CHAPTER 658: CHAPTER 394 NOT A GOOD IDEA

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"If we give it our all, do you think we can defeat him?" Yan Xiaobao curiously asked the Phoenix within his Dantian. He knew their chances were slim, but perhaps the holy beast within him had an idea. Unfortunately, the Phoenix seemed to deliberate on the question for a long time before finally shaking his head. "We have a chance," he said hesitantly, "but it’s roughly ten percent. Ten percent is a very low chance, so unless we have absolutely no other choice, do not go against that young man. Leave him to Wan Qiao. The two of them are evenly matched. He should be injured just as he is now, so don’t make any moves for the time being." Hearing the bird’s reasoning, Yan Xiaobao concluded that fighting that boy was not a wise choice.

"I think it’s time to wait," Yan Xiaobao sighed. "I agree with you; we shouldn’t focus on war right now but rather ensure that the wounded have recovered to their optimal state before we proceed with the battle."

"Are you sure that’s a good idea?" Lan Feng remarked. "I’m no expert in warfare, but if you spend time focusing on healing your experts, the Siban Empire will have an opportunity to reconstruct their walls, not to mention they will also tend to their injured. But if you go all out tomorrow, the beast army has a chance at victory. You saw how two Saints nearly obliterated the entire wall. The beasts can easily leap over this wall and infiltrate the city. You know you could have entered this city long ago if you truly wanted to. These are noble beasts, prepared with plenty of Senior Experts to fight alongside Saints. You’ll fare well. Overcome their city and finish this war. Though this war would help you realize that our training has fallen behind greatly."

Yan Xiaobao fell into silence as he mulled over Lan Feng’s words. Indeed, he hadn’t fully concentrated on his training, and it had become easier for him to grow complacent after attaining King-level power. But now, his entire mind was occupied with the war. As he ventured out, he saw the devastation inflicted on the walls by Li Xiaopeng and Wan Qiao during the battle, and he let out a weary sigh. Breaching the battered walls shouldn’t be too difficult.

Yan Xiaobao sighed deeply as he pondered the best course of action. Lan Feng had a point. Even though his decision was motivated primarily by impatience, utilizing the holes in the walls would indeed allow them to bypass the city’s defenses. If they waited for Wan Qiao to heal, it would take significantly more time to achieve their goal.

"Since we’ve made our decision, we should inform the troops," he muttered as he left the infirmary, heading toward the tent where the Commander and the Saints currently resided.

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The night was cold, but an air of anticipation hung above the beast camp. Throughout the night, they could hear the sounds of hammers striking stone as the walls were being repaired. Yan Xiaobao spent the entire night at the battlefield’s forefront, his eyes reddened as he used the beast army’s enhanced vision to track the progress of the humans rebuilding the damaged walls.

Observing the walls, Yan Xiaobao noticed the individuals involved in the reconstruction were Senior Experts from the city. All of them could carry substantial chunks of heavy stone, which made the task considerably easier.

"It seems our initial plan is undergoing modifications," Yan Xiaobao said to Lan Feng. He sensed the Saints within him were just as frustrated as he was. He had finally warmed up to Lan Feng’s suggested strategy, but now it seemed like a shift was necessary.

Morning arrived, and not even the faintest trace of the shattered stones could be seen. The walls looked exactly as they had before the war. Atop the walls stood experts, all gazing down at the battlefield before them. As he looked around, Yan Xiaobao couldn’t help but feel as though they had returned to the state they were in just before the war began—when their forces had first arrived and needed to commence fighting against the Siban Empire’s army.

Behind him, the beasts roared, their eyes reddened with fury. Their bloodlust filled the air as they yearned to avenge their fallen comrades. Surveying the multitude of experts behind him, Yan Xiaobao was reassured to see their anger and unyielding fighting spirit still intact. Despite Wan Qiao’s injuries, no one appeared likely to falter from fear or doubt their chances of victory. Everyone was united in their outrage over what had befallen Wan Qiao, and they were ready to prove they could manage without her. Even the thirty-nine Saints wore grim expressions. Looking at the numerous beasts primed for battle, Yan Xiaobao felt his resolve to fight surging. He, too, wanted vengeance for their Queen. While her life wasn’t under immediate threat, her injuries were severe, and no one, regardless of their expertise in recovery, could completely heal her wounds. What she needed now was time to regain her strength. Unfortunately, time was a luxury Yan Xiaobao had very little of.

Hui G clenched his teeth, summoned his martial wings, and soared into the sky. Many flying-type beasts followed his lead, and soon the entire army moved toward the gates. A rain of arrows descended upon them, accompanied by siege engines, battering rams, and other war machines being dragged forward.

Yan Xiaobao observed the arrows and extended his hand. A golden light radiated from his fingertips, forming a massive shell-like shield around him, allowing other beasts to take shelter behind him as they flew. Yan Xiaobao wasn’t the only one using martial power to protect himself or parts of the army. Others released their energy, blocking every arrow in their path, ensuring not a single one slipped through. Unlike previous battles, there were no beastly howls, sneers, roars, screams, or cries. The beast army was utterly silent, their eyes burning with rage, indignation, and a determination for vengeance.