Chapter 495: Great War Prelude

Lei Zhenhai's booming voice echoed across the entire battlefield at that moment.

"Elders and disciples from each sect will form their own groups."

"The Righteous Thunder Sect, Grand Elder Sect, Myriad Sword Gate, and Giant Sect will guard Boundary Mountain."

"The Heavenly Sound Sect and Joyful Union Sect will guard the left flank of Boundary Mountain!"

"The Thousand Refinements Sect and Spirit Beast Sect will guard the right flank of Boundary Mountain!"

"The Azure Cloud Sect will remain in the rear, on standby!"

The army of corpses was primarily heading towards Boundary Mountain. However, there was a possibility that some agile climbing or even flying demonic beasts might cross the Great Wall from other areas. Therefore, both flanks of Boundary Mountain needed to be guarded.

Additionally, a portion of combat strength had to be preserved. This reserve force would be ready to step in if any sect failed to hold its ground.

The elders and disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect generally weren't very strong in combat. They were perfectly suited to serve as a reserve force.

After a brief analysis, the elders of the various sects accepted the arrangements and immediately gathered their respective disciples, preparing for battle.

Jiang Fan nodded slightly. Although Lei Zhenhai was annoying, Ye Cangyuan's decision to send him to command the front lines, beyond any personal connections, was undoubtedly due to Lei Zhenhai's unquestionable ability to deploy troops and arrange formations.

Gazing at the vast army of corpses, Jiang Fan's heart tightened slightly. In this battle, life and death were uncertain.

"Martial Uncle," Xia Chaoge suddenly ran out from the chaotic crowd. She hastily untied the sachet from her waist. "Please take this, Martial Uncle." "In a critical moment, untie the sachet, and it can save your life."

Jiang Fan paused, then firmly refused, saying, "You are on the main battlefield and need something to save your life more than I do. How can you give it to me?"

As a disciple of the Grand Elder Sect, one of the three upper sects, Xia Chaoge would face the main force of the corpse army. In contrast, Jiang Fan was currently in the rear. It was obvious who needed the item more.

Xia Chaoge, however, thrust the sachet into Jiang Fan's embrace, her gaze clear and resolute. "Martial Uncle has helped me so much, and I've never had a chance to repay you." "In this battle, there will be more deaths than lives." "If I don't repay you now, I'll have to wait until the next life." "Only if Martial Uncle accepts this can Chaoge fight the enemy without any distractions."

Jiang Fan immediately felt the weight of the sachet in his arms. He no longer hesitated. Instead, he took out two Spirit Replenishing Pills and two Rejuvenation Pills.

"Then you take these too," he said. Xia Chaoge's eyes lit up. Both of these were miraculous items on the battlefield. The former could replenish eighty percent of her spiritual energy, while the latter could save a life even if only a breath remained. With a battle of life and death ahead, she didn't stand on ceremony, accepting them with a smile. "Thank you, Martial Uncle."

"Also..." Jiang Fan took out the demonic priestess's necklace again and pulled off a crystal from it. He solemnly placed it in her palm and said, "If you encounter danger, crush it." "This item can protect you for a moment."

When the demonic priestess was assassinated by the Purple Sword, she had temporarily strengthened her body with this crystal to avoid being killed. It could also be considered a life-saving item.

"Is this a woman's item?" Xia Chaoge took it, sniffing the faint fragrance that lingered on it, and looked puzzled. Jiang Fan couldn't help but chuckle. "It belongs to the demonic priestess. If you don't like it, you can give it back to me."

Xia Chaoge closed her hand, quickly retracting it, and playfully winked. "Why wouldn't I want something Martial Uncle gave me?"

Just then, Lu Xiunian's urging voice echoed from a distance. Xia Chaoge's expression tightened. Looking deeply at Jiang Fan, she cupped her hands and said, "Martial Uncle, please take extreme care."

Jiang Fan's expression also became solemn. "You too," he said. "Take care!"

The two looked at each other, then went their separate ways. Over two hundred humans faced an army of thousands of corpses. Who dared to guarantee they would survive until the end?

Afterward, Jiang Fan found Liang Feiyan, Ouyang Jun, Xie Liushu, and Yi Lianxing. He gave each of them two Spirit Replenishing Pills and two Rejuvenation Pills. Having known them, Jiang Fan did not want to hear any ill tidings about them. He would help as much as he could.

"Junior Brother Jiang," Fu Chaojun called out to him with a complicated expression as Jiang Fan was bidding them farewell. He glanced at the spirit pills in their hands. When he looked at Jiang Fan again, a hint of hesitation appeared in his eyes. "Junior Brother Jiang, could you also give me a Rejuvenation Pill?" "I'm willing to exchange something for it."

