257: Chapter 192: Re-battle at the Beast Academy, Ten Thousand Beasts Stampede with Overwhelming Force

Advancing to the Quarter-finals!

The heat of the Dome Arena, as the schedule progressed, did not diminish but instead grew more intense. Especially after the Hundred Schools Squad consecutively defeated strong enemies with stunning tactics and advanced triumphantly, the label of "dark horse" was no longer enough to describe them. Now, they were recognized as a "strong team" and one of the powerful contenders for the championship.

The quarter-final matchups were announced, once again igniting the entire venue.

【Quarter-final Match, Second Round】

School of Literature and Law · Hundred Schools Squad vs War College · Beast Emperor Branch · Heart of the Wild Squad

Map: 【Ancient Roaring Grassland】 (Giant, an endless grassland with sparse woodlands, dotted with a few hills and rivers, with an ancient Megalithic Altar at the center of the map)

Victory Condition: Standard.

Match Status: Preparation Phase (2-minute countdown)

"Beast Emperor Branch! The faction in the War College that specializes in beasts, giant beasts, and Lycanthrope-type followers!"

"Heart of the Wild Squad! Last year's semi-finalists! Captain Hal, lv215, initial stage of Lesser Divinity, divine domain [Plain of Ten Thousand Beasts]. It's said that their follower composition is extremely complex, ranging from low-tier Raptors and wolf packs to mid-tier Kodo Beasts and Thunder Lizards, and then to high-tier War Mammoths and Behemoth Giant Beasts (sub-species)—they have everything! It's a typical 'Jack-of-all-trades' plus 'Beast Sea' tactic!"

"Ancient Roaring Grassland... it's practically the beasts' home turf! No defenses to hold, just flat plains, perfect for large-scale beast swarm charges!"

"Hundred Schools Squad is in trouble! Although Wang Meng has Behemoths, the opponent might have them too! And likely in greater numbers! Zhao Hao's Dragons might not even have the advantage in open ground against overwhelming flying beasts like Thunderbirds and Wyverns!"

"Let's see how Lin Zhou deals with this pure, savage torrent of power this time!"

In the preparation room, the atmosphere was more solemn than ever. The projected grassland map was endless, with wind blowing through the low grass, carrying a sense of primitive desolation and wildness. The known intelligence on the Heart of the Wild Squad brought even heavier pressure.

Captain Hal, lv215, core followers include but are not limited to: lv25-30 Raptor packs (high speed, swarm), lv28-32 Worg Cavalry (mobility, harassment), lv30-35 Kodo Beasts (heavy load, area buffs), lv32-37 Thunder Lizards (long-range lightning attacks), lv35-40 War Mammoths (heavy armor, formation breaking), and at least two Behemoth Giant Beasts (sub-species, likely with slightly different traits) of lv38 or higher! Additionally, there are Thunderbird flocks of around lv30 and a few Wyverns in the air.

A typical mixed beast tide, covering both ground and air, matching long and short range, in massive numbers, and filled with the most primitive wildness and power.

"This is the true 'Ten Thousand Beasts Galloping'." Zhao Hao looked at the intelligence, his expression somewhat bitter. "My Dragons are strong, but the opponent has many aerial units too, and the lightning from those Thunder Lizards on the ground is a threat to the air. It'll be trouble if we get pinned down."

Wang Meng, however, stared at the data of the opponent's two Behemoth sub-species, his eyes burning with intense Battle Intent: "Behemoths... I've finally encountered my own kind! I wonder how their Behemoths compare to my 'Giant Rock'!" His competitiveness was completely ignited.

Qin Qing's brows furrowed slightly: "Pure chaos and wildness are a challenge to Order and rules. My judgment and purification effects might be diluted in the face of such a massive and mentally frenzied beast tide."

Li Mo was also calculating rapidly: "The core of the beast tide tactic lies in impact and continuous attrition. Individually, they may not be as precise as mechanical units, but their vitality is tenacious and their will is wild; it's hard to crush them with a single area attack. We need more effective crowd control or killing methods."

Everyone's gaze focused on Lin Zhou once again. After several consecutive victories, Lin Zhou's tactical command ability had won the unreserved trust of his teammates.

Lin Zhou's gaze swept back and forth between the map and the intelligence, his brain operating like a high-efficiency tactical computer. Grassland... beast tide... Behemoth... frenzy... Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and a bold and highly targeted plan quickly took shape.

