Alibuda Era Festival 23

page views:1 Publication date:2023-03-24

The situation in Solancia was shrouded in mystery, but the world did not stop turning. While Leng Linglan and I were enjoying a blissful moment in the cave, a large-scale war broke out in the East China Sea.
This war was not a sudden, accidental event; on the contrary, it was meticulously planned and well-resourced. Not only was it a sure victory, but it also invited guests from all sides to witness the event. By wiping out the remnants of the Black Dragon Society, it declared the establishment of a new hegemony in the East China Sea.
Such a flamboyant style was unlike Li Huamei's usual behavior. When I learned of this, besides secretly lamenting that Li Huamei was going further and further astray in her life, her fate uncertain, I never imagined she would suffer a defeat. After all, the Black Dragon King and the Black Witch Goddess were dead, and those remnants lacked leadership. Li Huamei not only possessed unparalleled martial arts skills and commanded a multitude of powerful generals, but this time she had also joined forces with the Feather Clan to mobilize Phoenix Island, using overwhelming air power to launch a pincer attack from the sea and air. Even if the Black Dragon King were to be resurrected, it would be difficult to turn the tide, let alone these petty clowns.
Therefore, when the Bai family members hesitantly relayed this information, I could hardly believe my ears, and I refused to believe what I heard.
"No, impossible! This must be a misunderstanding! How could such a thing happen? I don't believe it, you must be joking!"
Perhaps because my expression was too grim, the Bai family members who had told me about this took back their words and echoed my words, saying that the matter had arisen suddenly and everything was likely a simple misunderstanding. They told me not to overthink it and that there would be a more detailed report later.
Hearing them say this, my heart sank. I knew this was no joke, and I tried my best to calm myself down and think about the whole situation.
According to the intelligence I had heard before, Li Huamei was determined to win this battle. Her preparations were not only thorough, but practically a sure thing, a piece of cake. With ample resources and an excellent commander, all the conditions for victory were in place. How could such a dramatic reversal have occurred, resulting not only in a defeat but also a complete annihilation?
Victory and defeat are common in warfare, but total annihilation is not something that happens casually. I believe there is a bottomless darkness behind this whole affair; someone must have laid a massive conspiracy to cause Li Huamei's disastrous downfall.
The resistance fleet was completely wiped out. What was the actual situation during the battle? Is Li Huamei safe? Did any of the Feathered Clan members escape unscathed? I still remember my conversation with Katrina in the magical teleportation, and the last things she said to me made me feel extremely uneasy. But because I was surrounded by so many things, I was afraid of being suspicious and didn't give her a warning. Otherwise... could I have avoided this disaster today?
A thousand thoughts came rushing in, and I couldn't stay calm. My mind was in turmoil. Just as I was struggling with this, a hand was placed on my shoulder. It was Leng Linglan who came to encourage me.
"Don't be like that. You're our leader. If even you lose your composure, what are we supposed to do? The situation in Solancia is also fraught with danger. We can't worry about Donghai right now."
Leng Linglan's words calmed me down. Regardless of the situation outside, I have a responsibility to Leng Linglan. At the very least, I need to ensure her safe departure from Solancia. As for anything else, we can deal with that after this matter is resolved.
"I understand. So... the problem we need to deal with first... what about Lindsay?
If Lehman kidnapped Lindsay for what's hidden inside her, then whatever we do is too late. She's probably already disemboweled and dead." But when I met with Lehman recently, he looked down on Lindsay. Although this might have been a deliberate attempt to lower my guard, if what he said is true, Lehman may have kidnapped Lindsay just to blackmail us and gain an advantage in negotiations. In that case, if we go to negotiate, there is still a lot of room for things to turn around.
Leng Linglan said, "I want to confirm first whether it's worth the risk to rescue the dwarf princess, given the considerable danger involved."
"Hmm, well said, but we're not actually going to rescue her, but to solve a problem. Today, Lehman arrested people, likely to force us to negotiate. If you ignore him, he'll have to continue arresting others. What if he suddenly becomes ruthless and arrests me too? That would be terrible. So let's go check it out now."
Hearing this, Leng Linglan had no objections and decided that she would go with me to see Lehman.
Going to the Third Prince's residence to find someone would be a real hassle. Fortunately, before Lehman left, he left directions, telling us to go to the underground factory that manufactures the Doomsday Dragons, saying that if we went quickly, we could still collect the body.
The cavern wasn't heavily guarded outside, so we easily entered. However, after passing through layers of barriers and reaching the deepest part of the seal, we found it was no longer the deserted wasteland we'd seen before . Instead, it was heavily fortified, with a large number of elven warriors waiting for us, bows drawn and arrows nocked.
This formidable sight posed no threat to Leng Linglan. Having completed the Hellish God of Lust ritual, ninety percent of the hidden dangers within Leng Linglan had been eliminated, and her seventh-level power was more stable and easily wielded. Unless she encountered a top-tier expert, very few things could truly threaten her.
Of course, now wasn't a good time for us to act either. If only we had another day and night... Even if it's just a few hours for Leng Linglan to adjust her physical condition, she can fully unleash her power. However, we just left the trial cave, and Leng Linglan has only recently lost her virginity. Her yin and yang energies haven't adjusted yet, and her body is exhausted and in pain after repeated sexual encounters. Fighting someone at this time will definitely affect her.
(These are not so bad, the real most troublesome thing is...)
I looked from left to right. Besides a large number of elf warriors, there were also some high-ranking generals, totaling more than a hundred people. I can't use magic right now, let alone deal with hundreds of people, I can't even deal with one or two. But Lehman wouldn't send only this small force to deal with us. Although I didn't see Tianhe Xueqiong or Bianca, I believed they must be lurking in the shadows, ready to strike at any time.
Leng Linglan looked worried and said in a low voice, "These elves are no problem for me and Ba Hai, but if we encounter Xue Qiong, I'll be hesitant to act rashly. What should we do then?"
"How should I know what to do? You're only thinking about this now? Isn't it a bit late? We can only improvise."
I lowered my voice and spoke to Leng Linglan. After I finished speaking, I immediately shouted, "Prince Lehman, you didn't call me here just to chat, did you? Since all the women in the world are worthless in your eyes, Lindsay is just a little girl. Even if you kill her, you won't get much meat to sell. Why make things difficult for her? Just let her go! If you've already killed her, then come out and tell me so I can go home and sleep."
"John Thurell, your mouth is truly foul. Sometimes I really wonder if any dead people have jumped out of their graves because of your words."
With a cold laugh, Lehman appeared behind the group of elf warriors. He had no attendants or guards with him, only the snow-white horn hanging at his waist. His body was filled with true energy, as if he was ready to make a move.
"Your Highness, you asked me to deliver a message to the prison for you, and I did. You're so quick to turn your back on me; it's really hurtful!"
"Hmph! Such a reward for simply delivering a message? Where in the world is there such a good deal? You and I both knew in tacit terms that sending you to prison was to get you to retrieve the secret treasure in the Trial Cave. Although you weren't capable of retrieving it, you're still lucky. I sent more than a dozen groups of men in, and you were the only ones who came out alive."
Lehman spoke arrogantly, and what he said was exactly what I expected. If I could, I would really like to ask him what the treasure in the cave was, but judging from his words, he didn't seem like he would answer honestly.
"Your Highness, may I ask what is hidden inside the cave?"
The question was finally asked, but not by me; it was Leng Linglan who boldly asked directly, and the consequence, of course, was that she'd kicked a hornet's nest.
"You pig, you're dumber than dog shit! Ask such a question directly, do you think I'd answer you?"
Lehman's arrogant reply ridiculed Leng Linglan, creating a rather comical scene. However, none of the elf warriors burst into laughter; instead, they all frowned, seemingly disapproving of a prince using vulgar language. Maintaining elegance was the honor and dignity of the elves, and no exceptions were made simply because the one who swore was a prince.
Leng Linglan, surprisingly, wasn't angry at this rebuttal. Perhaps she had become thick-skinned. If so, perhaps she had been influenced by me and was gradually changing her personality. Perhaps I should feel honored that my own character could begin to influence others.
Lehman didn't answer Leng Linglan's question, but instead waved his hand, and a wooden cross slowly descended from the sky. On it, a young girl was bound hand and foot with ropes—it was Lindsay, the dwarf princess of Rosetta.
The wooden pillar floated in mid-air, and Lindsay, bound to it, appeared to be unconscious. There were no visible injuries on her body, suggesting she hadn't suffered any physical torture—a stroke of luck amidst misfortune. Lehman's sudden revelation of her now likely meant he was about to lay his cards on the table.
"John Farrell, I respect you as someone important. I originally detained this little girl as a bargaining chip to trade with you if you managed to pass the trial. Unfortunately, you've disappointed me, coming out empty-handed."
