The time for strategizing was not long. Just over a day later, scouts reported the arrival of the Angel Troops. Ru Shenqi and her friends set out from their camp and dashed for the battlefield. Up on a higher level ridge, the Golden Iron Triangle and Shrek Seven Devils along with Xue Beng, Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong all stood to watch the battle unfold.
"Xiaogang," Liu Erlong began worriedly. "Last time, the Angel Troops gave the Seven Devils a hard time. Xiao Wu had to use the Buddha Fury Tang Lotus in the end to win."
"Mom, don't worry, these Tyrants will give the Angel Troops a run for their money," Xiao Wu began. "Especially Xiao Shen. Her strategies as just as good as Ge's."
"Erlong, I wouldn't let them go out alone if I wasn't sure they'd make an impact. Hu Liena is growing more and more agitated. We need to give her a good scare."
The Shrek Seven Tyrants stopped and looked up at the descending Angel Troops.
From the battlements of the fortress, Hu Liena called out, "Kill those Shrek Seven Tyrants! Win a victory for Spirit Empire!"
Seven spirits released simultaneously. They stood in a line-up of one-four-two. Confusion flickered across everyone else's faces. What? Did the Shrek Seven Tyrants think they were fighting in a Spirit Arena?!
At the very front, Ru Shenqi's cold yet noble gaze never left the group of Seraphim spirits. Behind her, the Triple Beauties and Gu Xingyun used all of their support skills to boost their attacks. In the very back, Fang Youyou released lotus petal after lotus petal, stacking on the amplifications. Ming Yong stood, poised, with his fingers gently resting on his enhanced qin.
Seeing this, even Tang San was unsure of what was going to happen. I hope Xiao Shen has a good plan.
"Angel Troops of Spirit Empire, do you really think you can kill us Shrek Seven Tyrants?" Ru Shenqi scoffed. "I'd like to see you try."
She rose up into the air, and her six friends instantly followed. Now evening out the playing field, she knew Ming Yong, Gu Xingyun, and Fang Youyou only had half an hour before they'd have to use another lotus petal. The rest of them were fine on time, but she wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible. Gu Xingyun used his Demonic Whale skull bone's skill, Sonic Union, to connect the minds of each Tyrant. And under Ru Shenqi's century millennium grade Clear Crystal Armor, they were protected from any outside effects.
Before the Chief Commander could issue any commands to his people, a strange and exotic melody began to play. This melody, of course, was not of this world. It came from a different world, Abyssal Realm, the home of the original God of Music. The spectators looked up to see Ming Yong's fingers dancing across his qin strings.
"With one sound, the world unites. With two sounds, divinity is realized."
This was exactly the Melody and Harmony Domain he had learned from the God of Music. After finally being able to use it on the battlefield, he saw what it could really do. Cutting off any chance of communication between those from Spirit Empire, he nodded in satisfaction while still playing.
"Xiao Shen, it's all you."
"First spirit skill, secondary ability, Clear Crystal Mass Enfeeblement."
Her power spread out, covering the whole Angel Troops. As this area of effect ability struck their nervous systems, each and every one began to feel weakness and fatigue. Gu Xingyun then launched his eighth spirit skill, Royal Heavenly Lion, to freeze them and any of their spirit skills for ten seconds. Knowing time was of the essence, Bai Shanxin used her Emerald Demon Bird skull bone's skill, Emerald Demon Devour, to suck away their aura and spirit power. Soldier after soldier started to fall to the ground. Then, they began to collapse in droves.
To take care of those left, Ru Shenqi said calmly, "Shanxin, Jiaxiang, Suyin."
On their cues, the Triple Beauties got to work. Bai Shanxin unleashed her sixth spirit skill, Swift Winds. After catching the fallen troops and sweeping them upwards into the tornado, Shu Jiaxiang launched her third spirit skill, Shadow Cheetah Fog, doubling the numbing effect on their central nervous system. Completely incapacitated, Liao Suyin smirked.
"Eighth spirit skill, Tarantula World."
A swirling spatial vortex materialized in the sky. With a powerful force, the Angel Troops were pulled in the vortex. When each and every last one of them had been sucked inside, Liao Suyin closed it.
In under five minutes, the Angel Troops had been quickly disposed of by the Shrek Seven Tyrants. Ru Shenqi hadn't used her God powers or divine skills. And none had overexerted themselves. No one could believe it!
A set of deep ocean blue eyes fell on the Golden Generation. With Ming Yong's Divine Domain gone, they could hear the captivating voice say, "If you really want to succeed next time, instead of sacrificing warriors needlessly, fight us yourselves."
Then, the Shrek Seven Tyrants turned and flew back to the camp. The Golden Iron Triangle, Shrek Seven Devils, Xue Beng, Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong all approached them.
Yu Xiaogang nodded, pleased, and said, "Good work, you little monsters. You didn't even give the Angel Troops a chance to attack."
"It was lucky that we knew of their coming," Bai Shanxin admitted.
Gu Xingyun added, "If it had been somewhat like Jialing Pass back then, and we were caught somewhat off-guard, who knows how many lives we would've lost today."
"But we didn't," Ru Shenqi cut in. "And that's good."
Tang San half-agreed, "If we can reduce our losses, that's great. But this is war. We must also accept that some people will die. Yes, we eventually won at Jialing Pass twenty five years ago, but many lives were also lost."
The area fell silent. Finally, Xue Beng cleared his throat and said, "Hopefully, this will give us some time to resupply and strategize. I doubt Hu Liena will act right away after such a crushing defeat. Thanks to you, Shrek Seven Tyrants, we've bought ourselves a few days."
<><><>
Meanwhile, back in Spirit Empire's fortress, the Golden Generation stood alone in the main hall. Xie Yue and Yan both bowed low to Hu Liena. Her eyes were narrowed.
"Those Seven Tyrants are much stronger than we ever thought. We need assassins to take them out."
Xie Yue offered, "I can lead a team of agility attack system spirit masters to sneak in and deal with those youths once and for all."
She nodded. "Then, gather your team. If you fail... then just go back to Spirit City. Don't bother returning to the fortress."
Her older brother gaped at her. But then, he bowed. "Anything you say, Nana."
He turned and left the main hall. Once he had departed, Yan turned towards Hu Liena.
"Nana, why are you being so harsh on your own brother?"
"Spirit Empire has already suffered too many losses since coming to Liuying Gorge. Losing the Angel Troops was my biggest mistake. I won't allow another one to happen."