The blast that followed the clash rattled my arm and pushed me back several steps. However, it was also partially split in two, and despite everything around me exploding, I emerged unharmed with my arm intact.

Did I misinterpret that? Blue Flaming Divine Snakes were a rare type of monstrous beast notorious for their attack powers.

I had been prepared to sacrifice an arm, so this power seemed lackluster compared to my expectations. Nonetheless, I didn't let it bother me or dwell on it too much. Instead of doubting what I had sensed, I questioned why I perceived the attack as much stronger than it actually was.

Despite my doubts, I didn't question my senses for a second. The more likely scenario was that whatever monstrous beast this was, it could somehow inflate its Qi or manipulate it to deceive my senses.

Someone like that was dangerous. Not as dangerous as a real Blue Flaming Divine Snake, but still a significant threat.

As the dust settled, a crater marked the spot where my attack had clashed with the blast. In the distance, the flaming snake stared directly at me, and I couldn't help but smile a bit. If someone could conceal their Qi so effectively, I doubted their instinctual abilities could be effective against other creatures. So, whatever it was, that flaming snake was likely the culprit.

Monstrous beasts with illusionary abilities often lacked physical power. Just like animals evolved, monstrous beasts followed a similar pattern. After all, small, weak-looking animals with bright colors often possessed venom. Similarly, monstrous beasts developed unique abilities through evolution to compensate for their deficiencies.

Allowing such a monstrous beast to get close was not advisable; it could use its illusionary powers to evade our guards and even breach the gates. That was a conclusion I could draw simply by pondering these powers; I shuddered to think what else it might have come up with given enough time.

Moreover, I wanted to test and learn some things!

There was no point in running now; there was nowhere to escape. Instead of hiding behind those walls, it would be better to at least gain something from this ordeal.

Without worrying about someone else covering for me, I could try Falling Moon Claw without restraint.

It was undoubtedly a dangerous and perhaps even reckless decision. But in times of war, what wasn't risky? I preferred to deepen my understanding of my techniques rather than cowering behind walls.

Moreover, I preferred it this way. I didn't necessarily enjoy the bloodshed or killing, even if my victims were monstrous beasts. But there was so much to be learned from battling living beings, especially when monstrous beasts came in various shapes and sizes and possessed different abilities. While humans excelled in martial arts, though lacking in that aspect, monstrous beasts held the advantage of bloodline powers.

It didn't take long to approach their army. Their charge was intimidating; it almost tempted me to flee. There were so many of them that some might not have noticed my presence. Yet, most did, and that posed more than enough danger to my life.

"This sense of danger, the rush of adrenaline. It heightens my senses like nothing else; there's no replicating this in training," I observed, noting some interesting points, especially about facing such an army.

However, before I could begin testing other things, my priority was to eliminate the monster capable of creating illusions.

Crouching down, I gathered Qi into my dagger again, feeling an imaginary weight settle on my weapon as I shifted it into a reverse grip. Then, with all the power I could muster, I swung, unleashing an invisible flying slash toward the monsters.

"Falling Moon Claw!"

Those targeted by the flying slash hesitated, and since the slash's range and speed were reduced due to my charging it, some managed to evade. Yet, not everything was in their favor because my primary target, the flaming snake, had little space to dodge amidst the crowded army.

The snake-like monstrous beast met an anticlimactic end as its head was severed, along with many other monsters nearby. Despite its apparent demise, I remained highly alert, searching for any signs of illusionary trickery. Before its head hit the ground, the snake transformed into a gray serpent with misty eyes and swirling scales.

"Disappointing. I was prepared to navigate endless mazes of illusions," I grumbled slightly.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Illusionary ability monsters were exceptionally rare, and there was a good chance I would never encounter another, even if I actively sought them out.

Make no mistake, I was relieved it met its end this way; otherwise, my life would have been in grave danger. I wouldn't have had the luxury of solving illusory puzzles while facing an army of monstrous beasts charging at me.

Still, it was disappointing that it didn't live up to its potential. The ability to mask one's Qi could easily become a deadly advantage. However, that wasn't solely why I found it intriguing.

Despite dispatching dozens of monsters with that single slashing attack, the army's numbers remained largely unaffected. Moreover, some monsters, only injured by the attack, were still targeting me.

I leaped backward, wielding my daggers to unleash rapid slashes into the air, sending multiple flying toward the monsters. However, despite their quantity and speed these slashes lacked the critical power. At most, they severed limbs or struck monsters by chance but rarely delivered lethal blows.

