The conflagration, fueled by incendiary oil bombs, raged for three full hours, reducing the forests within a five-kilometer radius of the central front to ashes.
Simultaneously, nearly a million skeleton soldiers were annihilated, yet this number was a mere drop in the ocean compared to the sheer vastness of the skeletal horde.
However, these three hours provided crucial deployment time for the human forces.
Less than an hour ago, the Second and Third Group Armies, having just established their defensive lines, came under attack by the orc legions.
Though the attacking orc legions were not in overwhelming numbers, totaling only five legions or around five million soldiers, they comprised the primary combat races of the orc clan, further bolstered by elite legions of the King tier.
Despite the relatively small number of orc troops engaged, their assault was ferociously intense, preventing the two group armies from diverting forces to support the central front.
On the Second Group Army's front lines, Wang Er Zhuang and He Da Zhuang, leading Wang Jian's Blazing Sun Legion and the First and Second Main Combat Legions, fought on the front line.
He Da Zhuang, his chest bare, the blood tiger tattoo seeming to surge from within, continuously swung his tiger-headed saber, engaging a tiger-man King in combat.
Beside him, Wang Er Zhuang, wielding an iron halberd, also occupied a tiger-man King, shielding He Da Zhuang's flank.
Among all the youths of the Huaxia War Team, Lin Zhan was undoubtedly the strongest, Xiao Han Yi the most decisive killer, but He Da Zhuang was the most recklessly tenacious fighter.
Even Wang Er Zhuang, his sworn brother, paled in comparison.
Fueled by righteous fury, He Da Zhuang had completely abandoned defense, his tiger-headed saber a blur as he relentlessly hacked at the opposing tiger-man King.
He Da Zhuang's opponent was none other than Hu Biyang of the old Tiger Clan, a seasoned veteran.
To see such a seasoned, peak King-tier tiger-man being relentlessly pursued and attacked by a mere human youth who had just reached the mid-King tier spoke volumes of He Da Zhuang's ferocity.
One had to remember that humans, in terms of physical resilience, strength, and other fundamental stats, were weaker than tiger-men.
Under such a disadvantage, He Da Zhuang still held the upper hand, causing Hu Biyang considerable distress.
"You son of a bitch, calling yourself a Tiger King with that demeanor? Today, I'll show you what a real Tiger King is!"
He Da Zhuang roared, the blood tiger totem radiating once more, a trace of primordial aura from his ancestral stars emanating from his body.
Already standing over two meters tall, He Da Zhuang suddenly grew nearly another meter.
He Da Zhuang transformed into a towering figure of over three meters, the blood tiger totem tattoos once again covering his entire body.
He had become clad in blood-red tiger-shaped battle armor, a golden character for "King" appearing above his forehead.
"Die, you bastard!" He Da Zhuang bellowed, his cry transforming into a earth-shattering tiger roar.
Hu Biyang, struck by He Da Zhuang's roar, was momentarily stunned, his will shaken.
He Da Zhuang seized the opportunity, his saber cleaving off one of Hu Biyang's arms and opening a deep gash across his chest.
The searing pain jolted Hu Biyang back to his senses, and he turned to flee.
He Da Zhuang swung his massive arm, hurling his great saber. It flew true, striking Hu Biyang's lower leg with precision, severing it instantly.
As Hu Biyang stumbled from the loss of his leg, He Da Zhuang lunged forward. With one hand, he deflected the attack from Hu Biyang's remaining arm, while the other hand clamped down on Hu Biyang's head.
Then, baring his teeth, he bit down. Blood splattered as the human tore into the tiger-man King's throat.
Seeing Hu Biyang utterly incapable of resistance, He Da Zhuang applied force with both hands, tearing off Hu Biyang's head.
Holding Hu Biyang's head aloft, He Da Zhuang roared to the heavens, "From this day forward, I, He Da Zhuang, am the Tiger King! Any tiger race that dares to resist will be slain without mercy."
A bloody, primordial aura erupted from He Da Zhuang's body. The blood tiger totem on his person seemed to come alive, mimicking his roar to the heavens.
The bloody pressure instantly terrified the surrounding tiger-man legions. The notoriously brave tiger-man soldiers lost the will to fight, breaking off their engagements and retreating to their camps.
Zhao Yun, who had been hidden in the shadows protecting He Da Zhuang, couldn't help but stare in disbelief. "This brat actually advanced to the Human King realm and then bit a Tiger King to death. Who the hell is the tiger here?"
After venting his rage, He Da Zhuang squinted at the retreating tiger-man legions. He observed that despite a hint of panic, their formation remained relatively intact.
Charging after them now would yield no significant advantage. He turned to his guards and ordered, "Relay the order: sound the retreat. Withdraw to the defensive lines."
He Da Zhuang's left flank had achieved a minor victory in this engagement. Meanwhile, the central front had once again clashed with the skeletal horde.
Gazing at the seemingly endless skeletal sea, Bai Qi said to Lin Shanhe, "Shanhe, I'll hand over command of the troops to you. I'll take the Blood Scythe Brigade and the God of Slaughter Army to guard the main defense line."
Seeing Lin Shanhe about to protest, Bai Qi quickly waved him off. "In a defensive battle like this, it hardly matters who commands. Besides, you understand the Marshal's new weaponry better than an old man like me. You'll be more adept at directing them than I am."
"You two don't need to argue with me. I have my reasons for leading the charge. There are quite a few King-tier experts among the giant races. Your current strength is still a bit lacking. If a few King-tier giants were to ambush you, it would be dangerous."
"Even if I'm not the best, my strength is that of a peak Human King, something you two brats can't match."
With that, Bai Qi haughtily raised his head, and with an arrogant demeanor, strode out carrying his blood scythe.
Zhang Zhen and Lin Shanhe exchanged a glance, then said with a helpless sigh, "That old man, even at the end, he has to mock us a couple of times. Honestly..."
Lin Shanhe's expression then turned serious. Facing the advancing skeleton soldiers, he quickly ordered, "Command: divide the rapid-fire cannons into three groups, firing in alternating volleys to extend the barrage and prevent wasted firepower."
As Lin Shanhe's first order was issued, moments later, the rapid-fire cannons on the front lines roared.
Shells rained down upon the skeletal horde like a torrential downpour, felling skeletons in waves, like wheat being reaped.
Looking at the relentless advance of the skeletal soldiers, Lin Shanhe shook his head helplessly. "Damn it, these bony frameworks are like they're not even worth anything. Where do they get so many?"