"Hey, don't try to stall. You think you can trade treasures with me just because you detained a little dwarf? Did I agree to trade with you? I'd rather die than trade. I'll take the magic weapon and open it, let's see what you can do to me!"
"Haha, I bet you don't have the guts. These sows are worthless, even in the muddy grass. If you can really abandon them and show me your manliness, then the things in the cave are yours for the taking."
He spoke with unparalleled bravado, and I believed that Lehman would keep his word. However, the expressions on the faces of his elf warriors became even stranger. After all, Prince Lehman's values were different from those of ordinary people. Even though elves' values differed from those of humans, I don't think many elves would use this method to show their manliness. Abandoning women and running away in the face of battle is a very shameful thing in the minds of most elves.
"Alright, stop talking nonsense. Anyway, I'm coming back empty-handed. What are you going to do about it?"
"Nothing much. Since even you, equipped with the Creation Artifact, couldn't get the treasure, I don't need to waste my time on you. Before we officially turn against each other, I'll give you a good show first."
Lehman waved his hand and shouted, "Dig out this little sow's heart!"
Finally, he laid his cards on the table. As soon as Lehman gave the order, Leng Linglan immediately moved, preparing to fly out and snatch the person. This was probably a subconscious, instinctive action. She probably forgot that she had told me before coming here that it wasn't necessary to save Lindsay. Now, she rushed out before I could even say anything. She really is a woman who says one thing but does another.
However, the enemy had already anticipated that Leng Linglan would rush out. Lehman didn't even need to give the order; the elven warriors unleashed a barrage of arrows.
If it were human archers, it would be easier to deal with, but the elves' dynamic vision and precise shooting ability combined make it a terrifying thing. Each elf warrior fires arrows in rapid succession, immediately firing another arrow as soon as it leaves the bowstring, with almost zero time difference between the two shots. By the time they reach Leng Linglan, they are a dense net of arrows.
The arrows are all imbued with magical power, each with different attribute effects. When they come at once, it's like hundreds of mages attacking together, with unparalleled power. An ordinary person would not only be hit by a hail of arrows, but would also be a dragonfly stinging to death. But for Leng Linglan, who is surging with seventh-level power, dozens of arrows and hundreds of arrows are of no difference. She gathers her power, transforming it into an invisible barrier, strong and tough, blocking all hundreds of magical arrows. Nothing! An oversight.
These magical arrows weren't simply a matter of blocking them; once blocked, they would immediately unleash elemental attacks, slashing at Liu Bingmi or spewing flames, making them extremely troublesome. No matter how high Leng Linglan's martial arts skills were, it was ultimately not easy for her to block hundreds of magical arrows purely with her true energy. Therefore, after forcefully blocking the arrows, she immediately channeled her energy and spun around, transforming the invisible wall of energy into a rapidly rotating vortex, carrying the hundreds of magical arrows in a whirlwind. Then, she channeled her energy again and pushed them back towards the group of elf warriors.
If it landed, it would surely cause devastating casualties and shake the heavens and earth. However, the incredibly swift-reacting elven warriors also fired a second wave of arrows to intercept them. This time, it sent my soul flying. I was completely defenseless. If I were caught in the violent explosion, I would be guaranteed to be reduced to ashes. These elves were unafraid of the close-range explosion and brazenly fired arrows to intercept and detonate the retaliatory wave. Were they insane or fearless?
In the blink of an eye, a faint figure burst out from the wall behind Leng Linglan. A black spear transformed into a venomous snake, stabbing straight at Leng Linglan's back. The person wielding the spear was covered in black armor, but it could not conceal her fair and graceful figure. It was Bianca.
The walls around them still bore the marks of spears, all from the day Lunfer attacked the factory and fought Bianca. I don’t know if Bianca also broke through the walls to launch a sneak attack, causing Lunfer to suffer irreparable damage, but Leng Linglan had already taken note of it. Since she was going to deal with Lehman, she couldn’t forget Tianhe Xueqiong, let alone Bianca’s ambush.
When Bianca launched her sneak attack, Leng Linglan seemed oblivious, focusing on controlling her arrows with her vortex of energy to retaliate against the elf warrior. When Bianca's spear pierced her back, her flesh, which should have been instantly pierced, suddenly burst forth with intense light. Golden aura enveloped her entire body, its dazzling brilliance reminding me of Li Huamei's Golden Dragon Armor. The effect was similar: Bianca's spear, encountering the golden aura, could not advance any further. Bianca frowned, exerting force repeatedly, even bending the magically protected spear shaft, yet she could not break through the golden aura.
This situation resembled the highest level of hard qigong, impervious to blades and spears, and unaffected by water or fire. Originally, hard qigong was a protective technique for monks. The Golden Bell Cover of Cihang Jingdian was the king of hard qigong in the world. It is not surprising that Leng Linglan, who came from Cihang Jingdian, knew the Golden Bell Cover. But I had never seen her use it before. How did she suddenly have such a powerful Golden Bell Cover?
(Uh! Right, she absorbed the Sage's Bracelet into her body. Now, with the Sage's Bracelet's ability to resist physical attacks, her aptitude and strength are higher than mine. The Sage's Bracelet's ability can be used at will, unlike mine which is unpredictable. Now it's time for battlefield testing.)
Leng Linglan relied on the protection of the Sage's Bracelet to resist all physical attacks, splitting the magic arrows trapped in the cyclone into two waves. One wave was fired back at the enemy, and the other was reflected back at Bianca. When these two waves of attacks triggered a powerful explosion, Bianca was blasted away. The entire space was filled with fire and smoke, and the surging explosive power swept around. She even calculated the angle accurately and used her own protective aura to block all the explosive impacts that were coming towards me.
(The explosion was so powerful, what was Ling Linglan thinking? Was she deliberately disregarding Lindsay's life? Or did she foresee that Rayman Bell would be able to protect Lindsay?)
I muttered to myself, but I had to admit that this move was indeed very clever. Ling Linglan's strength had greatly improved, and she had easily repelled the enemy without even drawing her Ba Hai. However, although the Sage's Bracelet had strong physical resistance, I wondered if she was aware of its fatal flaw. I was anxious and was about to remind her when suddenly a low-frequency abnormal sound wave entered my ears. It was very weak at first, but it quickly turned into a loud rumbling sound, making my vision blur and as if my soul had been shaken apart.
(It's... the Horn of Hope, one of the Creation Artifacts, and Rayman has made his move!)
That was the only thought in my mind. Rayman finally began to fight back. The Horn of Hope in his hand is one of the Creation Artifacts. I haven't figured out its detailed function yet, but from the dissipating smoke, I saw all the fire and storms that were attacking the elf warriors being abruptly stopped in mid-air by an invisible force, preventing the elf warriors from suffering too many casualties. If this was Rayman saving his subordinates, then the sound waves from the Horn of Hope should be more focused on physical attacks.
But after hearing the sound waves, I became completely numb and unable to move. This should not be a simple physical effect. If it involves magic, then Leng Linglan will be in big trouble. The Sage's Bracelet has zero defense against magic, and Leng Linglan will probably take a real hit, which is very dangerous.
I strained to open my eyes and saw that Leng Linglan's protective golden light was still dazzling. The Sage's Bracelet was still functioning and could withstand thousands of swords and blades. However, Leng Linglan's movements were stiff, as if she couldn't move, as if she was frozen by the power of the Horn of Hope. Fortunately, her eyes were calm and composed, so it seemed that this power could only restrain her for a very short time, and she would soon regain her mobility.
This should have been a happy event. However, it seemed that Lehman only intended to restrain her for a very short time. Just as Leng Linglan was about to regain her mobility, a black wind suddenly swept up from behind Lehman and instantly arrived in front of Leng Linglan. In the black wind, a hot and alluring voluptuous female body could be vaguely seen. Black veils were flying, and she had full breasts and pert buttocks. Who else could it be but Tianhe Xueqiong?
Leng Linglan was very wary of fighting Tianhe Xueqiong. Besides the fear of harming her, Tianhe Xueqiong herself was also extremely difficult to fight. I think Leng Linglan must have already thought of a way to fight her. If Tianhe Xueqiong launched a black magic attack, Leng Linglan could counter it with ease. But Tianhe Xueqiong's intentions were not like that, or rather, Lehman did not intend to do so.
Before Tianhe Xueqiong even touched Leng Linglan, she was blocked by that layer of dazzling golden light. But at the very moment Tianhe Xueqiong touched that light, the graceful form in the black wind suddenly became translucent and indistinct, as if it were not a real form.
"Damn it!"
I only managed to utter that word before Leng Linglan, along with the golden protective aura surrounding her, was pushed away by the rapidly approaching Tianhe Xueqiong.
