On the central front, in Leng Shan's sector, three million human warriors, all specially trained by the Leng family's hunter brigade, were masters of jungle warfare.
Strong crossbows and bows were standard issue, along with heavy sabers, throwing axes, and javelins, which were basic weapons for every soldier.
Enchanted scale armor provided the best protection for the soldiers. Most importantly, beside each human warrior was a sacred beast adept at jungle combat, either a tiger-leopard type or a giant python from the dragon race.
The Leng family had also summoned two million mastiffs, which, led by the 300,000-strong Leng family hunter brigade, clashed with the ogre legions of the Ran Ji tribe.
All of the Leng family's hunters deployed Sea Eagles to launch attacks on the ogres hidden in the treetops.
Xuan Zhen, leading a thousand kings from the Great Shang Ancestral Court Guard, immediately drew their God-Slaying Crossbows and attacked the ogres.
The kings of the Sacred Beast race, under the command of the three leaders Azure Dragon, White Tiger, and Vermilion Bird, also engaged the ogre kings in battle.
With a combined force of over ten million soldiers, the central forest, the main battlefield, was locked in a fierce struggle, with soldiers falling every minute.
Leng Shan dodged two burning javelins and then, turning, drew his replica Sunset Bow to its full extent, an arrow piercing through an ogre king that had attempted to ambush him.
Having loosed an arrow, Leng Shan executed a backflip and leaped onto a giant tree, nocking another arrow and shooting down several quasi-king level ogres who were closing in to surround him.
Suddenly, Leng Shan sensed a killing intent and quickly rolled down, immediately releasing two Dragon Mastiffs.
"Woof woof!" came two barks.
Turning back, Leng Shan saw a giant axe and a long spear heading for him.
These were the leaders of the Ran Ji and Ku Mu tribes, who had launched a coordinated attack specifically targeting Leng Shan.
He Da Zhuang, leading the heavy armored wolf cavalry, had broken through the Ku Mu tribe's ambush, but hadn't seen their leaders; it turned out they had all come for Leng Shan.
Just as Leng Shan was in dire straits and preparing to exchange his life for that of the Ku Mu tribe leader, a stout figure blocked his path, two great halberds directly parrying the giant axe and spear.
Dian Wei looked at the two tribal leaders and sneered, saying:
"Two shameless beasts, colluding to gang up on a mere child of our human race. If I don't lop off your ugly heads today, I have no right to be called a Guardian General."
With that, Dian Wei twisted his hands, shaking off the giant axe and spear, and closed in, engaging the two ogre tribe leaders.
Seeing Dian Wei arrive, Leng Shan breathed a sigh of relief.
Damn it, if this old ancestor hadn't arrived in time, this little life of mine would have been finished.
Then, Leng Shan looked towards the king-level battlefield and saw Lu Bu, wielding his Fang Tian Hua Ji, moving as if through an empty field. None of the ogre kings could withstand even a single exchange with him.
"Kid, now you know how weak you really are," Dian Wei's hearty voice reached Leng Shan's ears.
Leng Shan blinked, then looked at the two leaders of the Ran Ji and Ku Mu tribes. In the moment Leng Shan was distracted, Dian Wei had already severed their heads.
"You commanded well, fought well, but your skills are somewhat lacking. Surprise attacks from a distance are passable, but when they get close, relying on those two big dogs of yours won't suffice."
"You need to learn from Old Master Huang. That old man, from afar, he kills with arrows, one hundred paces with a single shot. In close combat, he swings his great saber and hacks. For kings of this caliber, even ten of them wouldn't be enough for Old Master Huang to get close enough to chop."
Leng Shan now truly admired these old ancestors who had fought their entire lives. Although they were all called kings, these old fellows were undeniably powerful.
In their eyes, newly promoted kings like himself were not much stronger than a mere child.
At the same time, he couldn't help but admire Lin Zhan. Leading five hooligan spirit pets, he could actually hold his own against these formidable old ancestors. Was it that hooligans were so strong these days?
"Many thanks, Old Ancestor Dian Wei, otherwise this young one would have been finished this time."
Leng Shan said with a wry smile, shaking his head.
Dian Wei patted Leng Shan's shoulder and said:
"Don't be discouraged. Growth takes time. The fifth army has finished their battle. That kid Ye Fan unleashed a powerful technique and directly eliminated two corps of the ogre race. Our human race suffered no casualties."
"The 300,000 elite White Tiger tribe you left as a contingency, along with Tie Mu Zhen's three million wolf cavalry, are also arriving soon. You still need to decide how this battle should be fought."
Hearing Dian Wei's words, Leng Shan couldn't help but be surprised. Good heavens, what kind of ultimate move did this Great Master Ye Fan unleash to be so ferocious? However, with the arrival of this fresh reinforcement, the battle would certainly be easier.
"Old Ancestor, we need to return to the command post. Otherwise, we won't be able to see the situation on many battlefields from here."
Dian Wei nodded and, shouting towards the engaged king-level battlefield, said, "Youngster Leng, I'm taking him away now. You lot hurry up and finish your fights. There's more work to be done at the command post when you're done."
Under Dian Wei's protection, Leng Shan returned to the command post.
Only one king from the Leng family and a group of accompanying staff officers remained in the entire command post.
As soon as Leng Shan entered the command post, the Chief of Staff walked up and said, "General, the Sea Eagles have discovered the ambushing ogre forces."
"Their numbers are estimated to be no less than four corps, with no less than five thousand kings."
Upon hearing this, Leng Shan's eyes lit up. "Good heavens, I've personally gone to the battlefield, and finally, these damned bastards have been found."
It turned out that Leng Shan had noticed that the enemy on the battlefield was fewer than he had estimated, which made him suspect that an elite ogre corps was still hidden.
Their objective, he surmised, was to wait for the human race to show signs of weakness before launching an attack, or to wait for reinforcements to arrive before combining forces to crush the humans.
Leng Shan's eyes darted as he said, "Notify the five thousand hidden dragon kings and have them rendezvous with Old Ancestor Tie Mu Zhen's wolf cavalry to prepare for an assault."
"Also, send a message to Zhang Cong, telling him that the sea tribe reinforcements he's waiting for are arriving and to be cautious. And notify Da Hei to have the Xuanwu tribe kings proceed with caution against the Naga Royal Guard."
"Yes, General." The Chief of Staff saluted and then went aside, quickly leading people to send messages to the Earth Dragon Corps, the wolf cavalry, and Zhang Cong, conveying Leng Shan's assessment.
Watching as everything was prepared, Leng Shan couldn't help but sneer, "This time, all our trump cards are out. Let's see who has the superior strategy and whose soldiers are more valiant."
Dian Wei, standing beside him, smiled and said, "You really do have the demeanor of a great general. Don't worry, when it comes to fighting desperately, the men of Huaxia have never backed down."