Triumphant Return (2-in-1)
Kaerhan discarded his spear, drew two short spears from behind his back, and thrust them out with astonishing speed!
The original Polearm Weapons has been transformed into a dual-wielded one-handed weapon. Although the damage per hit has been greatly reduced and the chance of Block attacks has also decreased significantly, Kaerhan's attack speed has been significantly increased, resulting in higher damage output!
With a flash of light, Bai Xiaowen summoned the last Skeleton Sword-and-Shield Soldier ahead of time, Targeted Airdrop him precisely to block the path of one of the short spears, while simultaneously severing his Life Sharing with Fatty.
Fatty was stabbed again by the short spear, and his health plummeted. However, the Skeleton Sword-and-Shield Soldier was lucky enough to have a 10% chance to dodge small piercing damage; the short spear pierced between its bones without causing any damage!
Of course, this little incident only allowed it to live for less than a second longer. Kaerhan's 70 points of agility were no joke; he instantly pulled out and stabbed again, accurately hitting the Skeleton Sword-and-Shield Soldier's throat.
The Shadow Strike skill was triggered, dealing 79 points of mixed damage, instantly killing the target!
At this moment, Li Shuyi and the others, who had just been knocked back, rushed up again to attack, taking advantage of the moment when Kaerhan's ability to Parry attacks was greatly reduced, and desperately tried to steal his health.
Two seconds later, all the surviving Skeleton Sword-and-Shield Soldier were wiped out.
The Shadow Assassin, under Bai Xiaowen's command, shielded Li Shuyi from two more attacks before dying.
The Stitched Monster, Fatty, is dead.
Kaerhan's Life Value finally dropped below 200. His deep blue skin was covered with a layer of bloody light, and after a brief charge, his twin spears shot out, attacking Bai Xiaowen and Li Shuyi's vital points!
This is clearly a throwing skill!
As a ranged attacker, Bai Xiaowen had a slightly longer reaction time. While anticipating and dodging the attack, he also activated the "Sanctuary" bonus skill of [Arbiter's Resolve], gaining a shield that could absorb 44 points of damage (Constitution * 2)!
Laugh!
The shield shattered like a soap bubble, and the spear, still powerful, struck Bai Xiaowen's shoulder! Half of Bai Xiaowen's body went numb, and his Life Value dropped by more than 40 points. Even after deducting armor and other damage reduction, this attack still dealt nearly 90 points of actual damage—it was terrifying!
Li Shuyi's mind went blank. Although she was highly agile, she was in close combat and had virtually no time to react. She was pierced in the heart by the flying spear!
Li Shuyi's overall armor is similar to Bai Xiaowen's, so this attack will probably deal close to 90 damage!
Vital Strike follow a rule of instant kill at 1/3 of maximum Life Value, and Li Shuyi's total health is... 210 points. As long as she takes Vital Strike deals more than 70 points of damage, she will be instantly killed!
A voice came through Bai Xiaowen's Divine Might connection. "Don't be afraid, you won't die!"
The instant the short spear pierced Li Shuyi, Li Shuyi body suddenly became much more ethereal, drifting backward like a feather.
"You have withstood a Vital Strike."
"Your Gold Equipment [Feathering Necklace] has triggered the skill ' Feathering,' which forcibly reduces damage by 30%!"
"You have taken 62 points of mixed damage and have been inflicted with Severe Bleeding."
"Your attack speed and movement speed are increased by 30%, but your attack power is reduced by 50% for 10 seconds!"
Li Shuyi quickly knocked over a bottle of hemostatic medicine and charged forward!
After the Feathering effect was triggered, Li Shuyi's body became much lighter, and the speed at which she wielded her twin swords became even more terrifying, leaving behind a series of Afterimage. She was not far behind the BOSS, Kaerhan, whose agility value was as high as 70 points!
Although her attack power was halved, Li Shuyi was still in the "Demonfire Dance" damage-boosting state, with each hit dealing an additional 12 points of theoretical fire damage. With the attack speed greatly increased, her output actually increased instead of decreased!
As Bai Xiaowen shouted "You won't die," he endured the excruciating pain of his shoulder being pierced and activated [Talisman Switching]! A yellow Spell Talisman flew out of his hand.
When!
Kaerhan was already at his last gasp and was directly hit by the Heart-Confounding Talisman.
The deception failed without a doubt, but the resulting stun effect, even after the [Bloodspear War Banner] passive reduced the control time by 40%, still lasted for 2.5 seconds!
Bai Xiaowen rushed forward, gripped the gun with both hands, pressed it against Kaerhan's chest, and unleashed a Rapid-Fire Mode of fire! His strength had reached a high of 45 points, and the damage of each shot increased dramatically, causing Kaerhan's chest to bleed Fountain.
