With the 9th ranks, slowly realizing the time for laughter was over, sat up straight. Each wearing the proper face for the battle to come. Once everyone had settled down and got their laughter in, at my expense, I created a barrier around us.
"Alright, these are the plans I've come up with. If there are any questions, or adjustments you'd like to make, please, make them known."
It was silent, not out of seriousness, but out of shock. "Do you really intend on going through with this? It puts a lot of pressure on you, Junior Leiji."
"She's right you know, this really isn't a joke-"
I shook my head and sighed. "How many of you were able to remain unfettered by my presence earlier?" It was silent. "That's what I thought. If I don't fight him inside the restriction, my battle will just kill everyone here. Ideally I'd like to wait for more hints about the next step in my cultivation. However, I'm rather impatient and desire to return home, I know there are those who wish the same for me." I sighed. "Furthermore, I'm not sure how strong Ink can get, and if we wait much longer he really could become unbeatable even by my standards."
"I agree, this is the best chance we have right now. It would be a waste to squander it."
Smiles, with a nervous smile… "Son, if you aren't able to win. Do what you need to do to come back alive."
I chuckled. "I've made a promise to my wives to come home. I won't be breaking that. They know the full extent of the details. Some that I've never said to another. Not even my own mother."
That news shocked just about everyone. And then Cang laughed. "I wish you the best, Young Leiji. Perhaps when this is all said and done, you could show me that next rank? What do you say? Hmm?"
"Ha, I prefer a woman's company. The first thing I'm doing once this war is over, well, that should be obvious."
Some more laughter erupted. "It's oddly refreshing hearing the young express themselves so freely. Let's fight to make sure that the future can come."
"Hold on, I have one more question. Why did you not have all of the forces deployed at once? Would this not have made our force stronger?"
"I see you're a little newer to strategy, aren't you? The answer is simple, but I'll ask a question of you so you answer it yourself. In a battle like this, what are a few more 8th ranks, a handful of 7th ranks going to change?"
"Good point… I suppose it's best to leave them as a rear defense if the worst should happen. But then… What about Ink?"
"What about him?"
"If you can't beat him…"
"Make no mistake I will win, even if I have to take a page from the Ancestors book and trap in a cage again. I was deadly serious about that. If I can't kill him, he's going to wish I had."
After my final words on the matter, there was a little more discussion on the plans, and how to implement them in the best way possible. This was a matter I remained on the sidelines for, it's not my place to make all of the arrangements. Instead, I focused on calming myself for the fight ahead.
Several hours later, the 9th ranks adjourned, returning to their respective Mountain Passes. Each Mountain pass began its own preparations for the coming assault. The tension in the void was thick, usually this would lead to it giving way from a knife, however, this was nothing like before. There wasn't any fear in the eyes of the warriors, only the burning desire for victory. Even so… The beginning of any war would be incomplete without a pump up speech.
Floating in the void, I made my presence known to all. Well the moment my aura appeared, it would be impossible to not notice it. "Everyone gathered here, our people have suffered too long. First it began with the oppression of the rogue spirits, millions of years ago. Then it was time for the Monster Race, with their raw and freakish power, they ruled the heavens. Our 10 Great Ancestors of antiquity, they fought, and died to get out from under this oppression and forced servitude. Their sacrifices are what led to the few moments of peace our people experienced, that was a million years ago now. However," Lightning fell, filling the entirety of the void. "The one known as Ink, created the ink clan to wipe out the human race. Our Ancestors, still battle weary, and exhausted from the constant struggle… Once more they took up arms! And what did they do?-"
A thunderous response from all of the soldiers gathered, answered the question. ""THEY FOUGHT BACK!""
"That's right! They fought back! They created these gifts to their following generations in the hopes that even if they themselves failed, another would rise up and stand against the tide. Well, I'm here to tell you, that now, not just one stood back up!"
A list appeared in front of me, and I began sounding out names, the names of every single one of the fallen heroes. And what's more I used my power to sneak a peek into the past, so I could show everyone what these heroes looked like. The sense that those who fell before them, were just like everyone here was thick, and emboldening the warriors to act.
"All of these people are heroes that the ink clan stole from us! Their smiles, wiped from this world. Their families, and friends left to grieve but only for a moment, because they too would stand up and summon forth the will to fight back! So today, in honor of all those who fell before us-" The drums began rumbling, it wasn't timed, they just felt like it was the right time to start. "Let out a war cry, one to sound throughout the heavens! And let the spirits of all our ancestors, our fallen heroes, grant us power to triumph over this ancient evil, once, AND, FOR, ALL!"
The drums roll, which had previously been loud enough to drown out my lightning, was drowned out by sounds of. "KILL THE ENEMY!"
I turned around, knowing my last task was before me, and with a nod, Cang and Shi, opened the restriction. And in the face of the flooding hordes, I flew straight through all of them… The battle had begun.