Using the word "push" isn't quite accurate; a more precise description would be that she was "sticked" to by Tianhe Xueqiong and carried away together. The magic Tianhe Xueqiong used was a kind of magic that was almost instantaneous teleportation, shrinking the distance to an inch. The enemy's intention was simple: to take Leng Linglan away from here so she couldn't influence the battle. The moment Tianhe Xueqiong touched Leng Linglan, the magic activated immediately, and the two figures quickly became transparent, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.
The distance traveled by this shrinking technique varies depending on the user's magical power. If Tianhe Xueqiong were to use it at full power, Leng Linglan would probably be more than ten miles away by now. If Leng Linglan were to run back at full speed, she could return in at least ten minutes. However, Tianhe Xueqiong would likely not allow her to have her way. The two would fight as they went, and considering the possibility that Tianhe Xueqiong had already laid an ambush, when Leng Linglan would be able to return was a huge question mark.
As I pondered these questions, a cold laugh suddenly reached my ears: "John Farrell, you pride yourself on your wit, why not try answering me? A few minutes is enough time for me to kill you several times over."
Turning around, the worst scene unfolded before my eyes. The smoke and dust from the explosion had completely cleared, and sixty or seventy elf warriors, bows drawn and arrows aimed at me, stood behind them, a mocking expression on their faces. If you were to ask me how I felt, it was probably no different from an insect being pointed at at close range by a cannon. To kill me, a dagger would suffice; there were too many factors that could lead to death, making it feel unreal. Perhaps this is why I haven't yet been terrified enough to kneel down.
"Oh dear, if I hadn't experienced it firsthand today, I wouldn't have believed it when people said Prince Lehman was afraid of me."
I laughed and spoke up. Lehman was taken aback and sneered, "Afraid of you? What nonsense are you spouting?"
"Isn't that right? With your abilities, killing me should be as easy as flicking a finger. Now you've set up such a grand formation for me, with so many people standing guard. What else could it be but fear of me?"
Lehman, being shrewd and calculating, was naturally unaffected by my words, but his elf warriors all showed expressions of shame. This made me sigh with regret. If Lehman hadn't been there to preside over things today, I might have been able to escape unscathed from just these dignified and face-saving fools.
"Hmph, John Farrell, no matter how eloquent you are, it's all useless today. Actually, I've given you plenty of chances, but you couldn't seize them, so don't blame me for being ruthless."
Lehman had previously ordered someone to rip out Lindsay's heart, but when it came to actually doing it, he didn't need to give any orders. He simply raised one hand, his five fingers like hooks, and with a little force, Lindsay, who was tied to the wooden cross, contorted her face and let out a painful scream. Her clothes were torn at the chest, revealing a patch of smooth, glistening skin on her left breast.
"Hey, a prince of a nation, if you want to see a girl's breasts, there are many ways. There's no need to make such a fuss and go to so much trouble."
This sarcastic remark, though sharp, was meaningless. I tried several times to find an opportunity to save people, but dozens of arrows were pointed at me, and Lehman was watching me intently. If I moved even slightly, I would be shot into a pile of hedgehogs. Saving people was just empty talk.
(Oh right, I almost forgot, Tianhe Xueqiong is gone, and Bianca seems to still be behind me. She hasn't attacked yet, probably because Lehman hasn't ordered her to do it. But why hasn't Lehman issued a kill order? Is it because he wants to kill Lindsay in front of me? Or is there some other reason?)
While pondering these questions, I suddenly heard a commotion at the entrance outside. It sounded like someone was trying to break in and was clashing with the guards outside.
"Get out of my way! Anyone who dares to stop me, I'll kill them!"
The voice was loud and clear, seemingly very agitated. When the voice reached them, Lehman paused, seemingly quite surprised. In the blink of an eye, the newcomers had already barged in. I glanced over and saw that there were five or six of them. The one in the lead looked vaguely familiar—it was the young elf who had dueled me for Lindsay. From my
previous impression, this young man should have been just an ordinary elf officer, not very old, with no heroic spirit between his brows, not a particularly noteworthy talent. But to be able to break in here, even if he didn't have much ability, he must have some weight. He was probably from a wealthy and noble family, and his status was not low.
However, no matter what noble status he had, it was ultimately meaningless, because Lehman didn't show him the same courtesy he had shown me. The moment he stepped forward, Lehman didn't even glance at him, but with a flick of his right hand, a bolt of lightning shot out, striking the young man and sending him flying, crashing heavily into the stone wall behind him.
Lehman didn't kill him; the young man appeared to be only unconscious and not seriously injured. The guards who had followed the young man in were intimidated by Lehman's powerful strike and retreated to the side, not daring to utter a sound.
This brief, inexplicable interruption, while buying a little time, didn't change anything. The interruption seemed to ignite Lehman's anger; his face hardened with murderous intent, and with a sudden increase in force, a fountain of blood gushed from Lindsay's chest, a horrifying gash.
Seeing this, I was shocked and couldn't help but shout, "Stop!"
Lehman merely sneered, "Stop? By what right? What makes you think you can make me stop?"
Ultimately, it would be a matter of skill; this was my inescapable fate. Now that Leng Linglan wasn't by my side, I was all alone, forced to rely on myself. My
magical arts are my means of self-defense, and I could even summon the Yama Corpse Mantis to fight Rayman, offering a glimmer of hope for turning the tide. However, I cannot use magic now, so that path is blocked.
The rest of my weapons are useless in this situation. My most powerful magic-piercing spear, while formidable, is no match for dozens of magic arrows aimed at me. Even I, in my folly, wouldn't engage in a rapid-fire contest with a group of elves.
Summoning Phoenix and wishing for salvation is one option, but my recent attempts to summon her haven't been successful. Several times I've tried, but received no response. I wonder if my wish will be granted? Moreover, I only have one wish left unused, and it doesn't seem so dire that I absolutely must use it now.
So, my last lifeline is just one thing:
the Dragon Fang Chess set given to me by Bin Laden!
That chess set, formed from countless vengeful spirits and malevolent beings, if released all at once, would be equivalent to opening the lid of hell, granting me the power of a formidable army. It should be no problem to resolve the current predicament. But what Bin Laden gives away is never good. Hua Gengsha clearly points out the difficulty in controlling this chess set. What would be the consequences if I opened it like this?
However, after much deliberation, it seemed there was no other choice. Since Rayman wouldn't give me a way out, let's all stay here together!
This thought flashed through my mind, and I resolutely took out the war game from my pocket and opened the box.
"Rayman! Go to hell!"
◆ Episode 7: The True Meaning of Love. However,
I had used the Dragon Tooth War Game, given to me by Bin Laden, once before. That time, I made Bianca run away in terror. Her super spirit combat skills were already very powerful, but she was still no match for the centaur formed by the war game. But after the centaur war beast drove Bianca away, it became completely out of control and attacked me, almost killing me as well.
This set of Dragon Tooth Chess pieces was the reward I received in exchange for my terms with Bin Laden. To say it possesses the fighting power of an army is no exaggeration, and it might even exceed that. However, Bin Laden, that shrewd businessman, never does business at a loss. Considering this, and based on the results of my inquiry with Hua Gengsha, I've come to a conclusion.
Although the Dragon Tooth Chess pieces are incredibly powerful and Bin Laden invested a great deal of effort in them, they are fundamentally an uncontrollable weapon that cannot be put to practical use. The resentment of the spirit residing in the Dragon Tooth Chess was too great. Once released, it became uncontrollable, even beyond the control of Osama bin Laden himself. Since it couldn't obey orders, even the most powerful weapon lost half its meaning. Not to mention, the Bai family had perfectionist tendencies. After spending so much effort and time, they had created an out-of-control defective product. How could Osama bin Laden tolerate it?
He couldn't bear to just throw it away, but it was a pity to discard it. Just then, a fool came to his door to discuss a deal, so he simply gave away this defective product as payment. He had originally planned to throw it away anyway, so giving it away as a trade item was a way to make use of waste. He could also conduct another practical test, record data for improvement, and make the best use of it. Why not?
I had no idea I'd picked up a highly dangerous time bomb; I thought I'd found a treasure and was genuinely overjoyed for a while. Later, after learning the truth, besides cursing the unscrupulous businessman surnamed Bai, I became extra cautious, determined not to use this defective set until the very last moment—until now. With
Lehman's threat looming, I had no choice but to put the Dragon Tooth Chess set to use. My initial thought was simple: to take one chess piece from the whole set. But when I opened the box containing the chess pieces, a strange force instantly numbed my hands, and I realized things weren't so simple.
