As the demons had encroached on a lot of land, it took only one and a half days for Serana and her team to arrive at the battlefield. This grim reminder highlighted how close the Grey Mountain Sect was to immediate danger.
If the demons were to win this fight, their next stop would definitely be the Grey Mountain Sect, which would mean one thing: the destruction of the sect.
Serana and her team arrived at the battlefield. Her team consisted of new faces from the sect, but this time, her teammates were veteran fighters with multiple experiences dealing with demons in previous battles. The only familiar face on her team was Kayla.
As Serana stood on the battlefield, her gaze looked at the distant ongoing battles between demons and humans. The qi in the air was chaotic, with both worldly and demonic qi filling the atmosphere, making it dangerous for cultivators to recuperate their qi here, as demonic qi is poisonous to the human body once absorbed.
That's why the field hospital was far back from the battlefield, making the logistics of transporting wounded cultivators hard and costing them precious lives.
Here, at the back of the main battlefield, Serana and her team walked towards the temporary encampment area. The area was filled with cultivators of varying strengths, most of whom were here for the upcoming major offensive.
As the 38th squad entered the encampment, they were noticed by multiple young experts from different sects. Seeing the leading figure, a familiar face, the Snow Fairy of the Grey Mountain Sect, made them excited by her appearance alone.
Serana ignored such looks as she approached the center where meetings of leaders were held. She turned back to look at her teammates. "You guys find a place to rest, prepare yourselves," she reminded them before walking ahead.
"Oh yeah? Isn't this Lady Serana?" A mischievous voice entered her ears. A young man, slightly older than her, smiled as he approached. His handsome appearance attracted glances from many women in the field as his energy drew them in. He wore fiery red robes with golden accents, and on his forehead, there was a red phoenix symbol.
This person is a divine body holder. Like Serana, who wields the divine body of the Ice Phoenix, the news of her being a divine body holder was still unknown to the world—unlike her, he wields the divine body of the Phoenix, granting him one of the hottest flames in the world. This young man is named Asher Blackwood, the main disciple of the sect master of the Celestial Phoenix Sect, rank 5 at peak stages.
Asher, having come to the battlefield three times now, was used to being noticed by girls and leaving a deep impression on them. But one person he had noticed didn't care about him—a cold beauty from a small sect called the Grey Mountain Sect.
The infamous Snow Fairy of the battlefield, whose talents were comparable to his and who had killed countless demons with her sword, stunned Asher when his gaze met hers. Used to the adoration of women, he was taken aback by her indifference.
As if opening a new world to him, Asher felt Serana was the most interesting person he had ever met, as she treated him like air. Her cold treatment towards a stranger like him was normal for Serana; she did that to almost everyone. But for Asher, it was challenging and exciting that this beautiful lady ignored him, thus filling his mind with curiosity and thoughts of her.
Every now and then, when Serana was on the battlefield, he would always nag her.
Hearing his voice again, Serana sighed inwardly but kept her gaze forward. "Asher."
"Heading to the briefing, I presume?" he asked, his tone light and teasing.
"Yes," Serana replied, her voice calm.
As the two walked slowly, Asher, undeterred, continued. "You know, I've been wondering how someone as skilled as you ended up in the Grey Mountain Sect. It's not exactly known for producing such formidable cultivators, with a low-tier sect like that."
"Perhaps the mountains have secrets," Serana casually said.
"Secrets indeed," Asher chuckled. "But you've certainly made a name for yourself. The 'Snow Fairy,' they call you. Cold as ice, yet they say your sword is as sharp as a blizzard," Asher said with a playful laugh.
"The demons care little for titles or reputations," Serana said, unbothered, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "They only understand strength and resolve."
"True, true," Asher nodded, his expression turning more somber. "They're relentless in their advance."
They walked in silence for a few moments before Asher spoke again, unable to help himself. "You know, I've watched you fight. You're impressive."
"Nothing much," Serana replied, her tone polite but distant.
"Maybe one day we'll see each other in action side by side," he suggested with a wink, a hint of eagerness in his voice.
"Perhaps," Serana replied noncommittally, her gaze still fixed ahead.
Asher sighed dramatically. "You know, Serana, you're really hard to get to know."
Serana finally glanced at him, her piercing blue eyes meeting his. "I prefer to focus on the mission at hand, Asher. There's no room for distractions."
"Ah, so serious! But isn't it said that a little distraction now and then can be refreshing?" Asher quipped, his grin returning.
"Not in the middle of a war," Serana replied, her tone firm.
They arrived at the mission briefing camp, the large tent already filled with core disciples and sect elders preparing for the upcoming battle strategy. Serana sat in front as Asher pulled her to seats near the front, where they could hear the instructions clearly. With Asher's status, no one bothered her.
As they settled in, Asher leaned closer to Serana. "Looks like we'll be working in the same field now," he said with a cheeky grin.
"Hm," Serana replied with a hum. She didn't have the energy to deal with this man.
"…" Asher stared at Serana's side profile after getting a short reply from her. He couldn't help but appreciate the beauty near him.
His gaze was interrupted as the high elders in the battlefield entered the hall. These were the elders and commanders from both the Celestial Phoenix Sect and the Royal Guards of the Rose Kingdom, signaling the start of the briefing. The room quieted as everyone turned their attention to the front.
The commander, a stern-faced man with a commanding presence, began outlining the details of their mission. They were to launch a coordinated assault on the demons' newly fortified positions in Frostfall Forest. Each squad had specific objectives, from reconnaissance to direct engagement and extraction of wounded allies.
The mission briefing was direct to the point at most, basically go wreak havoc and slay demons as many as possible, but the importance of the meeting laid on coordination of squads from different sects and the military, especially the maneuvers and signals that would help reduce as many casualties as possible while also being more effective in terms of striking the enemy.
As Serana and Asher understood the serious battle was near, Asher made a farewell to Serana, wishing her some luck before returning to his own squad.
Serana returned to her squad and explained their new objective. Due to Serana's effectiveness in the battlefield, she and her team were put in the front of the offensive.
"Kayla, notify me immediately if something's wrong in the battle. Use this talisman," Serana seriously reminded Kayla as she gave her a signal talisman. When activated, the other partner of the talisman would glow, sending a signal.
"Okay." Kayla nodded and tucked the talisman under her robes.
Serana then reminded them to check their healing pills and condensed qi pills. She made them prepare as much as possible because she didn't want to make the same mistake as before.
The time had come. Hundreds of squads, forming eleven companies, were divided according to their varying tasks. The first, second, and third companies, where Serana and Asher's squads were, would be the first to attack with a heavy punch to destroy the defensive lines of the demons.
Among these offensive companies, there were six elders from mid and high-tier sects, each with the strength of rank 6.
Serana and her team were in the first company. The first company moved out, marching and positioning themselves according to the plans. When the signal came, they would start wrecking the enemy lines with great ferocity.
Today, the battlefield would be even messier and bloodier.