Bridge of Sacrifice

It took about a day and a half.

Xia Tong finally arrived at this checkpoint.

"Damn, I'm exhausted!"

He had dodged and weaved all the way here, taking down more than a dozen Wandering Nobles and Noble Sorcerers. Though those monsters were weak and died after a couple of strikes, they always traveled in groups.

Xia Tong was truly grateful for that!

Moreover, he could not summon Spirit Ashes on a large scale. He only dared summon the Fanged Imps to share the pressure, lest he draw even more enemies.

The Fanged Imps were agile enough and small in size, making them less likely to attract attention.

As for mounted Kaiden Sellswords, Xia Tong always gave them a wide berth and refused to provoke them.

He took out the waterskin he had swiped from the Kaiden Sellsword he had hunted earlier, took a huge gulp, then surveyed the surrounding terrain.

Towering cliffs stood nearby. After trekking for more than ten kilometers, he had barely gotten any proper rest along the way.

But now was not the time to relax.

He crept toward the lone Godrick Soldier ahead.

Then he covered the man's mouth and delivered a backstab!

The Lordsworn's Straight Sword in his hand plunged viciously into the soldier's body before being yanked back out.

Blood sprayed everywhere.

The lowly grunt died before he could even make a sound.

By now, Xia Tong had become exceedingly skilled at sneak attacks and assassinations, every movement smooth and natural.

After dealing with the sentry, Xia Tong looked toward the Bridge of Sacrifice in the distance and did not rashly attempt to charge straight across.

The bridge's front was heavily defended. Charging in head-on was simply courting death.

He summoned Torrent, mounted up, and rode to the nearby cliff edge.

There was a white current of air shooting into the sky—a Spirit Spring.

As Torrent's hooves stepped onto the current, an enormous yet gentle force abruptly thrust Xia Tong and his horse high into the air!

Whoosh—!

The wind howled past his ears.

Xia Tong turned Torrent around and rode the rising current, landing steadily atop the towering cliff above the side of the bridge.

Gentle, yet powerful.

It was like a pair of warm hands lifting you swiftly into the air before setting you down softly.

Xia Tong lay at the cliff's edge, staring intently at the Bridge of Sacrifice below.

At the front of the bridge stood rows of wooden spike barricades, along with soldiers carrying greatshields.

Though these soldiers wore equipment similar to that of Godrick Soldiers, they belonged to Castle Morne in the south. Their combat training could not be underestimated.

But the true danger lay in the middle of the bridge.

A massive explosive ballista had been set up there.

Xia Tong had personally experienced that ballista countless times in the game.

It was immensely powerful, had an extreme range, and exploded upon impact!

Once caught in its blast, it could nearly wipe out 80 percent of one's health instantly.

Without drinking a flask before the second shot landed, death was absolutely inevitable.

The sky gradually darkened.

Yet the Castle Morne Soldiers and archers on the Bridge of Sacrifice remained stationed there, patrolling continuously with strict vigilance.

Xia Tong really wanted to complain. Castle Morne behind them was probably already in complete chaos, but the guards at the Bridge of Sacrifice likely had not received the news and were still stupidly holding their posts.

Damn it!

"Let's begin."

Jingle, jingle!

Xia Tong shook the Spirit Calling Bell and summoned two Fanged Imps and three Stray Wolves.

"Glug!"

He took a massive swig from the Cerulean Tear Flask, replenishing the heavily depleted Focus Points.

Immediately afterward, Xia Tong rang the bell again.

This time, he summoned the Spirit Jellyfish, along with the pair of Godrick Soldier brothers he had obtained not long ago.

For this battle, he had practically gone all-in on his FP.

"I'll have to trouble you again."

Xia Tong stroked the heads of the three Stray Wolves, guilt flashing through his eyes.

As highly mobile units, they were the best bait.

At Xia Tong's whistle, the three Stray Wolves led the charge!

They moved with incredible speed. With a running start and a light leap, they cleared the tall spike barricades and rushed into the enemy formation.

"Wolves!"

"Enemy attack—!"

Like the Godrick Soldiers at Gatefront, these Castle Morne Soldiers were no better.

By nightfall, they were practically dozing off.

However, there were many of them, and they were all stationed on the bridge, making them extremely troublesome to deal with.

Very soon, two or three soldiers carrying greatshields began forming up to surround the wolf pack.

Just as they slowly gathered together—

A pale-blue cracked pot suddenly streaked across the night sky and landed at their feet.

Boom!

The Magic Pot exploded.

Two Fanged Imps leaped out from the darkness like ghosts.

They jumped directly onto the Castle Morne Soldiers' necks and viciously drove their Forked Hatchets into gaps in the armor!

Blood sprayed wildly, dyeing the thick night with a streak of crimson.

"Now! Torrent! Charge!"

Xia Tong shouted.

Torrent was a supernatural Spirit Steed to begin with. It transformed into a gust of wind and leaped out from the shadows!

Double jump!

It easily cleared the spiked barricades and landed in the middle of the bridge.

"There's someone else!"

A wiry Godrick Foot Soldier wearing an iron conical hat and sporting a sharp, monkey-like face spotted Xia Tong.

He immediately shouted at the top of his lungs.

The man was exceptionally nimble, with a dagger in his right hand.

But at this moment, he had no intention of engaging in close combat.

Instead, he retreated at top speed and sprang onto the explosive ballista platform positioned in the center of the Bridge of Sacrifice.

Explosive ballista bolts?!

Xia Tong was on horseback and could not reach him in time.

He could only pull out the throwing knife strapped to his leg and hurl it viciously!

Whoosh!