To the elf warriors, I probably looked utterly ridiculous. After snorting, I opened a box and stood there, seemingly in a daze. Only Lehman noticed something was wrong; his expression changed drastically, and he raised his hand, ordering all the elf warriors to fire arrows. Bianca, behind me, also charged forward with her spear.
A red light shone from Bianca's spear, its power increasing dramatically—she had unleashed her Hyperspirit Form. Dozens of powerful magic arrows rained down, but they were all a step too late.
"Whoosh!"
A gust of black wind rushed out of the chess box, instantly making it pitch black and obscuring everything around me. Then, a silent and invisible shockwave emanated from the box. This shockwave contained immense power, knocking Bianca, who was thrusting her spear, flying. All the magic arrows that were shooting wildly through the air were shattered into pieces. The aftershocks continued, and the group of elf warriors were the first to be hit. Under the ravages of this shockwave, they staggered and fell, their faces bruised and swollen.
The first wave of impact did not kill anyone, but what followed was not so simple. The chess box in my hand suddenly exploded. In an instant, it felt as if countless vengeful spirits were released from my hand. All I could hear were the wails of ghosts and gods. My whole body felt like it had fallen into an ice cellar. My hands and feet felt like they were frozen into ice blocks and I lost all feeling. The only thing I could feel was that there were some huge energy bodies around me, which turned into physical forms one by one.
Centaur war beasts, chariot riders driving armored earth dragons, black warriors with corpse heads and beast bodies, and steel-armored cannon monsters with four arms and spider legs burst out of the thick black fog like raging waves during a tsunami, crashing into the elf warriors directly in front of them. Although I couldn't see the specific situation, from the brief screams and the sudden strong smell of blood, I knew that the elf warriors must have suffered heavy casualties.
In the darkness, unable to discern east from west, even the elves, with their night vision, were no different from humans when faced with this black fog formed from the resentment of ghosts. In an instant, more than half of the elf warriors had been killed or wounded. If it weren't for a thunderous horn sounding in time, these elf warriors would surely have been wiped out.
"Toot~~~~~"
The sound of the horn was like thunder, shaking heaven and earth. The black fog formed from the accumulated resentment of ghosts was shaken by the sound waves and quickly melted away like snow meeting the sun. Even the Dragon Fang warriors, who had gathered the resentment of heaven and earth to their fullest extent, were suppressed by the sound of the horn, and their movements slowed down.
The Creation Artifacts did indeed possess extraordinary power; however, this power was insufficient to suppress those evil creatures for long. In just a few minutes, these Dragon Fang Warriors adapted to the horn's sonic waves, raised their weapons again, and launched an attack, continuing to thirst for the flesh and blood of the living.
The arrows fired by the centaur warbler corrupted and rotted everything in their path; the Black Knights possessed immense strength, and their undead evil bodies were almost invincible in close combat; the Armored Cannon Monsters were practically mobile turrets, their four cannons constantly unleashing powerful bombardments that shattered mountains and split monuments; as for the chariot riders driving the Ironclad Earth Dragons, the destructive power of their full-force charge was simply beyond the reach of flesh and blood.
Even with the Creation Artifact, Rayman couldn't suppress all four units simultaneously. However, they couldn't penetrate within five feet of Rayman either. Whether it was the centaur's arrows or the cannon monster's bombardment, once they entered within five feet of Rayman, they would be destroyed by the horn's sonic waves, turning to ash and scattering, unable to cause any damage. This was enough to demonstrate Rayman's ability. It's just a pity... the others weren't so lucky.
As soon as the Dragon Fang Warrior was able to move, its overwhelming destructive power wiped out the remaining elf warriors in less than half a minute. Upon contact with blood, the Dragon Fang Warrior's madness became even more uncontrollable. It roared to the sky, and the corpses of the elf warriors who had died tragically on the ground were affected by the roar. They immediately became demonized, stood up unsteadily, and their souls were immediately absorbed by the black aura surrounding the Dragon Fang Warrior.
Fortunately, the wooden cross Lindsay was tied to was just three feet in front of Lehman, within the horn's protective range, so the Dragon Fang soldiers couldn't harm her and she escaped unharmed. Although I was paralyzed and unable to move for a while, the black aura released when the box was opened lingered around me, making the Dragon Fang soldiers ignore me and remain unscathed.
(The black aura will dissipate sooner or later, and then I'll become the monsters' target. What should I do?)
Thinking of the serious situation, my heart pounded, but I had no good solution for the moment. The person in the worst situation right now is undoubtedly Bianca. After being blasted back by the dark shockwave, she had barely stood up when several black knights appeared around her, and she was already at a disadvantage in the ensuing battle.
Bianca is no weakling; her armor and her newly cultivated super-spiritual body are formidable protective abilities. However, the black knights surrounding her are not ordinary pawns; each of them possesses the same level six power as her. Being surrounded and attacked by several undead monsters of the same level, the fact that Bianca can still hold on for a while is already quite remarkable.
Compared to her, Rayman's situation wasn't much better. Although the Creation Artifacts gave Rayman a significant advantage, the burden of using them was considerable, especially with prolonged use. Another fatal problem would then emerge: he couldn't reduce the horn's defensive circle to lessen the energy consumption.
I haven't used the Horn of Hope, one of the Creation Artifacts, and I don't know if blowing it softly would reduce energy consumption, but even if it did, it would only allow the Dragon Fang Warriors to get closer and closer. If these Dragon Fang Warriors penetrated within a foot of him, once Rayman's strength was exhausted, he wouldn't even have a chance to run; he would be hacked to pieces immediately.
From a distance, and obscured by the increasingly thick fog, I couldn't see Lehman's expression clearly, but I could feel his pressure. If I wasn't mistaken, I thought he was worrying about the same problem as me.
A wargame contains multiple unit types; currently, soldiers, chariots, cavalry, and artillery have all appeared, but the more powerful strategists, guards, and commanders have yet to appear. If these three join the battle, how can we possibly withstand the onslaught?
The thought had barely crossed my mind when a chill ran through me. Then, without a sound or warning, a large hole was blasted into the left-hand stone wall. Given the strength of the Dragon Fang warriors, it wasn't surprising to carve a large crater in the stone wall, but to carve a hole silently was highly unusual.
I couldn't see clearly in the darkness, but as similar large holes appeared one after another, I vaguely noticed several anomalies. Ordinary impacts would not only create a loud noise but also scatter debris everywhere. However, these large holes were not only carved silently, but their edges were also smooth and even, as if they had been instantly sliced out by something extremely sharp—truly bizarre.
(Could it be... one of the remaining three types of strategy games?)
I noticed that each of those large holes is two feet in diameter and six or seven feet deep. If this place weren't so deep underground, the holes would have already reached the outside. Such power is truly astonishing. Even a level seven expert couldn't create such damage in a short time. It must have some special attribute advantage to be able to cut through stone like tofu.
Thinking about special attributes, and then about strategy games, I suddenly had a terrifying idea. If warriors, chariots, cavalry, and artillery are simply physical destructive forces, then the remaining strategists, guards, and commanders likely possess special attributes, making their overall power far exceed that of the four unit types below them.
(So, this special attribute is... invisibility? Could the unit with invisibility be a guard? What kind of guard is that? It's practically an assassin!)
Considering Bin Laden's ruthlessness, using assassins and killers as guards is quite reasonable, but if this continues, I'll be buried with Rayman. This thought became particularly profound after Bianca suddenly screamed and collapsed. She was fiercely fighting the Black Knight when she suddenly collapsed, covered in blood. If I hadn't figured out the key point, I probably would have found it strange, but now I understand it was the invisible phantom guard who did it.
(If they wanted to attack, they could have attacked from the start. Why were they destroying the stone walls everywhere? This isn't like a drunkard wandering around aimlessly, bumping into walls everywhere. These phantom guards... Oh no! They're not bumping into walls, they're trying to find a way out!)
Although I didn't know why the Dragon Tooth Warriors were ignoring the exit, I realized the significance of this matter and knew a great disaster was imminent. I was trying to think of a solution when the situation changed again.
Lehman blew his horn to block the Dragon Tooth Warriors from getting closer, but he also paid attention to everything that was happening. The appearance of those large holes in the stone walls and Bianca's sudden defeat all fell into his eyes. With his intelligence, it was not difficult for him to guess the truth behind it all, and he knew that disaster was imminent.
The Phantom Guardians' combat power surpasses that of the other four types of soldiers. I don't know if Rayman is truly struggling to hold on, or if he's still holding back, unwilling to reveal his true strength, but he weighed the situation and made the decision to leave immediately.
Protected by the magic of the Horn of Hope, the Dragon Fang soldier couldn't even get within five feet of Rayman. He flashed, instantly moving to the exit, and flew away, shouting before leaving,
"If you want to save your life, rip out that dwarf's heart!"
