Chapter 158 – The Witch Rescue Operation

Mu Yuan had recruited Isloria with this very factor in mind.

Her class ‘Daughter of Stars’ inherently involved astrology, with such power embedded in her bloodline. However, the Eagle Kingdom academy where Isloria studied had limited resources in this area. Most of her learning still focused on orthodox magic, making her approach to astrology rather unorthodox.

She wasn’t particularly skilled in astrology or divination.

But when it came to interfering with enemy surveillance and concealing their presence, she could manage it.

Isloria hurried toward the Domain Jammer, but after a few steps realized her dress was hindering her movement. Pressing down her skirt, she summoned a gust of wind to lift her and swiftly fly toward the device.

Lord Mu also zipped over, pulling out a handful of Soul Crystals to stuff into the storage slot.

It was visible that among the eighteen Soul Crystals previously embedded, one and a half had already been consumed, with the energy continuing to drain at a relatively fast rate.

Simultaneously, faint gray mist spread from the tip of the glowing Domain Jammer, resembling a massive, thin lid covering the entire Tianyuan Territory.

However, this gray mist was illusory and intangible like a Concept, only visible to Mu Yuan as the Lord and the other Heroes.

To the commoners, the dawn light was emerging from Horizon’s End, gradually spreading until it filled the entire sky.

They rose from their beds, ready to shoulder their hoes and welcome the new day.

General Dolai saw the gray curtain and scratched its head in confusion, but still flew toward the core area.

The Undead Emperor watched intently, slowly drawing Death Lament, its blue eyes flickering behind the visor like the morning star beneath the sky.

Mu Yuan turned to Isloria, “What’s the current situation?”

She quickly observed, making judgments from the subtle changes in the gray sky before relaxing slightly, “For now, the enemy can’t break through the Domain Jammer’s concealment. Moreover, this power is distant and wavering, unable to pinpoint our territory directly. It seems Lord has done an excellent job keeping information secure.”

“But for caution’s sake, and to conserve some Soul Crystal consumption, I’ll temporarily reinforce the Domain Jammer.”

Good, her cautious spirit deserved praise.

Her thrifty mindset of saving the territory expenses was even more commendable.

This girl was impressive.

He’d heard that Tan Moumou had recruited a Hero, but they acted like royalty in the territory, needing constant pampering and upkeep.

His was much easier to maintain.

Isloria had wanted to improve the Domain Jammer anyway, but given the short time, even with her genius, she couldn’t fully understand such an advanced facility and modify it in just a few days.

But temporary enhancement was much simpler.

She directly activated her field skill and Domain, with rings of starlight extending from the jammer, collectively resisting the intangible spying force from afar.

After a short while,

merely twenty-some seconds, the humming from the Domain Jammer gradually subsided, the gray sky curtain dissipated, and the Soul Crystals in the storage slot stopped glowing and burning.

A careful count showed about four and a half Soul Crystals had been consumed.

Not too expensive?

No, wait, that was only twenty-some seconds.Isloria wiped the sweat from her brow and spoke, “Lord, there’s no need for concern. This type of divination and surveillance consumes far more energy for the other party, so they won’t use it lightly. However… the next time it is employed, the attack will inevitably be more ferocious.”

So, it’s still too dangerous.

Isloria also appeared somewhat drained. Her Domain had only been active for a little over twenty seconds, yet she was already drenched in sweat.

She needs to replenish her energy with Evolution Points as soon as possible.

Isloria: “…”

From the Lord’s gaze, she could discern a look of dissatisfaction with her energy reserves.

But to be fair, her energy reserves already far exceeded those of her peers. However, the Domain is typically an ability that only those at the Peak of the Fourth Order can wield freely. Wasn’t it perfectly reasonable for her energy to drain so rapidly when using it?

She opened her mouth to speak.

But then, thinking of General Dolai’s vastly superior energy reserves, she fell silent again.

Perhaps… it really was a bit lacking.

…

At the same time, in the Divine Radiance Empire.

Third Intelligence Division, Eye of Divine Radiance Intelligence Department, Ultra-Distance Observation Platform.

A device resembling a massive telescope was beeping as it operated. It was tilted at a 30-degree angle, wider at the base and narrower at the front. Beyond the base, ring-shaped arrays were arranged one after another, with light rapidly flowing across the Mystic Diagram Arrays.

The surrounding floor was entirely paved with expensive, high-grade Materials, engraved with intricate array patterns. At several key nodes of the arrays, personnel dressed in elaborate attire and holding various instruments worked in coordination.

At the front of the massive telescope, an observer stood, his pupils shimmering with brilliant divine radiance.

After a while, the ring-shaped arrays beyond the base dimmed and dissolved into countless particles of light with a soft pop. The entire Ultra-Distance Observation Instrument ceased operation, and the low hum that had filled the spacious hall gradually faded away.

“Lord Halun, the observation has failed. We couldn’t see anything.”

The man addressed as ‘Halun’ had chestnut-colored, close-cropped hair and a bear-like, burly physique. His most striking feature was his right eye, which seemed to be a mechanical implant, beeping and gleaming with a brass-like luster.