Bai Xiaowen fired wildly for two seconds, then, timing his movement perfectly, put away his weapon, leaped into the air, and activated the [White Eagle's Assault] additional skill Swooping Flight!
Kaerhan was taller than the average troll, about 2.5 meters, but Bai Xiaowen jumped more than two meters high, kicking Kaerhan in the chin and making the Bloodspear Warlord unsteady. Immediately after, Bai Xiaowen twisted in mid-air and kicked out a second time, sending Kaerhan flying into the air!
Kusanagi-Style Ancient Martial Arts - Modified 75th Form)!
At this moment, Bai Xiaowen's strength was 45 points, which had surpassed that of Kaerhan. With the 50% kick damage bonus from "Swooping Flight," these two kicks each dealt more than 40 points of actual damage, demonstrating astonishing power.
More importantly, due to the Suppression of force, after being kicked away, Kaerhan's entire body was infused with the force, leaving him paralyzed and unable to defend himself!
As a super hard crowd control ability, the knock-up effect will not be exempted by skills like "Bloodspear War Banner".
Li Shuyi certainly wouldn't let this rare opportunity to deal damage go to waste, and continued to follow up with attacks. In the last few seconds of the Demonfire Dance, she continuously stabbed a large number of fine wounds into Kaerhan's body.
Five layers of Thunder Mark, explode!
The Demonfire Jade Pendant's +7 special effect accumulated fire energy explodes!
Kaerhan suddenly vomited a mouthful of blood mist in mid-air, blood gushing from his wounds. Above his head, an alarming damage value appeared...
-
114!
Bloodspear Warlord, Deathstalker Kaerhan, is dead!
"Kaerhan has been killed!" Bai Xiaowen first shouted this shocking news in the Remnant Tongue, then yelled in the Common Tongue, "All troops, charge!"
Upon seeing Kaerhan fall dead, the trolls were momentarily stunned, their morale plummeting. However, some trolls quickly recovered, entering Berserk state, determined to avenge their Boss Tier Kaerhan.
Bai Xiaowen reached for Kaerhan's Golden Treasure Chest, and seeing the swarming troll warriors, he unleashed a powerful Orochi Nagi slash. The surging fire wave sent the troll warriors, whose Life Value was low, flying in disarray, and their original blocking formation crumbled.
Only thirty-odd knights remained and launched a final charge.
"Xiao Wen, what are you going to do!" Li Shuyi suddenly realized that Bai Xiaowen's warhorse had been killed in action, and hurriedly handed her own reins. "You go first, I can run faster than you!"
Just as Bai Xiaowen was about to speak, a gust of evil wind swept from behind. Three troll warriors, desperate to avenge their Boss Tier, unleashed their "Bloodburst Assassination" skill, sending three crimson spears hurtling towards Bai Xiaowen's back.
At this point, after a series of fierce battles, Bai Xiaowen's group of summoned creatures had dwindled to just one Skeleton Mage, who was still moving slowly and had no one left to help defend him.
"Boss Dio!"
Kitz, who was standing nearby, suddenly lunged at him.
Sizzle, sizzle!
Three blood-red spears struck Kitz almost simultaneously. Kitz's Life Value instantly plummeted to zero, and he was also inflicted with Severe Bleeding!
"Damn it!" Bai Xiaowen roared angrily, putting away the remaining [Cry of the Dead] scroll. "Bonita!"
Bonita raised her hand and cast [Holy Hand] from afar, slightly raising Kitz's health. At the same time, Bai Xiaowen unleashed his second "Orochi Nagi," burning more than a dozen already low-health troll warriors to a crisp.
The remaining troll warriors, Stun by Bai Xiaowen's two consecutive powerful spells, hesitated to advance, showing signs of retreat.
"My lord... I'm about to die," Kitz gasped for breath, three horrific holes in his chest making it difficult to breathe, but a grim smile remained on his face. "Am I being a good friend? Don't waste your energy, ride my horse and hurry up."
"Shut up... no, open your mouth, don't speak!" Bai Xiaowen was filled with mixed feelings. He quickly opened a bottle of hemostatic agent, poured it into Kitz's mouth, and then bandaged his wound.
However, it was to no avail. Kitz had three layers of Severe Bleeding, and the hemostatic agent could only relieve one layer. Bai Xiaowen wanted to give Kitz more hemostatic agent, but received a notification that the combat potion had entered a cooling phase on Kitz and could not be used again.
"... Why?" Bai Xiaowen asked.
"You're my boss..." Kitz smiled broadly. "Besides, compared to a loser like me... you feel more useful to be alive, right?"
Kitz looked up at the sky over Northern Frontier and murmured, "Is this what it feels like to be Hero Tier? Not bad at all..."
Bai Xiaowen calmed down.
