable sometimes. Still, this was not a bad thing. Knowing one’s shortcomings and relying on capable subordinates was a form of wisdom.
Qin Yu released her aura and immediately retracted it before leading the way to the right.
Long Chen nodded inside.
Qin Yu was indeed talented. She had released her aura to draw the attention of their enemies, but she immediately retracted it so they wouldn’t be able to sense where they were exactly. They wouldn’t come in huge numbers.
Like this, the Starry River Legion could avoid a full-on frontal assault. First, they would assess enemy strength and numbers. Then, they would decide what to do. The initiative remained theirs.
For their first real battle, this level of execution was impressive.
Long Chen was impressed.
Just then, the void ahead of them split open, and an endless tide of figures came pouring out, rushing toward them.
“What is going on?!”
Qin Yu’s expression changed.
Long Chen pondered this turn of events and slowly reached toward his left hand. A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
“Li Wanci, I really underestimated you!”