“That’s perfectly normal,” he said. “Regarding the information on the Tianyuan Territory, aside from the name ‘Tianyuan,’ we have nothing. That portrait is likely fake as well. If we could observe anything under these circumstances, we might as well pray for the Tianyuan Lord to reveal his identity outright.”

Observation and divination require a great deal of information.

Currently, they knew nothing about the Tianyuan Lord, and the Taixuan Alliance had taken measures to conceal his identity. It wasn’t easy to uncover the Tianyuan Lord’s true identity or the location of his territory.

If it were easy, the Divine Radiance Empire would have already crushed the Taixuan Alliance.

“Observation is only the first step.

“The higher-ups place great importance on Tianyuan and have ordered us to locate his territory at all costs.”

Halun paused before continuing, “Activate our high-level spies within the Xuan Nation. Spare no expense to uncover all information about the Tianyuan Lord.

“Such an outstanding Lord, no matter how well his information is concealed, is bound to leave traces.

“Hmm, as long as we can obtain Tianyuan’s true identity data, observation will become much easier.”

Halun instructed his subordinates to carry out the mission, while he himself took out an ancient-looking hardcover book and flipped it open slightly.

Inside were records of noteworthy intelligence from recent times.

A new round of resource competition was about to begin. The rising star Lords within the Taixuan Alliance worth paying attention to included…Beyond the borders of the Divine Radiance Empire, in the chaotic region adjacent to Taixuan, an ancient city shrouded in thick fog has appeared, attracting many adventurers.

……

Tianyuan Territory.

Despite encountering a ‘long-range attack’ just hours earlier, Mu Yuan did not alter today’s mission arrangements—proceeding with the ‘Time Labyrinth City’ Hero mission.

The information mentioned that the mission is recommended to be completed within three months.

However, it also noted that the city in the rift has already reappeared. Lord Mu worried that delays might lead to unforeseen complications. Since the territory’s strength was sufficient, it was better to go early rather than late.

Otherwise, if something unexpected happened, it could greatly affect Isloria’s condition.

Lord Mu was even more reluctant to lose high-level talents.

Once these witches were brought into the fold, whether it was forming merchant caravans, establishing schools, or other projects he had long considered, all could be set in motion.

“I understand.”

“I will find them and return as quickly as possible.”

Mu Yuan handed the crescent-shaped mission item to Isloria.

She received it with both hands and followed the Lord to a wasteland several kilometers outside the Tianyuan Territory.

Uncertain how the portal would manifest, the Lord had instructed them to use it outside the territory to prevent any accidents.

The Lord was indeed meticulous and steady.

Isloria glanced around. Besides the familiar faces like Seventeen and Dolai, she also saw other territory commanders.

The imposing Bone General.

Ghost Generals, some eerily beautiful, others burly and fierce.

Including herself, there were a full nine Elite-tier powerers on this mission!

Adding General Lu Liu, who remained in the territory, and the Lord himself, didn’t that mean the Tianyuan Territory, established just a few months ago, already had eleven Elite-tier individuals!

Thinking of this, Isloria felt even more confident.

After all, back when they were trapped in the Wicked City, their group had only four Elite-tier members, and their conditions were far from optimal. Now, with numerous strong allies, including Dolai and… the Undead General, who was even stronger than General Dolai.

“How many companions need rescuing?” Mu Yuan asked.

Isloria replied, “Back in the Eagle Kingdom, we witches numbered 136 at our peak. However, not everyone dared to venture deep into the wilderness to reach the distant Holy Radiance Empire. Most chose to live under assumed names in remote areas of the kingdom.”

“When we set out from the border town, our group had dwindled to 28. Along the way, we faced pursuers and powerful monsters, until… by the time I lost consciousness, only 16 remained.”

“The facts have proven that our plan to reach the Holy Radiance Empire was overly idealistic.”

But fortunately, there was still a chance to make things right.

Mu Yuan looked ahead.

Besides Lu Liu, the nine strongest of Tianyuan were present. The number of ordinary soldiers was small—only ten Skeleton Generals and ten wraiths, plus the tool hawk.

The weakest among them were at least at the Professional Tier threshold.

After all, this was a rescue mission.

He had initially considered compensating for lack of strength with numbers, but since strength was sufficient, the team size should be kept small to enable rapid penetration, swift rescue, and immediate withdrawal.

Moreover, if numbers were needed, the Undead General alone could match an army.

“This operation, codenamed ‘Witches of the Wicked City,’ will be commanded entirely by the Undead General, with Isloria assisting. I will also provide some ultra-long-range support.”

“Then, let’s begin.”After Mu Someone finished speaking, he retreated to a distance of over a thousand meters.

Isloria also raised the crescent-shaped artifact high toward the sky.

The artifact burst forth with light.

The radiance tore through space, instantly forming an enormous yet irregular spatial gate over twenty meters in diameter.

Under the influence of celestial and terrestrial forces, the portal was gradually shrinking.

It would likely vanish completely within ten to twenty seconds.

Its appearance seemed somewhat crude.

Through the spatial gate, one could vaguely glimpse a city standing on a distant plain, shrouded in thick black mist that obscured clear vision, creating an eerie and extraordinary sight.

The Undead General observed for half a second, quickly taking in the situation beyond the spatial gate. After preparing himself to unleash his full power at any moment, he stepped forward.

(End of Chapter)