Death... and me

Although Rean said that, it wasn't as if there was no good news. The battles were helping everyone improve their foundations. Breakthroughs during fights were frequent, something that sparring with other sect members couldn't achieve. As Roan always said, life and death situations were what brought someone's greatest potential out. Even Glennia's group was already showing signs of advancing to a higher level.

Poor Malo would probably feel quite sad about that since he had to stay in the sect to 'lead' it. All he could do was go around and battle Stage Four Demon Beasts alone. Well, Poliana stayed back with him, so it wasn't as if he was the only one in that situation.

Rean then passed by everyone and healed the sect members who needed help. He also took some time to clear up their doubts about cultivation since Roan was busy. Rean wasn't bad at it, though. After all, he had been following Roan's instructions for a long time.

Around two days later, tens of thousands of kilometers away from their original position, Phex's group finally arrived at the central army. This one couldn't compare to Roan's previous forces as it had millions of demon beasts. Not only that, Roan could see quite a few humans as well. It's just that they were hard to notice due to the sheer number of demon beasts.

The sect members were also impressed by those numbers. They could see many demon beasts at Stage Five and above flying in the sky. As for those on the ground, it went as far as their eyes could see.

"Now, that's what I call an army..." someone couldn't help but mention.

Rean, who was in the middle of the sect members, smiled in response as he said, "Don't be fooled by its number. In the end, more than 98-99% of them are Stage Four Demon Beasts and below. You should know that controlling them is hard. The higher-level demon beasts must keep a constant eye on them, so they don't start killing each other. We brought you here because we'll have you control even more demon beasts than before. The previous fights were just for you guys to adapt to the situation."

Rean then turned around and looked at everyone, continuing, "Remember, surviving should always be your greatest priority. Life and death situations will definitely come for you, but try not to get into many of them. I'm very pleased that only 37 of our members died during the previous battles, and I hope you keep this number even lower. Otherwise, where will be your Freedom Sect's future without their strongest members?"

"Yes, Ancestor!" the sect members replied in unison.

"An-Ancestor?" Rean was taken aback. "I'm not that old, okay? Besides, some of you are cultivating even faster than I did at your age. Just keep calling me by my name."

Sometime later, Roan's Spiritual Sense reached everyone as he told them, "We're here. Everyone, come down from the airship."

There was already an area prepared for them, so the sect members descended one after another. They immediately began to interact with the other humans who were also participating in this war. As for Rean and Roan, they left with Phex's group.

On the Zasfins' side, Fikin just received a report from one of his subordinates, telling him, "Ancestor, we've confirmed that Phex is back. He also brought the Basilisk and the Silver Fenrir."

"The Silver Fenrir?" Fikin narrowed his eyes as he could not help but ask, "Wasn't he protecting the commander of the army in Iowe Country?"

"Yes. From what we found out, that human, the same one who sent our headquarters to the skies, came with them. He's their commander. His brother has finally appeared as well, but we don't know where he has been until now," the subordinate explained.

Fikin's expression was dark as he thought about the past. Everything that was happening right now was because of those twins. "Sure enough, it was all part of the demon beasts' plan. To think that we would fall so low because of some slaves. The previous Soul Ruler Ancestors would be laughing at our faces if they heard about that."

Fikin then calmed down and thought about the reports from Huo's group, deciding to ask, "Are there any signs of Phex and the other Stage Nine Demon Beasts coming out to fight?"

"Not yet," the subordinate replied. "Though, we've received reports that the Demon Beast Army at the back began to reorganize. All the humans present in the Demon Beast Army began to take up positions in the lower-level Demon Beast Army. They were being followed by at least one Stage Five Demon Beast, which we believe to be there to help them."

Fikin, who had obtained the full report of Roan's previous battle, immediately understood what was going on as he muttered, "I can't believe that the Divine Demon Beasts will really let a human with lo cultivation take control over their central army. Isn't that the same as having the twins be their masters?"

Fikin could see the central army taking the same command formation as the one Roan conducted back in the conquest of Iowe Country. Low-level demon beasts shouldn't be able to follow strategies. However, Roan still succeeded in using them with that limitation, all because of the humans and high-level demon beasts under his command.

Fikin then ordered, "I want to hear constant reports from now on. It doesn't matter how small, you must still tell me. I won't let them even take a single step on our territories."

"Yes, ancestor!" The subordinate immediately left after that.

Unfortunately for him, Fikin was thinking too much. Sure, Roan would be controlling the army from the back with the help of the humans, just like he predicted. However, the main concern this time wasn't him but Rean instead. Rean would have the main role during the next fight...or his healing abilities would, to be more exact.

A day later, Roan finished organizing the army to his liking. With that, he looked at Rean and said, "I'm all prepared on my side. Rean, it's up to you now."

Rean nodded with a smile as he looked at Phex, Frin, and Xaon. Darian was in charge of the Sea Army, so he couldn't participate in this fight. After that, he also nodded at the other Stage Nine Demon Beasts. After all, Divine Demon Beasts were too rare, so normal Stage Nine Demon Beasts were the majority present. "All my Spirit Stones are ready. Just make sure to come back if you're seriously injured. Go out there and do what demon beasts do best! Fight, fight, fight!"