Ten days later. The Orcs have already breached the eighth room. The past few days had been hell on Earth for them as the Orcs attacked relentlessly.

They have done all they could, carving out a desperate path to survival via tooth and nail. It was only through the Bagua array that made it possible for them to continue their struggle. The threat of death had been enough to drill the formation deep into the head of anyone who was unfamiliar with it before.

During these time, there were three critical junctions where the Orcs threatened to overwhelm them, and each time, they somehow overturned the situation using the Starfire array. A secret formation that Kairos had wisely chosen to share with them previously. It could be said that he has given up one of his trump cards to save their lives.

The respect he earned from them were remarkable, simply because he had not made this decision when they faced life and death, but freely given it to them the moment the Orc’s threat loomed in the horizon.

Not only so, but because of Kairos’s combat enlightenment, the Snowdrifts had vastly improved, and they become the pillar that resolutely defends them against the overwhelming number of Orcs.

Most of them pushed into F ranks, and even those with higher cultivation benefitted much; Jim and Edward managed to attain Entry E while Tommy and Alan have both reached Mid E rank, and Kairos himself who was originally at Entry E have vastly improved achieving Peak E rank.

Of course, at the same time, the Orcs have also grown a whole lot stronger than before because of their King.

The previous three days of rest that the Orcs took already managed to upgrade their serfs into peons, one can imagine how much improvement this ten days of fierce combat have pushed forward the War Beasts.

For a warrior race that strengthens itself from combat, it is no surprise that even a few C rank magical beasts have appeared.

These beasts are the infamous Orc Knights that formed the bulk of the Orc armies in ages past. It is only after the downfall of their species that they become seldom seen in recent times.

.....

A few days ago, when Jones heard that the red team were sieged by the Orcs and retreated into the hill, he had become indecisive about wanting to help.

As a person who came from the poorer group among the commoners, how wouldn’t he know what it feels like to be living in danger day after day from the threat of monsters?

And how often did each friend and family wish for help from the nobles whenever they were attacked by bandits or monster?

After the previous battle with Kairos, he felt that some feelings within himself been cleared up. However, the confusion he faced in his Dao Heart is not something easy to dismiss, and the more he struggled with it, the harder it was for him to circulate his cultivation. In other words, he had reached a point where he could no longer use his Ki as he wished.

It took an entire week for Jones to finally untie that knot within his heart, but he has decided to put down his façade. For Kairos who have never stopped seeing him as a brother, he will not forsake the relationship. Whatever was the cause that killed his father, he will personally ask Kairos’ dad.

“It took me a while to realise this. I’m sorry. I’m coming now, please don’t die” Jones thought to himself as he rushed over from the other side of the training ground.

.....

Even at this moment, everyone stood trembling while facing down a new group of fresh and angry Orc army.

Their fierce combat for the last few days has broken many of their weapons, especially those with lower grade equipment. Most were reduced to fighting barehanded, the five leaders of Snowdrifts were, of course, included, but even so, they did not give up.

Forcing themselves to endeavour a little longer, and for those who still have weapons, swinging them with dead arms; the young students are fighting at their last legs. Or perhaps, for many of them, already well beyond that.

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The only things keeping them alive are their friends next to them.

They already had their backs against the wall. Behind them, the ninth is a resting area and the tenth and last room, which is the flagpole room, is not ideal for combat.

Every barricade within the Hill base is now broken as a testimony of how fierce the battles had been for the past days, and the eighth room where they are has now become an open area for full combat. Fortunately, because the rooms are rather small and thanks to the contraptions within, they were so far able to prevent being massacred, however, the Orcs have been continuously switching out tired fighters with fresh ones and forced the red team to battle despite their tiredness.

The non-stop fighting caused them to tremble and shake with fatigue, gasping for air even from the slightest actions. Without exception, they had all sustained severe wounds, but still, they were the lucky ones.

Their group had already used everything they could to survive, but eleven students lay dead from the harshness of the battle; their deaths happened in an instant, and their friends helplessly watch them die. Each time because of a moment of exhaustion, delay or hesitation, as one of their own got separated from the Bagua formation. This separation from the group proved fatal, time and again.

The ones alive knows that their strength already waned long ago, yet with Kairos’ yelling encouragements everyone found something deep within them that helped them to press on.

This is their final bastion. They have to hold the Orcs here, or there wouldn’t be a tomorrow for them.

“Just a little longer!” their leader called out.

"If we die, we shall die, fighting!" Sasha called out with valiantly; her voice carried a tone of pride. It is no surprise the others took her for a guy for she is simply shining with how lion-hearted and dignified she is.

"YEAH! What she said!" Long, John and Silvers yelled out when they heard her. These four had become fast friends after they joined the Snowdrifts.