"Kitz, there's a way for you to live in another form of life... Are you willing?"
"Boss, I don't quite understand what you're saying," Kitz said with a chuckle, perking up. "But what's wrong with being alive?"
"I hope you won't regret it..."
Bai Xiaowen's fingers touched the Black Soul Stone.
"Delifa! I will absorb Kitz's soul while preserving his complete consciousness!"
Delifa's face appeared on the surface of the Black Soul Stone, and she said with difficulty, "Master, to absorb the soul of a target for whom you have not Kill Contribution, the target must not resist at all, and it will not increase the growth rate of the Black Soul Stone. Moreover, preserving the complete consciousness... I have never tried it before, and I cannot guarantee the success rate."
"Don't mention the difficulties to me, we must succeed!" Bai Xiaowen said through gritted teeth.
Delifa was startled and quickly nodded, "Yes, Master, I will do my best... Please follow my instructions."
Bai Xiaowen nodded and, following Delifa's instructions, aimed the Black Soul Stone at Kitz's eyes, then instructed Kitz not to resist in any way.
With his Life Value completely depleted, Kitz died. His lifeless eyes remained fixed on the Black Soul Stone.
Bai Xiaowen closed Kitz's eyes. "Delifa, how are you?"
"I... I'm trying my best to preserve his personality and consciousness... Master, this will take a long time and will consume a certain amount of Soul Essence, please allow me..." Delifa's voice was intermittent.
"Allow!"
Bai Xiaowen said in a deep voice.
In the far north, dust billowed. The other pursuing forces of the Remnants army were fast approaching.
Bai Xiaowen, not waiting for the outcome, leaped onto Kitz's horse and led the knights toward Blackrock City.
Blackrock City was filled with jubilation.
Nicholas personally greeted them, then ordered the city gates closed, and amidst cheers, proclaimed loudly, "Let us welcome the return of humanity's Hero Tier with enthusiastic applause!"
Thunderous applause erupted.
Below, the noble ladies and wives held their hands to their hearts and looked at Bai Xiaowen with starry eyes.
Bai Xiaowen received a notification.
"A-Tier Elite Quest: Raid Behind Enemy Lines has been submitted. Completion: Excellent."
"Your squad has earned 1500 Merit Points."
"Your reputation with the Human Allied Army has significantly increased; your current reputation level is: Revered (unchanged)."
Please choose one item from the following as your bonus.
The three available items included both A+ grade items and Gold Equipment, all of considerable value. However, Bai Xiaowen immediately spotted the third-ranked special item, "Broken Oath," and chose it without hesitation.
Bai Xiaowen now has four "Broken Oath," and only needs three more to complete the "Black Edge's Oath" quest and obtain the Permanent Team-Building Item "Oath of Black Edge."
Bai Xiaowen sighed inwardly, thankfully he hadn't been satisfied with a low level of completion.
If you return after destroying four outposts, you'll probably only get reputation and Merit Points as rewards, and the rewards will likely be lower, since it's only a "passable" level of completion.
Of course, pursuing "perfect" completion is unrealistic. If it drags on too long and the main force of the Remnants surrounds them, they won't be able to return. The mission is about finding a balance between completion and safety.
Just after receiving his reward, amidst applause, a female lord in white armor walked over in full view of everyone, reached out and hugged Bai Xiaowen, ignoring the sweat and blood on his face, and kissed him.
It's Cecilia.
Cheers and whistles rose and fell. Hero Tier returning in triumph and beauties showering them with kisses are the most talked-about.
Li Shuyi gritted her teeth.
Bai Xiaowen, on the other hand, received a hint.
"Lord Cecilia's Affection Level towards you has greatly increased; the current Affection Level level is: Best Friend."
"Lord Cecilia's Infatuation Level for you has greatly increased; the current Infatuation Level level is: Romance."
"Based on Cecilia's level of Infatuation Level for you, you can now invite her to join your territory and fight for you."
Bai Xiaowen was stunned. She hadn't expected that a trip out would lead to such a rapid development in their relationship, with their Infatuation Level growing much faster than if they had been together all the time. Could this be the legendary... absence makes the heart grow fonder? Distance breeds longing?
As for joining her territory... let's forget about it. Cecilia is already a lord, and there's no precedent for that, unless the two of them get married.
Amidst the cheers and jeers, Cecilia remained poised and graceful, showing no shyness on her beautiful face, as she linked arms with Bai Xiaowen and left.
Logically, they should have been able to reap the rewards of their victory by now and do some things they liked, and Cecilia shouldn't have objected. However, Bai Xiaowen had just returned from a day and a night of intense fighting and was utterly exhausted. Moreover, he still had the Kitz matter to resolve, so he wasn't in the mood for such things. He went back to his residence and fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.