Chapter 347: Fearless

Chapter 347: Fearless



A group of several dozen Wind Phoenixes approached, flying at an incredible speed. In the blink of an eye, they were already closing in on Rain's position.

"Quick! Prepare the crossbows!"

"Purple Tumor Wood Fruits, ready!"

"Everyone else, hide!" The bearded Grand Knight seemed experienced, calmly issuing a series of commands.

Soon, several purple fruits the size of watermelons were launched into the air and exploded.

A faint purple mist began to disperse.

Upon smelling the peculiar scent, the Wind Phoenixes started to circle and no longer approached, as if they were wary of the mist.

After releasing a few windblades, the dozens of Wind Phoenixes turned and flew away.

"Phew, we managed to drive them away," the bearded Grand Knight sighed in relief.

Rain was surprised, as he had expected a battle with the Wind Phoenixes, but now the threat had dissipated without a fight.

At that moment, Melita and Anna approached, followed by three Grand Knights who were nearly frozen stiff—the same three who had teased Melita earlier.

Seeing their Grand High Priest lying dead, these men attempted to flee, only to be blocked by Melita and Anna.

"Talk. Who are you?"

"Umm..." They glanced at each other, none willing to be the first to speak.

"Lord Rain, leave the interrogation to me. I'll make sure they confess everything," the bearded Grand Knight said, patting his chest.

"Alright, then I'll trouble you."

"Sure! Give me half an hour. Take them down and question them separately." With a wave of his hand, the bearded Grand Knight had the men taken away by the guards.

Taking advantage of this break, Rain opened the waist pouch of the burly black-robed figure and was surprised by what he found.

"Huh? Soul Crystals and Blood Crystals?"

Inside the pouch were five Soul Crystals, three Blood Crystals, and a letter.

Rain could understand the need for Blood Crystals.

But why would they also need Soul Crystals? Rain was puzzled.

Actually, Rain had misunderstood. These Soul Crystals were originally intended by Ericson to win over some powerful wandering Wizards, but now Rain had stumbled upon them.

Without hesitation, Rain decided to use all the Soul Crystals.

After all, he had already tried it before. With the help of the system, Rain could absorb the Soul Crystals instantly without any side effects, significantly enhancing his Mental Fog progress.

Rain held the five Soul Crystals in his palm and activated the Advanced Meditation Technique of the Steel Heart.

After a few seconds, the Soul Crystals resonated, emitting a strange transparent aura that was quickly absorbed by Rain's body.

The system notification rang:

[Ding! Detected Soul Crystals that can enhance Mental Fog. Do you wish to accelerate absorption? (Note: System absorption can eliminate impurities and complete absorption in one go.)]



"Yes!"

Instantly, Rain felt the silvery mist in his mind rapidly increase, soon expanding to about twice its original size.

At the same time, a refreshing sensation filled his mind.

Rain glanced at the system panel:

Mental: 64 (Fog 42%)



"Five Soul Crystals, increasing by 21% in one go? On average, it's less than 5% now, around 4%."

"Indeed, the Soul Crystals aren't all-powerful. The effect diminishes with each subsequent use."

But Rain wasn't dissatisfied.

These five Soul Crystals were practically a windfall.

According to the calculation that each point of Mental Fog enhancement increased the power of sorcery by 0.5 points, Rain's current sorcery was about 10% more powerful than before, when his Mental Fog was at 21%.

Before the interrogation was over, Rain reviewed the previous battle records:

[Congratulations! You have defeated a powerful enemy and obtained 15 Golden Skill Points!]



[Congratulations! Your Will (Hidden) attribute has been enhanced!]



[Congratulations! Your Thousand Blade King (Epic) profession level has increased!]



With this battle, the Thousand Blade King (Epic) profession level smoothly reached level 9, granting Rain an additional attribute point and skill point.

Combined with his previously remaining points, Rain now had a total of 8 remaining attribute points and 2 remaining skill points, with Golden Skill Points reaching 36.