He began rummaging through his belongings, trying to find something valuable. But no matter how valuable his items were, could they compare to a Rejuvenation Pill? Two months ago, Rejuvenation Pills had already become sacred treasures in Sunset City. Even though Myriad Sword Gate possessed two, no powerful cultivators from other sects, despite offering any price, had been able to acquire them. What chance did Fu Chaojun, merely a disciple, have?

Seeing his flustered expression, Jiang Fan waved his hand, stopping him. "There's no need," he said. "Just take one as a gift."

He took out a Rejuvenation Pill and tossed it to him. Fu Chaojun quickly caught it, his expression even more complicated. His past interactions with Jiang Fan had not been pleasant. He had assumed that Jiang Fan would never agree to an exchange, and that lowering himself to ask would only lead to embarrassment. Yet, Jiang Fan didn't ask for anything from him. He simply gave him one as a gift. This left Fu Chaojun with mixed emotions and a look of shame. "Junior Brother," he said, "it was all my fault before. Please don't take it to heart."

Jiang Fan smiled faintly. "Didn't we put that behind us long ago?" "Senior Brother Fu, take care!" "And survive!"

The two exchanged a look. At this moment, past grievances melted away. Fu Chaojun's eyes reddened slightly. "You too, Junior Brother!" he said. "Take care..."

A thunderous roar drowned out his final words. Jiang Fan immediately returned to the Azure Cloud Sect's contingent.

Li Qingfeng, Zhao Wuji, and Wen Hongyao, leading a dozen disciples, stood gravely atop a high vantage point, overlooking the entire situation. Li Qingfeng surveyed the disciples, speaking sternly: "When it's the Azure Cloud Sect's turn to enter the fray, I, this elder, will go first!" "If I die, Elder Zhao will follow!" "If Elder Zhao also dies, Elder Wen will continue!" "If all three of us elders fall, then the senior brothers among you will lead your junior brothers and sisters!" "If a senior brother falls, then a senior sister will lead the junior brothers and sisters!" "If only one person remains, you must grip your saber tightly, grasp your sword firmly, and strike at the enemy!" "We of the Azure Cloud Sect may be weak in strength, but we must never be weak in spirit!"

These tragic yet stirring words, even amidst the muffled roar of the demonic beasts, rang out like a solemn bell, reverberating in the heart of every disciple. They understood. If it truly came to the Azure Cloud Sect's turn to enter the battlefield, it would mean that at least one sect's elders and disciples had already fallen. The situation would have reached its most critical point. If they didn't step up, the human side would undoubtedly suffer defeat! Therefore, they had to fight! They had to block the demonic beasts at all costs, fighting for one last chance in the great war!

Jiang Fan's expression was solemn. He stepped out from among the disciples and took out bottle after bottle of Spirit Replenishing Pills and Rejuvenation Pills. "Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters," he began, "your junior brother has been in the sect for half a year, and I've benefited greatly from your care." "Today, we face disaster together, sharing life and death in cultivation." "Your junior brother has nothing else to offer but two Rejuvenation Pills and two Spirit Replenishing Pills for each of you, Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters." "I hope we can win this battle." "More importantly, I hope that after victory, we can still see each other!"

Upon hearing this, and under the touched gaze of everyone present, he distributed the Rejuvenation Pills—divine items renowned across the Nine Sects' lands—and the equally precious-looking Spirit Replenishing Pills into their hands, one by one.

Li Qingfeng, deeply moved, said, "Jiang Fan, you really don't have to do this!" "This was originally something the three of us elders should have done." Pre-battle rewards were a morale-boosting measure that elders were supposed to handle. Yet Jiang Fan had done it for them.

"The three elders exaggerate," Jiang Fan replied. "In this battle, we share life and death." "Why distinguish between us?" "I only hope that my humble efforts can add a glimmer of opportunity for victory in this battle." "And I hope to give Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters a greater chance of survival."

"Three elders, you should each prepare two as well!"

Jiang Fan distributed two Rejuvenation Pills and two Spirit Replenishing Pills to each of the three elders. After this round of distribution, almost all of the hundred Rejuvenation Pills and Spirit Replenishing Pills he had once refined were gone, with fewer than ten remaining. He hoped these items of his would be effective.

*Rumble*—Just then, Boundary Mountain violently shook. One hundred gigantic savage elephants, each fifty zhang tall, marched in synchronized steps and crashed into Boundary Mountain in a single line. The ground shook and the mountains swayed! The great battle had begun!