About a dozen of them poured out from the gates and charged in an organized line, snapping and howling. Unlike the demon tropes the cultivators had faced earlier, these wolves were both organized and seasoned fighters. There were more howls coming from within the gates and it soon became clear that it was their way of casting complex spells.

Swords did not penetrate their hide easily, even when slipped past the cracks between the armor. And when their fangs crunched down on steel, even the finest built weapon cracked under the pressure.

The battle was thrown into disarray and the cultivators, who had grown overconfident through the course of the battle were now struggling against these beasts. Blood saturated the ground and the air was filled with agonized cries and ear-piercing roars. There was the scent of iron and filth rampant all around and Liu Suye thought he was going to be sick.

But he did not show his weakness and unlike what most people thought of Huamian-jun, he was actually not a cowardly person.

Liu Suye cursed under his breath and bellowed for his comrades' attention, "Fall back! Regroup!" He whistled for his steed and hopped on the white stallion that bucked and neighed under his command. Liu Suye was trying very hard to round up his comrades.

But who were they to a.s.sume gathering a ransack group of immortals could produce a reliable army?

Cultivators were not soldiers and didn't understand the nuances of warfare. They might be warriors and knew powerful spells and wielded deadly martial arts, but large scale organization and cooperation was a whole different thing.

Liu Suye was struggling to win their attention and while the Heavenly Sword Sect members were quicker to heed to the Young Master's words, the other Sects were not as willing. He searched for Peng Zhugen to help.

Peng Zhugen was no fool and understood his childhood friend's intention. His voice boomed across the field, carried by flurrying winds, "Fall back you fools! Lest you wish to become dog food!"

It was working. The cultivators slowly but surely were retreating some distance, regrouping and trying to get their bearings. The wolves did not make it simple but Liu Suye charged forth to help his brothers and sisters gain an opening.

He jumped off his stead and his whip-blade lashed out and challenged a mighty foe. But the extravagant and stylish attack he aimed at the wolf's throat was just a feint. The whip-blade circled back quickly and this time was aimed for the beast's paws.

It squealed and whimpered when steel cut into its foot. But aside from the initial shock, the wolf was quick to regain its composure and arched its neck into a powerful howl.

A dense surge of demonic power pulsed at Liu Suye and he was barely quick enough to erect a barrier that prevented him from being knocked off his feet.

The wolf, though injured, stepped down on bloodied paws without care and lunged at him.

Liu Suye bit out a laugh and wondered if he had bit off more than he could chew. But it was worth it because at least his comrades had the chance to get away!

"Pay attention, fool!" And just as those powerful fangs were about to descend upon him, Peng Zhugen's flying sword shot at the wolf's muzzle and caught it in the lip. The beast stuttered in its attack and shook its head, flinging blood around like red rain.

But Liu Suye was unwittingly smiling, "I was, I was! I knew you would come to my rescue!" Of course, it would be like him to joke so joyfully even in a situation as such.

Peng Zhugen scowled in disapproval before deciding that Liu Suye wasn't worth his time. The wolf demon had yet to be defeated and was his primary concern. Luckily he had Liu Suye at his side and though the Young Master Liu could be an annoying man, he was easy to fight alongside.

Together their swords danced in unison and each felt into step with each other. The wolf snapped in circles, failing to get any of the two pests within its grasps.

But it was for such, that they were distracted from another part of the battle where Sect Leader Liu Fumao was fighting a demon wolf on his own and another dozen or so beasts poured out from the gates, howling as they went. Liu Fumao remained calm, took to his steed, and called forth his brethren.

They lined up in a row with hand seals forming quickly. A bright row of lights s.h.i.+mmered in front of them and at Liu Fumao's command, it was unleashed like a mighty wave that washed over the field, stunning any demons it came across. The white light clashed with the demon's howling spells and a shock wave swept over the entire field, a boom so loud everyone had their ears ring for a moment or two.

Chen Leike was close to the city's gates, his uncanny fortune protected him even the barest of scratches and he was able to run to the vanguard without a care in the world. It caught his attention that there was no more howling from within the city bounds.

Inspiration flashed within his eyes and he took out a talisman that would help broadcast his voice to all the nearby men and women, "Now's our chance! We can break into the city!"

Xu Hexian was not far from this Immortal of Luck for a reason as simple as trying to catch the man's fortunes by staying close. It wasn't his first choice. But he couldn't get a spot in the front next to Sect Leader Liu and Liu Suye so he ended up being stuck with this clown instead.

At least he was still alive.

But upon hearing Chen Leike's orders he wasn't so sure anymore. The young Heavenly Sword disciple ran up to the Immortal of Luck. "Wait, wait, wait! Young Mast Chen…! Is this really wise? Ye- Erm. Young Master Liu said we need to fall back and regroup and those wolves are still running rampant!"

