Other disciples also cast surprised glances.
Ding Jie had actually handed over the command of the team to Zhang Ergou just like that.
Wasn't that too rash?
Everyone looked at Ding Jie in confusion, wanting to hear his explanation, but Ding Jie offered none.
Instead, he said, "Everyone, the command of this team is handed over to Zhang Ergou. My fellow disciples must strictly follow Junior Brother Ergou's orders. Opposing Zhang Ergou is opposing me."
Instantly, the team fell silent. These inner disciples exchanged bewildered glances.
Even Chen Gong, Li Yao, and Lin Yichen were a little stunned. In such a short time, Zhang Ergou had become the de facto captain?
He was in charge of a thousand people!
Zhang Ergou felt immense pressure. He had intended to state his ideas and then act as a behind-the-scenes strategist.
He hadn't expected Ding Jie to deviate from the norm and immediately hand over command of the team to him.
Unbeknownst to Zhang Ergou, Ding Jie was also in a difficult situation. The previous team led by Wang Tao, numbering over a thousand, had been almost wiped out.
This was a huge pressure on every team leader. If he couldn't command well and followed in Wang Tao's footsteps, what would await him?
There was no need to guess; it would be extremely severe punishment.
Although the elders spoke kindly now, it was because the immediate crisis had not yet passed.
Once the matter here was concluded, these elders would inevitably settle scores and find trouble with each other, and they, the team leaders, would become cannon fodder for the elders' attacks.
Therefore, when Ding Jie saw Zhang Ergou step forward, he immediately had the intention of handing over command to this junior disciple.
"Better a dead friend than a living enemy."
Ding Jie did not truly believe Zhang Ergou had the ability to lead everyone to survive the attack of tens of thousands of demonic beasts.
However, he naturally wouldn't reveal these thoughts. On the surface, he naturally offered his full support to Zhang Ergou.
The other disciples fell silent upon hearing Ding Jie's words. Although they said nothing, the visible resistance in their eyes was undeniable.
When everyone arrived at the mountain pass where the Heavenly Dao Elder had instructed them to ambush, Zhang Ergou did not immediately have them set up the ambush.
"Send ten people to scout the movements of the demonic beast horde. Report back every half-incense stick of time."
Zhang Ergou issued his first order as the temporary captain.
Following this, one order after another was systematically issued from Zhang Ergou's mouth.
Initially, the disciples were somewhat resistant to Zhang Ergou's command, but as Zhang Ergou issued his orders, their expressions began to improve.
Zhang Ergou was genuinely considering everyone's well-being. Although they didn't know if Zhang Ergou's methods would be effective, it was always good to make more preparations.
Therefore, no one said anything further and willingly began to execute the orders issued by Zhang Ergou.
Ding Jie's expression showed a hint of surprise. He saw something extraordinary in Zhang Ergou's orderly and bold ideas.
He hadn't expected this junior disciple to have such capabilities. He just didn't know how effective they would be.
If it truly worked, then his team of over a thousand people might have a chance of survival.
After the ten scouts departed, Zhang Ergou directed the earth-elemental disciples among the remaining disciples.
They began to dig various kinds of traps throughout the mountain pass.
After the traps were dug, some fallback measures were also put in place.
"Report, demonic beasts have passed by, heading towards the border of the demonic beast forest."
At this moment, the scouts returned to report.
"Scout again!"
"Yes."
The disciple turned and ran towards the distant mountain peak again.
"Ergou, the demonic beasts are here. What are you waiting for?"
Chen Gong and the others were familiar with Zhang Ergou, and there were no hidden motives between them. They directly voiced their questions.
"Senior Brother Chen, what do you think I had everyone set up these traps for?"
"Why guess? Anyone with eyes can see it's to trap and kill demonic beasts."
"See? You already know." Zhang Ergou smiled slightly.
"You rascal, you dared to indirectly call me blind! I'll beat you up!"
Chen Gong's interruption somewhat eased the atmosphere.
A few smiles appeared on the faces of the disciples.
Zhang Ergou did not explain his intentions.
Only when the last scout reported that all the demonic beasts were engaged in battle with the elders and disciples of the Misty Sect ahead did Zhang Ergou order everyone to prepare for battle.
Then, Zhang Ergou led a hundred faster disciples to depart, while the other disciples remained in their ambush positions.
"See that group of demonic beasts over there? I think they're not very smart. We'll go provoke them later."
Zhang Ergou pointed at the pig-like demonic beasts fighting with the inner disciples ahead and said to the hundred disciples he brought with him.
"After we enrage them, we'll retreat, but our speed shouldn't be too fast. They must be able to see us but not catch us."
Everyone nodded.
"Go!"
In an instant, they arrived behind the group of demonic beasts. Zhang Ergou brandished his spear, thrusting it forward and piercing the head of a demonic beast.
The other disciples immediately followed suit, launching attacks towards the demonic beast horde.
Suddenly, the demonic beasts fighting the inner disciples ahead were stunned. Who were these humans who suddenly appeared and ambushed them?
When they discovered that Zhang Ergou's group was only a hundred strong, the demonic beasts became enraged.
How dare such a small group dare to ambush them? Did they not consider themselves demonic beasts?
They became completely frenzied and stopped engaging with the human cultivators in front, turning to charge towards Zhang Ergou and his group.
"Retreat!"
Zhang Ergou decisively issued the retreat order. The hundred disciples obediently stopped attacking and turned to flee, but their speed was not too fast, merely keeping the pursuing demonic beast horde at bay.
This time, they lured away five to six hundred demonic beasts. The inner disciples who were fighting these beasts were puzzled when the beasts suddenly turned their attention.
Zhang Ergou led his men, and as soon as they were far enough from the demonic beasts, he turned back to attack them again.
This drove the demonic beasts into a complete frenzy, losing all reason.
"They're coming, they're coming!"
Chen Gong and the others, hiding in the shadows, saw Zhang Ergou and his group running wildly ahead, with a horde of demonic beasts following behind.
Their expressions were excited, but they suppressed their eagerness, as Zhang Ergou had told them not to act rashly.
Everything was to await his command.
*Plop, plop...*
Suddenly, the sound of falling into deep pits echoed. The demonic beasts that were tightly pursuing Zhang Ergou and his group fell into the traps they had dug earlier.
*ROAR~~~*
The demonic beasts let out unwilling roars, but their roars were cut short.
This was because a demonic beast was crushed by a companion falling on top of it...