Chapter 82 – This Wind is Too Cold

Most of the shrine’s blessing power had been depleted, which Mu Yuan had anticipated, yet it still pained him deeply.

“If only the shrine were fully charged with energy, how many Professional Tier experts could I produce!”

At least some residual blessing power remained within the shrine, which was fortunate amidst misfortune.

Bone Two also received an ethereal prompt. It took several steps forward to stand before the statue, tilting its head slightly upward to gaze at it, the ghostly blue light in its eye sockets flickering intermittently.

The next moment, the resplendent glow of the shrine’s blessing descended, showering Bone Two. Its aura rose slightly, and its experience points quickly reached the overflowing state.

「Bone Two: Newly Advanced Rank 9 → Rank 9 Great Perfection」

The misty radiance on the statue’s upward-facing right palm immediately dimmed somewhat.

Bone Three and Bone Four stepped forward next.

Bone Four’s rank was slightly lower, still a bit short of LV9, but under the shrine’s blessing, it advanced by leaps and bounds, skipping over ten-plus days of “arduous cultivation” and directly reaching Rank 9 Great Perfection.

By this time, the misty radiance on the statue’s right palm had finally dimmed completely, leaving only a few faint wisps still wavering.

「Blessing Two: Enhancement. (This blessing power has been exhausted and is currently recovering)」

“Three ‘minor experts’ at Great Perfection now!”

Of course, the combat power at Rank 9 Great Perfection didn’t represent a qualitative improvement compared to before—at most, it meant slightly greater strength and more abundant energy.

If that were all, the combined strength of Bone Two and the other two skeletons would still be far from enough to influence the entire battle situation.

Thus, urged by Mu Yuan, Bone Two took out the breakthrough materials stored in a small pouch.

—After discovering the shrine’s blessing effect during last night’s reconnaissance, he had immediately opened the Taixuan Platform and quickly exchanged for three sets of undead-type breakthrough materials, each costing 300 Contribution Points.

His Contribution Points balance now stood at 100 points; he had hesitated and ultimately decided against using the Perfect Breakthrough Stone.

The materials had been delivered to the territory earlier this morning. They had been stored in Dolai’s dimensional pocket until just now, when Dolai retrieved them after breaking into the shrine.

“It’s time for the breakthrough.”

Outside, the sounds of battle cries, explosions, and roars continued unabated. Dolai stood firm against the charge of countless Snakemen, its mouth wide open as it inhaled the flames filling the sky.

Inside, there was only slight trembling, with dust sprinkling down and skulls rolling about, but the pillars supporting the entire shrine remained steadfast. Some flames seeped in through the entrance but couldn’t leave scorch marks on the shrine’s seemingly ancient, worn walls and floor.

In this uniquely ‘tranquil’ atmosphere, Bone Two, Bone Three, and Bone Four each took their breakthrough materials. They guided them with their Mental Energy, absorbing the materials and resonating with their own overflowing physical and Soul energy. This erupted into towering columns of water shooting toward the dome, striking and shattering the invisible barrier.

Crack—

Boom~!

Bone Two and the other two were all rare three-star units—Skeleton Generals—and had already harvested considerable power through their innate talent ‘Death Siphon,’ giving them a foundation far surpassing that of ordinary Rank 9 Great Perfection.

Their breakthrough proceeded naturally, without any surprises, like water flowing downhill.

A short while later,

Fearless Charge!

Bone Two accumulated energy in its leg joints, spinning like turbines, and then used its Charge skill to stomp the ground violently. The entire skeleton roared like a truck with its accelerator floored, crashing into the distance.

Its speed was swift, its impact fierce—as if it had executed a Charge skill.This level of energy manipulation technique is no less impressive than Deadbone’s nineteen days ago, truly remarkable.

Soon, the group of Snakemen who had charged out from the side of the tribe and reached the front of the Shrine were completely wiped out. Meanwhile, on the main battlefield in the southwest of the tribe, the Undead General was continuously dancing, cutting down enemies emotionlessly from the entrance all the way into the tribe without even blinking.

