Blocking the Door

For both Li Wei and Gandalf, travel and adventure were everyday occurrences.

Especially since Li Wei had only recently returned from the Nether. After growing accustomed to trekking through the Nether's extreme environment, traveling through Middle-earth again even felt somewhat like a leisurely outing.

At the very least, he no longer had to constantly smell that pungent sulfur stench or endure the scorching heat. Though the Nether's heat could not truly affect Li Wei, that did not mean he liked sweltering environments.

"Which way are we going?"

Li Wei asked. To cross the Misty Mountains, there were two routes. One was to pass directly through the mountain paths, while the other involved taking a detour through Isengard and heading north—but that would be far too long.

"High Pass," Gandalf answered without hesitation.

"That place..."

"Won't it be a little dangerous? I remember there being a lot of Orcs there."

After all, the Orc King who had put Li Wei on a wanted list lived in the Orc town nearby.

"There are two paths through High Pass. We'll take the higher one and avoid them as much as possible."

"Fine." Li Wei had only asked casually. With his current equipment and supplies, even if he truly fell into the Orc town, he could fight his way out alone.

His trip to the Nether had not been for nothing. The Gold Ingots from the Bastion Remnant had made Li Wei rich, and he now carried a full stack of Golden Apples in his inventory.

As long as Gandalf had no issue with it, neither did he.

Still, High Pass...

That place held more than just Orcs. By the underground stream deep beneath the mountains lived a little creature.

Gollum.

The reflection of a golden ring surfaced in his eyes.

Although they were not traveling on horseback, Li Wei and Gandalf moved quickly. Other than stopping to eat, they barely paused along the way.

Li Wei did not need rest. As long as he had food, he could remain full of energy indefinitely.

As for Gandalf, the old man looked unremarkable, but his stamina was no worse than Li Wei's. In any case, after discovering that Li Wei did not need to rest, he never mentioned resting again.

They crossed the wilderness and passed over the Last Bridge. Finally, on a bright sunny morning, the two of them arrived near the Misty Mountains.

Looking at the towering snow-capped mountains in the distance, Li Wei could not help but sigh in admiration.

The highest peaks of Middle-earth—the Misty Mountains!

"We don't have time to linger, Li Wei. We must pick up the pace."

Gandalf called to him from ahead. "While it's still light, we need to get through the pass quickly, lest we run into those Orcs when they come out at night."

"Alright."

While it was still early, the two began climbing the mountain. Their feet did not stop moving all day, and they kept traveling even while eating.

Yet despite their caution, an accident still occurred.

"Grrr."

The low growl made both Li Wei and Gandalf stop at once, scanning their surroundings.

Gandalf raised his staff.

Li Wei drew the Ancient Elven Sword, which had begun to glow.

Yet the expected attack never came.

The two exchanged a glance and slowly approached the source of the sound.

Behind a large boulder, two Wargs and five Orcs were gathered around something, constantly making noise.

"I found it first, so it's obviously mine!"

"You say you found it first, and that makes it yours? It's right there—why can't it be mine?"

"Grrr!"

The Orcs and Wargs seemed to be arguing about something.

"An animal carcass," Gandalf said softly.

"It seems they're disputing how to divide it. The two Wargs think that because they're larger, they should get the biggest share. The Orcs think that since they found the prey first, they should get the most."

"Wargs arguing with Orcs? That's rather rare." Li Wei looked thoughtful.

"Those Wargs are not mere beasts, Li Wei. They possess intelligence and their own language. Their relationship with Orcs is one of cooperation, not subservience."

"No wonder they can't be tamed."

Gandalf glanced at Li Wei and said slowly, "Unless you embrace evil, you cannot make these beasts submit."

"After all, they are Wargs, not ordinary wolves searching for food."

Li Wei shrugged. They were obviously talking about different things, but it was close enough.

As they spoke, one of the Wargs suddenly twitched its nose twice, then raised its head and looked around.

"I think we should leave," Gandalf warned.

"No, I think we should prepare for battle."

"Roar!"

A Warg suddenly charged toward where the two were hiding. Li Wei simply stopped concealing himself, drew his longsword, and leaped down with a slash.

