Three days passed like the wind. Preparations were finished. Training was completed. And the plan of attack was finalized.

Gray fulfilled his plan and smoothly reached the 9th Level of the Spiritual Strengthening Realm. There were no accidents or bottlenecks. Cultivating with elemental gems was smooth and uneventful. He even had enough time to solidify his foundation and was able to spar with all of the captains. He could now easily beat any of them one on one, much to their annoyance. He could even hold his own against two at the same time.

The defenders of Jade Hill Town woke up before dawn and prepared for a bloody battle. Today was the decisive day, the day they would defeat the bandits and save their family and friends that were being held captive.

As the sun barely peeked over the eastern horizon, everyone gathered in the largest open plaza at the center of town. Six hundred militia, ordinary residents conscripted to defend their home, stood together in neat rows of ten. There were elders and youngsters, men and women of all ages. They were clad in brand-new armor and wielded well-crafted weapons and shields. They stood poised ready. They were ready to fight for their town.

Three hundred guards, head guards, and captains stood together in another group. They were heavily armed and radiated a martial aura that sent everyone’s heart pounding and blood pumping.

The six captains in the front row were especially fearsome. They wore iron armor from top to bottom, including a chest plate, greaves, vambraces, and a polished helmet. They were the strongest of the strong, all at the upper stage of the Spiritual Strengthening Realm. They were true experts and they would play key roles in the upcoming battle.

And finally, the three most important people stood apart from the rest, upon a raised platform that overlooked the entire army. Alisha stood in the middle with Anand to her right and Gray to her left.

Alisha's stunning beauty glowed under the morning light, adding even more brilliance to her distinctive armor which contained no bulky metal parts. Instead, it was made completely of yellow-green leather that came from the most powerful jade bison. It was even tougher than iron but light and flexible.

This outfit was perfectly complemented by a flowing cape and a thin sword in a jade encrusted scabbard. She looked dashing and ready for war. She was Lord Reddy. She was their leader and there was no doubt in anyone's mind.

Anand wore a similar battle garb made of bison leather but paired it with a long jade-colored robe and a slender longsword which he held in one hand behind his arm. It gave him a sage-like aura, fitting of the Patel family patriarch and a trusted advisor to the lord.

Gray, on the contrary, looked quite ridiculous. He was the largest man most had ever seen. He carried a flamboyant golden pickaxe on one shoulder but wore only a simple white shirt that was unbuttoned and plain dark shorts. He didn't even wear shoes.

It wasn't really his fault. He had tried on several kinds of armor but found them all cumbersome and restricting. He ultimately decided to forgo them in exchange for flexibility and familiarity. He trusted his Golden Body of the Bodhi more than iron or leather anyway.

He didn’t expect Alisha and Anand to put him on the stage with them but he understood why. Besides them, he was the third strongest. Even the captains, with their decades of battle experience, could no longer beat him. His raw power combined with the spiritual treasure made of precious metal was truly monstrous. He would be relied on as a key contributor to the upcoming battle.

He just wished he had picked a more impressive outfit.

“Attention!” The captains shouted in unison.

The crowd silenced and looked expectantly at Alisha.

She stepped forward and began to speak, her voice clear and piercing, "Thank you, everyone. Thank you for your bravery and determination. Thank you for joining me in this battle, willingly, as citizens of Jade Hill Town. I, Alisha Patel, daughter of Anand Patel and Disha Reddy, Lord of the Jade Plains, thank each of you with all my spirit."

She paused and bowed deeply, showing her genuine feelings to her people.

"Today is the decisive day, the final day. We will rescue our people. We will defeat the Duanmu Clan. We will break their army where they stand. And we will forever bring peace to the Jade Plains for future generations!"

Cheers erupted from the crowd but they were quickly silenced. Everyone had to keep quiet to not alert the bandits.

Alisha continued. “This battle will not be easy. You will all struggle. I will struggle. There will be times when you feel that the task is impossible. You may be facing certain death... In those times, remember that you are not fighting alone. Look to your right and look to your left. These are the people you are fighting for. Then look ahead, at your capable squad leaders and follow them. Squad leaders, in turn, should follow the guards and be emboldened by their bravery. Guards, look to your head guards and find strength from their ferocity. Head guards, seek your captains and know that their will is unbreakable. And finally, my captains… Harsh Patel, Zheng Bai, Yan Wu, Hana Patel, Tanvi Kapoor, Hari Patel!”

“Present!” The captains walked up and kneeled in front of her.

Although they were merely six people, the sheer power they let out at that moment filled everyone’s heart with confidence.

“You six are my unbreakable swords. You are not allowed to retreat. You are not allowed to fail. You are not allowed to die. You are only allowed to hold the line. You are only allowed to win the day!”

“Yes! My lord!”

Alisha drew her sword. The morning sun reflected against the blade. It was like a beacon for them all.

“Jade wind blows in all directions but today, it shall blow behind our backs.” She said solemnly, “We will be victorious!”

Woosh!

The air around the plaza stirred with martial passion as the army of defenders raised their weapons in unison. Silently, they saluted the lord as well as their companions. The time for talking was over, the time for battle had begun.

Head guards and squad leaders gave out rapid orders and the army split orderly into two. Both were of equal strength, with half of the guards and half of the militia. One headed towards the east gate and the other towards the west gate.

Soon, only Alisha, Anand, Gray, and the six captains were left.

“Alright, let’s return to the north wall,” Alisha said.

“Let’s go!”