During this time, Martial Artists from the Snakefolk Tribe kept pouring out from all directions.

Traps were triggered one after another—explosive barrels detonated with a roar, acid rained down from above, and the ground collapsed to reveal sharp spikes shooting out. The scene was utter chaos.

But upon closer inspection, it was clear that only the Snakemen side was in disarray.

They roared and hissed, sometimes even getting hit by their own traps. In contrast, the Skeleton Warriors who had penetrated deep into the enemy camp seemed to have eyes on their backs or a Heavenly Eye, effortlessly avoiding deadly traps without even looking.

Skeletons, Imperial Guards, Specters… each unit cooperated with impeccable synergy, often even turning the terrain and traps against the Snakemen, digging pits for them.

This was the power of the collective Mental Link and the Falcon Skyeye’s aerial reconnaissance from the Hurricane Falcon.

How could they fight against greater numbers and overcome stronger foes?

Because Lord Mu was silently micromanaging from behind—the true great support always contributes from the shadows.

…

Deadbone was on a killing spree.

Deadbone had gone berserk.

Deadbone was approaching godhood.

His silver-black figure was drenched in blood, resembling a demon god dancing on the Battlefield, radiating waves of chilling cold that made the Snakemen’s hearts tremble.

However, the Snakemen, who worshipped the Great Serpent and bathed in the Crimson Mist tides, had long lost the concept of fear. Their eyes gradually turned crimson; not only were they unafraid, but they also launched increasingly frenzied assaults.

Only the great Snakefolk pioneer, the Grand Commander, the leader Ghost Chief with wisdom several levels above ordinary Snakemen, stood silently in the distance for a long time. “…The tide has turned!”

Ghost Chief was of high Rank, a powerhouse at Profession Rank 7.

When the Undead Behemoth crashed into the tribe, he had considered intervening. But after one look at the beast’s massive size and terrifying destructive power, he hesitated and decided to command from the rear instead.

He wasn’t afraid—it was just that, as the Grand Commander, he couldn’t act recklessly. He was the stabilizing pillar of the Snakefolk race.

When the Undead Behemoth fell and its pilot lost the protection of the armor, Ghost Chief felt the opportunity had arrived. He shook his large leather coat and stepped forward. But before he could even enter the fray, his three Generals were slain one after another, all within the blink of an eye.

Ghost Chief silently retreated again. He needed to observe the enemy’s tactics clearly—this was the wisdom of a Grand Commander.

And so, his observation continued until now.

He gazed at the towering Great Serpent totem, knowing that everything he had achieved today was due to the guidance and gifts of the Great Serpent. He wanted to fight to the last drop of blood for the Great Serpent, but…

Grand Commander Ghost Chief tightened his large leather coat. “The wind is too cold.”

As everyone knows, snakes prefer warmth and fear cold—Snakemen are no different.

Using a special ability, he restrained three of his trusted aides beside him, whose eyes were gradually turning crimson, and then hurriedly led these three Generals away through a small path at the rear of the tribe.

This was for the future of the Snakefolk!

…

Attacking the Snakefolk Tribe was much easier than Mu Yuan had imagined. The most intense battle had actually been when Deadbone piloted the Undead Behemoth to breach the tribe’s gates.

After that, even though the Snakemen charged fiercely, their offensive gradually weakened.

Are they really this weak?”Come to think of it, it’s actually quite impressive. Deadbone has already slain seven Professional Tier Snakemen Phantom Dancers and Snakeman Wizards. Including those killed by Dolai, Bone Two, and other skeletons, as well as those ambushed and focused by Skeleton Warriors… that makes about twelve or thirteen Snakemen, with one or two Snakeman Wizards still attacking from afar.”

This number aligned closely with Mu Yuan’s estimation.

Quite reasonable.

By now, as the Snakemen’s Charge gradually weakened, Deadbone led the Skeleton Warriors in a steady advance. Soon, they caught sight of the landmark structure in the Tribal Core Area—the Giant Snake Totem.

(End of Chapter)