Such loss of the Treasure Ships was inevitable, given his position as the supreme commander; however, regrets would do nothing to amend the situation now.

As the Commander-in-chief of the Three Armies, Li Jing was well aware that according to the battle tactics of the Demon Clan people, after the artillery ceased, it was time for the masses to press forward.

So, disregarding the chaos around him, he hurriedly ordered his troops to regroup, lest the enemy take advantage of their disarray.

However, the Demon Clan had been prepared and certainly would not give him the time to rally his troops and stabilize his defenses.

As the bombardment ended, Shituo King took the lead, launching a fierce and fearless attack on the Heavenly Court’s camp with the Demon Clan army.

The Heavenly Court was not to be outdone; under Li Jing’s command, Nezha and others took the lead and clashed fiercely with Shituo King.

The battle instantly escalated to an intense level; countless severed limbs and pieces were scattered across the area, and the blood spilled dyed the ground a stark crimson.

Nezha and Shituo King each used their Divine Skills, creating terrifying ripples that echoed through the Valley of Ten Thousand Demons. Still, it was nearly impossible to determine a winner in such a short time, given their equal strengths and both being skilled in Body Refinement.

Just then, the Black Tiger Great General of the Demon Court, along with his trusted aides, joined the battlefield. These young Monsters, brimming with zeal in the face of such a brutal battle, displayed exceptional vigor, even approaching where Li Jing’s command post was located.

Fortunately, Li Jing lived up to his reputation as a renowned general of the Heavenly Court. Even in such a critical moment, he remained unshaken as a mountain, commanding his troops to counterattack and gradually recovering the disadvantage, keeping the trusted aides at bay.

The battle lasted from day into night, only ending under the retreat signaled by the Demon Clan’s sounding retreat as the moon reached its peak.

"General, one more charge, and perhaps we could break through their camp," a young Monster protested loudly.

Several times they had clearly seen Li Jing’s face, but that short distance seemed like a chasm impossible to cross, no matter how hard his men tried, only resulting in heavy casualties.

"Calm yourself, have you forgotten everything taught on regular days?" Black Tiger roared at him.

These youngsters, all promising individuals nurtured carefully by the Demon Clan, rightfully earned the reputation of a formidable army; as soon as they joined the battle, they were unstoppable like tigers among sheep.

However, still youthful and impulsive, they were easily provoked by Li Jing, a renowned general of his era. Li Jing used himself as bait in a trap, resulting in many needless deaths.

"How many times have you charged, and have you ever succeeded? Even now, do you not realize Li Jing is luring you youngsters into his trap with himself as bait?" Black Tiger said with a mix of frustration and disappointment.

The young ones were still too naive, failing to recognize the trap in the heat of the moment and allowing the enemy to seize this opportunity and trap this vital force forward, thereby reducing many losses.

Black Tiger’s words stunned the group of young Monsters. They were all carefully selected individuals, each intelligent and studious. Had it not been for the heat of the battlefield making their blood boil, they should have recognized Li Jing’s strategy immediately.

Regrettably, there are no what-ifs in life, and in their first battle, they faced a renowned Heavenly Court general who had fought for many years and were thoroughly schooled.

"Damn it!" someone cursed out loud.

They were filled with immense regret. They had studied situations like this before; why hadn’t they noticed anything earlier? Their oversight had needlessly cost so many comrades their lives.

Black Tiger spoke with profound meaning, "This is war. It’s not as easy as you once imagined. Sacrifices must be made. In a test, the worst you can do is fail, but on the battlefield, a mistake costs lives."

"I hope you can remember today’s lesson. On the battlefield, staying calm is always paramount. You are not ordinary soldiers who just need to follow orders; we are training you to be the backbone of the future armies of the Demon Clan. Therefore, observing the situation and making the right decisions on the battlefield are qualities you must possess."

The words of the Black Tiger Great General made all the Royal Guards involuntarily lower their proud heads. This war had taught them the most important lesson of their lives through blood and death.

After this battle, many became more mature. War always does this, selecting through death those best suited for life on the battlefield.

Under the leadership of the Shituo King and the Black Tiger Great General, the surviving monsters slowly and orderly retreated from the battlefield, marking the end of this raid.

Overall, both sides suffered casualties, but the losses were undoubtedly much more severe on the side of the Heavenly Court. If not for Li Jing’s apt command, this assault might have indeed breached the main encampment.

The Demon Clan also suffered significant losses, especially since Nezha’s relentless attacks left the monsters hardly able to resist.

Li Jing watched the retreating figures of the Demon Clan and stopped the Heavenly soldiers who wanted to charge after them.

The situation was indeed critical just moments before; had he not exploited the youthful recklessness of the young monsters, the battle might have already been decided.

He had not expected that the Demon Court could train such an elite force in such a short time, a force whose keenness was comparable to any elite troops.

"It’s truly extraordinary. It seems these monsters have just realized what vigorous vitality is. If they survive, they will undoubtedly become troublesome adversaries in the future," Li Jing muttered to himself.

Nezha appeared somewhat disheveled, having faced severe challenges due to his deep incursions into the Demon Clan’s lines, where he was jointly suppressed by several Demon Kings and the Shituo King.

After hearing his father’s murmur, Nezha also spoke softly, "I wonder how the Demons train. This army truly is exceptional, bold in attack and disciplined in conduct."

Although not a natural leader, having fought alongside Li Jing in many battles over the years, Nezha had a clear understanding of how to evaluate an army, hence he regarded this one with respect.

"Find out which unit this is. We must be cautious the next time we encounter them," Li Jing cautioned Nezha.

"Father, rest assured, I will arrange it," Nezha replied, accepting the order.

However, Li Jing stood gazing absently at the battlefield. This expedition had been fraught with challenges. The Demon Clan had transformed, shedding its old habits. Whether in terms of fighting spirit or wartime intelligence, they had climbed several steps.

This unfamiliarity left the Heavenly Court’s veteran somewhat undecided, occasionally being outmaneuvered by the opponent, significantly damaging the Heavenly Army and marking a dark spot in Li Jing’s military career.

Before coming to Luzhou in the North, Li Jing had been full of confidence, even believing that finishing this war wouldn’t take much time.