The throwing knife shot through the night sky and embedded itself straight into the wooden boards of the platform.

Unfortunately, in his haste, his aim was off. It missed the "skinny monkey" foot soldier by a little.

Creak—creak—

The heavy winch slowly turned, producing a grinding sound that set one's teeth on edge.

At the same time, the thick sinew bowstring was drawn taut inch by inch.

It let out a low, oppressive, unbroken hum, like the whisper of death.

Then, the enormous pressure was suddenly released!

Twäng!

The bowstring tore through the air, and a giant bolt burning with gunpowder pierced the darkness as it hurtled viciously toward Xia Tong.

"Torrent, right!"

Xia Tong sharply pulled the reins, immediately following up with a desperate double jump.

Boom!!

Towering flames erupted across the Bridge of Sacrifice.

A rolling wave of heat crashed into him, scorching the loose hair over Xia Tong's forehead.

That had been close!

"Here's our chance!"

Neither Xia Tong nor Torrent was afraid. Instead, they seized the gap while the enemy reloaded and charged forward like madmen!

The ballista was powerful, but it reloaded incredibly slowly!

Clatter, clatter, clatter!

Hoofbeats rang across the Bridge of Sacrifice.

Behind Xia Tong, the two Fanged Imps, three Stray Wolves, Spirit Jellyfish, and Godrick Soldiers were locked in a chaotic melee with the group of Castle Morne Soldiers.

Using a double jump, Xia Tong and Torrent landed steadily atop the firing platform!

He drew the Lordsworn's Greatsword and swung with all his strength, borrowing Torrent's charging momentum.

The "skinny monkey" foot soldier dodged in terror.

Xia Tong's sword strike missed.

Crack!

The blade slammed into the ballista's main beam, sending wood chips flying.

With a single swing, Xia Tong destroyed the deadly explosive ballista!

Though he had destroyed the ballista, the immense inertia from the heavy blade of the Lordsworn's Greatsword still left Xia Tong exposed.

The "skinny monkey" foot soldier's eyes turned vicious as he immediately lunged forward!

His dagger flashed coldly as it stabbed fiercely toward Xia Tong's heart.

Because he did not wear heavy armor and his protection was more like cloth clothing, he was extremely agile.

Xia Tong was startled and rolled to the side, not even having time to retrieve the greatsword in his hand.

Rip!

The enemy was simply too fast. He still cut a gash across Xia Tong's waist.

Blood seeped out.

"Damn it! I got careless! I didn't dodge!"

Xia Tong was furious.

I'm a level twenty warrior now, damn it!

And I put both attribute points from my recent level-up into [Dexterity]!

In terms of agility alone, I'm not inferior to you, you skinny monkey who only knows how to use a ballista!

Xia Tong immediately changed tactics.

He no longer made broad, sweeping attacks. Instead, he gripped the hilt of the Lordsworn's Greatsword with both hands and pointed its tip forward.

He kept it firmly aimed at the "skinny monkey."

There was very little room to maneuver atop the platform.

The Lordsworn's Greatsword had an exceptionally long blade, nearly four feet in length.

With its point aimed at him, the "skinny monkey" foot soldier's movements were already restricted, preventing him from closing in.

Xia Tong pressed forward relentlessly, step by step.

He suddenly stomped hard!

Thud!

The entire firing platform began shaking violently.

Before the enemy could regain his footing, Xia Tong thrust the sword point forward and forced the "skinny monkey" foot soldier off the platform!

"Ah—!"

He screamed as he fell.

Neigh!

Torrent had been waiting below for a long time.

It raised both front hooves high into the air, then brought them down heavily!

Splat!

That stomp directly crushed the fallen soldier's chest, collapsing his ribs and rupturing his organs.

On the other side, his Spirit Ashes were locked in an even fight with the other Godrick Soldiers!

The enemy had far too many men—more than a dozen of them—and most carried shields!

They had even vaguely formed a battle formation.

If not for the Fanged Imps' agility, their occasional sneak attacks, and their explosive Magic Pots, they might truly have been unable to defeat them!

Xia Tong picked up the Lordsworn's Greatsword and rushed over to support them.

Skill—Stamp!

He stepped forward, lowered his body, and gathered strength.

Then came an Upward Cut!

Clang!

A Castle Morne Soldier holding a greatshield was instantly staggered by Xia Tong's tremendous strength, his shield knocked high into the air.

After adding points to Dexterity, Xia Tong discovered that the [Dexterity] attribute did not simply improve the body's agility.

It also significantly improved the technique and precision behind exerting force.

With the same amount of strength, Xia Tong's attacks were now far trickier than before.

The blade pierced through a chest.

Then, Xia Tong repeated the process, working with the remaining Spirit Ashes to take down the rest of the bridge guards.

Blood splattered across the Bridge of Sacrifice.

The battle ended.

Xia Tong skillfully stripped them clean of their equipment.

Then, he continued onward with Torrent.

With so much loot, his load was now too heavy. Reluctant to ride Torrent, Xia Tong instead had it carry the mountain-like pile of equipment while he led it along by the reins.

Before long, they reached the end of the bridge.

There was a new Site of Grace there, radiating golden light.

And on a large boulder by the roadside beside the Site of Grace—

sat a young girl.

She wore a long dress with an exotic flair. Her golden hair fell over her shoulders, and her hands were folded atop her knees. Though her eyes were beautiful, they held no focus, veiled by a faint haze.

She sat blankly atop the boulder, listening to the wind in the distance.

She looked aloof and lonely.

She was Irina, daughter of Edgar, lord of Castle Morne. Xia Tong recognized her at a glance.