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"In other words, overall, our army doesn't have much surplus in terms of troops, right?" another female bear clan general asked.

"Exactly. However, that's the result of simply calculating the total combat power. After all, we are the most warlike race in the world. The human strategy of compensating quality with quantity cannot completely reverse this. In terms of unit survival, individual combat capability, and sustained combat power, we have an overwhelming advantage. On the human side, despite their advantages in terrain, equipment, and magical abilities, they lack sufficient reinforcements and depth. Therefore, I believe our army still holds a significant advantage," Kamart replied seriously. "Next, I will discuss the troop situation in the human cities and fortresses we are about to face."

He ordered his subordinates to unfold several large maps and began his briefing.

At the foot of Saint Spirit Mountain, there are two main routes, east and north, with a total of eleven cities and thirty-seven fortresses of various sizes. On the northern route, which is the main attack direction of the beast king, there are seven cities and nineteen fortresses. Apart from those already captured, there are five cities and twelve fortresses remaining. Among the cities, there are three large and two small ones. The two small cities are not on the main route and can be contained with partial forces. However, the three large cities must be taken by force. As for the fortresses, five are large military fortresses that the Holy Temple has been operating for many years, while the remaining seven have been converted from ordinary towns in recent years, mainly serving as logistical hubs.

The two routes leading to Saint Spirit Mountain are different: the eastern route is rugged, while the northern route is broad. Generally, merchants and pilgrims mainly use the northern route to enter and exit Saint Spirit Mountain. The eastern route has many sections sandwiched between cliffs. Although not as treacherous as some famous rugged sections on the continent, it is still unfavorable for large armies to advance. Additionally, the fortresses and cities built by the Holy Temple are located in particularly difficult-to-attack positions, which is why Samantha chose the northern route as the main attack direction.

Humans have also placed their defensive focus on the north. The three large cities here are garrisoned by over a hundred thousand elite troops, supplemented by wartime-mobilized militias, allowing for round-the-clock shifts to defend the cities. A large number of priests, mages, and various magical offensive and defensive equipment can unleash combined magic with several times the power of a single tenth-level spell, fully ensuring that attacking forces pay a heavy price. Even outside the cities, there are numerous armed mountain-dwelling believers scattered throughout the forests, setting countless traps and mechanisms. Even the leopard clan, known for their expertise in jungle warfare, cannot guarantee a silent and undetected crossing to flank the enemy.

However, Samantha did not plan to use any surprise tactics. Before reaching the foot of Saint Spirit Mountain, his strategy was to forge a path through bloodshed.

In the following days, Chen Xuanfeng's troops were integrated into the main army, specifically tasked with blocking and intercepting reinforcements between the cities. With the keen sense of smell and tracking abilities of the giant wolves, not only large human troops but even scouts delivering messages found it difficult to penetrate the beastmen's blockade.

On the frontlines, the combination of human magic and fortress defense tactics proved formidable. The magic cannons, connected to the ley lines and drawing power from Saint Spirit Mountain, almost never ran out of energy. Similarly, the city's defensive magic barriers could operate endlessly. The mages, especially after a group of blood elves joined, became the primary destructive force, significantly boosting the human army's combined magical prowess. They often cast strategic-level powerful spells, resulting in thousands of beastmen casualties daily. Fortunately, the Temple of War had invested heavily this time, sending most of their shamans to participate in the battle. Although their magical attacks were somewhat lacking, their support and healing effects were sufficient to ensure that most beastmen who were not killed on the spot could recover and return to combat.

Beastmen warriors are brave and skilled in battle, and their fighting spirit grows stronger in adversity. Therefore, they did not retreat despite heavy casualties but instead fought more fiercely, with constant calls for battle every day. The sword emperor-level masters among the beastmen also participated in battles, forcing the Holy Temple's experts to flee in chaotic retreat. It wasn't until the "Moonlight Knight" Carol, the "Death Knight" Hades, and the "Hero Sword" owner Xi Luo joined the battle that the situation improved somewhat.

However, what truly broke the strategic balance was the four war Beamon brought by the beastmen this time. These silver giants, standing over ten meters tall, were impervious to weapons, immensely strong, and could leap dozens of meters into the air. Whether killing enemies or breaking through city walls, they were the ultimate war machines. The Holy Temple could have used Crystal Dragons to suppress the Beamon, but with You Lijia, the Crystal Dragon Knight, present, they dared not show themselves. The remaining super magical beasts were the dragons of the four former sacred kingdoms' dragon knights. Unfortunately, these dragons were of lower-tier dragon species. Although they had the advantage of flight, they were still inferior to the four mid-to-high-tier Beamon and could not withstand their frontal assaults, only able to harass and delay. Thus, despite their desperate efforts, they could not change the course of the battle.

Therefore, just over thirty days later, the beastmen had captured two more large cities and eight fortresses. Taking advantage of the high morale of the army, Samantha ordered all his top experts to join the battle. Chen Xuanfeng intercepted three saint-level youths, while other experts suppressed the Holy Temple's top fighters and mages. Samantha himself, wielding the "Cataclysm Demon Axe," personally blasted open the walls of the last city blocking their path. The beastmen army surged in, completely seizing the city within three days.

The gates of Saint Spirit Mountain were finally thrown wide open to the beastmen.

The retreating human armies from various routes fell back to the foot of Saint Spirit Mountain, and even the eastern route's forces fully contracted. Within a few days, over three hundred thousand defeated troops had gathered at the foot of the mountain, with the Holy Temple's elite forces densely layered on the mountain. On the other hand, the beastmen's four armies successfully converged at the mountain's base. Excluding the rear guard, four hundred thousand elite beastmen participated in the encirclement of this human holy mountain.

"It's really strange. What are the guys on Saint Spirit Mountain planning? They neither retreat nor surrender. Do they really think their strength can hold this small mountain?"

Many beastmen generals found themselves baffled by the Holy Temple's current actions. After all, since the war between humans and beastmen began four years ago, it seemed the Holy Temple had no chance of turning the tide. Yet, they still refused to abandon Saint Spirit Mountain and retreat elsewhere, completely adopting a stance of fighting to the death. Could it be that they are truly prepared to martyr themselves?