Thud!

The instant the sword struck the Warg, a flicker of fire flashed across the blade. Then the Warg's fur abruptly erupted in flames, and the entire beast caught fire, becoming a wailing mass of flame.

One slash and a burn—that single strike turned the Warg into a charred lump of dead flesh.

Gandalf stared at the Ancient Elven Sword, then glanced at Li Wei. He narrowed his eyes, seemingly lost in thought, without making any move to help.

Back to the other side: when the Orcs first saw that there was only one opponent, they had wanted to demonstrate the fine Orc tradition of bullying the outnumbered. But when these cannon fodder saw the terrifying black armor beneath Li Wei's Linen Cloak and the sword in his hand that could burst into flame, they immediately lost their nerve and scattered. Even the Wargs let out a howl and fled.

The other side was clearly some lord-level figure. What were five or six Orcs supposed to risk their lives against him for? Better go home and call for reinforcements.

"Done."

Li Wei sheathed his sword.

"Looks like this journey will be easier for me," Gandalf suddenly said.

So he was planning to slack off.

"Come on. Before they get word back, let's leave quickly."

The sky gradually darkened.

Gandalf led the way ahead. Just as the two finally reached the end of the downhill path and were about to leave this snowy mountain range—

Whoosh—

An arrow flew in, striking Li Wei squarely in the breastplate before bouncing away.

His health bar did not move at all.

Li Wei and Gandalf turned around together. Behind them, a noisy horde of Orcs was crammed at the pass, charging downhill while continuously hurling weapons and firing arrows.

"Run!" Gandalf shouted, ducking beneath a flying scimitar before turning and leaving at once.

However, Li Wei looked at the narrow pass ahead and grinned.

"I don't think that'll be necessary!"

Whoosh—

He drew his gleaming sword, put on his helmet, and headed in the opposite direction from Gandalf, blocking the mountain pass alone with sword in hand.

Thud!

With one downward slash, the scrawny Orc charging at the front was split in two. The impact carried by the blade also struck the nearby Orcs—some had their bones shattered, while others were knocked from their weapons.

Thud!

Another slash sent several Orcs flying. Engulfed in flames, they crashed back into the Orc horde behind them, knocking over several companions and spreading the fire at the same time.

Li Wei stood at the pass, constantly raising his sword to sweep and cleave. He let the charging Orcs hammer and hack at his armor with clanging strikes, yet he did not move an inch, like a massive boulder.

Some Orcs barely managed to get past the blade and surround Li Wei, pounding at him from head to toe for quite a while. His health bar only dipped almost symbolically, then refilled in the blink of an eye. Looking again at the Orcs' weapons, their edges had long since chipped away.

This was Netherite.

Before long, the ground was covered with a large expanse of charred corpses.

At first, the bloodshed had stirred the ferocity of the Orcs and Wargs. But as the bodies piled up and the smell of blood was gradually overwhelmed by the stench of burning flesh, these Orcs—who usually brought fear to others—finally felt that emotion themselves.

Fear.

"It's him! It's that Wilderness Wizard!"

At last, a sharp-eyed Orc who had taken part in the operation to surround Li Wei months ago recognized him and shrieked at the top of his lungs.

Whoosh—

Whether Orc or Warg, all of them unconsciously retreated, staring fixedly at the black armor.

One Warg trembled, baring its broken teeth as it let out a resentful growl.

"Come on, trash. Try getting past me!"

Watching the terrified Orcs before him, Gandalf suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu.

Back then, when Sauron emerged from his tower in physical form and marched down from Mount Doom, facing the army of the Last Alliance while single-handedly defeating the High King of the Noldor as well as the High Kings of Gondor and Arnor—wasn't that the very same bearing?

If the two ever faced each other, who would come out stronger?

Thanks to "Lei Ni Yi Dun" for the 100-point donation!

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(Sorry, the author's note has a word limit, so I truly couldn't fit in all the monthly ticket acknowledgments. My heartfelt thanks to everyone for your support!

Your support is what keeps me going. I'll do my best to post more!)