The next day.
The sky was dim, with heavy, low-hanging dark clouds.
Rumble!!!
Another wave of attacks from the exotic beasts began in the distance.
Without Lin Yu's long-range aura, humanity once again found themselves in an awkward position with their short reach.
The enemy could attack them, but their own means were limited to passive defense.
Even if some attacks landed among the horde of exotic beasts, they would be intercepted.
Consequently, after several large-scale assaults, humanity had gained no significant advantage.
Meanwhile, the exotic beasts pressed on, gradually approaching the human base.
"Roar!"
The exotic beasts roared in unison.
Skills of various colors were unleashed, a dazzling spectacle of hues, beautiful as a meteor shower, falling rapidly.
Humanity unleashed their own skills to block.
Clang! Clang! Clang!!!
Rumble!!!
All sorts of booming sounds erupted, turning the entire sky into a chaotic mess, stained with discordant colors by the energy.
Humanity could no longer withstand all the attacks from the exotic beasts, and many of their strikes landed on the human formations.
In the past, these formations would have easily held, but with nearly one-fifth of humanity having followed Fu Yaozi to Nanjiang City, their numbers had dwindled, leaving them understaffed.
Rumble!!!
Again, a barrage of attacks bypassed human defensive skills and descended upon the base's formations.
Clang! Clang! Clang!!!!
The formations were struck, emitting sounds like metal being hammered.
The exotic beasts' attacks landed on the formations like raindrops on a great river, only stirring up ripples.
However, the persistent onslaught began to take its toll. The individuals manning the formation at its center watched as the energy crystals were rapidly depleted and quickly shouted, "Quick, replenish the energy crystals!"
As the energy crystals were replenished, the exotic beasts' attacks came again, each wave more dense and powerful than the last.
At this point, someone exclaimed in alarm, "The exotic beasts have reinforcements! Everyone, stay alert and don't let your guard down!"
Simultaneously, a grim expression settled on the faces of the soldiers and adventurers on the front lines.
Especially the ninth-tier generals among them, who knew that the exotic beasts had dispatched a contingent to attempt a surprise raid on Nanjiang City.
Logically, with the two million exotic beasts lost last time, their numbers should have decreased. Yet, the reality was that their numbers had not only failed to decline but had actually increased.
This was deeply perplexing. It was not hard to surmise that reinforcements had arrived again.
This was truly troublesome!
Energy attacks rained down like water. They could block some, but a significant portion inevitably landed on the formations.
At this rate, the formation's energy crystals would eventually be depleted, leading to a decisive battle.
Could they win the decisive battle?
That was highly uncertain.
No one possessed absolute certainty of victory, and judging by the strength the exotic beasts had displayed so far, they were far superior to humanity.
After all, they had been capable of wiping out races like the Thousand Feather Tribe, a feat humanity could not replicate.
This indicated that in terms of offensive capability, the exotic beasts were stronger than humanity. However, humanity was not a pushover; in the realm of formations, the exotic beasts lagged far behind.
On the front lines.
Li Qiudao's face was etched with a grave expression.
He brandished his great saber and roared, "Autumn Wind Slash!"
Boom!
A massive saber energy tore through the air.
The saber energy swiftly reached the sky above the exotic beasts. Just as it was about to descend upon the beast horde, a ninth-tier exotic beast spat out a lightning ball, intercepting the saber energy.
Similar situations occurred frequently across various locations, leading humanity to gradually abandon offensive actions and resort to passive defense.
Li Qiudao wore a look of frustration. These exotic beasts were too formidable.
"Brothers, unleash the Blood Dragon Array!"
"Yes!"
Boom!
Numerous soldiers unleashed the Blood Dragon Array together, and their vital energy converged in the sky, forming a colossal blood-red dragon.
Roar!
The blood-red dragon roared towards the heavens, shaking the void.
Li Qiudao pointed his saber forward and shouted, "Attack!"
Roar!
The blood-red dragon, imbued with immense power, charged towards the exotic beast army.
From the front of the exotic beast horde, giant turtles emerged.
Their heads retracted into their shells, and they flew into the air, using their shells as shields. They connected with each other, forming a canopy above the exotic beast army.
Rumble!!!
The blood dragon collided with the turtle shells, causing countless giant turtle shells to shatter.
"Roar!"
However, there were simply too many giant turtles, layer upon layer. After breaking through two layers, the blood-red dragon's energy was depleted. Dissipating into the void with unyielding reluctance.
This scene caused the morale of the humans to falter.
Not only were the exotic beasts' attacks potent, but their defense was also formidable. How could they possibly win?
Many began to miss Lin Yu's long-range aura.
"Where is Lin Yu? Why hasn't he activated his long-range aura yet?"
"If we had Lin Yu's long-range aura, our reach would be sufficient, and we could quickly repel them."
"Don't count on it. I checked the merit shop; his skill is called Sacrifice, and it can only be performed once a day."
"That means the long-range aura obtained from yesterday's sacrifice can only be used for one day."
"He hasn't performed the sacrifice today, has he?"
"Probably not. I wonder what he's doing?"
"I hope he can obtain a good aura-related skill. I'm utterly frustrated by these attacks from the exotic beasts."
"Huh, what a delicious smell!"
"..."
A strong aroma of grilled lamb skewers wafted from afar, making everyone's stomachs rumble involuntarily.
"What a fragrant smell of grilled skewers. Who's grilling on the battlefield?"
Everyone felt peculiar. This was a battlefield; who would have the leisure to grill skewers?
While defending against the exotic beasts' attacks, everyone searched for the source of the scent.
Soon, someone found it. Upon seeing a large, plump man meticulously grilling skewers, they all revealed expressions of surprise.
Many recognized the plump man's identity and exclaimed,
"It's that Culinary Grandmaster! Who invited him?"
"Forgive my ignorance, but who is this person?"
"Youngster, you don't even know him? Let me tell you, this elder is an S-class Culinary Grandmaster."
"Hiss, an S-class chef and a Grandmaster? No wonder the grilled skewers he makes are so fragrant."
"Chefs can make food that temporarily boosts stats. He must be preparing them for us, right?"
"Dream on. Even if a chef worked himself to death, he couldn't possibly meet the demands of the battlefield. Do you remember those mysterious characters from yesterday?"
"Oh, I get it. Lin Yu is going to use his Sacrifice skill again!"
"Exactly, look!"
As expected, Lin Yu had already drawn the sacrifice formation and was placing the platter of grilled skewers onto it.
He closed his eyes slightly and chanted, "Sacrifice, arise!"
Hum!
A faint light emerged, and a mysterious power instantly enveloped the grilled skewers.
The next moment, chewing sounds could be heard. Lin Yu focused his gaze but could only see a faint glow; nothing else was visible.
After a while, the grilled skewers were finally consumed, and a satisfied burp echoed in everyone's ears.
Then, mysterious characters appeared above the sacrifice formation.
[Kid, your culinary skills are good. I am very satisfied with my meal, and I bestow upon you a seventh-tier aura: Clone Aura.]
[Next time, I want dessert. Remember to prepare dessert for me next time. If I am satisfied, there will be a great reward!]
....................
ps: Mysterious Entity: All of you, quickly offer your free gifts, and I shall bestow upon you a luck aura, ensuring smooth sailing in all aspects of your lives!