At that moment, Melita, with a solemn expression, handed Rain a white letter, saying, "Lord Rain, this letter was found on another black-robed figure. Perhaps you should take a look."

"Oh?" Rain curiously took the letter and began reading.

But after a quick glance, Rain's expression also turned serious.

"Rain, what's wrong?" Anna asked worriedly.

"Take a look." Rain handed the letter to Anna.

"Attacked by the Black Flame Cult and the White Bear Beasts from both sides? Then, Lagrey..." Anna exclaimed as she read the letter.

She immediately understood the severity of the situation.

"Indeed! It seems we must depart immediately. The situation with Lagrey's Barbarian tribe is not looking good."

The letter was sent by a Black Flame Cult High Priest named Crowley, who was also in charge of the Black Flame Cult's advance team. The recipient was the Grand High Priest lying on the ground—Erickson.

In the Northern Frostwind Tundra, the battle between the Norton Tribe and the White Bear Beasts was underway. The Norton Tribe, known for their formidable combat prowess, was engaged in a two-front battle against the Black-Robed Cultists and the White Bear Beasts. The Black-Robed Cultists, led by Crowley, had arrived with a small force of knights and mercenaries, engaging in a harassing skirmish at the rear of the migrating barbarian tribe. Meanwhile, the White Bear Beasts, led by a priest adorned with a white bone staff, a necklace of fangs, and a colorful feather headdress, were the main force at the front, engaging in a fierce battle with their giant wooden hammers and spiked clubs.

The barbarians, though fewer in number, had a few exceptionally powerful warriors, including a towering barbarian wielding a double-bladed axe who dominated the battlefield. The White Bear Beast chieftain, adorned with red feathers, struggled to hold his ground against this formidable opponent, only managing to do so with the aid of three particularly strong bear guards.

Crowley, the high priest of the Black Flame Cult, observed the battle through a copper monocular telescope, his eyes widening in surprise at the barbarian chieftain's prowess. He was relieved that the White Bear Beasts were leading the attack, as his own forces would have suffered heavy casualties otherwise.

"Any news from High Priest Erickson?" Crowley asked in a low voice.

"High Priest Erickson has just sent word that he has reached Beverley Pass and will join us in half a day," replied another cultist respectfully.

"Good," Crowley sighed in relief, nodding. "It's best to leave such formidable opponents to High Priest Erickson."

The White Bear Beast priest, overhearing their conversation, spoke up in fluent Common Tongue, "High Priest, I trust that your High Priest Erickson will arrive soon to deal with the chieftain of the Norton Tribe."

"Rest assured, Priest, High Priest Erickson will be here in half a day to take care of the barbarian chieftain," Crowley assured.

The White Bear Beast priest, still unhappy with the Black Flame Cult's lack of commitment, warned, "I hope you keep your word. Our brave warriors have suffered many casualties. If your High Priest doesn't arrive, we will only grant you a third of the spoils."

"Of course, we will keep our word," Crowley said, not taking the threat seriously.

"By the way, Priest, we can send word to our forces to retreat. In half a day, we will launch a full-scale attack," Crowley smiled.

Unconcerned with the priest's threat, Crowley was more focused on the arrival of High Priest Erickson. He knew that Erickson was powerful, but he was up against a formidable dragon on the other side. Even if Erickson arrived, he wouldn't dare provoke such a mighty primordial dragon.

"If we wait for our king to arrive, the distribution of spoils will be decided by him alone!" the White Bear Beast priest exclaimed, caught up in his excitement.

"Of course, of course," Crowley chuckled in agreement.

In his heart, he cursed loudly, 'Damn, these beasts are beasts, and they have no sense of contract at all!'

'Fuck!'

With the white bear beast's retreat, the entire battle seemed to end abruptly.

Since the Norton tribe was traveling as a whole, with many elders, women, and children, as well as baggage, among them, including the chieftain Dalarius, they did not counterattack the white bear beasts. Instead, they seized the time to treat the wounded and calm the people.

