Chapter 500 - 292: South City Defense Battle
Night falls
After dinner, Lin Chen prepared to take a short rest. Although it was wartime, the cultivation of Spirit Beasts had never been neglected. They were mostly maintaining their meditation and Skill training.
Lin Chen’s Spirit Beast Level was still relatively low, destined not to become the main force in this great battle.
The main force on the battlefield was mostly between Level 50 and Level 70.
However, the smaller minions of the Demon Beasts were not difficult for Lin Chen.
Chen Yun was naturally also an idle person; she was only skilled in catalysis and not proficient in medicine.
So Lin Chen stayed in her courtyard.
Chen Yun’s gaze towards Lin Chen was entirely different now.
Back then, Lin Chen first arrived at South City, just a rising star from a small town, but now, after only four years, his name was renowned across the world.
"If...," Chen Yun looked at Lin Chen and asked, "I mean if, if we hold South City but the support from the Celestial Capital still hasn’t arrived..."
Lin Chen heard these words and remained silent for a long time.
"We are still trapped here, right?" Chen Yun’s face darkened.
Only then did Lin Chen nod and say, "Holding South City is indeed just the first step. Losing South City is equivalent to losing the core of the Southern Region. It would be extremely difficult for the Cangling Ancient Country to take it back."
"But the final outcome can only result in more forces coming to support."
"Because relying solely on the Southern Region’s strength, it is difficult to contend with the Demon Race."
Just as Lin Chen’s words fell, suddenly the night sky lit up as an artillery shell exploded above the city head, followed by several more.
This startled Lin Chen and Chen Yun to their feet, the latter said, "This is the defense signal for a Demon Beast attack, how is it so coincidental."
"It shouldn’t be a coincidence. It’s likely that the message we sent out was also intercepted by the Demon Beasts..." Lin Chen hurriedly rushed outside and said, "Senior Chen Yun, you hide in the basement and don’t come out."
"Okay." Chen Yun nodded and walked back.
Lin Chen hurriedly headed towards the City Lord’s Mansion. Once inside, he indeed saw people moving everywhere.
Chen Ming had even donned armor. Seeing Lin Chen approach, he said, "Demon Beasts are attacking, we still need Divine Venerable Qin’s Spirit Beasts...."
"Naturally." Lin Chen nodded immediately and asked, "What’s the situation now?"
"Originally, Demon Beasts would only harass us, but this time it seems real. They are launching a full-scale attack from four directions, and now we are under great pressure," Chen Ming said.
Lin Chen glanced at the Spirit-Devouring Vine, which also nodded.
Then, following Chen Ming’s arrangement, Lin Chen went to the East Gate, and before approaching, he could smell a thick scent of blood, with the sounds of fighting between Demon Beasts and Spirit Beasts everywhere.
Some human Beastmasters personally joined the battle, and there were shouts and killings everywhere.
At this moment, a Great Demon appeared in the sky, landed on top of the city head, and cried aloud to the sky.
This was a Level 90 Eagle Demon King. As it flapped its wings, it created a gust of wind, disrupting all, friend and foe alike, on the city head.
Lin Chen glanced at the Spirit-Devouring Vine, which immediately flew over.
Lin Chen quickly found a place to hide, and the surroundings became even more chaotic simultaneously.
The battle between the Spirit-Devouring Vine and the Eagle Demon King lasted for several rounds, ultimately resulting in the Eagle Demon King leading the other Demon Beasts in retreat.
.....
The war lasted until the afternoon, and when everyone returned to the City Lord’s Mansion, they were extremely low-spirited.
This time, even though they were prepared for the Demon Beast attack, the strength of the Demon Race far exceeded theirs. If not for relying on the geographical position and city walls of South City, they might not have survived the first wave.
"The Demon Race is highly motivated for this battle. I believe they will soon launch a second wave of attacks. General Li, you lead the first unit to guard the South Gate....."
Chen Ming was a competent Commander-in-Chief and quickly arranged the tasks.
But judging by his tightly furrowed and puzzled brows, it seemed the battle was grimmer than imagined.
Sure enough, after everyone left their positions, Chen Ming convened another meeting.
At the beginning of the meeting, he stated:
"I think we need to prepare a second line of defense."
This statement shocked everyone.
The reason why South City was called the fortress of the Southern Region was that when it was initially designed, it included a three-layered defense system.
The second layer was known as the inner city, while the third layer was called the main city.
"Now your task is to gather the logistics personnel, non-combatants, and enter the inner city while maintaining order inside. If there are any resisters...." Chen Ming’s eyes flashed with determination and said, "Kill."
"Understood."
Everyone nodded and quickly left.
In no time, the news spread throughout the city. Although Chen Ming clearly stated in the Guild Machine’s announcement that the outer city might become a battlefield, and for safety’s sake, non-combatants should be transferred to the inner city.
But no matter how it was explained, it ultimately caused panic among the people and even affected the morale of the troops.
The next morning, the Demon Beasts launched a second wave of attacks.
This time, Lin Chen did not go to the outer city but stayed on the second layer.
After half the day, good news arrived, that they had held the defense.
Immediately, the entire city erupted in cheers and jubilation.
However, those in the know couldn’t smile.
Because this second wave of the Beast Tide was more intense than the first, causing severe casualties among the Human Race’s Spirit Beasts.
"At this rate, we won’t withstand a third wave," Chen Ming sighed.
Lin Chen also understood that if they held out forcibly, they might not last until the reinforcements arrived.
Therefore, a change in tactics was necessary.
....
"Why is this South City so hard to crack?!"
The Undying Phoenix was anxious.
This South City was the last piece of territory in the Southern Region; capturing it early would greatly enhance its military accomplishments and establish its status as a king with merits in front of the Nine Netherworld Snake.
But now, after launching two waves of assaults, they still couldn’t seize South City.
"South City has been fortified for many years. Don’t be too anxious," said a Fox King, one of the strategists for this operation.
It spoke to the Undying Phoenix, "The second round cost the Human Race dearly in deaths and injuries, not just in morale. Combat personnel too must have suffered heavy blows. Capturing it in the third round isn’t a big problem."
The Undying Phoenix glared and said, "I know, but you must understand that the Absolute Demon King’s order is to capture the Southern Region within this month."
"Otherwise, it will affect its subsequent plans."
"Don’t worry. We will surely capture it in the third round," the Fox King promised confidently.
Another day passed, and under the command of the Undying Phoenix and Fox King, the Demon Race’s army launched a third Beast Tide attack on South City from four directions.
This time, the Beast Tide had more Demon Beasts and was fiercer.
However, as they rushed into the city, they discovered that the city walls were empty.
"What’s going on?"
The Great Demons began to panic.
But the Fox King waved a big hand and said, "Do they want to play the empty city strategy? Childish!"
"In the face of real strength, any tactics are ineffective."
"Convey my order...."
"Kill!"