The awe-inspiring momentum made one gaze in fear and sigh with myriad emotions.
One must realise that the soldiers on this drill ground were not the full force, merely around thirty thousand. The rest were either out on missions or performing their duties.
If a hundred thousand stood here together, roaring in unison, many would likely faint on the spot from the shock.
Sikong Zun and Feng Qingyan had both changed into battle attire.
Sikong Zun wore a suit of blue armour, flashing like lightning, exuding a stern and majestic aura.
Feng Qingyan donned fiery red war armour, representing the Fire Phoenix clan’s colours, domineering and brimming with passion.
“Report! Commander Sikong, the items you requested are prepared. Shall we begin now?”
At that moment, a soldier in golden yellow armour ran to Sikong Zun’s side, kneeling on one knee to report.
“Good. Let us start now. A pledge assembly is not just empty words. We must express our fighting spirit with full fervour!”
Sikong Zun smiled faintly and nodded.
After the Divine Phoenix soldier departed, soon the troops began shifting, opening two paths in the centre.
At the ends of these paths stood two arrow towers.
Atop them were Divine Phoenix soldiers.
Generally, Divine Phoenix soldiers had reached the Celestial Realm, while Phoenix soldiers were half-step Heavenly Venerable or Heavenly Vessel warriors.
Chick Phoenix soldiers were Mortal Realm warriors.
The archers on the towers were all at the First Line Heaven boundary, not particularly strong, but equipped with immortal-grade treasure bows, their lethality surged, especially at close range. Even warriors far stronger might be wounded.
Or killed!
Matters did not end there. Two Divine Phoenix soldiers led in two massive barbaric bear beasts.
Though resembling black bears, barbaric bear beasts were far larger, over four metres tall even when crouched.
These were favoured ground mounts of Divine Phoenix soldiers, with dedicated barbaric bear knights.
Fierce in combat, they served as mounts and fighters, but were hard to tame.
The two led by the Divine Phoenix soldiers had owners and were not easily ridden by others.
It seemed Sikong Zun intended to test the students from both academies this way.
Calling it a pledge assembly was merely a pretext to let Divine Phoenix Academy suppress Qingxu Academy.
After all, Divine Phoenix Academy brought over two hundred, while Qingxu had only eleven.
The numbers were vastly disparate.
The advantage should theoretically be immense.
Boom!
A barbaric bear beast slammed its huge paw into the ground, shaking the earth with a resounding thud.
“This Sikong Zun has too many tricks.”
Ling Xiao sneered inwardly. The Divine Phoenix Academy group was clearly prepared; facing this, they showed no tension, only excitement.
Some even looked at Qingxu’s people with smug expressions.
He had guessed right. This Sikong Zun was truly a shameless old dog!
“The pledge assembly is to display our warriors’ might! Today, students from both academies join the border trial. We welcome you, but the battlefield needs no cowards. Thus, you shall raise today’s war banners!”
Sikong Zun pointed to the fluttering banners behind the arrow towers and declared loudly, “But obtaining them is not easy. First, tame the barbaric bear beasts, then cross the arrow rain, and finally seize the banners!
Whoever seizes a banner today gains the centurion position, commanding a thousand under one, with authority to act independently!”
This was true privilege.
Without it, Ling Xiao had no interest in empty titles.
But as centurion, he could lead Qin Huo and others into battle personally. With independent action, he could avoid pitfalls from that old fellow Sikong Zun. This was excellent.
Independent action meant, plainly, disregarding the commander’s orders and responding to situations as needed.
He was interested, and so were the others.
Especially Divine Phoenix students, eyes gleaming.
Seizing a banner meant centurion status, far easier to claim merits in battle than acting alone.
“Who goes first?”
Sikong Zun shouted.
“Me!”
“Me!”
Youths were youths, hot-blooded and eager.
“You, and you!”
Sikong Zun selected two from Divine Phoenix Academy.
They leaped into the field, exchanged glances, and charged the barbaric bear beasts.
First step: tame them!
Ambitious and confident, reality slapped them hard.
One was kicked flying before nearing.
Treating barbaric bear beasts as ordinary mounts was utterly foolish.
Ling Xiao had seen it early. These beasts were at least Six Arts Heaven peak. Even Seven Stars Heaven warriors would struggle to control them.
The first two were merely Three Talents Heaven, far too rash.
The second fared slightly better.
Less impulsive, he circled the beast, observing.
This brightened Ling Xiao’s eyes.
Barbaric bear beasts were strong but not clever, or they would not be mounts.
Finding weaknesses, even Five Elements Heaven warriors might tame them.
But Three Talents Heaven was impossible.
Despite caution, even mounting its back, he was flung off.
“Humph, cannot even ride a barbaric bear beast. How will you fight on the battlefield? Spoiled in academies, now embarrassing yourselves. Useless!”
Beside Sikong Zun stood another deputy commander, Lü Chenglong, a human.
Former deputy leader of the Imperial City Camp, a true soldier. His cultivation lagged Sikong Zun’s, but combat skills surpassed.
The Emperor appointed him deputy for reasons.
He qualified as overall commander, but being human and once Ji Ning’s partial general, he was guarded against.
As a soldier, Lü Chenglong naturally scorned pampered academy warriors. Normal, but his words stung.
“Those without confidence, stay back! Do not dampen morale!”
Lü Chenglong roared, “Even without the banner, tame the beast. If you cannot, you are unfit for the battlefield!”
