The Elven Cultivator

With every swing of the axe, the force field buckled inward, nearly collapsing against its main body.

It had to frantically channel its Magic Power to keep the field stable while desperately floating backward, trying to create distance.

But Romance clung to it like a persistent shadow. Her Thunderstrike Axe fell again and again, weaving an impenetrable web of lightning that enveloped Gustus, giving it no chance to break free.

For a time, the Elder Eye, despite its superior strength, was the one in a more wretched state.

Watching the scene, a complex emotion stirred in Darian’s heart.

Before he knew it, the Elf Maiden who used to carry a War Axe, her mind filled with nothing but chopping trees, had grown far stronger than him.

’The difference in our talent is just too vast.’

Sighing to himself, Darian shook off the distracting thoughts and refocused his attention on the opponent before him.

This Di Luo Dwarf was an Upper Gold, a minor tier higher than him.

But on the battlefield, the difference in tiers was never the sole factor in determining victory.

He possessed two pieces of Extraordinary Level Magic Equipment personally crafted by Anton—a Magic Staff and a robe. Used in tandem, they were enough to compensate for the difference in tiers.

The captain of the Dark Banner Team, on the other hand, was not in such an optimistic situation.

He was only a Lower Gold Warrior. Even with the aid of Rune Equipment and Talismans, the gap in strength between him and the Upper Gold Rock Beast Ghost leader was plain to see.

Each of the Rock Beast Ghost leader’s attacks was immensely powerful. The shriek of its claws tearing through the air was enough to make one’s skin crawl.

The Dark Banner Team captain was forced back step by step. His shield already bore several deep claw marks, and the Runes on its surface flickered erratically, a clear sign of heavy damage.

Fortunately, his rich experience allowed him to fight defensively, so he was in no immediate danger of being defeated.

Time was still on their side.

Whether the Dark Banner Team finished off the subterranean creatures and came to their aid, or the reinforcements from Taichu City arrived, either outcome would secure a decisive victory. They just needed to hold on a little longer.

Although Gustus didn’t know the Elf army had reinforcements, the stalemate still filled it with a sense of foreboding.

It wanted to quickly finish off its opponent and support its kin, but this Elf Maiden before it—who had clearly not yet fully awakened her Power of Law—was somehow fighting it to a standstill with her bizarre combat techniques and powerful equipment.

The situation left Gustus incredibly frustrated.

Just as the battle reached a fever pitch, something strange happened.

From the depths of the cave, an incomparably dense, blood-red light suddenly surged forth.

The light was so thick it seemed almost solid, like a blood-red waterfall flowing in reverse. It poured out from the cave entrance and spread rapidly in all directions like a tide, devouring everything in its path.

Rocks, moss, corpses, bloodstains... everything it touched was dyed a strange, sinister crimson.

In just a few breaths, the bloody light spread to the edges of the basin, finally enveloping the entire area—including the dome above—like an inverted, blood-red bowl.

The sudden turn of events instantly drew everyone’s attention.

In that instant, the battle came to an abrupt halt.

Elves and subterranean creatures alike stopped what they were doing, looking around with suspicion and uncertainty.

The dense, bloody light all around gave them a terrible feeling.

Their instincts were screaming at them.

Just then, a bloodcurdling scream suddenly rang out.

All eyes turned toward the sound, just in time to see a heavily wounded Ratman on the ground begin to shrivel at a visible rate.

Its body then began to melt, dissolving into a viscous puddle of blood that merged with the light on the ground and vanished.

Not a single trace was left behind.

The color drained from the faces of everyone present.

As they focused their senses, they were horrified to discover that their own Life Force was rapidly draining away.

It was as if something unseen was siphoning the Life Force from their bodies.

At the same time, a violent killing intent welled up from the depths of their hearts, spreading like wildfire and creating an uncontrollable urge to swing their weapons and tear apart everything in sight.

Some of the more naturally aggressive subterranean creatures’ eyes turned crimson. Their breathing grew heavy, and their knuckles whitened as they gripped their weapons.

”Something’s wrong!”

Romance reacted instantly, giving a decisive order.

”Everyone, take your Vitality and Serenity Potions now!”

The Elf soldiers immediately took out their potions, uncorked them, and tilted their heads back to drink.

The warm liquid slid down their throats, turning into a warm current that flooded their limbs.

The sensation of their Life Force draining away slowed considerably, the inexplicable killing intent was temporarily suppressed, and their minds cleared.

The members of the Ghost Scale Race and the Catmen also scrambled to take their potions, their faces filled with relief as if they had just escaped death.

But the subterranean creatures who had no such potions were not so lucky.

In just four or five breaths, some of the weaker, heavily wounded subterranean creatures could no longer hold on. They dissolved into puddles of blood and merged into the crimson light.

”Damn it! What the hell is this thing!”

”I don’t want to die!”

”Get out of here!”

It was unclear who shouted first, but the subterranean creatures snapped out of their daze. They charged toward the edge of the basin, frantically striking the blood-red barrier with their weapons.

But no matter how they attacked, the blood-red barrier remained unshaken.

”Get out of my way!”

The Di Luo Dwarf elder kicked away a few earth trolls blocking his path, let out a furious roar, and brought his two-handed warhammer crashing down on the blood-red barrier.