Human Clan Defender

The mighty warriors within Jincheng could be counted on one hand.

The strongest among them was likely Chu Ding from the Black Tiger Army. However, even with his formidable strength, he definitely could not have killed Barnett with a single Blade Slash.

After all, Barnett was a Commander of Ten Thousand, his prowess exceeding the Innate Outer Gang Realm.

Even if there was some gap between him and Chu Ding, the difference would absolutely not be too great.

Moreover, from their previous confrontation, Mairba was certain that Chu Ding had suffered significant injuries; his current strength would not surpass Barnett's.

As for defeating ten thousand cavalry with just a roar, that was nothing more than a wild dream.

In an instant, Mairba's mind was awash with thoughts, considering many things.

For him, the sudden appearance of a mysterious mighty warrior within the Black Tiger Army was bad news for the Barbarian Clan.

However, Mairba was not overly worried.

So what if a mysterious mighty warrior has appeared? After taking Jincheng, I still have nearly a hundred thousand troops at my disposal, a force that cannot be rivaled by any single individual. Furthermore, I myself am a mid-stage Grandmaster, with few capable of contending against me. With my Realm, unless a Defender Envoy takes action, it is impossible for others to challenge me. At present, the Defender Envoys of the Great Wilderness Prefecture are entangled with Demon Evil, unable to intervene. But even if it were a Defender Envoy, with my hundred thousand troops, I could crush them!

After making up his mind, Mairba immediately gave the order.

"Leave ten thousand troops to defend Jincheng! The rest will follow me to pursue and kill. We must annihilate all the remnants of the Black Tiger Army!"

"Yes!"

Ten thousand infantry stayed behind. Mairba led fifty thousand cavalry in pursuit, and the remaining tens of thousands of infantry followed closely.

「On the other side.」

The Black Tiger Army, led by Shen Changqing, tore through the Barbarian Clan's encirclement and escaped.

Suddenly, Shen Changqing, at the forefront, stopped.

"There's a disturbance!"

As soon as he spoke, Wen Ce immediately lay on the ground, listening intently.

After a moment, he stood up, his expression grave.

"That's the sound of cavalry. Judging by the current scale, there must be tens of thousands at the least. It must be the Barbarian Clan Army from Jincheng pursuing us. What should we do now?"

As he spoke, Wen Ce's gaze was fixed on Shen Changqing. The true decision-maker at this moment was this Lord of the Demon-Subduing Division.

Hearing this, Shen Changqing said, "The Barbarian Clan Cavalry is formidable and extremely fast. If we flee on foot, we'll have no way to evade their pursuit. The current terrain is almost flat plains, offering no place to hide. There aren't many options for dealing with the Barbarian Clan Cavalry."

"The Black Tiger Army does not fear death! If the Barbarian Clan really catches up, we'll fight them!" a Chiliarch declared, his voice resounding.

At his words, many of the Black Tiger Army soldiers showed a resolute determination to fight to the death.

They were not afraid of dying in the first place; leaving Jincheng was merely obedience to orders.

If the situation truly became irreparable, then they would fight a good fight. Even in death, they would make the Barbarian Clan pay a heavy price.

"What does General Chu think?"

"If the situation is truly hopeless, then we fight!" Chu Ding's expression was calm.

Being able to break out of Jincheng had been beyond his expectations. If they were truly caught by the Barbarian Clan, they definitely would not sit idly by and wait for death.

To die on the battlefield! It is the fate of every soldier, and very few truly die a good death. Chu Ding had been prepared for this from the moment he joined the Black Tiger Army.

"Fight!"

With blades drawn, the aura of the entire Black Tiger Army surged like a rainbow.

The three thousand Black Tiger Army soldiers had suffered many casualties during the charge, their numbers now dwindled to less than three thousand.

But even so, more than two thousand wounded soldiers still erupted with a fierce will to fight.

Observing them, Shen Changqing's expression remained calm.

"The situation has not deteriorated to the point where we need to fight to the death with the Barbarian Clan. If the Barbarian Clan Cavalry catches up, as long as we prevent them from pursuing any further, there should be no problem."

"What does Lord Shen mean?"

"I will stay behind to cover the retreat. You all withdraw!" Shen Changqing spoke frankly.

No sooner had his words left his mouth than Zhong Chi immediately objected, "No! The Barbarian Clan now has almost a hundred thousand troops left. Even a Defender Envoy would not be able to withstand such a force. Lord Shen, though you have reached the Tiger Leopard Thunderous Roar level, you might not be able to withstand the Barbarian Clan Army. If you die here, the loss will be even greater for us!"

Shen Changqing was a member of the Demon-Subduing Division, and the Heavenly Inspection Guard was also part of the Demon-Subduing Division.

Therefore, it was absolutely not what Zhong Chi wanted to see for Shen Changqing to stay behind alone.

After Zhong Chi finished speaking, Chu Ding also nodded.

"I naturally don't doubt Lord Shen's strength, but staying behind is too risky. Please don't take such a risk, Lord Shen!"

He understood. To trade one warrior of the Tiger Leopard Thunderous Roar caliber for the lives of less than three thousand Black Tiger Army soldiers was definitely a losing bargain. Such a warrior could do much more if placed elsewhere; their value couldn't be compared to a few thousand Black Tiger Army soldiers.