While this attack wasn't particularly effective in battle, it was satisfying to employ it in such a manner.

With my Qi reserves dwindling, I had to retreat as the monstrous beasts began launching their own long-range attacks. Some airborne monsters noticed me and swooped down, but they were too sluggish to catch me.

Fortunately, none of the monsters seemed strong or inclined to pursue me directly. There may have been faster ones among them. Still, faster monstrous beasts typically had lower durability and lingered at the rear of the group. In comparison, the slower but sturdier ones occupied the frontline.

Scaling the marble walls with a single leap, I breathed a sigh of relief. The soldiers gazed at me wide-eyed, and even the higher-ups appeared surprised. However, the old governor merely smiled and nodded as if he had anticipated this outcome.

There wasn't much left for me to do at this point. I sat down on the rough stone floor of the wall and used some spirit stones to replenish my Qi.

"Everyone, fall into formation!" the governor bellowed, issuing his orders. "I will activate the array! Ensure you perform to the best of your abilities today, or we will meet brutal and gruesome ends!"

It was quite the motivational speech, though I couldn't help but wonder if it was wise to instill fear in the fighters so early on.

The governor solemnly tore a card in half, his gaze fixed on the approaching monstrous beasts.

A moment before the beasts could breach the walls, a yellowish barrier manifested into a large, half-spherical dome around the town. The first monster to make contact with the barrier received a shocking and chilling surprise, promptly electrocuted and frozen alive.

Witnessing this, some of the other monsters hesitated. Still, they were pushed forward by those behind them, unaware of what had transpired.

"Their initial organization suggests an intelligent design, but the monsters themselves lack the adaptability of human intelligence in certain battlefield situations," I remarked. "And don't forget to utilize the notes I provided. They can prove quite useful."

Taking command of the defense, the governor employed palm techniques, unleashing crimson red Qi akin to grenades amidst the monsters. Meanwhile, the leaders of the two clans utilized artifacts to imbue their Qi into attacks capable of harming the beasts.

The Hong Clan wielded a golden talisman inscribed with red ink, channeling the clan leader's Qi into a drill-like form. Conversely, the Lu Clan leader wore a gauntlet emitting constant shockwaves, destabilizing the monsters.

I couldn't help but wonder where such a powerful artifact had been considering our earlier encounter with the beasts. Perhaps it was a family heirloom seldom brought out of the clan treasury.

Even the soldier cultivators weren't idle; they hurled metallic spears coated with a strange green liquid. While the spears didn't inflict significant damage, the poison they carried weakened and killed the monsters.

A few of the governor's regular guards were actively reading my notes aloud and pointing out weaknesses in the monsters. Then, I realized how seamlessly they operated together, like a well-oiled machine engineered to exterminate monstrous threats.

Having replenished some of my Qi, I approached the governor. "Where would my skills be most beneficial?"

He turned towards me, gesturing toward the monsters. "It would be best if you positioned yourself between us and the soldiers. While engaging in combat, your ability to identify the monsters' weaknesses would be invaluable."

Standing just above the gate, I nodded, observing the diminishing wave of monsters gradually forming into a mountain of monstrous beast corpses.

"This barrier is holding up surprisingly well," I remarked to the governor.

He winced slightly. "Trust me, it's not as sturdy as it appears. If we don't end this soon, we're in deep shit."

Understanding enough about barriers, I discerned from his expression that while the barrier was strong, it likely had a limited duration.

Despite being armed with this knowledge, there was little I could do to manage the situation.

However, as the piles of monsters grew, it wasn't our side that was losing morale. Instead, some of the monsters in the rear began to retreat, and soon an astonishing sight unfolded before us.

"They're retreating?" the Hong Clan Leader questioned, echoing the confusion the rest of us shared, albeit with a sense of relief.

This retreat essentially confirmed that the monstrous beasts were being led by someone strategic. Not just one individual, but likely someone close by with lieutenant monsters to command the horde effectively without revealing themselves.

This realization was quite enlightening. Despite the absence of the masterminds, several revelations emerged.

Firstly, there was a finite number of monstrous beasts. While obvious, today's events demonstrated their limit in willingness to sacrifice in battle.

Secondly, the leader of these beasts was undoubtedly not human. Otherwise, someone with even a basic understanding of barriers would know that apparent strength didn't equate to longevity. Arrays and barriers had their own balancing mechanisms.

Yet, what intrigued me more was the leader's display of human rationality. Whereas disorganized beasts would have continued to attack relentlessly, a rational being chose to withdraw and preserve the remaining forces.

Good… I could use this…