"Everyone," Lin Zhou spoke, his voice steady and powerful, "for this match, our tactical core is no longer a surprise decapitation strike or rule interference, but rather—breaking force with force, matching frenzy with frenzy!"

"What?" Zhao Hao was stunned. "A direct clash? We don't have the numbers!"

"No, not a full-scale clash." Lin Zhou pointed to the Megalithic Altar in the center of the map. "We will concentrate our sharpest 'spear' to gouge a hole in their thickest 'shield' and crush their Aura!"

He looked at Wang Meng with burning eyes: "Wang Meng, for this battle, your Behemoth Legion will no longer be bait or meat shields, but our only and strongest—main attacker!"

Wang Meng's body shook, and an incredible wild joy erupted in his eyes: "Main attacker?! Brother Lin, are you serious?!"

"Absolutely," Lin Zhou said decisively. "Although the opponent's beast tide is numerous, its core pillars must be those few high-tier war beasts, especially those two Behemoth sub-species! As long as we crush them, the morale of the entire beast tide will suffer a fatal blow, and their formation will fall into chaos! And your Behemoths possess an advantage they don't—the frenzy of civilization!"

"The frenzy of... civilization?" Wang Meng was a bit confused.

"Remember your Behemoth hero 'Giant Rock's' talent? [Son of the Earth]: standing on the ground, defense and recovery are greatly enhanced." Lin Zhou explained, "This is your foundation. But I want you to give up part of your defense in this battle and push your power to the limit! Your Behemoths are not wild beasts; they are war giants that have received the influence of civilization (even if only preliminary), understanding discipline and coordination! When they activate [Berserk], the power bonus they gain is incomparable to that of pure beasts, because what they rage with is not just their bodies, but also the will to fight for 'protection' or 'conquest'!"

Lin Zhou's words seemed to carry magic, making Wang Meng's blood boil. "I understand! Brother Lin, however you say to fight, that's how I'll fight!"

"Good!" Lin Zhou began detailed deployment. "The tactic is divided into three steps."

"Step one: Hold fast and wait for the opportunity, dampening their spirit." He pointed to a gentle slope on the map backed by a small river where their divine domain core projection might appear. "We will establish our first line of defense relying on the riverbank. Li Mo, your Goblin Engineers and Tiangong Dwarves will work together to urgently construct multiple [Simple Abatis], [Pitfalls], and [Firebreaks] (grasslands are flammable) in front of and on the flanks of the defense line using carried Materials and local timber. Qin Qing, your Judgment Angels and Elf Priest Corps will provide continuous [Light of Purification] (to dispel possible negative mental effects like fear or frenzy) and [Light of Enlightenment] (to stabilize our morale) above and behind the defense line. Zhao Hao, your Dragons should not take off for now; hide behind the hills at the rear of the defense line to avoid being entangled too early by the opponent's aerial units. Wang Meng, your Behemoth and Troll troops will serve as the backbone of the defense line, but exercise restraint; do not charge too early, and first use the fortifications to wear down the opponent's first wave of impact."

"Step two: Seize the moment and launch a Berserk strike." Lin Zhou's gaze was sharp. "When the main force of the opponent's beast tide, especially those high-tier war beasts, is delayed by our defense line and falls into a stalemate, or becomes impatient due to a failed assault, that will be our moment to counterattack. Wang Meng, at that time, I will give you the signal. You and all your Behemoths will simultaneously activate limit [Berserk]! Your only target—those two Behemoth sub-species and the War Mammoths around them! I want you to be like a red-hot blade, stabbing ruthlessly into the opponent's hardest heart!"

Wang Meng nodded vigorously, his fists cracking as he clenched them.

"Step three: Linked strangulation, expanding the results." Lin Zhou looked around at everyone. "When Wang Meng's Behemoths are locked in combat with the enemy's giant beast cluster, Zhao Hao, all your Dragons take to the skies! Your targets aren't the giant beasts—to avoid friendly fire—but to clear out the enemy's low-to-mid-tier beast swarms, especially the long-range Thunder Lizards and the Thunderbirds and Wyverns in the air! Clear out the fodder to stop them from interfering with the Behemoth Legion. Qin Qing, your Judgment Angels will focus on 'judging' any Shaman or commander units the enemy might have, and be ready at any time to use the [Chains of Order] to help control any particularly troublesome giant beast. Li Mo, your mechanical units will provide limited long-range fire support and battlefield medical aid from behind the defensive line."