"The Black Tiger Army will stay behind to cover the retreat. Lord Shen, you withdraw first. If there is a chance in the future, and Lord Shen can slay the Barbarian Clan to avenge us, we will die content!" Chu Ding finished speaking and immediately turned to gaze upon the empty wilderness ahead. The long blade in his hand, stained with blood, exuded an air of solemn killing intent.

Immediately, all the Black Tiger Army turned, assuming a stance ready for battle.

Seeing this, Shen Changqing shook his head in resignation. "If you stay behind to cover the retreat, that would truly be a road to certain death. Even if I'm no match for the Barbarian Clan, they absolutely cannot stop me. There isn't much time left for us now, and if we continue to argue, none of us will meet a good end. Listen to me: the Black Tiger Army should retreat first. If you encounter any civilians evacuating along the way, you can also ensure their safety. Leave the rest to me!"

At his words, Shen Changqing took a step forward and leapt into the air, landing in front of everyone. When he turned back to look at them, a terrifying aura emanated from him, unleashing a tiger's roar and a leopard's growl that sent tremors through the hearts of the Black Tiger Army.

"Lord Shen—" Chu Ding wanted to speak, but seeing Shen Changqing's calm expression and feeling the overwhelming force emanating from him, he almost couldn't bear it.

Seeing this, he could only swallow his follow-up remark.

"Alright. I just hope Lord Shen won't force himself when it's not feasible. The life of a Grandmaster at the Tiger Leopard Thunderous Roar level isn't something that can be replaced by a few thousand Black Tiger Army soldiers. Some things still require consideration of the bigger picture!"

"Don't worry, I have a clear understanding in my heart," Shen Changqing nodded.

Seeing this, Chu Ding said no more and began to lead the entire Black Tiger Army away.

With the Barbarian Clan pursuers nearly upon them, there was no need for many words. Every moment wasted could invite further danger.

"Lord Shen—sigh!" Zhong Chi opened his mouth, eventually letting out a long sigh.

He too stopped trying to persuade him.

Since Shen Changqing had made his decision, all he could do was respect it.

However, even if Zhong Chi wanted to oppose, it was simply not possible.

Whether in terms of status or strength, Shen Changqing was superior to him.

In the end, all the Black Tiger Army and the remaining people turned and departed.

In the wilderness, only Shen Changqing remained.

Watching as their figures gradually disappeared, he turned to face the direction from which the Barbarian Clan would soon arrive, the Lengyue Blade at his waist already quietly unsheathed.

This battle, I must advance to the Grandmaster level!

As the Barbarian Clan drew closer, the rumbling of the ground beneath grew more distinct, yet Shen Changqing's heart was more unperturbed than ever before.

Ever since he discovered the panel's function, he had been enhancing his strength at every moment.

However, he had never had a solid grasp of just how strong he truly was.

Before this, he only knew that he had progressed from the Pulse Condensation Realm to the Innate Realm, and then slightly beyond the Innate Realm, becoming a bit stronger each time.

Until the breakout, Shen Changqing couldn't be certain to what extent he had truly become strong.

But when he tore through the Barbarian Clan's encirclement, it gave him a vague estimation of his own strength. Now was the time to fully confirm that speculation.

At the same time, it was also an opportunity for a breakthrough.

The Hundred Battles Blade Art, by its very nature, could not be cultivated in seclusion. It had to be refined through unceasing real combat to comprehend its True Intent.

However, ordinary battles were not sufficient to fully stimulate the characteristics of the Hundred Battles Blade Art.

As a martial technique devised for the battlefield, only amid the slaughter of thousands could one truly grasp its True Intent.

The so-called Hundred Battles Blade Art! Its true essence lies in the two words "Hundred Battles."

Survive a hundred battles! Ascend to divinity in one battle!

This time, facing the Barbarian Clan Army is both a calamity and a tremendous opportunity. It's all down to whether I can truly reach the state of divinity after a hundred battles!

Light flashed in Shen Changqing's eyes.

To survive a hundred battles was to ascend to divinity in one. If one could not keep fighting, the only fate was death halfway. Thus, this blade technique was undoubtedly an extremely radical one, with no possibility of retreat.

Although his Flesh and blood vitality had already reached the level of the Tiger Leopard Thunderous Roar, Shen Changqing had no clear idea what the Tiger Leopard Thunderous Roar truly meant or represented.

But he believed that if he could truly comprehend the Martial Dao True Intent, his strength would surely reach another level.

Time slowly passed.

Shen Changqing's mind became increasingly tranquil, reaching a state as calm as still water.

Yet, his aura was constantly soaring, as if it could pierce the heavens.

At this moment, the ground shook, and the roar of ferocious beasts was clearly audible.

On the wilderness plain, countless black dots appeared. Those dots moved closer and closer, gradually revealing the forms of the Barbarian Clan.

Warhorses at the front! Ferocious beasts in the rear!

Tens of thousands of cavalry charged forward. Although they had yet to arrive, their momentum was already so fierce it seemed capable of obliterating any obstacle in their path.

"They're here!" An austere smile touched Shen Changqing's tranquil face.

In the next instant, he moved, carrying the momentum he had been nurturing for a long time, and charged fiercely towards the Barbarian Clan Cavalry.