But Chen Leike shrugged without concern, "It's a good chance now to see what's inside, no? I would like to be able to gather some worthy intel. Look." He didn't give Xu Hexian the chance to process the words that came out of his mouth and pointed at an energetic and eager Tu Caihe.

"Brothers and Sisters!" The large rogue cultivator called, "Follow me and we shall bring justice upon these evil beasts! Let us burn the root of our troubles!" His pa.s.sionate cry gathered more people, easily three dozen before charging into the mouth of the city.

Xu Hexian was overcome with a feeling of dread. He looked at the Young Master Chen, who remained in the same spot unmoving. "You don't intend to go in yourself?" But it wasn't really a question.

"Hm, of course not. I'm not that stupid," Chen Leike laughed. "But Tu Caihe is stronger than me so he should be fine. Oh look, that stupid girl is following in after him as well."

They watched as Xia An followed in after the main group with two martial sisters at her side. Xu Hexian was having a hard time masking his distaste. Hadn't Chen Leike been sweet with Xia An earlier? And now he had but an easy smile on his face as he watched the girl rush off into danger.

"What if there's a trap or something inside!? They're all going to die!" Xu Hexian shrilled instead.

He regretted saying those words. A spark of inspiration flashed across Chen Leike's face, "Oh, perhaps. Then it will be better if we send reinforcements after them then. C'mon. Let's try to convince more people!"

Before Xu Hexian could bellow out in protest, Chen Leike had already ridden off on his steed, hand in his robes to pull out another talisman. Xu Hexian was completely dumbfounded and wondered if this entire affair was just a game to this Immortal of Luck!?

But he had no time to wallow in feelings of outrage. Xu Hexian called his own horse and rode towards Liu Suye and Peng Zhugen. They were much farther back from the city gates and were like specs in the distance. Little demons groped at his horse's feet and Xu Hexian let out a string of curses and he struggled to get them off.

By the time he reached Liu Suye, the big black wolf had fallen to the combined efforts of Huanmian-jun and the Sect Leader of the Hidden Mist. Even atop a horse, Xu Hexian was panting. "Ye-xiong!" He shouted with alarm.

"Cai!" Liu Suye chimed, "You're still alive," he joked but this stopped when he noted the severity of alarm on his friend's face.

Xu Hexian cut the banter, "Chen Leike is sending people into the city!"

"What!?" Peng Zhugen's attention was caught as well, "That d.a.m.ned fool!"

Liu Suye paled with worry as he turned his attention toward the vanguard. Indeed there were people gathered under Chen Leike's command and they appeared to be readying themselves to enter the city. "What does he think he's doing…"

"Tu Caihe and Xia An already went inside."

Peng Zhugen pushed past Liu Suye and demanded the younger man's attention, "How many people?"

"About three dozen."

He clicked his tongue, "Are they just trying to chase glory like a bunch of fools?"

Liu Suye was also questioning their tactics. It was obvious that the demons had been prepared for this, and it almost didn't sit right with him with the current sequence of events. Why did Tu Caihe rush in with so little people!? And that Chen Leike! Ah seriously! These guys were even worse than his own little brother, just doing whatever it was they pleased.

He did his best to remain calm, "The goal is to capture Xinlie. But we shouldn't scatter so early before understanding the enemy's true strength. While it seems dangerous to have only a small group in the city…it might be better for now." He paused and then added, "They should have more mobility."

Peng Zhugen remained silent, but he was not an idiot and could understand the words that Liu Suye left unsaid.

It was better to lose three dozen people than jeopardize even more..

And if there was something awry inside, hopefully, a few of the first group could escape or at least relay information by means of a spell if they couldn't escape.

"You're not wrong. Perhaps that was Chen Leike's intention."

"B-But now he's trying to send in even more people…!" Xu Hexian's eyes were looking back and forth from Sect Leader Peng to Huamian-jun. Compared to them, he was a bit lost and didn't understand what idea was good and what idea was bad.

But he trusted Liu Suye, and so he decided to trust Peng Zhugen as well.

The Head of the Hidden Mist Sect clicked his tongue, "Alright. Then let us go and stop that stupid Young Master Chen. Sect Leader Liu Fumao is more than enough to hold off the main wave of attackers."

Peng Zhugen and Liu Suye summoned their steeds and the three rode off towards the city, leaving the heart of the battle behind them. With gusting winds and flying swords, a path was carved from the frenzy.

But before they were able to make their way to the very front, an eagle's cry echoed from the sky.

They flew out from beyond Xinlie's walls in a wide formation. About three dozen birds with wingspans as tall as a man. Spells formed as they flapped their wings, sending a barrage of explosive spells down to the ground.