Bear School Astartes

The two of them advanced toward Crow Ridge at a fair speed, soon ascending the mountain and disappearing into the jagged peaks.

Within Lann’s body, the Genetic Seed was diligently adjusting the physiological balance between enhanced and unenhanced organs.

The Early Recovery Stone at his waist was quietly but incessantly providing a vital supply of life force.

Approximately five minutes later, Lann’s light panting subsided to a calm, his body temperature also dropping.

With the Earth-Swallowing Giant Worm gone, the battlefield near River Valley City significantly improved.

The Earth-Swallowing Giant Worm wasn’t just a creature that couldn’t be countered by conventional lines, it also exerted a mental pressure on elves and humans.

”Crack~”

The sound of wood snapping echoed from Crow Ridge. Lann turned to look, seeing the beastman flagpole, capable of issuing commands through transformation, being chopped down at the peak.

It was tumbling down with the wind.

It seemed that Azog’s guards were indeed retreating with new allies ascending.

Lann drew the Lady of the Lake’s Sword from the ground, his hand stroking the Magic Ring.

Soon, the resonant sound of hooves came racing from the direction of River Valley City.

The Qilin, though its rune-silk cloak repelled water, was spattered with beastman blood on its exposed mane and broken horn.

On its back, Rong Buqiu panted with its tongue out, the bomb load it carried was entirely spent.

”Boss meow!”

The kitten jumped excitedly, spotting Zhao Ge Luyin lying on the ground.

”Wow! This wolf is huge meow! As big as a Thunder Wolf Dragon!”

Lann had never actually seen a Thunder Wolf Dragon. But Zhao Ge Luyin, with its spatial slicing claws and teeth, silent movement, and cunning malevolent nature...

Without special monsters in the New Continent, it would likely prove overwhelming.

An assignment at this level would rate as a master-level eradication task.

But now wasn’t the time to discuss this.

”Later, help me skin it. This creature is insidiously disgusting.” Lann instructed Elu Cat regarding handling the trophy; Rong Buqiu was an expert, after all, hailing from the Plunder Race in the Valley of Miasma.

The Demon Hunter swiftly mounted the Qilin’s back.

Tugging at its mane, he urged it towards Crow Ridge.

”Let’s go up there too!”

”Snort?”

The Qilin snorted questioningly.

Wasn’t it too conspicuous before, being told not to ascend?

”The Demon Wolf has surfaced and died, it’s unlikely there’s another setup above. And...”

Lann explained knowingly to the Qilin.

The cat-like eyes scrutinized the mountain path, where intermittently a flash like strobe lights erupted, emitting bursts of pure radiant light among the concealed peaks.

”Earlier, Gandalf brought a stranger who looked very strong. I doubt anything here can challenge them. Let’s follow!”

With that reassurance, the Qilin had no objections.

It immediately galloped upward, its nimble and powerful hooves moving swiftly across the incline.

For the Qilin, a ninety-degree precipice merely seemed intimidating; its hooves could carve out cavities to dig into and leap upwards, making Crow Ridge’s rugged terrain mere spectacle.

Just as Lann anticipated, there were no lurking forces on the small mountain posing any threat to them.

Sorun had just been expelled from Dorguldu. His might scarcely spawned Zhao Ge Luyin alone.

Under the Qilin’s gait, they swiftly surpassed the previous position on the ascent, where Lann was ambushed by Demon Wolves, moving further upwards.

All around lay the repulsive corpses of beastmen, marked by arrows, axe edges, and hammer wounds.

Being north in the mainland, Lonely Mountain stood high, with Long Lake dotted with ice floes, a small waterfall at Crow Ridge entirely frozen.

When Lann and the Qilin arrived above, he was stunned by the scene at the frozen waterfall.

Sorlin and his two nephews lay on the thick ice, blood spreading like paint under them, permeating the icy ground.

The disheveled Legolas, Tauriel, Gandalf, and Glorfindel, unmarked by battle, were now somberly encircling the three dwarves.

Faithful Dwalin, the bald dwarf warrior, was helplessly weeping like a child upon them.

Nearby, a pale and imposing beastman corpse lay unheeded.

”Thankfully you’ve arrived!” Gandalf noticed the stilled Lann on the Qilin first, approaching with heavy sorrow and a grave demeanor.

”Someone’s waiting for you. Thank heavens I thought he might not make it.” Gandalf shouted, ”Sorlin! I’ve brought him!”

Lann accompanied Gandalf, witnessing the barely breathing familiar dwarves.

Sorlin weakly glanced at him.

”I don’t think I’ll make it.” He gasped haltingly, blood seeping from his mouth, ”I’m soon to reunite with my ancestors in Mandos’ halls, and only when the world cycles will we part.”

”Since I must leave behind my treasures to a place where they mean nothing, I hope at least to gain your friendship, Lann.”

His bloodied mouth forced a smile, a shattering sight for the despairing Dwalin.

”I want to retract all harm and slander I’ve directed at you in Lonely Mountain. Can you accept?”

”I know you will. But truly a pity...I wish to bid farewell to everyone but it seems...time is short.” Sorlin turned his fading gaze skyward.

Under the sky of Lonely Mountain, no cloud lingered.

Lann’s face turned blank.

Beside Sorlin, Philipp and Qi Li grasped their uncle’s hand with the last of their strength.

The elves mourned; they were naturally empathetic to the suffering of others.

Gandalf and Dwalin had long been companions to Sorlin.

Amidst the sadness, the Demon Hunter stepped forward, violently pulling Dwalin off Sorlin, pushing the others away.

They mistook his actions for emotional turmoil.

Yet the Demon Hunter maintained a cold expression, crouching beside the dwarves.

”I’m not here for your melodramatic farewell display, Sorlin Oak Shield.”

”It’s time for the healer to take the stage!”