The Source of Corruption

Unfortunately, my Wind Force couldn't break through the magic orb barrier. These magic orbs are too powerful; they can defend against not only weapons but also the invisible wind!

Worse still, my failed ambush caught Syndra's attention. She glanced at my location, and with a smirk, I quickly braced myself. 🐟🐯 ♠🐨

However, she didn't use any magic orbs to attack me. I don't know if it was because we were too far apart or because there was a limit to the number of magic orbs, but in any case, it wouldn't be easy for her to launch a sneak attack again.

Direct attacks and elemental attacks are proving ineffective, so what should we do? I've been weighing our options, and only Karma is different.

Karma and the three Shepherd had been observing the battle from the sidelines since their initial attempts to use formations proved ineffective. They all used intangible attacks like mental and telepathic strikes, so why not give it a try?

I went to Karma and explained my intentions. She couldn't answer me verbally, but just nodded. Then I explained to the Shepherd one by one, and they acted again!

This trick worked! They closed their eyes and concentrated for a short while, Syndra's crown suddenly fell to the ground, followed by the disappearance of all the orbs!

Irelia and the others were confused, but they knew it was us who had been behind it all. Without stopping for a moment, they put their weapons directly to Syndra's neck!

"You lost, so please come with us!"

Syndra ignored Irelia and said to me, "Yasuo, did you find out?"

"That's right, the only change you've made this time is the addition of a crown. It's a pity that neither physical nor elemental attacks can penetrate the orb's defense, but mental attacks are still effective!"

"Hahaha... Strong in strength and with a decent mind, Elder Suma has truly taught a remarkable disciple!"

What do you mean by "thinking it through"? I won, okay? That condescending tone is really uncomfortable.

"You've already lost. Come with us to Prexian and confess your crimes. Don't even think about running away, or don't blame us for hurting you!"

"Lost? If you think that way, then that's not wise! Weaklings, get out!"

After Syndra finished speaking, she suddenly unleashed a powerful aura that pushed us away like a shockwave. Wukong, who was weaker, was thrown off balance and his weapon slipped from his grasp.

She then picked up the crown and put it back on her head, and the orbs once again surrounded her.

At first, I thought she was fighting using the power of her crown, but the Weakness Retreat she just used was clearly very powerful. This is a bit troublesome. What if she uses an Energy Outburst next? Who can withstand that?

"Watch out for Qilisi, don't let her get shot down again." Syndra suddenly said something cryptic. Who was she talking to?

"Okay, Syndra, I'll be careful." Syndra's response was surprisingly her crown!

The crown is alive? Qilisi... I remember now! I heard that name in the Ascended Illusion!

Ascended, Vastaya, that's right, Syndra is indeed tainted by the power of the Vastaya!

This matter needs further consideration; we must retreat today, or we'll all perish here!

"Get out of here immediately!"

I shouted loudly, and the people fighting on the field immediately retreated. Syndra, however, was not willing to give up. She summoned several more magic orbs and attacked again.

Irelia and Talon were alright; they were able to protect themselves and retreat. Karma and the other Shepherd, however, were much slower.

I can't save them both at the same time; in this situation, offense is the best defense!

I gathered a powerful gust of cold wind and rushed towards Syndra, using the surrounding ice and snow to build a thick ice prison, but it was shattered by the magic orb in the blink of an eye.

At this point, apart from Karma being rescued, the other three Shepherd were completely unable to defend themselves on their own.

With no other option, I turned the Wind Force around and lunged at the Shepherd, the powerful force pushing them several meters away.

This might seriously injure them, but at least it would save their lives from the ball's attack.

Yuan Feng, Talon, and Irelia quickly carried the three Shepherd away and fled. Katarina and Karma had also escaped far away, leaving only Wukong standing there dumbfounded.

I summoned a fierce wind to desperately block the impact of the magic orb, creating time for Wukong to escape, but he still showed no intention of running away. Instead, he picked up the steel knife, wanting to help me.

"Run! We're no match for her!"

"Then what will you do, Master? I can't leave you here alone!"

"If you leave, I'll leave too. Don't drag me down!"

"I..."

Wukong was so anxious that he scratched his ears and cheeks, but he still refused to leave. I didn't have time to say anything more to him, so I quickly mustered up some strength and pushed him away.

In that moment of distraction, a magic orb broke through the wind wall and hit me. It felt like being hit by an iron ball, and my whole body trembled.

Fortunately, Wukong finally ran away. I kicked up the snow on the ground to block Syndra's view and quickly retreated.

Although this blocked her view, I couldn't see the ball's movement either, and I was hit in the calf after only a few steps.

I rolled twice on the ground, ignoring the excruciating pain, and continued to flee, only to suddenly find myself unable to move!

It's not that I can't move, it's that my whole body is being pulled back by a powerful force!

I was soon back beside Syndra, who was meditating on the ground and had used her mind to pull me back:

"Don't rush off. If all ten of them run away, Qilisi will be unhappy."

"Kill him, Syndra! I need blood!"

"Wait a minute, don't you find it strange? He immediately ordered his companions to retreat after hearing your name, as if he knew you."

"He's only afraid of our power; how could he possibly know me?"

Syndra and Qilisi's conversation seemed like they were talking to themselves. At least Kayn's scythe looked alive, but this crown was completely lifeless.

Since they've brought it up, I might as well chat a bit more; maybe things will turn around, or at least it'll buy me some time.

"I don't know the current you, but I know the Shurima."

"What did you say, kid?"

"Shurima, Naremajet, Aatrox, Ascended, is that enough?"

How do you know so much?

"Because I've been to the Ascended Realm, and I mentioned it to Rhaast not long ago."

"Rhaast, he didn't kill you?"

"Isn't that what I'm doing, standing right in front of you?"

Qilisi was just as surprised as Rhaast when she heard what I said. She didn't believe I could enter the illusion, but after hearing my description, she had no choice but to believe it.

When she finally heard the news of Azir's resurrection, she was visibly shaken, but quickly recovered.

"Khopesh has found a master, Azir has been resurrected—truly astonishing news! Will Shurima prosper once more? Hahaha..."

"Yes, if you are all willing to return, Shurima will surely regain its former glory!"

"Unfortunately, I am no longer the revered Celestial Warrior, and now, I am going to kill you!"