In the center of the Plateau Yak Caravan, a newly erected tent stood in the center.

All the barbarian captains, including Lagrelle and above, were summoned for a brief wartime meeting.

"High Priest, Chieftain, this is the third wave of white bear beasts we've encountered. The warriors can't get proper rest, and the number of injured is increasing with each battle," said Jon, a barbarian captain, wiping the blood from his face.

"What about the Riche people? How long will it take for them to arrive here?" Dalarius turned and asked.

"Well, the Riche people also suffered an attack from the Black Flame Cult. It's estimated that they'll need three more days to reach here."

"Three days," Dalarius muttered, his eyebrows furrowed.

Hearing this, everyone present looked grim.

Lagrelle was also panting, having fought consecutively. She had several shallow wounds on her body, and the edge of her giant shield was severely worn down, but her eyes remained bright.

At this moment, a messenger at the door came to report.

"High Priest, Chieftain, there's a visitor outside who claims to be from the Northern Winterkeep Academy and has important information for the Chieftain and High Priest."

"Northern Winterkeep Academy? Please invite them in." As the barbarian chieftain, Dalarius had naturally heard of this wizard organization from the North, but they rarely interacted.

Soon, a dignified middle-aged woman in a white robe entered and greeted them:

"High Priest Rom, Chieftain Dalarius, good day. I am Velty, the Vice President of the Northern Winterkeep Academy."

"We've come to share a very important message. The Primordial Dragon Corax in the ice fields has already started moving, and it will arrive here in half a day to a maximum of one day."

This news was like a thunderbolt, causing everyone present to change their expressions in shock!

"What? So soon!" Dalarius's eyes widened in surprise.

The white bear beasts had already caused them great trouble. If the Primordial Dragon itself arrived, the consequences would be unimaginable!

Even with Dalarius's confidence, he didn't believe that the Norton tribe alone could defeat the supposedly powerful Corax.

The barbarians were brave, not foolish.

"Yes, Chieftain Dalarius, this is why we've come. For the Northern Winterkeep Academy, Corax is also an enemy. Its brutal temperament has disrupted the peace of the North."

"You may not know, but before this, the Northern Winterkeep Academy has already suffered from Corax's destruction and slaughter."

After Velty finished speaking, she bid farewell.

"Thank you, Vice President Velty. The Norton tribe will remember this."

Half a day passed in a flash.

At this moment, the sound of horns rang out!

The white bear beasts once again formed a dense formation, and together with the wandering knights and mercenaries recruited by the Black Flame Cult, they launched a fierce attack on the Norton tribe.

But this time was different. Including Lagrelle, all the barbarian elites sensed the rising momentum of the bear beasts!

Suddenly, everyone on the battlefield looked up at the sky.

"Roar!!!"

In the distance, a giant creature appeared, and although it was far away, its massive size was still eye-catching.

With a loud dragon's roar, it flapped its enormous wings and quickly approached.

"Oh heavens! What monster is this!"

Many brave Norton barbarians widened their eyes, staring at the enormous creature flying in the sky.

They saw that it was completely different from the image of a dragon they had in mind. It had no slender neck, no large and shining scales, and not even the dragon horns on its head like the Five-Colored Dragon.

Its bald head looked more like a lizard, and its huge jaws clearly indicated immense biting power. Moreover, its hind legs were extremely robust.

If Rain were here, he would surely exclaim, "This is a damn mix of a Tyrannosaurus and a Winged Dragon!"

"Submit or be destroyed!" A deep and resounding voice, accompanied by the vibration of the Primordial Dragon's chest, echoed across the battlefield.

As the enormous shadow cast down, Corax's overwhelming presence and the buzzing sound still reverberating in the air, even the bravest barbarian warriors felt fear at this moment.

A sense of impending doom arose in the hearts of almost every barbarian.

This had nothing to do with courage.

It was a pure instinctual fear of a higher-order being.

"High Priest, the war song!" Among the barbarians present, the only ones not panicking were the chieftain, Dalarius.

