Chapter 349 - 254: Surprise Attack!

Long Yi glanced at Lin Qi, only to find confusion in Lin Qi’s lone eye as well.

The group leaders saluted each other, with Lin Qi and Cain approaching one another.

"You bastard, how did you once again pop up?" Lin Qi extended his hand.

"Ha ha, unexpected, right? That guy owed me a favor, so I had to fling out my face to be mocked by him for half an hour in exchange," Cain also extended his hand and the two clasped hands firmly.

"Wash your neck and await death," Lin Qi remarked.

"Don’t show off, I’ve already seen through your ace Long Yi, this time it will be you who is waiting for death!" Cain gripped Lin Qi’s hand tightly, and Lin Qi just as stubbornly responded in kind. After squeezing each other’s hands for a few seconds, neither did win. They both let go, with a strange smile hanging on their faces.

"Wesley, don’t these two seem to have an extraordinary relationship?" Long Yi asked.

"Ah? I thought Brother Long, you knew! Vice Captain Cain and Vice Captain Lin Qi, both of them were orphans who wandered in various countries and grew up together. If we talk about emotions, no one is better than these two. However, these two have always competed with each other since childhood. They became Dragon Knights in White Dragon Empire - you know, our emperors of the White Dragon give these talented children the opportunity to become Dragon Knights every year. Cain got a Red Dragon, while Lin Qi got a White Dragon. Consequently, Lin Qi stayed in the White Dragon Empire, while Cain went to the Red Dragon Empire. Both of them climbed from regular soldiers to the position of vice captains!" Wesley said.

"What an inspiring story, but isn’t the First Legion made up of nobles?" Long Yi asked.

"The First Legion is just made up of more members of nobility. Because compared to commoner Dragon Knights, the emperor is more likely to trust those noble families that are closely related to the fate of the country. However, if a person’s achievements are sufficient to make everyone trust him, then whether they are nobles or commoners does not matter," Wesley explained.

"Makes sense!" Long Yi laughed.

Miss Ailin watched the dialogue between Long Yi and Wesley, thinking, "Brother Long, you are also a commoner, yet so many people follow you because they trust you!"

Then, after some ceremonial processes finally ended, the leaders of both sides led their teams to take off.

When the enormous Demon Abyss dragon rose into the sky with a terrifying airflow, all the spectators gave out sighs of admiration. For almost everyone present, it was their first time seeing this otherworldly dragon. Its large size and fierce appearance displayed its strong character.

Dragons, as a species are very realistic, their strength generally corresponds to their size. The larger the size, the stronger they are, this is an almost universally correct standard.

The wife of the Prime Minister, the graceful and noble Fairy Dragon, kept her eyes on the shadow of Bajie in the distance. It wasn’t until she couldn’t see it anymore that she reluctantly sat next to the Prime Minister.

"Dear, who do you think will win?" the Prime Minister suddenly asked, smiling.

"Isn’t it obvious? You have lost," the Fairy Dragon whispered.

"Hey, we’re family, what do you mean by ’you have lost’, whose side are you on?" the Prime Minister smiled.

"Okay, okay. ’We’ have lost!" the Fairy Dragon rolled her eyes at the Prime Minister. "And as for the side I’m on, don’t you already know, my dear Prime Minister?"

[]

"They say it’s a man-made village, but isn’t it a bit too eco-friendly?" Wesley remarked, looking at the tattered straw huts around them that could be toppled by a gust of wind.

"Appreciate it, it will be burned clean soon." Lying under the straw shed, a Red Dragon Empire soldier said. There were ninety-nine other soldiers like him, responsible for building this fake village.

"Brothers, although you are from the Red Dragon Empire, now you are playing the part of our stationed army. If you think like this, we’re going to complain about cheating!" Wesley warned.

"Then just think of us as disobedient soldiers in your army," the soldiers laughed.

"Disobedient soldiers in our army get their heads chopped off, starting with you." Long Yi drew his crystal greatsword and chopped it down at the soldier. The soldier dodged the slow attack and shouted, "Were you really trying to kill me?"

"Are you joking? We’re allies, how could I?" Long Yi shrugged and sheathed his greatsword, before turning around shouting, "Ailin! Wesley! Cook! Mosquito! Follow me!"

"Where are you going?" Lin Qi asked.

"We’re off to ambush them of course! This is war!" Long Yi explained, laughing.

"Ambush? Ridiculous! The battle hasn’t even started!" Lin Qi yelled back.

"No problem, when the shadow of Bajie appears over their village, the battle will begin!" Long Yi replied.

Lin Qi was taken aback. His customary defensive strategy for the White Dragon Empire was interfering here - why couldn’t they take the offensive?

"Attack approved! Don’t be careless!" Lin Qi hollered.

