The first rays of dawn painted Jade City in soft gold and crimson, reflecting off the polished stone streets and bustling markets. The city hummed with life, but Alex and I had only one focus: the mission ahead. A 4-star bandit stronghold, hidden deep within the untamed forests of the empire, awaited our assault, and we could afford no mistakes.
We began the day with a full squad meeting at our courtyard, reviewing maps, terrain data, and known troop formations from the intelligence Captain Lin Mei had provided. The stronghold was strategically located — mountains to the north, a river to the east, and dense forest encircling the remaining borders. The bandits were highly organized, led by a Sacred Lord at the 9th layer and a Cosmos Lord at the peak layer, with multiple Desolate Lords, Ethereal Lords, and True Spirit and Mystic Realm subordinates.
I leaned back against the table, absorbing the details. "Alex," I said quietly, "this isn't just a fight — it's a war in miniature. The strength we bring will decide whether we breach their defenses or get cut down in the forest."
Alex nodded, his eyes sharp. "We've grown, Alaric. This year of training wasn't just about power — it was about understanding how to fight with precision and strategy. Our squad has matured too."
I shifted my focus, mentally reviewing the strength of our team. It's been a year, and the men had improved far beyond what most armies could hope for. I cataloged them in my mind:
Alex: Peak Cosmos Lord Realm, spatial magic fully integrated, mana pool expanded beyond normal limits.
Me (Alaric): Dual-path cultivator — Peak Desolate Lord Realm (Qi) and Peak Ethereal Lord Realm (Mana).
Liang Chen: 9th layer True Spirit Realm.
Yue Rong: Peak layer Mystic Realm.
Three soldiers at the 7th layer True Spirit Realm.
Two soldiers at the 7th layer Mystic Realm.
Fifteen soldiers ranging from 1st to 3rd layer True Spirit Realm (early stage).
Five soldiers ranging from 4th to 6th layer Mystic Realm (mid-stage).
The squad's overall strength was formidable, but the bandit leadership alone would test us to the extreme.
We spent the next few hours meticulously planning the approach. I divided the squad into specialized units:
Vanguard: Those capable of high mobility and offense — mainly our True Spirit and Mystic Realm fighters.
Support and tactical reserves: Our mid-stage Mystic and True Spirit members, stationed to reinforce and exploit openings.
Alex and I: Held as the final strike force, ready to intervene at critical moments to ensure victory or prevent collapse.
Next came the preparation of equipment and talismans. Each soldier received tailor-made armor and weapons, enchanted for durability and enhanced with combat talismans — fire-resistant seals, mana-conductive runes, and agility boosters. Healing talismans and mana recovery scrolls were distributed carefully to ensure survival in prolonged battles.
We drilled coordinated maneuvers and synchronized combat protocols, ensuring that every member knew not just their own role but the exact timing and positioning of every ally. I made sure the early-stage cultivators understood when to strike, when to retreat, and how to use the terrain to their advantage.
By midday, we moved to the outskirts of Jade City, where the dense forest provided a near-perfect simulation of what awaited inside the bandit stronghold. We practiced ambushes, flanking maneuvers, and rapid response drills to handle sudden attacks. Alex led exercises in spatial manipulation, teaching the squad how to evade or redirect attacks using limited mana bursts.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, signaling the end of our final day of preparation, I took a quiet moment to review the squad again. The men, now bruised from training but alert and confident, stood ready. Each had matured, each had grown stronger, and each had developed the trust and cohesion required to face overwhelming odds.
I glanced at Alex, who was already scanning the forest edge with a sharp gaze. "Tomorrow," I said softly, "we test everything we've built. No holding back. If the bandits are to be defeated, it will be by our full strength."
Alex smirked, the familiar fire of determination in his eyes. "And the moment we enter, we show them why the Vardar brothers and their squad are not to be underestimated."
Night fell, and the campfires flickered softly across the forest floor. Our squad rested and replenished their energy, while Alex and I sat slightly apart, preparing mentally and spiritually. I could feel the hum of our combined power, Alex's mana and spatial magic resonating with my dual-path energy.
Tomorrow, the 4-star stronghold would know the wrath of the brothers and their squad. Tomorrow, we would finally test not just our individual power, but the full force of our teamwork and strategy.
And as the forest whispered in the darkness around us, I knew the real battle was about to begin.