Of course, it was fortunate that Winterfort Academy's advance notice served as a preemptive measure. He quickly turned and shouted to High Priest Rom behind him.

During their previous discussions, they had also prepared for the worst-case scenario.

If the Rechi people didn't make it in time and the Primordial Dragon Corax arrived first...

"Ancestors of the Norton Tribe, hear the call of your descendants. The Hall of Heroes blesses us!" As High Priest Rom chanted in a low voice, an inexplicable aura spread, and the initially panicked barbarian warriors began to calm down.

At the same time, they started to respond to the High Priest's war song, shouting in unison.

"Ancestors' blessing!"

"Ancestors' blessing!"

It didn't take long for the barbarians' shouts to come together like a spark that ignited a fire, forming a formidable force that could rival the aura of the Primordial Dragon Corax.

Obviously, the Norton barbarians' actions infuriated Corax.

"You foolish and insignificant barbarians! Your welcome will be the price for your stupidity and recklessness!" Corax roared again, and the massive Primordial Dragon began to descend from the sky towards the center of the barbarian battle formation, where the Plateau Yak Caravan was located.

In an instant, more than a dozen yak carts were instantly frozen by the icy breath.

Not only were the yaks and the Norton elders and children on the carts frozen in the moment of their terrified screams.

Then, as if to further destroy the barbarians' fighting spirit, Corax chose a densely packed area of barbarian warriors on the battlefield and landed with a thud.

"Boom!"

With its hundred-ton body landing, dozens of barbarians were crushed into meat pies, and blood mist filled the air.

At the same time, a powerful shockwave spread out, instantly overwhelming the barbarians with its might.

At this moment, Corax's power was unmatched.

However, instead of frightening the barbarians, the war song only enraged the barbarian elite.

"Damn it!"

Lagrelle and the other barbarian captains gathered behind Chieftain Dalarius.

Each of their faces showed exceptional determination because, in the next moment, they would charge with almost certain death.

"Warriors, this giant lizard dares to threaten us with death. Let's show it what it means to be a Norton!" Chieftain Dalarius, standing over two and a half meters tall, waved his double-bladed axe high and shouted.

"Death is glory!"

The elite barbarians behind Dalarius raised their weapons and roared.

"Warriors, the Hall of Heroes will have a place for us!"

"Nortons never bow to slavery!"

In an instant, Dalarius led this group of elite barbarians in a suicidal charge towards the newly landed giant Primordial Dragon Corax.

Most of the Frost Wolves, when facing Corax, were already whimpering and howling in fear with their tails between their legs.

So, at this moment, Lagrelle and the other barbarian warriors relied on their legs and charged forward with determination.

Although the barbarians were tall, compared to the massive Primordial Dragon, they were like ants to a chicken.

The gigantic Primordial Dragon, measuring sixty to seventy meters in length, was far larger than the 'Red Queen' Rayn had seen, almost twice as big, and its presence was awe-inspiring.

Even Crowley, watching from the mountainside, couldn't help but admire, "What a valiant charge!"

In response to the Norton charge, Corax lightly lifted its claw, and with a sweep of its wing, it slashed a deep wound on the giant barbarian chieftain. But the next moment, Corax's mighty force knocked Dalarius into the air.

"You insignificant barbarians, you will pay the price for your foolishness!"

But it wasn't over yet. Corax, enraged by the injured barbarian chieftain, roared and launched another attack at the airborne Dalarius.

A phosphorescent blue-purple light, the breath of the dragon, instantly engulfed Dalarius.

The barbarian chieftain, still in mid-air, instantly felt his body stiffen with bone-chilling cold.

"Chieftain!" Lagrelle watched this, her face also showing determination. She tightened her grip on her battle axe and giant shield, her eyes fixed on the raging Corax, and charged forward.

Unfortunately, there would be no chance to meet again.

But at this moment, in the southern sky, unnoticed by the battlefield, a small dot rapidly grew larger.

It was a blue-purple Horned Eagle Beast, swiftly approaching.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end