He concluded, "The key to this battle lies in 'timing' and the decisiveness of a 'one-hit kill.' Wang Meng's Berserk Behemoths are our trump card, but the Berserk state comes at a price—decreased defense—so it must be used where it counts most, and it must succeed in one strike! Otherwise, if we get bogged down in a war of attrition, we will surely lose."

"Understood!" everyone responded in unison, their eyes burning with Battle Intent. Wang Meng, in particular, felt as if his entire body's blood was on fire.

The countdown ended.

Their consciousness descended upon the [Ancient Roaring Grassland].

The pungent scent of green grass and the earthy smell of soil rushed at them. The vast grassland stretched to the horizon; as the wind blew, waves of grass rose and fell like a green ocean. Lin Zhou's divine domain core projected onto a gentle slope beside a winding stream. The water wasn't deep, but it could provide some flank protection.

Almost the moment they descended, a thunderous boom and the roars of countless beasts echoed from the far end of the horizon. The ground began to vibrate slightly.

"Enemy units detected! Dead ahead! Quantity... massive! Unable to get an accurate count!" Li Mo's scout swarm—partially disguised as grassland insects—sent back information that made their skin crawl.

On the horizon, dust first rose to blot out the sun, followed by a black 'tide' surging forth! It was countless running Raptors, Worgs, and boar-like Tuskbeasts... they merged into an unstoppable torrent, surging toward the defensive line on the slope! Hovering above the torrent were large flocks of screeching Thunderbirds and Wyverns flapping their leathery wings.

In the middle and rear of the torrent, several exceptionally massive figures slowly appeared. There were War Mammoths like moving hills, draped in crude bone plates and metal sheets, their trunks waving and tusks ferocious; Thunder Lizards with skin flickering with electrical sparks, walking with heavy steps; and... two Behemoth Giant Beasts (Subspecies) over fifteen meters tall, covered in coarse dark-red fur, with exposed tusks and eyes burning with a desire for pure destruction! Their Aura was violent and chaotic, completely different from the steady sense of the earth carried by Wang Meng's Behemoths.

"Prepare to engage!" Lin Zhou shouted in a low voice.

The defensive line instantly entered a combat state. Tiangong Dwarves and Mechanical Goblins frantically reinforced the final fortifications. Literary Heart Elves and Law Fishmen moved into their designated positions. Qin Qing's Judgment Angels spread their wings of light as Holy Light began to permeate the air. Wang Meng's Behemoths let out low growls; Giant Rock stood at the very front, his golden fur shimmering in the sunlight, his eyes locked onto his two red kin in the distance, full of provocation.

Rumble!

The vanguard of the beast tide slammed hard into the fortifications in front of the defensive line! Simple chevaux-de-frise were snapped, Pitfalls swallowed several unlucky Raptors, and fire breaks temporarily stopped some of the beasts. But even more beasts surged from the flanks and through gaps in the flames, crashing into the waiting Trolls, Ogres, and the Dwarven shield wall!

The slaughter instantly reached a fever pitch! The roars of beasts, the clashing of weapons, and the shrieks of magic resounded across the grassland.

The Thunder Lizards stopped in the distance, the bone plates on their backs opening as thick chains of lightning shot toward the defensive line, exploding in the crowd and causing casualties. Thunderbirds and Wyverns began to dive, spitting lightning orbs or acid.

Qin Qing's Judgment Angels took to the air to intercept, their [Light of Purification] dispelling negative effects while Holy Light blades cut down Wyverns. The Elf Priest Corps chanted in unison, their [Subtle Influence] turning into an invisible mental barrier that weakened the frenzied will of the beast tide and provided a morale boost for their allies.

The defensive line was teetering, but relying on fortifications, terrain, and organized resistance, they miraculously held against the first and most ferocious wave of the beast tide! Carcasses of beasts piled up before the line, yet the beasts behind continued to surge forward, unafraid of death.

Minutes and seconds passed. The impact of the beast tide seemed endless, and the pressure on the defensive line grew heavier. Wang Meng watched his Trolls constantly falling and saw wounds appearing on his Behemoths; his heart burned with anxiety. Several times he wanted to charge out, but he was sternly stopped by Lin Zhou's mental commands.