I don't know whether to interpret this parting remark as good for me or a threat, but at least Rayman pointed out a key point: my life was indeed in danger.
Even before Lehman's "strategic retreat," the numbness in my body began to disappear, and the black aura surrounding me dissipated in all directions. In other words, my lifeline was gone.
(Lehman never seemed to want to kill me; in other words, he was trying to save my life. Should I believe his last words?)
I came here to keep the appointment to save Lindsay's life, but things change. Now that things have come to this, my own life is the priority. Driven by the desire to survive, as soon as I regained my strength, I sprinted to Lindsay's side, drew the short sword Hyakkimaru from my sleeve, and swung it forcefully.
A fiery red sword flashed, and Lindsay's restraints snapped. Her unconscious body collapsed limply to the ground. I caught her, my heart pounding with anxiety. Actually, I hadn't come to save her; in this situation, there was no way we could both be saved. But when the moment came, as I raised my sword and swung… ah, I truly hate my own cowardice.
My sword freed Lindsay, and the Dragon Fang soldiers wouldn't just stand by and applaud. Logically, they should have seized the opportunity to attack, instantly finishing off Lindsay and me. But these Dragon Fang soldiers didn't move, which puzzled me greatly. Looking back, I finally understood why.
Among the Dragon Fang warriors, two alluring figures appeared out of nowhere. This one was unlike any other; one half was a ferocious, decaying demonic body, while the other half was a fiery, sexy, and alluring form. If one only looked at the intact half, it was indeed a rare beauty.
The two alluring and wicked beings had different facial features, one delicate and refined, the other voluptuous and alluring. Both of them had exposed, snow-white breasts, and wore half of a long golden skirt around their waists, covering their intact half, but not completely. Their pale, pink buttocks, devoid of any color, were lewdly exposed, swaying gently with the swaying of their waists.
Such allure might have captivated some perverted lecher, but these two glamorous and malevolent beings, with their hands raised and chanting incantations, were clearly casting magic. While I wasn't sure of the spell's content, the increasingly intense necromancy and nauseating stench surrounding them suggested some kind of summoning. The targets of this summoning were certainly not benevolent, and... their numbers were enormous.
Whether it was an army of the undead or a legion of zombies, they were deadly. If summoned within the Val Forest, countless lives would be lost. At this time, the peculiarity of this place becomes apparent. The pitch-black resentment of the dead spreads in all directions, even corroding the stone walls, but it cannot cross the barrier at the exit. Obviously, there are layers of barriers on the way from the exit to the cave entrance on the ground, which the Dragon Fang Warriors cannot break through. This is why they are looking for another exit.
(That freak, Bin Laden, uses assassins as bodyguards and archmages as advisors. I wonder what his commander is? These two monsters are incredibly powerful. Luckily, the barrier here suppresses their summoning spells, making their efforts less effective and less likely to succeed.)
Realistically, I was too happy too soon. My summoning magic failed, so I needed to find blood sacrifices to enhance my magic. The Dragon Fang soldiers, who had paused briefly to coordinate their spellcasting, noticed my presence and rushed towards me.
(Oh well! Everyone has to look out for themselves. Blame it on your bad luck…)
With a determined heart, I raised my short sword to strike, when suddenly I heard a faint cry.
"Mr. John..."
The voice was soft, but at that moment it sounded like a thunderclap. I turned my head and saw that Lindsay, who had been unconscious, had woken up sometime earlier and was staring at me. Perhaps because of the wound on her chest, Lindsay's face looked very pale, and her brows were furrowed with pain. My intention to kill her to save my own life remained unchanged, but being stared at like that made me a little helpless, and Hyakkimaru couldn't make a move for the moment.
My way of holding the sword high probably looked very strange to others. I didn't know if Lindsay had guessed my ugly intentions when she saw me like this, but she raised her hand with great effort and took it in my palm with her trembling little hand.
Was this action... a begging? But I couldn't agree, because the current situation meant we were destined to die together, or one of us would live…
My resolve was resolute, yet the dwarf girl's voice still echoed in my ears.
"I…I never regretted loving you…even…even though…"
Just what? That was a question I remained curious about, but I never had the chance to verify it. As Lindsay spoke, she exerted force, pressing Hyakkimaru down. The sharp blade pierced his chest instantly, warm blood spurting out and splashing onto her pale face.
"You!"
Lindsay wasn't very strong, and if I had resisted, I could have stopped the sword. But everything happened so suddenly that I didn't even realize what was happening before Hyakkimaru had already plunged into her chest. Or perhaps... subconsciously, I had already accepted this, intending to sacrifice her to save my own life. So...
I had heard in the past that foreign samurai who committed seppuku would use their last bit of willpower to drag the blade across their abdomen and sever their intestines after the sword had entered their abdomen. Such a horrifying act requires immense determination and willpower, something I had never witnessed before. But today, I witnessed the will of a young girl. After plunging her short sword into her chest, she used her last ounce of strength to circle Hyakkimaru halfway around him. Hyakkimaru's blade was incredibly sharp, slicing through flesh and breaking bones, instantly creating a gruesome crimson hole in her chest, revealing her bloodied heart.
Before she could finish, the dwarf girl was dead. I was completely stunned by the sight, my blood staining my skin. I didn't even notice the Black Knight's heavy sword and axe falling towards the back of my head, or the evil arrows shot by the centaur war beasts about to pierce my body.
The dramatic change occurred at that moment. A blinding, seven-colored light burst forth from the bloody hole in the dwarf girl's chest. The greatsword, the axe, and the evil arrows all turned to ashes and vanished just before they were about to strike.
Just as we had guessed, the core component of the Doomsday Dragon was hidden within Lindsay's body and had already merged with her heart. Unless her heart was dissected or destroyed, the core component would not appear. At this moment... a shimmering crystal the size of a thumb, radiating intense light, floated up from Lindsay's chest, its instantaneous brilliance illuminating the entire space as bright as day.
The dwarves' craftsmanship is indeed astonishing. I, for one, simply can't understand how they managed to contain such immense energy within such a small crystal, maintain its stability, fuse it with living flesh, and transport it thousands of miles without damage.
However, these questions are no longer important. The intense light that burst forth in that instant almost blinded me, but the Dragon Tooth warriors present fared no better. The core that enabled the Doomsday Dragon to operate was indeed incredibly powerful. Under the flash of light, the Dragon Tooth warriors even let out a wail. Two of the closest Black Knights and one previously injured centaur war beast twisted and deformed violently before exploding into fragments with a deafening explosion. The rest retreated incessantly, seemingly trying to avoid the light, but where could they find refuge?
If this core continued to release energy and shine its light everywhere, could it destroy Bin Laden's war game? This was an interesting question, but at this crucial moment, the dazzling core was suddenly drawn by some force, flying at high speed towards the exit. Before I could react, the War Dragon Core had already passed the exit, and a dark figure grabbed it and flew away.
(It was Rayman! He cooperated with the dwarves, so he must know the control spell for this core to be able to…)
I realized this crucial point, but I was powerless to do anything, nor did I have the energy to do anything. The series of events that had occurred in such a short time was too shocking for me, leaving me only able to stand there, frozen, holding the still-warm body of the girl in my arms, waiting silently for the inevitable outcome.
Without the oppressive light of the War Dragon Core, the Dragon Fang soldiers should have already taken action, but they didn't. Instead, they stood frozen like wooden statues. I found it strange, but my numb heart prevented me from even turning my head to look, until a dark figure appeared before me.
This dark figure wasn't large. Since all the Dragon Fang soldiers were enormous, I hadn't even considered it at first. But this slightly thinner figure possessed an unparalleled sense of presence, especially when all the Dragon Fang soldiers knelt down and bowed their heads. I knew then that the commander of the Dragon Fang Chess had appeared.
I was too tired to turn my head, but a strange sense of familiarity stirred within me. This unusual, icy feeling was something I should have never experienced before, yet it also felt strangely familiar, making me unconsciously turn my head, trying to see the source of this feeling.
"...Bai...Bai Qi?"
Unexpectedly, the commander of the Dragon Fang Warriors was not some terrifying monster, nor did he have a ferocious appearance. He only had a face that I recognized. For a moment, I thought I had met an old friend, but the lifeless, abnormal coldness quickly made me realize that this was just a pawn created by Bin Laden using his appearance.
The humanoid figure before me slowly raised its hand. What was destined to come would eventually arrive. As it raised its hand to the sky, I sensed the natural energy of the entire space surging and raging, echoing across the heavens and earth. An immense amount of energy converged at a single point—a method of power manipulation I had never witnessed before.
