Summoners: One Golden Term per Level

Chapter 437 - 33: The Eve of Battle

Simultaneously, the troops of the Lie Mountain Tribe continued to march, stopping not far from the Han River.

Gonggong, who was once again the main commander, looked at the intelligence reported by the scouts.

"The Jiuli Tribe advanced so quickly?"

Gonggong frowned, as the army of the Jiuli Tribe did not conceal their movements at all.

Their momentum was tremendous.

"Don’t they know that the Youxiong Tribe is also advancing toward their hinterland?"

Gonggong pondered, but the intelligence he could obtain was limited, mainly because there were few cultivators available.

Moreover, there were rarely any cultivators who specialized in cultivating abilities for reconnaissance.

"No wonder the movements of the Jiuli Tribe are always faster than ours."

Gonggong thought about the Zhe Road Tribe within the Jiuli, where the priests were all fused with ’Black Crow’.

Their speed was extremely fast, and at night they were very hard to detect. Previously, Jiuli used logistics to divert him.

It was this tribe causing trouble; nothing had actually happened, but Jiuli had long grasped their logistical routes.

Any slight disturbance on those routes would make Gonggong extremely anxious.

Coupled with the Jiuli Tribe’s ability to mimic sound, among other factors.

Thus, the initially easiest-to-defend Mufu Mountain Range was lost.

"But I won’t make the same mistake again!" Gonggong said coldly, strategizing against the Jiuli Tribe’s artillery.

He also pondered for some time; although it was impossible to replicate Jiuli Tribe’s weaponry.

Since replication was impossible, then defense was key.

The artillery from the ships was indeed hard to defend against, but those with smaller power were not hard to combat.

In the Great Wilderness, there were spiny trees, with bark that was fine and textured, resembling dragon scales.

After being soaked in spirit water he possessed, it was attached to the outside of the armor.

Mainly because the sharp round pellets launched by the Jiuli Tribe were forged from divine gold.

In direct confrontation, their golden armor simply couldn’t fully resist its power.

But adding a layer of this bark externally could dissipate much of the force, without affecting the armor’s defense.

"Continue to observe the situation on the river surface, as soon as any ships appear, immediately send the water ghosts to stop them at all costs."

"Additionally, prepare more beast-attracting powder, to use exotic beasts for interference when necessary."

"Do not camp too close to the riverbank, but fortify defenses around."

Orders continuously issued by Gonggong, and the people of the Lie Mountain Tribe, just arrived at the Han River, began to act.

Only, their speed left Gonggong somewhat anxious.

But he had no choice.

Building defenses is something that can’t be done solely relying on ordinary tribe members, nor those with some strength.

Even if some tribe members had strength, like a Nascent Soul, the magic they mastered wasn’t on the same level as cultivators.

In combat, tribal members with similar cultivation might not be weaker than cultivators.

Even in deadly battles, cultivators might not necessarily win.

But in the application of heaven and earth power, cultivators were far superior to tribe members.

Even as the main commander this time, Gonggong couldn’t fully deploy cultivators.

"If Lie Mountain could be like Jiuli..." Gonggong recalled what he saw in the Jiuli Tribe.

Even without directly comparing to Jiuli Tribe, when Jiuli Tribe crossed the river.

The speed at which they built camps could make Gonggong speechless, as if building camps was pre-planned.

In a short time, they could erect camps not inferior to the ones Gonggong spent ten days building.

"Alas..."

Gonggong shook his head, considering the situation within the Lie Mountain Tribe, even though Ting Yao supported him now.

The problem was that without results, he couldn’t get Shennong’s support.

Moreover, the power of cultivators continually influenced the tribe’s decision-making.

This time, marching alongside the Youxiong towards Jiuli, in some people’s view.

Youxiong is considered a vassal of Lie Mountain, yet now Lie Mountain needs Youxiong’s help against Jiuli.

And attacking together, it doesn’t make the Lie Mountain Tribe look competent.

Furthermore, without explicit commands, Youxiong Tribe is subtly raised to a position almost equal to Lie Mountain Tribe.

Just this matter alone, Gonggong heard arguments for a long time.

It was only after Ting Yao personally went to Youxiong Tribe to discuss with Xuanyuan and decisively overruled many opinions.

"Difficult..."

Having faced the Jiuli Tribe once before, Gonggong maintained skepticism about whether Lie Mountain Tribe could defeat Jiuli Tribe.

"Hopefully, Youxiong can pressure the Jiuli Tribe."

Gonggong could only think this way.

This way, pushing back Jiuli’s offensive, Lie Mountain’s glory was preserved, waiting for the time when the Youxiong Tribe could completely surpass Lie Mountain Tribe.

By then, Xuanyuan, who holds the successor name of the Common Lord, would replace Shennong.

Instead, it wouldn’t make the decline of Lie Mountain Tribe look so unfortunate.

If defeated directly by Jiuli, without successor defiance.

It doesn’t make Lie Mountain Tribe’s decline appear too rapid, nor Shennong’s diminished wisdom to be defeated by someone he didn’t favor.

"Lie Mountain has a reason not to lose!"

...

In the distance, sounds of battle cries came.

Shen Fei sat on the ox cart, with Gao Ya beside him.

Gao Ya also accompanied him here, Gao Ya was much more familiar with this war than Shen Fei.

Though Shen Fei had indeed studied many military strategy and tactic books and had ideas.

He was still far weaker than Gao Ya in actual combat, especially with the involvement of the Breaking Abyss Army this time.

Gao Ya’s ability to devise strategies was definitely better than Shen Fei’s ability to implement them.

Like the division of troops into two lines was his idea.

As the two discussed the specifics of the Han River battle operation.

A person ran over from afar to report hurriedly.

"High Priest, this tribe has surrendered."

"According to regulations, adult men and women are to be integrated into the troops, divided and processed.

As for the old and small, they should be sent back to the rear."

Shen Fei spoke.

"Yes."

Gao Ya nodded, "This time we are sweeping a massive wave forward.

And along this path, we’re able to increase our living force."

But Shen Fei still shook his head, "It’s still difficult, though our weapons have absolute dominance.

Once the people of the Lie Mountain Tribe realize their lives are in danger, even if they were incapable.

The resistance encountered will surely be strong, leading to a tug of war."

Gao Ya spoke, "This time the Han River battle is sure to be a war of attrition; apart from our efforts, the Medicine Ancestor also needs to exert effort."

"Medicine Ancestor is already trying to occasionally inform the cultivators that the safety of Lie Mountain Tribe is largely irrelevant to them."

Gao Ya pondered for a moment and said, "We could let Medicine Ancestor express that he is a person of Xuanyuan.

If Lie Mountain is in trouble, the cultivators might lean more towards Youxiong Xuanyuan."

Shen Fei was somewhat puzzled, "Wouldn’t this enhance Xuanyuan’s power?"

"The issue is the conflict between Jiuli and the other two forces, involving cultivators and priests.

Even if we defeat the Lie Mountain Tribe, their cultivators remain an unstable factor.

Rather, have them go to Xuanyuan to dilute Xuanyuan’s authority."

Gao Ya explained, "In the short term, it seems the strength of the Youxiong Tribe increased, but looking at the decisive time between Xuanyuan and Jiuli."

"These cultivators that pour into the Youxiong Tribe without experiencing defeat will surely be an unstable factor."

Shen Fei’s eyes brightened, nodding, "That indeed makes sense."

"And the weakening of cultivator forces can reduce the resistance of Lie Mountain Tribe."