As night fell, the major legions of the Underground again arrayed themselves, preparing for the second assault on the Second Fortress.
King-level or higher Nether Beasts, clad in hastily crafted heavy armor, led the charge, responsible for withstanding the celestial race's ranged attacks.
Twenty thousand Emperor-level Nether Beasts in self-detonating armor hid within the Nether Beast legions, ready to storm the fortress walls at any moment.
The Asura archers concealed themselves amidst the Nether Beast ranks. Their bows, newly acquired enchanted bows from the human race, were immensely powerful and imbued with elemental attacks.
Following close behind were the siege engine formations: repeating crossbows, ballistae, catapults, and explosive bombs. These were all contraptions the natives of the Underground had never seen before, generously sold by Human General Zhang Haoran, who provided logistical support.
"Um, three times five is eighteen, six times six is forty-two, nine times nine is one hundred and fifty. Adding it all up comes to seventy-five million two hundred thousand Lord-level crystals. Let's round it down and call it seventy million King-level crystals. Two old ancestors, please take a look. If it's in order, please make the payment," the young Daoist handed a long invoice to the Black Robe Old Ancestor and the Asura King.
The Black Robe Old Ancestor took the invoice and examined it carefully before passing it to the Asura King. The Asura King, utterly bewildered, accepted the invoice. The two exchanged a glance: "Damn it, we can't read! How are we supposed to check this?"
The only intelligent and educated member of the Underground's "Three Fools," Ming Ling, known as the strategist of Nether City, had just been summoned by the Human Ancestor Zi Qi to discuss matters at the Sea of Qi Luck.
In reality, this was all the young Daoist's doing. After all, the equipment sold to the Underground legions was all discarded by the human race. If one wanted to buy their scraps, they had to first trick some simpletons. If an intelligent person were present, how could he possibly swindle them?
The Black Robe Old Ancestor and the Asura King, though not particularly bright, benefited from their races' long legacies. Their three legions alone received one hundred million King-level crystals annually as military funding from their respective clans. Therefore, seventy million King-level crystals were a small sum to them.
After a brief discussion, they each agreed to pay thirty-five million. They saw how generous this little fat man was, giving them a discount of over five million. Such a considerate person deserved to be treated as a brother.
"You're a good kid. If you ever need anything in the Underground, just say the word. This old ancestor has influence there; no one in either the underworld or the overworld dares to refuse me," the Black Robe Old Ancestor said, patting the young Daoist's shoulder.
The Asura King beside him nodded in agreement, stating that if he ever needed help, he should just send a leaf, and he would immediately bring his brothers to support him.
"No need to say more, honored ancestors. From now on, we'll get along well. You'll see how considerate I am. Alright, this matter is settled. I need to go gather resources as we're about to invade the heart of the Celestial race. My elder brother will entertain you two," the young Daoist declared earnestly, patting his chest.
"Oh, and please send a few of your direct descendants to join my elder brother's combat staff. They teach practical knowledge there, skills you can truly use. The most advanced combat command and strategic deployment tactics in all the heavens are taught there."
Watching the young Daoist depart, the two couldn't help but sigh: "What a good person! May he have a peaceful life."
Lin Tian, leading the human elder generals, couldn't help but twitch at the corners of his mouth upon hearing the two ancestors' words.
"How did this simpleton with money keep running into that little scoundrel? Seventy-five million Lord-level crystals were somehow swindled into seventy million King-level crystals. Aren't you afraid they'll realize and come after you?"
Suddenly, spatial fluctuations rippled through the air, and the auras of the Four Fierce Beasts emerged from the void, whisking away the smiling Daoist.
Everyone exchanged glances: "Good heavens, so that's his backup plan. It seems if this deal didn't go smoothly, this little fat man was prepared to use force."
The Celestial race's Fifth Elder, along with two other Celestial elders, stood on the walls of the Second Fortress, staring dumbfoundedly at the neatly arrayed and orderly advancing Nether Beast legions below.
"Fifth Elder, aren't the Nether Beasts infamous for only knowing how to eat, mate, and fight? They're among the most brainless beings in all the heavens. Why does this Nether Beast legion seem different today?"
The Fifth Elder looked at the Eighteenth Elder, who had spoken, with utter bewilderment, thinking, *You ask me? Who am I supposed to ask? Perhaps that brainless Black Robe decided to study military tactics instead of recipes this time.*
"Eighteenth Elder, do you even need to ask? This is human territory. Humans have never lacked famous generals and strategists. There are many who could employ such formations. Furthermore, humans are a race that excels at learning and inheritance. Such formations are practically textbook material for them," the Ninth Elder of the Celestial race stated gravely.
"Fifth Brother, prepare for battle. You and Eighteen keep an eye on the Black Robe and the Asura King. Since the Underground is launching the offensive this time, the humans likely won't intervene. After all, in their eyes, our Celestial race is a piece of fat meat that everyone wants a bite of."
The Fifth Elder nodded. "Little Nine, I'll hand over full command to you. Eighteen and I will focus on guarding against the opposing ancestors."
The Ninth Elder nodded and addressed the Celestial legion commanders behind him: "Relay the order: after the ranged attacks commence, impede the enemy's advance. The Sky Knight legion will consolidate their formation and await orders."
"Eighth Legion, move to the city walls for defense. Ninth and Tenth Legions will serve as reserves. Seventh Legion, focus on defending the city gates. Once the city is breached and the Sky Knight legion charges out, the Seventh Legion must immediately establish a defensive line to prevent the Nether Beast legions from breaking through."
"Activate all defensive weapons. Do not concern yourselves with the elixirs. Strike them hard! Use the Sky-Piercing Divine Crossbows to snipe the giant Nether Beasts attacking the city."
As the Ninth Elder of the Celestial race issued his commands one by one, the garrison legions of the Second Fortress of the Celestial race began to mobilize.
Various defensive weapons bared their fangs, inflicting heavy casualties on the advancing Underground legions.
The Black Robe Old Ancestor, looking at the heavily armored Nether Beasts with heavy shields at the forefront, couldn't help but be startled. *Good heavens, it's a good thing we have human equipment, otherwise those lads at the front would have suffered greatly from this concentrated barrage.*
As the Underground legions pushed forward, they drew closer to the fortress walls of the Celestial race. The Asura archers hidden within the Nether Beast legions began their counterattack. A volley of enchanted armor-piercing arrows pierced through the Celestial soldiers operating the defensive weapons, causing a ripple of panic among the Celestial troops on the city walls.
"Emperor-level Sky Spears, ascend the city walls and snipe the giant Nether Beasts approaching the walls. Prepare to spray the Fire Dragon Oil," the Ninth Elder's command rang out again.