Chapter 2342 - 111: Magic Sword (Part 2)_3

The Knight Commander suddenly realized something and shouted: "Retreat, Knights forward!"

In fact, he didn't need to shout, for the mercenaries had already lost all fighting spirit. They originally believed they could achieve victory by piling up lives, but now it seemed to be an unrealistic fantasy.

The knights passed through the mercenaries, raising their swords as they advanced.

Xiangzi finally stopped at this moment; he looked at the rows of knights, thinking that it was about time.

He looked around again, as Shaya's companions, her Invokers, and the Hunters emerged from various parts of the forest and joined the battle. These people were frail, barely worth mentioning in front of the mercenaries and knights, but they came nonetheless.

He raised his sword, blade pressed against his brow.

Then lifted the sword again, slashing forward.

At that moment, almost everyone felt the sword's narrow edge, seemingly splitting the space apart, causing darkness to fall over the forest. They heard a deep screeching sound, as if some noise was roaring out from the forest.

And soon, they saw countless wings flying out from the shadows — these were innumerable crows, whistling out from behind Xiangzi, from within the pitch-black shadows. They spread their wings, sweeping past the boy's back like a flowing shadow, shrieking towards the knights.

The knights widened their eyes, already seeing the gleaming claws hidden under the wings. They hastily raised their arms in front, but the raven swarm leapt forward, crashing onto the metallic armor like a howling storm. Yet their claws, still pierced through armor gaps, or the exposed parts of the knights, leaving trails of blood.

As blood flowers scattered, Xiangzi stepped forward.

And in that step, the Knight Commander from afar amongst the countless crows, saw not the gleaming claws nor the wing scatterings, but a pair of dark, coldly glinting eyes— whose gaze seemed to pierce into the heart, scrutinizing his innermost weakness.

At the instant Xiangzi stepped forward, before everyone's eyes, he transformed into a raven; the raven spread its wings, with crimson eyes gleaming beneath the black feathers. And next, that crimson hue turned into a blood-red streaming light, akin to a star falling into the night sky.

Almost no one clearly saw what happened in that moment because it was too swift, faster than the human visual limit; it was like a blood-red line splitting the night, dividing the world in two, settling everything into silence.

The Knight Commander could only emit a guttural sound from his throat.

He struggled to turn around, only to separate his upper and lower body, then falling into the snow, raising a spray of blood-stained snowflakes.

The boy gathered his form in the midst of the black mist, standing firm in place, he raised the sword and softly sheathed it, a smear of dim light vanished with the sword blade.

Everyone seemed to hear a deep voice:

"Only I can master my sword."

...

As Fang Hong stepped into the dark hall, the hall was eerily silent.

Blackbo entered from outside with people, stopping behind Fang Hong, his gaze also rotating towards the center of the hall, towards the tall indistinct statue. Adrian's holy icon stood sacredly and solemnly, watching every entrant to the hall. Blackbo pursed his lips, drew his sword forward, but Fang Hong raised a hand to stop him—they were here to reclaim this place, not to desecrate it.

Adrian after all, belonged to the Orlin Pantheon, fell during the last catastrophe, though prophesied to return as the King of the Crows Terraqueous, this deity once benefited these lands. Moreover, there was no need.

Blackbo made no comment on Fang Hong's prevention, simply silently withdrew his sword. He glanced respectfully at this young man, then responded:

"They all fled ahead."

"They?"

"The Holy Sanctuary had at least one Raven Knight, a Shepherd Chief, that Great Knight named Mofein Grayflame, I recognize him, that guy is quite arrogant." Blackbo replied, which was precisely why he held Fang Hong in high regard. Originally he anticipated at least a fierce battle, but didn't expect the counterpart to flee upon sight. Though the Crow's Claw Sanctuary people might have known the battle outcome outside the inn, the knights could revive for another fight.

Fang Hong couldn't help thinking about the high-level knight with tawny gaze he met at the inn, wondering if the Mofein Grayflame Blackbo mentioned was that person. It was probably him who detected Hilveld's identity. He initially had some questions to ask this person, but didn't expect this person to have such keen perception, leaving prematurely.

Only leaving them this desolate sanctuary.

At this moment, a 'Redeemer' Ranger hurriedly entered from outside the hall, speaking to them: "Captain, Mr. Ade, someone outside wishes to meet you."

"What's the matter?" Blackbo turned to ask.

"It's the Holy Choosers," the Ranger replied: "They say they belong to the Silver Forest Spear, Mr. Ade, the leader said he knows you."

"Silver Forest Spear people?" Fang Hong slightly froze and turned around: "Silver Forest Spear people, know me? What's his name, Wu Di, Liuli Yue?"

"No," the Ranger shook his head: "He said his name is Dong."

"Dong?"

...