When Ninolok led the flying insect forces toward Niuzao Temple, it discovered that an earthy-yellow sphere of light protected the temple.
The sight of this enormous Earth Defensive Barrier left Ninolok dumbfounded.
What was going on?
The Great Yak wasn't here, so where had this Earth Defensive Barrier come from?
It would have been easy to explain if the Black Ox Venerable had been here.
As a powerful earth-aligned Wild God, he could raise an Earth Defensive Barrier covering all of Niuzao Temple without any difficulty!
When Orcs and the Burning Legion attacked the city, Prophet Velen had once used his formidable power to raise a Holy Light Defensive Barrier that protected the entire urban area.
Alchemy Bombs dropped from over a thousand meters up slammed into the Earth Defensive Barrier, yet failed to explode.
That thin, earthy-yellow membrane of energy dissipated most of the Alchemy Bombs' impact, leaving the conditions required to trigger an explosion unmet.
Seeing how effectively the Earth Defensive Barrier dissipated force, Ninolok gritted its teeth in hatred.
It had thought this Earth Defensive Barrier was merely a fragile façade.
It had never expected its defenses to be so effective, almost as good as having that Great Yak stationed here in person.
Clearly, another powerful individual was protecting this place.
Yet it was still mistaken.
The powerful individual sustaining the Earth Barrier was Herad.
At that moment, Herad was not here.
He was mining through the Hammer of Khaz'goroth while also protecting Niuzao Temple from destruction by the Mantid's flying insect forces.
Although Ninolok did not know the details.
Being thwarted in its attempt to wreak havoc still infuriated it.
The crazed flying insect leader ordered its subordinates to charge at the Earth Defensive Barrier carrying Alchemy Bombs, then detonate the bombs manually.
At their superior's