When this energy of heaven and earth was transformed and unleashed from that palm, the destructive force it created was also unprecedented. In terms of pure power, it should be level seven, but due to its extreme concentration—to an unbelievable degree—not a single ounce of energy was wasted or weakened; all of it was thrust into the target. Therefore, this single strike caused a series of explosions above, instantly piercing through countless layers of earth and rock, penetrating straight through the ground and allowing a sliver of sunlight to shine down.
The terrifying destructive power—Bin Laden should be very proud to have created such a weapon. I stared blankly at the sunlight, watching as the Dragon Fang soldiers, led by their commander, flew one by one towards the breach, leaving without a trace.
These wargame pieces created by Bin Laden are all emotionless, bloodthirsty monsters driven solely by instinct. Once they leave this place and lose control, they will undoubtedly kill anyone they see. If each wargame piece is equivalent to a level six expert, and the commander-in-chief even possesses level seven power, coupled with their special abilities, the unsuspecting elves outside... I simply dare not imagine the consequences.
Although I couldn't hear any screams, I had reason to believe that the outside world was probably already a river of blood, a living hell. Bin Laden must have foreseen this situation long ago, right? Knowing this, why did he still entrust this box of wargame pieces to me? What was he planning?
In a daze, I heard footsteps behind me, followed by a cry of alarm.
"Ah! What happened to Lindsay?"
Leng Linglan, who had rushed back from another battlefield, suddenly appeared in front of me. She glanced at Lindsay and then grabbed me. I thought she was upset about Lindsay's death, but to my surprise, she looked anxious and said, "Don't be like this, there's still hope for Lindsay."
Hope? What hope could there be when someone is dead?
"On my way back, I ran into those Bai family members. They told me that Hua Gengsha gave them a brocade pouch. If Lindsay is in danger, you can do this and that..."
What Leng Linglan said sounded unbelievable, but I had no choice at the moment. As soon as I heard Leng Linglan's words, I immediately rushed out with the body in my arms.
After traversing the long passageway, I found myself still shrouded in thick fog. The brief burst of sunlight that had pierced through the underground rock had likely blasted straight up into the sky, clearing away the clouds to allow sunlight to penetrate.
In the distance, the screams of those on the verge of death echoed, and the sky was a blood-red hue, signifying a massacre in progress. But I couldn't concern myself with that. Outside the cave lay a swift horse that Leng Linglan had casually stolen on her way in. Elves, by custom, disliked riding horses; where she had obtained this horse was intriguing.
I had no time to think further. I scooped up the corpse, mounted the horse, and galloped westward.
According to Leng Linglan's account, before Hua Gengsha fled, she had given Lindsay a magical seal. If everything went smoothly, Lindsay might still be saved.
The conditions for this were very strange, seemingly unrelated to medical methods, but more like part of some kind of spell. I couldn't understand it, so I could only spur my horse at full speed to reach my destination.
The horse was fast, and in the blink of an eye, we had covered twenty miles. This should be the edge of the Huaer Forest; there were no buildings or signs of human habitation in sight. I inwardly groaned, wondering where I could find a vegetable vendor.
Just as I was feeling lost, I suddenly saw a vegetable basket under a tree ahead, filled with some vibrant green vegetables, and a woman beside it. Although I didn't know who she could sell to in this awful place, judging from her appearance, I figured she was definitely a vegetable vendor.
"...Strange, there really is a vegetable vendor. When did this old hag become a fortune teller?"
Time was of the essence, and I didn't have time to think further. I spurred my horse to the vegetable vendor and asked the crucial first question.
"Madam, what kind of vegetables are you selling?"
"...Water spinach."
◆ Episode 8: Intentional or Unintentional. According
to Leng Linglan, I need to run twenty miles west and I'll meet an old woman selling vegetables, particularly strange water spinach. I'll ask her if vegetables can live without a heart, and if she says no, then all is lost;
if she says yes, Lindsay has a chance. This kind of dialogue is really strange, and it doesn't seem to have anything to do with orthodox medicine. I can only understand it as part of some kind of spell or some kind of code. Anyway, I almost chased after some stinky scumbag in the bustling city asking her this question. Compared to that, water spinach is really child's play. I started by asking what vegetables she sold, and the next question should have been whether a person could live without a heart. Then I waited for the crucial answer, but the moment I heard the vegetable vendor answer "water spinach," I suddenly felt... that voice sounded so familiar.
Even though this remarkable vegetable vendor was wearing a straw hat with the brim pulled low, obscuring her face, I still recognized her.
"Damn it, you old hag, what kind of mystery are you playing at here?"
"Go away... you're so boring and dull, you don't even understand the fun of role-playing and historical events."
I was still a little hesitant, afraid that I would say the wrong thing or give an irrelevant answer that would ruin the spell's effect, but after hearing Hua Gengsha's reply, I was furious and threw the corpse ceremony at Hua Gengsha.
"Go to hell! If you can save him, save him; if you can't, just say so. What kind of nonsense are you playing? Are you deliberately toying with me?"
Hua Gengsha lifted her bamboo hat, casually took the corpse, and sneered, "It's been a long time since anyone dared to speak to me like that, but... well, you've said it. Considering your current mood, say whatever you want."
"Enough nonsense. You really have the ability to bring the dead back to life?"
"Uh... that depends on how you define life and death. I've been running around the area collecting materials these past few days, and it took a lot of effort to gather thirty-six puppet insects..."
"Wait... what? Puppet insects? I've never heard of such materials before?"
"That's because you're ignorant. Back then, this was famous throughout the country and captivated countless young men and women. Its wonderful uses are... well, it's hard to explain. Anyway, give me some time, and I guarantee I'll give you back a Lindsay who can walk, jump, talk, and laugh."
Hua Gengsha is a cruel and cold-blooded person, and she's an extremely awful character, but when it comes to her professional field, I can trust the professional guarantees she makes. Hearing her say that, I felt relieved.
"You seem to be a little injured too, do you want me to take a look?"
"No thanks, you're just throwing a dead person at me. It doesn't matter if I bring a dead person back to life, at worst I'll just become a zombie. Anyway, you can't die again after you're dead. Hey, save your breath."
As I said this, I suddenly remembered that Leng Linglan had received treatment from Hua Gengsha a while ago. Leng Linglan's real problems were mind control and qi stagnation, and only I could solve these problems. So what was Hua Gengsha treating her for?
"Oh, that... I'm not good at mind control, and I can't just treat the out-of-control energy chakra in her body. If it ruins someone else's plans, that would be a lot of trouble. I'm only a doctor part-time, and I don't need to cause trouble for treating people. So... I'm just giving your sister some medicine so that she won't get aroused every time you touch her, and also to reduce the rampage of her internal energy. Otherwise, she'll perish before you even get to her, which would be a huge waste."
Hua Gengsha spoke directly, and I felt my ears turn red. Just as I was wondering how to answer, she asked an even more direct question.
"Look at your smug face, could it be... you've already had an incestuous relationship with your little sister?"
She spoke with a smug tone, as if she had someone to blame. If I didn't know I was
no match for her, I would have really wanted to slap her a few times. Lindsay has been entrusted to Hua Gengsha, and I'm a little worried about Leng Linglan's situation. She didn't follow, presumably she went to participate in the battle in the Huaer Forest. Although her martial arts are strong, the current situation is strange, and it's dangerous no matter which side she fights against. And Lehman keeps saying that the Doomsday Dragon is destroyed, yet he stole the dragon's core. What is his purpose? This is something that worries me.
"By the way, old hag, there's something I need to ask you. Is that 'True Love' you created... absolutely foolproof?"
"Aren't the results of several trials enough to prove everything?"
"Then... people who take the drug will be 100% reliable in what they tell their lovers, without any lies?"
"Hey, how could you have such a misunderstanding? I developed a love potion, not a confession agent. If you want the truth, I can recommend other drugs. How can you use 'True Love' as a confession agent? It's a complete waste."
Hua Gengsha's answer stunned me. I exclaimed in astonishment, "They won't even tell the truth to their lovers? What kind of monstrous love have you created? There's no honesty or mutual trust between them, and you call that true love?"
"Love is inherently an illusion, like a dream. When you're in love, it's true love; when you're not, it vanishes instantly. So-called true love is nothing more than a real illusion. To put it bluntly, it's still a dream. It's a woman's business if she says she loves you. Who told you to be so stupid as to believe her?"
Hua Gengsha retorted with a cold laugh. These words perfectly represented her view on love. I didn't have time to deal with this issue, which could probably be discussed for three days and three nights. I just thought of another important point.
If true love cannot guarantee honesty, then the truthfulness of every word Dai Meisi said to Leng Linglan…
the more I thought about it, the more something seemed amiss. I was in a hurry to ride away when Hua Gengsha suddenly tossed me something. I caught it and found it was a dark dagger, its surface dull and coated with some kind of black paint. But upon closer inspection, a chilling aura emanated from it, clearly indicating it was a rare and deadly weapon.
