Four hours passed without many hiccups. A few fourth-stage cultivators met their demise when a fifth-rank beast set their eyes on them, and even one fifth-stage captain fell.
The disciples were all alive, albeit tired, and with the occasional help of Metal Qi spikes, poisonous emission, and fire, the beasts' numbers went down gradually and systematically.
Ken never engaged in a direct fight with a fifth-rank beast; he only dodged them when they attacked and poisoned their minds with his Bloodlust Qi, causing them to create high collateral damage among the beasts until eventually turning crazed and killing all beasts around them.
'My bloodlust Qi is depleting fast,' Ken thought to himself. Despite having huge Qi reserves thanks to his extraordinary core, activating the technique constantly for so long took its toll on him.
He already took the same pills he used in his battle against Darma. His mind was strengthened to make up for his fatigue from working during the break, his soul was enhanced to allow it to absorb more Qi faster, and his body was empowered to prevent exhaustion from the prolonged battle.
He didn't give the others any pills as he believed they'd be fine, or they could just take a break if they weren't.
"REPORT! 83 fifth-rank beasts in the proximity, a group of five advances 25 meters eastern to the center!"
The unit captain who remained on the wall would call every once in a while, updating about the number of the fifth-rank beasts and notifying the fighters when a group of them got close. When a single one arrived, he'd normally let it clash against the wall and deal with it using the Net Throwers and crossbows once it slowed down.
Ken switched between his Sword Qi and Bloodlust Qi. His Bloodlust techniques allowed him to kill the beasts faster, but he had to take breaks to let them refill themselves with the aid of the pills.
"My team slayed 82 fifth-rank beasts, what about yours?" Dustin said with confidence as his team got closer to Elodie's amidst the fight.
"You're behind, Brother Dustin. We've killed 103." Elodie said with a smug smile. Their teamwork and diverse roles allowed them to hunt at a much faster pace.
"Whatever, I've killed more than you if we don't include the team. I bet you didn't even kill 20 while I took down 47 of those beasts myself. Personal strength is what really matters!" Dustin said in disdain. He looked down on the Poison Qi the Aspis clan cultivated.
"Maybe the Glacier clan has been weakening lately because it's led by brutes like you. What matters is the result, and we use our manpower wisely to produce the best results possible," Elodie was not afraid of Dustin, and bit back as soon as he looked down on her.
"You! Let's see how your teamwork saves you in a duel!"
"Wars are not fought in duels!"
Ken had to agree with Elodie. He was never a fan of dealing with problems directly using raw power like a brute but preferred employing poison and formations to achieve his goals more easily. Even during this tide most of his kills were done not by swinging his sword but by turning the beasts against each other.
-----------
"Thank you for helping us in our battle. Only thanks to your help we managed to save the city without any citizen casualties," the mayor cupped his fist and bowed slightly to the disciples in front of him.
They were all full of cuts and bruises, their bodies sticky and stinky from blood, body parts, and sweat. The leaders calmed their breaths as much as they could to remain dignified before answering.
"It's fine," Dustin said plainly.
"It was my pleasure, one can make new friends on the battlefield," Elodie glanced toward Ken. He was considered a rising star in the sect lately, and she hoped today was a chance to make his acquaintance.
'He also worked on the formations, which means he is a high-ranked master in the field. I never heard it about him, so it means he did not reveal it for a reason, and he still earned everyone's respect through his strength alone,' she thought to herself.
'Despite hiding it all this time, he revealed it to help save the citizens of the city. He must be a kind person, or still na?ve as a child. Either way, it's still a good time to befriend him before he is exposed to betrayals and to the cruelty of humans. I should remain respectful in front of the mayor for now,' she decided.
If Ken was going out of his way to help the city, appearing arrogant would only leave a poor impression on him. While Dustin did not mind leaving a bad impression as he saw Ken as his equal, Elodie knew her place and preferred a chance for future cooperation that might boost her position in her own clan.
"Saving lives is important, we all did our best. Sister Elodie is correct, we can make new friends on the battlefield," Ken said with a smile, expressing his mutual interest in knowing Elodie. She was smart and resourceful, furthermore, he was curious about the poison art of her clan.
"The servants will take you to hot baths. We will begin a feast in 3 hours, but if any of you prefers to return to the sect, you can ask any of the servants to bring you to me to mark.
"Just do it now," Dustin brought out his token and stretched it out to the mayor, his team following suit. It was not the time nor the place to do so, as everyone was tired and dirty from the battle, but it showed his disrespect.
"Sure," Steven smiled and ignored the offense.
"I will participate in the feast. I hope there will be a lot of meat," Ken scrutinized the endless sea of dead beasts in the vicinity.
ραΠdαsΝοvel.cοm "Of course, we will be glad to have our main hero in the banquet."
"My group and I shall remain as well," Elodie smiled, her assets swaying from side to side as she turned and walked after the servant to her bath.
This chapter is updated by freew(e)bnovel.(c)om