The Youming Dynasty could deploy more than just this portion of their army; other units would rendezvous with them en route, bringing the total force to a staggering five hundred million.
Gerdwin Neil felt that such a massive army was unnecessary, but he dispatched it anyway to showcase the full might of the Youming Dynasty.
Marshal Abbott was ecstatic. Commanding five hundred million troops was an exceedingly rare honor, and he would become the highest-ranking marshal in Youming Dynasty history.
As the Youming Dynasty's foremost marshal, Abbott possessed top-tier strength and command capabilities. However, leading such an immense force presented a formidable challenge.
Abbott, being exceptionally shrewd, divided the five hundred million soldiers among ten great generals, each commanding fifty million troops. Under each great general, numerous officers were assigned to lead one million soldiers each.
These five hundred million soldiers were transported to the front lines via countless airships.
Some troops were also sent through the Youming Dynasty's teleportation arrays. The Youming Dynasty had prepared thoroughly for this conflict, stocking a vast number of large airships.
They had also constructed numerous large-scale teleportation formations, each capable of transporting one hundred thousand troops at a time. However, due to the sheer number of soldiers and the immense material consumption, they could only teleport one hundred million individuals to the front lines.
Abbott was ready to make his move, while Zhou Yan's forces had already commenced their offensive the moment they emerged.
Zhou Yan's territory proved unstoppable, breaching the defensive formations of all cities beneath it upon its appearance and annihilating countless troops.
After Zhou Yan's forces had eliminated most of the armies in these cities, soldiers from Zhou Yan's territory began to mobilize.
Bai Qi, Wu Qi, Chen Qingzhi, Yue Fei, Xue Rengui, Han Xin, Wang Jian, and others had already led their troops in a proactive assault on these cities.
Witnessing this, Ye Bufan exclaimed, "The power of your defensive towers is simply too immense. You've only deployed less than half of them. If they were all activated, even true gods would likely perish before your territory."
"I haven't had the chance to test them against a true god. If you know any, perhaps you could invite them to experience their might," Zhou Yan replied.
Ye Bufan: (˘•w•˘)
Ye Bufan mounted his steed and began observing the battle in a particular city, with Zhou Yan watching from above. Ye Bufan witnessed firsthand the formidable combat prowess of Zhou Yan's soldiers, their strength utterly overwhelming, capable of sweeping aside all opposition.
"Your soldiers are all around the seventy-seventh heaven in terms of cultivation, and with such numbers, how is this possible? How much resource must your territory consume for this?"
Ye Bufan then realized a critical point: the cultivation levels of Zhou Yan's soldiers were exceptionally high, most around the seventy-seventh heaven.
With hundreds of millions of soldiers, each at or above the seventy-seventh heaven, and many even reaching the eighty-seventh heaven, the combat power displayed by the heroes was akin to that of demigods.
Crucially, the weapons wielded by these heroes were, at the very least, top-grade spiritual artifacts, with many being sacred artifacts, and some even pseudo-divine artifacts.
Ye Bufan was at a loss for words. Such a powerful army, even without the aid of the territory's defensive towers, could likely conquer anything.
Moreover, Zhou Yan's territory still possessed a vast number of soldiers; those deployed for this campaign were merely a fraction of the total.
"It's just a matter of resources. I'm not short on them. It's sufficient to cultivate them all to the peak of the demigod realm," Zhou Yan answered.
"Hundreds of millions of soldiers, all cultivated to the peak demigod realm? Are you sure you're not mistaken?" Ye Bufan looked at Zhou Yan speechlessly.
"No, no, no, not hundreds of millions, but billions," Zhou Yan emphasized.
Ye Bufan: [●´Å｀●]
Ye Bufan's perspective was indeed limited.
His territory's soldiers numbered less than five hundred thousand. Compared to Zhou Yan's hundreds of millions, it was like the difference between a newborn infant and an adult.
The more Ye Bufan observed, the more astonished he became. The diverse troop types within Zhou Yan's territory filled him with envy.
There were so many varieties of soldiers, each with exceptional abilities, and every single soldier possessed remarkable strength, making Ye Bufan extremely envious.
A single city was conquered in less than half an hour.
At this moment, Zhao Yun flew towards Zhou Yan, accompanied by several strangers.
"My Lord, these are people from the Youming Dynasty. They assisted us during the city's conquest, and they wish to meet you," Zhao Yun informed Zhou Yan.
Ye Bufan blinked in surprise. Were these people considered traitors to the Youming Dynasty?
They were actually helping an invading force attack their own country.
Zhou Yan turned his gaze towards them. "What is your business?"
"Esteemed Lord Zhou Yan, we are the rebel army of this city. We have been awaiting your arrival. The rule of the Youming Dynasty is unpopular, and we have long desired to rebel."
"Upon hearing that you intended to confront the Youming Dynasty, our rebel forces across the nation began waiting for your arrival. Now that you are finally here, we hope to join you in overthrowing the Youming Dynasty's rule."
The leader of the rebel army explained the situation to Zhou Yan.
Ye Bufan was speechless. Such a turn of events was truly astounding. It seemed Heaven itself was aiding Zhou Yan, potentially hastening the war's conclusion.
Zhou Yan looked at them and stated, "I have no intention of assisting you. My target is solely the Youming Dynasty; I am not interested in your efforts to overthrow them. As long as you do not hinder my forces, that is all that matters."
Zhou Yan required no additional help. His strength alone was sufficient to sweep across the entire Youming Dynasty. Their presence or absence made no difference.
"We understand your unparalleled strength, but we are natives of this land. With our assistance, you and your soldiers will find it easier to defeat the Youming Dynasty."
The rebel leader was well aware of Zhou Yan's power but merely wished to offer help. They understood that Zhou Yan would not remain here permanently; after defeating the Youming Dynasty, he would depart with all its wealth.
To these rebels, Zhou Yan was an invaluable asset. Since they shared a common enemy, they could establish a new dynasty once Zhou Yan departed.
"As long as you do not impede my forces, that is sufficient. Regarding the citizens within the city, my army has no interest in them either. As long as they remain in their homes, they will be unharmed. My soldiers have never plundered ordinary civilians."
Zhou Yan was not being dishonest. He maintained his principles, plundering only the wealthy nobles. Ordinary civilians held no interest for him, and he strictly forbade his soldiers from harming them.