Chapter 2967: Chapter 2967
After witnessing Tie Jun’s command in action, Tang Xinyao realized her own shortcomings in leading troops compared to other commanders. She still struggled with coordinating effectively with others.
This battle laid bare many of her deficiencies, humbling her enough to never again underestimate the other army divisions.
Once the Demon-Slaying Corps had exterminated the remaining alien forces, Yu Xiaofeng’s orders arrived:
"Withdraw! Your elite strike force isn’t suited for large-scale engagements. Conserve your strength for unexpected contingencies!"
Yu Xiaofeng added an extra reminder for her.
"Acknowledged!" Tang Xinyao immediately pulled her troops back, stowing them away in the spatial realm to recuperate through cultivation.
Thanks to Tian Dao Ye’s training, these soldiers had developed the instinct to seize every opportunity for recovery.
Tang Xinyao swiftly recalled her Spirit Cat Battleship and returned to Ye Liuyun’s flagship to restore her depleted energy reserves.
Ye Liuyun said nothing, allowing her to focus on her recovery while he monitored the battlefield. He dispatched two avatars to join the fray, harvesting additional soul energy.
Soon after, Yu Xiaofeng returned to the flagship for consultation. "It’s confirmed—this is the outermost defensive line of the alien forces. Their combat strength is weak. Since we’ve already engaged, why not seize this chance to purge more of their planets?"
Ye Liuyun raised no objections. Yu Xiaofeng thus deployed Tie Jun and Pei Yong’s divisions to advance along one axis, systematically cleansing planet after planet in alternating waves.
Before long, Fu Yang returned with alien scouts in tow, delivering detailed intelligence on nearby alien-held worlds. Several minor alien commanders had been captured for interrogation.
After soul-searching the prisoners, Ye Liuyun devoured their spirits.
Once all divisions had mopped up their battlefields and returned with surrendered troops, the First Avatar funneled the prisoners into the spatial realm for gradual soul extraction. The remainder were handed to Yu Xiaofeng for disposition.
Ye Liuyun and his two avatars personally drained the souls of all alien captives. Their energy cores were allocated to Yu Xiaofeng for soldier cultivation, while the lifeless husks were fed to the Demon Vine and the Demon-Sealing Stele for absorption.
By the time he emerged again, the Spirit Cat battleship had already reached the outer perimeter of the alien defense line, advancing at a distance behind the two main forces led by Iron Army and Pei Yong.
Scouts like Fu Yang had already moved ahead to gather intelligence on the alien planet’s movements, preparing for any sudden reinforcements from the enemy’s stronghold. Even though their forces were stronger now, facing the Bone Beast Legion still required their full effort—complacency was not an option.
Tang Xinyao had also paused her cultivation, seeking advice from Ye Tiandao on leading troops. Ye Liuyun joined their conversation.
"As a commander, you must observe the entire battlefield and keep the situation clear in your mind," he explained. "As for engaging the enemy—strike when the opportunity arises, but if conditions aren’t favorable, delegate the task to others. A commander’s role is more about leadership than direct combat."
"I understand now," Tang Xinyao admitted. "I’ve realized my mistake. I’ll do better next time."
Ye Liuyun nodded in approval before adding, "Your forces are small but elite. When we hold an overwhelming advantage, avoid large-scale battles to conserve your energy for tougher fights ahead."
Tang Xinyao absorbed his words intently. After this battle, she had come to understand that clever tricks were useless once surrounded by the aliens. A single misstep in command could cost thousands of lives—and jeopardize the entire army’s strategy.
Ye Tiandao also offered guidance. "Your unit lacks sufficient impact against the aliens—your attacks lack power and speed. You need more training. When you fight, strike with maximum force and break through at the fastest speed possible. Never give the enemy a chance to encircle you."
Tang Xinyao listened carefully, committing every word to memory. Seeing her earnest attitude, Ye Liuyun felt reassured. Still, he reminded her, "Your soul power is still weak. While the battles are manageable, take the chance to absorb more soul energy."
She had already noticed this flaw—when fully focused in combat, she struggled to multitask. So without delay, she joined Ye Liuyun’s female companions in skirmishes, devouring alien souls to strengthen herself. Ye Tiandao also accompanied them, honing her skills and refining her energy.
The women fought opportunistically within the army’s movements, careful not to disrupt the larger operations—a task that required deep awareness of the battlefield. Along the way, Tang Xinyao learned much from Xiao Yunfang, Meng Qingyin, and others.
With Xiao Yunfang, Meng Qingyin, Helian Xiu, Ye Tiandao, and Tang Xinyao among them, the women’s future missions would be far safer. Even the demonic beasts frequently joined them in battle.
Ye Liuyun and his doppelganger were far from idle. Each time, one of them would accompany the women, using their power of bloodline to suppress the alien races before devouring their spiritual energy to enhance their own. Whenever they faced attacks from the aliens, they would forgo all other powers, relying solely on their physical bodies to endure the blows.
Chilian also pitched in, helping the women strengthen their power of bloodline. By now, she had become the most beloved demon beast among them, with everyone clamoring for her assistance. Chilian herself was thoroughly enjoying the work—not only did she aid others in their growth, but she also honed her own strength through battle.
The alien races they encountered so far were mostly below the seventh or eighth level of dominance, making them perfect opponents for everyone to sharpen their skills in all aspects.
Meanwhile, Tang Xinyao had not only enhanced her spiritual energy but had also mastered numerous tactics for leading armies. Confident in her progress, she proactively sought battle assignments from Yu Xiaofeng.
Taking advantage of the relatively relaxed state of the war, Yu Xiaofeng granted her several opportunities. Tang Xinyao performed each mission with increasing excellence, paying greater attention to the broader strategy and improving her coordination with other forces. Yu Xiaofeng was highly pleased with her rapid growth and often praised her in front of Ye Liuyun.
"Tang Xinyao doesn’t just learn quickly—she applies her knowledge flexibly. She’s shaping up to be an excellent commander!"
Ye Liuyun chuckled. "Well, I’ve left everything in your hands. If you think she’s capable, then train her well!"
From then on, Yu Xiaofeng assigned Tang Xinyao more and increasingly demanding tasks.
As their battles progressed, the strength of the alien races gradually increased. It seemed that after learning of their offensive, the aliens had begun devouring their weaker kin to bolster their own power—and the effects were now becoming evident.
Yu Xiaofeng warned the troops that the aliens would likely grow even stronger in the future, urging the soldiers to make the most of their time and utilize all the resources they had acquired.
During this period, they had destroyed numerous planets, amassing vast amounts of primordial energy and countless alien cores, ensuring no shortage of cultivation resources for the soldiers.
Tiejun and Pei Yong, having undergone rigorous training, had also become more adept at battling the aliens. Currently, Qin Peng and Man Feng had taken their places to allow the main forces some rest.
Just as everything was proceeding smoothly, Fuyang, who had been scouting ahead, suddenly sent back a message:
"There’s an alien planet ahead. The number of alien soldiers has suddenly dwindled—something unusual might be happening."