"Hold steady! Wang Meng! It's not time yet!" Lin Zhou's voice rang in his consciousness. "They are wearing us down and testing us. Those few giant beasts haven't moved yet!"

Sure enough, the two red Behemoths and the War Mammoths remained behind the beast tide, coldly watching the battlefield, only occasionally letting out a roar of urging.

Finally, when a large gap appeared in the defensive line and a group of Kodo Beasts shielded a large number of beasts trying to pour in, those giant beasts moved!

The two red Behemoths let out earth-shaking roars, dropped to all fours, and began to accelerate! The War Mammoths also stepped forward, advancing like moving city walls! The lightning from the Thunder Lizards became even more dense!

"Now!" Lin Zhou's eyes flashed with sharp light. "Wang Meng! Berserk! Target—the red Behemoths!"

"ROAR!!!!!!!"

Wang Meng, who had long reached his limit of patience, and all the Behemoths under his command, let out an earth-shattering roar simultaneously! A fierce Aura, far more violent than the enemy's yet faintly carrying a certain determined will, soared into the sky from the center of the defensive line!

[Behemoth Legion · Limit Berserk] activated!

[Effects]:

Strength: Temporarily increased by 50%! (Giant Rock's Strength went from 65 to 97.5, nearly reaching triple digits! Other Behemoths' Strength went from 55-60 to 82.5-90!)

Attack Speed: Increased by 30%.

Pain Perception: Greatly decreased.

Defense: Decreased by 30%. (Giant Rock's Physique went from 70 to 49; other Behemoths' Physique went from 60-65 to 42-45.5.)

Rationality: Partially decreased, but basic tactical awareness and obedience to the commander's Orders are maintained.

Duration: Until the end of battle or until Divine Power can no longer be sustained.

"Giant Rock! Charge! Crush them!" Wang Meng's Divine Thought was like a war drum, beating in the heart of every Behemoth!

The golden Behemoth Giant Beast, "Giant Rock," like a burning golden god of war, was the first to charge out of the defensive line! He ignored the fodder, his gaze locked onto the red Behemoth charging at the very front; his limbs clawed the earth, and his speed under the Berserk buff was incredibly fast, every step causing the ground to crack!

Behind him, fourteen Behemoths also in Berserk mode followed like fourteen out-of-control heavy tanks, carrying an indomitable Aura as they slammed hard into the core of the beast tide—those high-tier war beasts!

"What?!" Captain Hal's shocked voice rang out in the simulated battlefield. He hadn't expected the opponent to abandon their stable defensive line and take the initiative to launch a counter-charge with Behemoths, and with such a terrifying Aura!

The golden and red torrents collided violently in the center of the battlefield!

Giant Rock and that red Behemoth slammed into each other! The pure physical collision produced a dull, thunderous boom! The shockwave sent surrounding beasts flying! Giant Rock held the absolute advantage in strength (97.5 vs. the enemy's estimated 75), knocking the opponent back a step, and immediately followed up with a giant palm that hissed through the air, slamming hard onto the opponent's skull!

Crack! The sound of bone fracturing rang out! The red Behemoth let out a miserable howl as its eye socket burst and blood flowed!

The other Behemoths also found their targets among the War Mammoths and the other red Behemoth. Their Berserk strength allowed them to hold their own even when wrestling with the larger Mammoths, even managing to force them back! The battle instantly entered the most primitive and bloody stage of giant beast combat!

At the same time, Zhao Hao's four Dragons soared from behind the hills, their Dragon Breath acting like the Grim Reaper's scythe, beginning to sweep the low-to-mid-tier beast swarms, especially the long-range Thunder Lizards and aerial units. Qin Qing's Judgment Angels also concentrated their power, beginning to 'judge' the Shaman-like units faintly visible within the beast swarm who were casting spells.

Li Mo's mechanical ballistae and Dwarven crossbowmen also fired with all their might, suppressing the beast swarms trying to surround the Behemoth Legion.

Wang Meng's Behemoth Legion, like red-hot iron nails, wedged deep into the hardest core of the beast tide and began to churn and destroy!

Seeing their strongest giant beasts suppressed, the beast tide's offensive visibly faltered, and that indomitable savage Aura began to show cracks.

The chance for victory had appeared!