153: Chapter 153 Military Forces Point South

Lin Tian took a deep breath, the pain replaced by an immense sense of accomplishment and stability.

Spirit Crystals can be earned again, but this foundation and this great army are the very roots of his survival and future in this dangerous world.

"Tomorrow, we will use the Minotaur tribe to offer a sacrifice to our banners! Then, we will carefully ponder how to keep these five hundred thousand brothers well-fed and strong, and by the way... earn back the Spirit Crystals we spent!"

Late on the tenth night, Lin Tian finally blew out the candle, filled with anticipation for tomorrow and a touch of "miserly" heartache.

The dawn of the eleventh day had not yet fully evaporated the dew when Lin Tian was awakened by a gentle yet firm knock on the door.

It was Lin Yin.

"Brother Tian, it is dawn, time to get up."

Her voice came through the door, calm and unruffled, yet more effective than any alarm clock.

Lin Tian responded and rolled out of bed.

After a simple wash, he went to the main hall on the first floor of the Lords Mansion.

A simple breakfast was already laid out on the long dining table: wheat porridge, dried meat, and a few crisp pickles.

Steam curled upward, carrying the scent of mortal life.

"Go, call Lin Feng, Lin Yan, Commander Lin Yu, and Lin Yan here; we will talk while we eat."

Lin Tian said to Lin Yin, who was nearby, and pulled out the chair at the head of the table to sit down.

Soon, the core commanders arrived one after another.

Without much pleasantry, everyone took their seats. Amidst the slightly dull sound of chewing, Lin Tian quickly deployed the tasks for today.

"...That is it. That big brute tribe in the south must be dealt with today. Leave fifty thousand people to guard home. Commander Lin Yu, disperse your medical team among the various armies, focusing on the center and rear armies. Lin Yan, have part of your Earth Spirit Guards assist in guarding the city, and the other part... well, follow the rear army, just in case."

He took a sip of porridge and his gaze swept over everyone: "Is that clear? Eat quickly, and we set off once you are done. Except for the fifty thousand brothers staying behind, everyone else, mobilize!"

The order was like a mountain, quickly passed down.

When the morning sun completely leaped over the horizon, apart from the necessary city defense and order-maintaining troops, the sound of earth-shaking assembly horns and orderly footsteps echoed within Lin Tian City once again.

More than four hundred thousand troops, led by their respective commanders, emerged slowly from the towering southern city gate like a waking steel beast.

Last night, all the Dragon-Blood Steeds had been fully distributed.

The more than one hundred thousand veterans who had experienced the bloody battle against the Dragon the day before were given priority for mounts. Their Qi merged with the Dragon-Blood Steeds beneath them, already forming the prototype of man and horse as one.

The remaining nearly one hundred thousand were distributed to the elite among the Heavy Armored Spearmen, forcefully assembling a terrifying force of one hundred thousand heavy armored cavalry!

These knights wore the thickest armor, held elongated lances, and sat upon treasure horses with dragon heads, horse bodies, and wings on their backs.

Just standing in formation, the Aura mixed with the ferocity of the Dragon horses was enough to make any enemy facing them weak in the knees.

The army set off in distinct sequences. The vanguard was personally led by Lin Yin.

She was still dressed in moon-white, riding lightly upon a Dragon-Blood Steed.

She led two thousand Pale Moon Hunters and two thousand Void Ranger; these top-tier Archers and Rangers were also equipped with Dragon-Blood Steeds.

But their mission was not to charge, but to utilize the flying ability and speed of the treasure horses to scout ahead, clear out scattered enemies, and mask the battlefield.

They were like the sharpest antennae and the quietest razors, clearing the path for the main force behind them.

The center army was the absolute main force for the assault. Lin Feng took the lead, riding an exceptionally sturdy Dragon-Blood Steed, with the Earth Spirit Guards and Golden Armored Spearmans behind him.

Behind them were the one hundred thousand heavy armored Dragon cavalry; their hooves striking the ground sounded like muffled thunder, and the dust rolled like a dragon.

The rear army was personally overseen by Lin Tian. He rode his beloved horse, Crimson Flame, which he had just acquired yesterday.

This epic-grade Crimson Flame Dragon Horse was exceptionally magnificent, with four hooves stepping on fire and wings stained with flowing flames, making it as conspicuous as a lighthouse in the army.

Lin Yan led a portion of the Earth Spirit Guards to protect his left and right.

Further back were Lin Yan's mage corps, the remaining Archer legions, and the Holy Spirit Priests and other long-range and support units.

This rear army had the largest number of people and moved slightly slower, but like a vast ocean, it provided endless firepower and endurance support.

The army marched south silently and swiftly.

The Dragon-Blood Steeds had excellent endurance and strong load-bearing capacity; even while carrying fully armed heavy armored cavalry, their marching speed far exceeded that of ordinary warhorses.

In the sky, the vanguard's scouts appeared and disappeared, constantly transmitting intelligence from the front.

The sun climbed higher, approaching noon.

When the Rangers sent back by the vanguard Lin Yin reported that they were less than five kilometers away from the target Minotaur tribe, Lin Tian issued the order for the entire army to pause and rest in place.

The massive army, like a precision machine, was on the plain just one step away from the enemy's lair. They dispersed, stood guard, and ate in an orderly fashion. Apart from the occasional snort of warhorses and the sound of armor rubbing, there was surprisingly little noise.

Soon, Lin Yin rode back from the front line and came straight to Lin Tian, who was surrounded by the generals.

She dismounted nimbly, her movements clean and beautiful.

"Brother Tian!"

She tilted her head slightly, looking at Lin Tian, who was riding on the back of Crimson Flame and was much taller than her.

"Within five miles ahead, all scattered and patrolling Minotaur squads have been cleared. We have suffered no losses. But if we continue to approach, we will surely be detected by their lookout posts or outer perimeter guards."

She was concise, and after speaking, she waited quietly. Her clear eyes held only calm analysis, with no extra emotions.

Lin Tian sat on the back of Crimson Flame, gazing at the faint outline of the smoke rising from the tribe in the south.

Five kilometers is not a short distance for an ordinary army, but for them, with one hundred thousand Dragon cavalry and a large number of flying mounts, it was already within the range of an instantaneous assault.

"We cannot give them time to assemble and set up defenses."

Lin Tian withdrew his gaze, his tone decisive.

"Lin Yin, take all the vanguard cavalry, take to the air immediately, and advance at full speed!"

"Encountering any Minotaur, whether it is a patrol, sentry, or those working outside, clear them all out. You must block any news and strike directly at the periphery of their tribe!"

"Yes!"

Lin Yin did not hesitate, mounted her horse, and made a gesture to the sky.

The four thousand vanguard cavalry waiting in the distance simultaneously urged their Dragon-Blood Steeds, giant wings spread, and took to the air, turning into a cloud of death sweeping across the low altitude, rushing towards the tribe!

"Lin Feng!"

Lin Tian looked at the fierce general beside him who was eager to try.

"I am here!"

"All heavy armored cavalry in the center army, follow the vanguard and charge at low altitude! Target the front of the Minotaur tribe! Lin Yan, lead your men, advance on the ground, support the center army, and stabilize the Breakthrough!"

"Understood!"

"All units in the rear army, increase speed and follow!"

"Once within range, Mages and Archers, no need for orders, fire at will! Focus attacks on their assembled soldiers, tents, and fortifications!"