If I wasn't mistaken, the dagger had been imbued with special magic, and it would inflict unique damage when it struck an enemy. But whether it would be a fatal blow or a curse, I couldn't tell.
"This is a new magical artifact I acquired, the Soul-Destroying Dagger, on par with the legendary War God's Axe. A single stab can annihilate the opponent's soul, more terrifying than any poison that kills on sight!"
"Why are you giving me this? Are you trying to make me perform suicide?"
"Otherwise, how will you deal with those Dragon Tooth Soldiers? They aren't made of flesh and blood; their bodies are harder than steel. Under normal circumstances, you have no chance of destroying them."
"Oh, so this Soul-Destroying Dagger, just one stab and it'll destroy the vengeful spirits within the Dragon Fangs. It's truly a powerful artifact. I just don't know how I can approach it unharmed before I can stab it."
The Soul-Destroying Dagger Hua Gengsha provided seems like a perfect solution, but it's essentially an empty promise—seeing it but not needing it. Even if I were at my peak strength, let alone with all my magic power gone, I wouldn't know how to get close to those evil creatures. Summoning the Lustful God Beast is one way, but apart from the Yama Corpse Mantis, the others are simply no match for the Dragon Fang warriors. If I could summon the Yama Corpse Mantis, I could simply decide the outcome; why would I need this dagger?
However, considering Hua Gengsha's personality, the fact that she would give me a Soul-Destroying Dagger was already a great favor. If I were to expect her to be kind and considerate enough to see me through to the end, she would surely send me to my death first. So I took the dagger, said nothing more, and rode off to find Leng Linglan.
From the moment I left the cave until now, as I gallop back on horseback, only about an hour has passed, and the Wal Forest has already become a veritable battlefield.
Forests are sacred places for elves, and cutting down trees is considered a sin, sometimes punishable by death. But now, looking around, the Wal Forest is littered with broken trees and branches, and fires and blood are spreading everywhere. The fog has dissipated some of the thick mist, and I can vaguely see many elf corpses hanging among the broken trees, or... to put them in pieces.
There were old and young, women and children alike; gruesome limbs and dismembered corpses hung from the tree branches. If it weren't for the thick fog obscuring their appearance, I might have vomited from the shock of the scene. A
distant explosion echoed, interspersed with screams of agony. One could imagine the ferocity of the battle: elves and Dragon Fang soldiers were locked in a desperate struggle. It was then that I realized a fatal problem: the blood debt inflicted by the Dragon Fang soldiers' massacre of the Huaer Forest would likely ultimately fall on my shoulders.
(When Lehman sees me release these war machines and settles the score, I definitely won't be able to deny it. Even if I were to give Ya's to Bin Laden, the elves wouldn't bother to go after him. I still have to go for it... Damn it, shouldn't I just run away
right now?) Just as I thought of this, I realized I was a step behind. I don't know when it happened, but I was already surrounded. It wasn't Dragon Fang warriors surrounding me, but there was nothing to be happy about. Hundreds of elf warriors surrounded me, their faces full of malicious expressions.
"The battle is raging over there, why aren't you joining in? What are you doing here surrounding me? You're not here to settle old scores, are you?"
"By order of His Majesty, General Farrell is requested to enter the palace with us immediately for protection."
I hadn't found Leng Linglan, but instead encountered this horde. Although they said I needed to enter the palace for protection, judging from the posture of these elf warriors, if I refused, the consequences, even if not certain death, wouldn't be good.
If I drew my Soul-Destroying Dagger and suddenly stabbed a few times, I could probably take down a few elves, but I was facing hundreds of elves, not just a few. Even if I could kill a few, the rest would still shoot me like a hedgehog. After weighing the pros and cons, I decided not to suffer this immediate loss. However, just to be safe, I first asked the High Priest if he had already entered the palace, and the answer was yes.
In such a dangerous war with constant fighting, as the High Priest, he should be leading the clan's mages to the front lines. But Bernanke is a coward; it would be strange if he went to the front lines. I had already guessed he would hide in the safest place. Although I knew he couldn't be completely trusted, I still had value to him before we completely broke off relations. He should still protect me, right?
Without saying anything more, I hurried to the palace under the "escort" of these elf warriors. On the way, I really hoped to run into Leng Linglan, at least to have a bodyguard before going into danger, but unfortunately, I didn't. I had no choice but to bite the bullet and enter the palace.
I have quite a lot of face. King Greens was already waiting for me on his throne. This exhibitionist king, who likes to be naked in public, immediately jumped up from his throne when he saw me. If it weren't for his "dragon root" swaying back and forth, making him an unsightly sight, I would have felt flattered.
"John Farrell, do you know what your crime is!"
Unexpectedly, King Greens angrily questioned me. I was startled, but remained calm and replied, "Since arriving in your country, I have been law-abiding and have never caused trouble. I do not know what crime Your Majesty is referring to."
"Hmph! The evidence is conclusive, yet you dare to argue!"
King Greens, his face full of rage, raised his hand and slapped it. Two elf warriors brought out a stretcher from behind. Lying on the stretcher was someone, and he looked very familiar. It was the elf officer who was infatuated with Lindsay.
This guy was knocked down by Lehman and passed out. Later, the situation in the cave became chaotic, and no one could take care of him. When I left the underground cave, I didn't see his body and thought he was already torn to pieces because where he fell, I saw a large pool of blood and flesh fragments, which should have been his and his followers' bodies. Who would have thought he wouldn't be among them? It seems that Lehman probably pulled him away when he escaped.
Lehman risked everything to stay at the cave exit, aiming to seize the core of the Doomsday Dragon and rescue this guy on his way out. This suggests the man's identity is extraordinary, but he himself didn't escape unscathed. His left arm and right leg were severed, his face was covered in blood, and he appeared to have lost an eye—essentially crippled.
In that horrific environment, surviving was a stroke of luck. Besides me, Lehman, and Bianca, whose fate remains unknown, no one else could possibly emerge alive. However, no one would likely listen to this explanation. King Greens glared at me, treating me like a murderer, and it's unclear whether he intended for me to pay for this guy's life.
"I treated you with the utmost hospitality, regarding you as an honored guest, yet you, a human, harbor such wicked intentions, actually harming my beloved son like this!"
"Your Majesty, please hear me out, things aren't as you imagine… uh! What? Beloved son? Who are you talking about? Him?"
Utterly shocked, I stammered, my words incoherent, but what I heard was truly bizarre.
This elven youth was King Greens's beloved son? King Greens had three sons: the second prince, Lunfield, and the third prince, Lehman. I had already met them all. The rumored eldest prince, frail and sickly, seemed too young for this man; there was no reason for him to be the eldest prince. So, could he be an illegitimate child like Bianca?
Before I could react, King Greens roared at me, "That's right, he is my most beloved third prince, Lehman Granas Stettin. Otherwise, who did you think he was when you injured him like this?"
His words struck me like a bolt from the blue, leaving me dizzy and disoriented. This young man was Prince Lehman? Then who was the person I had spoken to and fought with all this time? How could there be two third princes in Solancia?
The shock was so intense, the impact so severe that my legs felt like they were filled with vinegar, sore and weak, unable to support my weight. I stumbled backward, nearly falling to the ground, when suddenly a strong arm reached out from behind and caught me steadily. At the same time, a voice rang out from behind.
"Yes, this is none other than His Highness Prince Lehman, the third prince of our country. Come to think of it, brother, you've seen him several times. You shouldn't not recognize him, right? Why do you look like you've seen a ghost? Hey, that's very impolite, this is bad!"
The familiar, aged voice belonged to High Priest Bernanke. His smiling expression seemed very kind and friendly, but for some reason, it gave me a chilling feeling.
Upon seeing the High Priest, King Greens' expression immediately changed, and he smiled broadly, affectionately waving his hand instead of shaking hands with Luan Fuzhou. This might indicate the importance and favor the High Priest enjoyed, but considering that King Greens was so furious just a moment ago, as if his lungs were about to explode, and then a second later he was all smiles, as if he had completely forgotten his anger, this dramatic contrast was definitely not normal.
In that instant, I felt as if I had fallen into a vast web of conspiracy, and all the inconsistencies I had witnessed since arriving in Solancia flashed through my mind…
This lost kingdom shrouded in thick fog, the absurd king and his ministers, the distorted values… If there were a plausible explanation behind these seemingly farcical scenes, it would be that someone was orchestrating and influencing everything, and enjoying it all. And this person…
Suddenly, I remembered the magical note that had materialized from my chest, with two lines written on it: “Zhizhi’s life is in danger” and “Kill the High Priest.” Although it was unsigned, I knew it was from Lunfer. I had always taken it as some kind of blackmail, but now it seemed…
I turned around and angrily said, “What’s going on? This person is Lehman? And who is the other one? Didn’t you say that person was Prince Lehman?”