"Hahaha! Let's not be outdone by our new members, right guys?" Kairos laughed wildly with abandon.

"RAH!" The captains shouted with vigour and a dauntless spirit. Even Edward who is usually more reserved is now burning brightly with resolve in his eyes.

Unfortunately, despite all their shouting, they all know that there are no reinforcements are actually coming.

Yet, a fire that cannot be extinguished burns within their hearts, that no matter how bad the situation is, they will die standing upright and not roll over.

Desperate for another way out, Kairos attempted communication once more. He guessed that, similar to sound waves, the Orcs communicate by sending magic into the air. Unfortunately, he quickly realised that he did not know the way to use mana. Even the existence of this mysterious energy within him is unclear.

Besides, knowing the way Orcs communicate doesn’t mean he would be able to understand their language immediately. Therefore, he gave up almost immediately.

At this critical junction, a lone figure walked into the 8th room with relaxed ease as if he is just strolling in a park.

The Orcs that tried to attack him mysteriously disappeared into thin air.

This one-man-army, their reinforcement, is none other than Indie Annie Jones.

As he strolled in, the scalps of the Orcs nearby started to feel numb from the powerful aura of death emitted from the young boy.

They twisted and turned, trying to move back away from him, feeling how death is creeping up on them and knowing, instinctively, that should they be a moment late they would become lifeless remains on the ground.

But as they tried to move, they realised that nothing happened.

Their bodies are numb, and they couldn’t walk a single step away from him. Then realisation struck them. All of them are but bodiless heads on the ground. In fact, they did not even feel any pain as their heads were removed.

There wasn’t a fraction of a second for them to react and they are already defeated, such was the speed of Jones’ sword.

Over fifty bodies were littered around him as he continued to walk forward at the same pace. His poise is light-hearted as if not even noticing the purple blood all around him.

Many of the slain Orcs are even Peak D rank Orc War Chiefs, yet none of them could react before their deaths.

When he entered the room, those from the red team couldn't help but let out a breath of relief.

With this outraging scene playing out in front of them, everyone had stopped moving to look at him.

He walked across a pile of corpses while looking like it was the most normal thing in the world, yet unlike the serenity in his actions, his killing intent flowed out unreservedly from him.

The sight of him sent a chill down the spines of everyone who saw.

After his battle with Kairos when he was struck by that unreasonable unnamed secret art by his friend, a type of sword enlightenment entered him.

In that inspired moment not only that he learned a little bit of the essences of Kairos’ secret art, but he also sensed an unidentifiable energy from the attack; Soul Force.

From the knowledge of that energy, he has made another breakthrough.

With this staggering amount of talent, it was no wonder that the immortal old man was interested in Jones as well.

Among the Orcs, the greatest warrior, an Orc Knight at the rank of Entry C walked out from their midst and stepped in front of Jones. In its mind, the young boy is just another human child, and all humans are cunning preys.

It had seen how dishonourable and cold-blooded mankind acted, and believed it is better to slay the child before he grows up into another vicious, malicious, adult.

It bellowed loudly trying to draw the attention of all to it, already believing in its victory.

This call for attention is an ancient battle tradition among the Orcs when they challenge an opponent to a duel for honour.

Should it win, its deeds will be recognised by all the Orcs bearing witness and its position within the clans shall become even higher than before.

After how Jones had defeated a large number of Orcs, the boy has already become a valuable tool for glory.

Jones replied this challenge with a gentle smile on his face, accepting the fight

When he approached the Orc Knight, the heavy metal club it held wavered and completely disappeared from sight. It has swung its weapon downwards at Jones so quickly that almost no one could see it.

*Sciiiiiiing*

The boy was unharmed, and the Orc Knight looked around confusedly.

Its iron club that is made from extremely dense iron extracted deep within the metal mines is now in pieces.

Somehow, its arm is also in pieces, and it found itself no longer standing in front of the boy but kneeling before him as if it is bowing down to someone superior.

In a flash, Jones has cut off its arm and severed the tendons of both its legs with his invisible blade Ki hovering around him.

The entire cast of students gasped. They had clashed a few times with the Orc Knights, and each time with disastrous results. If not for the Orc highly valuing their honour and refusing to fight those they deem beneath their strength, the red team would probably have fallen by now.

They only saw how easy Jones moved among the Orcs, but no one knew his travel had made him completely exhausted. He had rushed over from the West Hill to the East at breakneck speed, shortening the three days’ journey to two.

Yet instead of resting, he forcefully cut through the Orc army into the Hill base and broke through seven rooms to reach them.

Right now, he was far from his best, but there is one thing Jones know that he can do very well. Looking great!