After Yueshi's group reunited, they chatted about what they found out about this place, its inhabitants, and even past beast waves.
For one, this place was mostly calm all year round. Its lack of resources hindered its development, so despite it bordering the Dark Forest, not even hunters stayed for long.
If it wasn't because this was their 'ancestral land', most of the inhabitants would have left. But that would mean abandoning their memories, their deceased, and breaking their emotional bonds to this place.
With that aside, because of their lack of resources, their defenses were merely so-so. Other than a palisade wall and a ditch the townsfolk had dug around it, they had no other defenses.
When Yueshi heard that the strongest person in town was at the second stage, he could only shake his head. Almost all disciples here were stronger than that.
Most outer court disciples were between the first stage and the sixth, while inner court disciples were between the sixth and the tenth. Obviously, if one's combat power was strong, or one's talent was good enough, he or she could join the sect easily and be promoted earlier too – like Yueshi and Ling Tian Tian would probably do.
However, while the defenses were little to none, their map of the outer ring of the forest was fairly complete.
After all, their main way of sustenance was hunt – the healthy villagers would go out almost every day and bring back the carcasses of fierce beasts and, at times, demon beasts.
Because of that, they had explored every inch of the first fifty miles of the forest. That was also their limit. If they went further than that, it would become too dangerous for them to hunt, and they would not risk their lives for that.
The only problem they met was accommodations because the few inns in the city had already had their rooms booked for the next fortnight. Thankfully, Mu Baiyun solved their problem with mastery – with a smile on his face, he convinced a few villagers to accommodate them in their own houses.
After discussing a bit, they immediately made their way toward the forest. It was still early and they wanted to use this time to familiarize themselves with the others.
Already inside the forest, Yueshi looked at everyone.
"I am not a commander, so if you think my arrangements are not good, feel free to speak." Seeing everyone nod, Yueshi continued. "We shall divide ourselves into four squads – attack, support, defense, and distraction." Hearing him speak, no one said anything.
Yueshi did not leave them with doubts for long.
The attack squad was, as its name indicated, responsible for causing damage to their enemies. The support squad was also quite obvious, it would offer help to the other three and cover up for them if the need arose. The defense squad had to protect the others with all they had, and the distraction squad's objective was to catch the enemies' attention, giving time for the other to rest, run, and also prepare their moves.
"This sort of battle strategy is quite simple. However, in my opinion, there is nothing we can do about it, as we lack familiarization with each other and experience to employ better fighting methods." Ending his speech, Yueshi looked toward them.
"I can see where you are going. But how will we divide the people?" Mu Baiyun was the first to speak, expressing his doubts.
"You all know better than me what you are good at, so it will not be hard. However, I must remember you that using wide-area attacks is prohibited. Our coordination is lacking and such attacks would cause more harm than good."
The rest nodded at his words, acknowledging his instructions. "For now, that is it. Once we learn what we are lacking and start to understand each other we will then improve our strategy. Let's go!"
Without wasting any more words, the group walked deeper into the forest.
The first few miles were mostly inhabited by fierce beasts that weren't too much a problem; it was when they crossed the ten miles mark that the first demon beasts started to show up.
However, with their team's strength, beasts at stages one and two were nothing, despite their natural talents and strong bodies.
As they marched in deeper, they soon found appropriate opponents to fight against while testing their coordination. Not far from the group six Voracious Wolves stood, gazing at them with hungry eyes. Just slight behind them a bigger one stood proudly and confident – a Two-Headed Sky Wolf.
The first six were stage two demon beasts, while the sky wolf was between the stage three and four.
"I will be in the support team for this battle, to avoid any mishaps." With everyone having already chosen their roles, they entered formation.
With Yueshi at the back supporting those that had to retreat or were hurt, the chances of someone dying decreased a lot. Ling Tian Tian lifted an eyebrow at that, clearly unsatisfied with his choice.
In the end, though, she said nothing.
The distraction squad had only four people. Two of them were the twins, that not only had amazing cooperation but were also pursuing the peak of speed. They had also picked a footwork technique from the tower, increasing their combat power to a whole new level.
Both girls were at the second stage of the Refinement Realm, however, as they used their new technique, they were so fast that Yueshi took a while to get used to their new speed.
And, while the other two were not as fast, they were also assassins and had greater experience since they had arrived at least a year earlier.
Their objective was obviously the Sky Wolf, as it was the greatest threat. And as proud as it was, when the four of them circled while hacking and slashing at it, it became enraged.
While it could easily avoid the attacks or parry them, the four of them managed to hold him back for now.
Soon the Sky Wolf was enraged enough with those flies and completely focused his attention on them.
While those four were occupied the other had not stood in silence. The four had to distract the Sky Wolf; at the same time, the remaining people could not let the Voracious Wolves join the fray, as it would be dangerous.
Ling Tian Tian was the first to step forward, her blade then flashed and made an arch in the air as it slashed toward her enemy. She was in the attack legion, and, as one of the strongest here, her attack power was unquestionable.
However, while she was slashing at one beast, another wolf jumped toward her. She retreated two steps, knowing it would not be good if she was hurt.
Yet, just as she retreated, a bulky figure moved in front of the attack, stopping it on its track – this figure was none other than Mu Baiyun, a member of the defense legion.