The high priest, looking completely innocent, even a little aggrieved, said, "What? Did I ever say that person was Lehman? You're just being wishful, seeing a young elf and assuming he's a prince. I was just going along with what you said. Hey, that's not good."
His expression was innocent, but his eyes gleamed with smugness. Judging from his expression, I think the high priest was probably waiting for me to ask him who that person really was, so... I shook my head and sighed, "Old brother, you're right, this isn't good. You might as well just die."
Before anyone could react, I struck with lightning speed, plunging the Soul-Destroying Dagger, which I had been secretly holding, into the high priest's chest. The movement was swift and unexpected, and the distance between us was so close that by the time the high priest realized what was happening, the Soul-Destroying Dagger was already deeply embedded in his heart.
"Ugh! You…"
The high priest's face showed shock as he slowly slumped to the ground. I quickly retreated to avoid being struck by his fatal blow, simultaneously drawing my Demon-Slaying Spear and Hundred Ghost Pill as my last line of defense. I killed the High Priest, how could these elves possibly let me leave unscathed? I can only rely on these two items for a final gamble. But the Demon-Slaying Spear draws on my own energy as ammunition. With my current physical condition, if I fire wildly, my legs will probably give way and I'll collapse after a few shots, without even the strength to escape
. I have to be careful. The Soul-Destroying Dagger's damage is mainly aimed at the soul. If Hua Gengsha wasn't exaggerating, the High Priest's soul, having been damaged, should be beyond saving. Even if she was exaggerating, this stab hit right in the center. I could still feel my heart pounding when I stabbed it in; there was absolutely no way my heart would be tilted to the right. In other words, that old bastard Bernanke is doomed.
But as the High Priest fell, I noticed two strange things.
First, seeing their powerful High Priest assassinated, King Grins and the elf warriors in the hall showed no reaction, neither alarmed nor angry. Instead, they stood motionless, like puppets with their strings cut, their eyes vacant.
Second, although the High Priest had been stabbed in a vital spot and fell, no blood flowed; only wisps of eerie black smoke rose, a bizarre and inexplicable situation.
These two points were strange enough, but what was worse was that the High Priest, who had already fallen, somehow found the strength to prop himself up with his hands and shakily stood up again.
I've never heard of any creature that, when stabbed in a vital spot, would only emit black smoke instead of bleeding, let alone stand up after being stabbed in the heart. What... what kind of monster is this?
"Ugh..."
A painful groan came from behind me. I turned around and saw that the groan came from King Grins. Although all the elves present still looked like empty shells without souls, King Grins's face began to show expression. He seemed to be in great pain, clutching his head, his face contorted with extreme agony. Finally, he couldn't bear it any longer and knelt on one knee.
"Heh, as expected of the king of Solancia, seems to be starting to wake up..."
The voice came from directly in front of me. I turned around and was almost terrified by what I saw. The high priest rose to his feet, his entire body shrouded in an eerie black aura. His form swayed, seemingly both real and ethereal. I couldn't tell if this was an illusion or reality, but as his form shifted, his aged appearance rapidly transformed into youth. The wrinkles on his skin vanished, restoring its luster, and in the blink of an eye, he became a spirited young elf. The transformation
from old to young was certainly astonishing, but that face was strangely familiar. Although I had already guessed seven or eight tenths of the truth, seeing that face still overwhelmed me with excitement, and I cried out softly.
"Ray... Rayman..."
Without a doubt, the "elf" before me was the Prince Rayman I had previously identified. Although he no longer held the Horn of Hope, he was who he was, there was no doubt about that.
One moment he was the High Priest, the next he was a prince, it was just him from beginning to end, playing the witch and the ghost. I had completely fallen into his trap, being manipulated at will, and I had no idea what his true purpose was.
"Surprised? Confused? No need for that expression. This is just an Eastern qigong technique. When the power is condensed to its peak, the body temporarily regains its youth. Although it doesn't last long, it allows you to relive the beauty of youth, and it's one of the few remaining forms of entertainment for me."
The creature in front of me spoke slowly, and I remembered that every time I encountered his younger self, I noticed he was circulating his qi in a defensive posture. At the time, I always found it strange. Given the difference in our strength, he never needed to be so wary of me; on the contrary, I should be the one on guard against him. Little did I know, he was indeed circulating his qi, but not for defensive purposes; it was simply to rejuvenate and maintain a youthful appearance.
"What...what exactly are you?"
"With your shallow understanding, it's difficult for me to explain clearly to you. Although I've been the high priest here all these years, before that, I preferred the title of His Majesty the Dragon King."
This sentence reveals an important piece of information: this elf...this creature is not the real high priest Bernanke. It's possible that at some point, the real Bernanke was killed by him and replaced, and he now operates in Solancia as the high priest, carrying out his conspiracy.
"Speaking of which, I should thank you. In this short time, you've provided me with a lot of entertainment. Actually, I didn't want to kill you so soon, after all, you made me happy for a while and did me a great service. If it weren't for your arrival, I wouldn't have been able to regain my original body and would have been trapped in this old man's body forever..."
"You said... what?"
"Don't understand? Haha, it doesn't matter. You didn't need to understand anyway. I was just too depressed and wanted to vent to someone. You should feel honored to hear me say these things and drag so many people down with you. Hahaha, when I've digested you, I'll definitely remember to thank you."
With a loud laugh, his figure gradually disintegrated, turning into a black light that shot straight into the sky. Where he had just stood, a fist-sized black vortex remained, spinning rapidly and emitting a powerful airflow that violently sucked up everything around it. The carpet
and some wall decorations were the first to be affected, pulled in by the black vortex, and immediately corroded and decomposed upon contact with the black energy. The black vortex absorbed these and rapidly expanded in size. The scene before me was so obvious, and considering the word "digestion," I knew exactly what was happening. Just as I was about to flee, the black aura suddenly intensified, frantically sucking up everything in the hall. The suction was so strong that it made people lose their footing. If I hadn't reacted quickly and grabbed a pillar to steady myself, I would have been pulled over and killed long ago.
However, this was only a temporary reprieve, buying me a little more time. The black vortex's suction not only grew stronger but also rapidly expanded in size. Especially after several nearby elf warriors were devoured, the vortex, having absorbed the flesh and blood of living people, had an even greater suction force. Even clinging to the pillar, I was lifted off the ground. If it weren't for the pillar, I would have been pulled over long ago.
The situation was similar to when the Great Sun Mirror was activated, but there was one more fatal flaw: after the black cyclone devoured a creature, its size rapidly increased. In the end, even if I managed to avoid being pulled in, I would still be swallowed by the cyclone—a truly dire situation.
Just when things were hanging by a thread, suddenly, the immense suction force stopped, and I was thrown to the ground. Before I could even feel grateful for my rescue, I saw a strong and imposing figure before me, emitting a bright white light, blocking the black cyclone and securing my life.
"Your Majesty Grins..." The
naked elf king seemed to have lost a lot of weight and looked haggard in a short time. His disheveled hair made him look very disheveled. Although his body was strong, he no longer had the feel of a muscular man. There was no smile in his eyes. He stared at the black cloud with an extremely serious expression, as if he were leading an army to defend against a powerful enemy. He truly had that kingly aura.
King Grinds was also a skilled sorcerer. He used his own magic to suppress the black aura, which looked extremely difficult, even exhausting. In just a moment, his face contorted in pain, his arms were torn apart, and blood was flowing freely...
"Humans..."
King Grinds cried out hoarsely without turning around, "I was bewitched by that evil thing for many years, and only now have I regained my senses... Now I can only hold on for a short time, and I have no ability to leave. Can you... grant my request?"
It wasn't my place to refuse. If I dared to say "no," this elf king would release his grip, and I would be buried with him. As for what he wanted me to agree to, even a fool could figure it out.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do everything in my power to get the Third Prince away, and I swear to avenge you."
"...Is that so? Then...I'm at ease..."
The situation was urgent, and I quickly picked up Lehman from the stretcher. Perhaps because he was missing an arm and a leg, this genuine elf prince wasn't heavy, and I could easily carry him. I ran out with him on my back, and just as I rushed out of the hall, I heard a terrifying tearing sound behind me. Intense black energy surged instantly, like a raging tidal wave, covering the sky and rushing towards us.
"Ah! Your Majesty, why didn't you hold on a little longer?" I had
only stepped out of the hall when I saw the black energy about to engulf Lehman and me, and only one question came to my mind.
(Damn it, I just promised to avenge someone, now who's going to avenge me?)

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