"Yes sir!" they declared.

In the blink of an eye, the four dragons took off.

On the side of the Red Dragon Empire village, Cain was arranging tasks for everyone. The main reason he had the command authority this time was because he was the only commander in the entire Red Dragon Empire to have made contact with Long Yi. Having witnessed how difficult Long Yi is as an enemy, for the sake of preventing the Red Dragon Empire from being completely defeated in this exchange battle, having Cain command was the best choice.

Cain had studied several tactical plans over these several days, but always felt they weren’t quite effective. After all, tactics are not studied, but practiced in real combat.

Just as he was assigning roles for the Dragon Rider teams, he saw four dragons flying in from afar.

It’s coming straight at us?

Is this considered a surprise attack?

Cain couldn’t help but chuckle.

Could it be that this Long Yi, while possessing strong individual combat abilities, is inexperienced in group combat?

"Everyone, take to the sky!"

Cain ordered.

"As per the earlier deployment, group yourselves into teams of five, control one enemy combatant, the remaining ones will maneuver on the perimeter! All ground troops, immediately retreat and seek cover!"

The dragon troops took to the sky following a barrage of commands, forming a pocket-like formation as they quietly awaited the adversary’s approach.

On Long Yi’s side, Bajie began to speed up. The gargantuan Bajie accelerated slowly, but once at full speed, he was not to be trifled with. Moreover, his eighty-meter body length exerted a tremendous pressure that made the Red Dragon Empire’s knights’ hearts race.

"Wesley! Tactical report!!" yelled Long Yi.

"Got it! From their formation, they aim to use zoning defense tactics. Roughly five of them will tail each of us. The remaining free fighters are likely responsible for filling in the gaps. However, they seem to have special formations that provide mutual support."

"What about the weak spots!?"

"The weak spot is on the lower right side. That’s on Nine Mosquito Dragon’s route, where their defensive strength is weakest. Their main defense is completely focused on your direction, Brother Long."

"Chef! How fast can your Hive Dragon deploy beetles?"

"If I exert full force, up to 300 meters per second! But I can only launch ten times."

"Ten times is enough!"

"Ailin, Nine, get ready! We’re going for a surprise attack!"

"Okay!"

Long Yi’s side began their charge, while Cain’s side finalized their preparations to counter the attack. Cain had studied for a while, finding that the Explosive Flame Array initially used against Long Yi was still quite effective. At least the thought process was correct, the key was to limit Long Yi’s maneuvers. Given his singular combat capabilities, with support from the Female Demon, Shadow Dragon, and Bajie, his prowess in a one-on-one duel was unparalleled.

But the situation changes when engaging in group combat. Surely, Long Yi, you can’t abandon your teammates and charge ahead on your own?

Cain decided to start with Long Yi’s comrades and tried to limit Long Yi’s movements through them.

With Long Yi’s group drawing closer and closer, the tension had reached its zenith!

Suddenly, an obese Hive Dragon shuddered beneath the Nine Mosquito Dragon and sent ten beetle-like projectiles flying towards the enemy formation!

"Defense!"

With a loud cry, all the dragon knights employed their Fighting Aura for protection. The enormous beetles exploded before they even made impact, engulfing the area in a thick black smoke. Despite the flurry of beating wings, the dark smog was slow to dissipate.

At the same time, a dark figure darted into the cloud of smoke, followed by two screams of agony.

"It’s the Fairy Dragon! Watch out! Ahh!"

"Miss Ailin, I like you! Please don’t hit my face! Ahh!"

On the other side, the Hive Dragon had already come close. Nine made a sudden move, charging forward and landing on a dragon, using his limbs to climb its back.

"Watch out, there’s another assassin! Damn it, it hurts!"

After bringing down one enemy, Nine leaped high. Mid-jump, nine avatars of Nine Mosquito Dragon suddenly appeared. Nine charged towards the second dragon, stepping on his avatars.

"Brother Long! Now’s the time!"

Wesley yelled.

Bajie roared, batting his wings incessantly, then suddenly folded them, diving straight down.

"Dragon Breath indiscriminate attack! Everyone defends against friendly Dragon Breath!"

With the given command, the sky was filled with intense flames, dispersing the black smog completely.

"Bigmouth! Eat!"

Chef roared: The Giant Swallow Dragon with its massive head immediately opened its jaw, sucking in vast quantities of air along with the intense dragon breath into its alternate dimension of a stomach.

At this moment, Bajie had already broken through the encirclement below! And from his mouth, the Dragon’s Breath was churning!

"Damn! He’s trying to force his way through!"

Only then did Cain realize that his small village was about to fall within Bajie’s Dragon Breath’s range! (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, I welcome you to vote for it at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)