This clearly showed their lack of coordination and experience. If she had trusted her comrades and continued attacking, she would have inflicted damage to the enemy.
However, the lack of trust in her partners made her retreat afraid of the others failing in their jobs.
Similar scenes happened all around as the team took the wolves head-on. At times, the members of the attack legion failed and, at others, the defense legion was the one committing mistakes – at such times an arrow would fly and knock the attacking beast away, or a spear would thrust forward and send the beasts in retreat.
The most carefree was Xuehua, and today she showcased the result of her training to everyone. Yueshi had already seen it, as she frequently used the technique to cook; however, this was also his first time seeing it in combat.
As her hands glowed with a silvery light, a certain distance away from her hands made of qi would punch or grab at the beasts – showing her attainments in the Heavenly Hands.
Moreover, more than a single one could be controlled at the same time, though Xuehua lacked the experience to use more than three.
"Do not focus only on your opponents! Be aware of your surroundings!" Yueshi shouted at them, his voice easily reaching their ears despite the booms and bangs occasioned by the battle.
Eventually, the six wolves were brought down after much effort, with those at the first stage completely tired.
With that a bit more than half of their team was out of the fight, moving toward the back to rest while the others dealt with the Sky Wolf.
Qing Yueli and Qing Yuyi, and also the two other assassins, also retreated. They had a few wounds and scratches here and there from when they failed to escape, but with the help of Jiang Yao arrows and Yueshi's spear, they were not that hurt.
Suddenly, the Sky Wolf looked at them with extreme fury, indicating his rage had passed the limits and it was entering berserk mode.
The berserk mode was a term used to speak about a beast, or person, that allowed their fury to control them. It resulted in an increase of speed and power, however, blinded by fury, the capability of making logical decisions decreased – and a beast like the Sky Wolf became completely mad after losing the only trace of intelligence it had.
A furious howl echoed in the forest as the beast looked toward the sky. The powerful and high-pitched sound waves made the air shake and even Yueshi felt a bit nauseated for a moment.
After he recovered, he looked around and saw that a lot of people had knelt on the ground and puked, even bleeding from their ears.
'To think it had such a move… damn it!' Yueshi cursed inwardly. Most beasts did not have any abilities, not the ones at the early stages of the Body Refinement Realm, that is.
That also meant this Sky Wolf had a somewhat noble bloodline, inheriting an ability from its ancestors.
"Ling Tian Tian, come with me, we will be attacking it. Brother Baiyun, please attract its attention for a while. Yuan Yue, stay at the back and protect the others for now! Sister, I will be leaving the support for you!" Releasing a chain of commands, Yueshi stepped forward toward the big guy.
All those whose names he called had resisted the sonorous attack from the wolf. Jiang Yao and Bei Lao also had, however, they were already at the back to protect the others from any sneak attack that could be launched.
There was also Wu Feng that resisted it with sheer willpower, however, he was only at the first stage and would not be of much help.
Following Yueshi's orders, everyone moved out.
Yueshi and Tian Tian moved each to one side of the big wolf, while Baiyun faced it head-on.
The tall youth was holding a thick and powerful-looking, two-handed ax, and with his great inborn strength, he could hold his own against the wolf despite being merely at the early phase of the third stage.
Cracking his knuckles Baiyun beckoned to the big creature, flashing it a disdainful sneer. Having lost its rationality, the wolf soon gave in to the provocation, its legs flexing as it jumped forward toward its new prey.
As the creature lunged toward him, Baiyun held his giant ax in front of him in a diagonal position. Veins bulged in his entire body as he prepared to withstand the brunt of the beast's attack.
With a resounding bang, it was as if a carriage had crashed against him just then. Despite putting all his power behind it, Baiyun could not help but retreated a few steps, his arms trembling under the great pressure of the attack.
While the Sky Wolf had charged head-on, it had many ways of attacking. Its claws were as sharp as a blade, and its teeth could easily break apart steel; that roar from before too, it did not seem to be a one-time thing.
However, just as the wolf leader was going to bite at Baiyun's arm, its head turned upward and he released that earthshaking howl again, making Baiyun retreat a few steps.
At the same time, Ling Tian Tian that was slashing at the wolf's head was stopped in her tracks by the powerful roar of the creature.
However, the wolf could not even take another step before stopping. Yueshi's spear had thrust from its other flank. While the spearhead failed in penetrating the thick hide, the energy behind the strike went through the flesh and exploded inside its body - destroying a few organs.
This was proof of the increase in mastery of Yueshi's spear arts.
When he had fought with that Feng Family's disciple during the dojo challenge, his attack had traveled through his flesh and broken his bones. However, because of his lack of control, a lot of energy had traversed and explored at his back, originating airwaves.
Yet, this time, there were no airwaves and all the energy had been focused inside of the beast's body by Yueshi's 'one point of extremity carves an everlasting path to heavens'.
"Awoooo!" The beast howled one last time while bleeding from its mouth, before falling to the ground with a heavy thud.
The first battle of the Soaring Dragon Association came to a close as a victory. However, there were many things they had to learn and improve upon.
For one, their cooperation was flawed; and two, Yueshi was not the best leader out there.
Honestly, the fight could have been easily won if their top members went all out, but that did not justify their lacking performance.