Chapter 126 – The First Stronghold

“This is definitely the place. Storm in and kill them all—no survivors. Remember, Tisha Xia’er’s followers have self-destruct methods,” Punk reminded his two teammates without turning his head. Without another word, he began preparing an area-of-effect spell to prevent any escapees.

Upon hearing Punk’s warning, Kangkai’s expression turned grave. As a benevolent ranger, he detested killing, but facing these “heinously evil” villains, he had no qualms about staining his hands with blood to protect the innocent.

“Great Nature God Obad, forgive my cruel slaughter!”

With a nearly imperceptible whispered prayer, a spiral of Wind-Type Battle Aura coiled around the ranger’s shortsword. Without a doubt, he was ready for battle.

Bringing up the rear, Bahanger was the most impatient. The enraged dwarf completely ignored—or perhaps paid no mind to—Punk’s warning. With a heavy stomp of his feet, his short body shot into the sky accompanied by a sonic boom. Propelled by an explosive burst of Battle Aura, the hammer-wielding Bahanger roared as he plummeted toward the farmhouse at air-rending speed, a bright yellow trajectory flashing abruptly through the air!

Formal-Level Combat Skill—Bursting Leap Strike!

“Damnable Tisha Xia’er, taste Bahanger’s hammer!”

Bahanger’s attack was the epitome of violent artistry. His heavy hammer took on a rocky luster as intensely concentrated Battle Aura erupted upon impact with the ground.

BOOM!

The pasture struck by Bahanger instantly collapsed into a crater. The billowing dust even formed a small mushroom cloud. Under the crushing pressure of Earth-Type Battle Aura, the ground around the pasture fractured unevenly as if struck by an earthquake, with massive rocks collapsing to fully expose the cave hidden beneath.

Simultaneously, Punk completed his spell.

“Formal-Level Summoning Magic—Summon Thorns: Conjure masses of sharp thorns to surround enemies!”

As the summoning took effect, thick clusters of thorns sprouted around the farm. Each thorn bush stood at least five meters tall, their spikes glinting with a dagger-like cold gleam. This crimson thicket encircled the entire pasture, with roots penetrating several meters underground.

With such a barrier in place, unless Tisha Xia’er herself appeared, none of the followers in the pasture would escape.

Though Punk’s group had ambitious plans with little subtlety, the travel speed of three Formal-Level experts was remarkable. According to System analysis, if Tisha Xia’er had neglected intelligence gathering during her madness, there was at least a thirty percent chance of catching her off guard—a probability worth a Formal-Level Mage’s full commitment. Thus, Punk would allow no informant to reach Tisha Xia’er.

However… in reality, facing a group of deranged followers, Punk’s vigilance was somewhat excessive.After most of the farmhouse basement had been smashed to pieces by Bahanger’s hammer, a few scattered surviving cultists shrieked as they pushed aside the rubble. Completely ignoring their severe injuries, they desperately charged toward Bahanger who stood proudly amidst the debris.

“All who blaspheme against Goddess Tisha Xia’er must die!”

“This is a holy war! The holy war has begun!”

“The great Tisha Xia’er will grant me power!”

“Die, blasphemer! Victory shall belong to Tisha Xia’er!”

Except for their leader who was an Apprentice Rank warrior, these fearless cultists were merely ordinary people pushing their limits. Without exception, they ignored the vast gap between themselves and a Formal-Level professional, noisily charging across the rubble.

“Hehe, I ain’t got time to play fly-swattin’ games with ya. Chargin’ all together makes things convenient though.Seeing these dozen or so survivors clutching rubble while shouting victory slogans made Bahanger laugh in anger. He tightened his grip on the hammer, rotated his body forty-five degrees, his taut muscles even emitting creaking sounds.

“Watch old Bahanger’s moves!”

With that, Bahanger prepared to unleash a Combat Skill and swing his hammer with full force.

Formal-Level Combat Skill – Wind Pressure: Condenses Battle Aura to compress the air ahead, forming a high-density shockwave that flies toward enemies.

“Wait, Bahanger! Don’t forget we need prisoners!”

Kangkai sensed the power gathering on Bahanger’s hammer. He knew that if these cultists really took this hit, they’d end up as meat paste smeared across the ground. Eager to find Tisha Xia’er quickly, Kangkai hurriedly reminded the angry dwarf to spare lives.

“Tch, how boring. I was lookin’ forward to some proper slaughter.”

Bahanger complained discontentedly, but he understood the importance of their mission. The dwarf quickly reduced most of the power gathered in his hammer.

Even though Bahanger had weakened his Combat Skill as much as possible, the powerful Wind Pressure still shattered the organs and bones of the ordinary cultists. Only the severely wounded, dying Apprentice Rank warrior temporarily survived.

“Killing should only be the last resort, not something anyone should casually speak of.”

Hearing Bahanger’s complaint, Kangkai looked at the dwarf earnestly and spoke with profound concern. But he was facing a Formal-Level expert firm in his convictions – such inspirational talk was destined to be empty words.

And indeed, neither Bahanger nor Punk paid any attention to Kangkai’s lecture.

Punk didn’t even glance at Kangkai, walking into the ruins by himself. Using Mage Hand, he lifted stone after stone, carefully examining the marks on each piece of rubble.

Bahanger shot Kangkai an irritated glare and said loudly:

“Enough nonsense! Come check if this idiot can tell us anything. If he won’t talk, I’ll grind his pissin’ parts into paste!”

Then the dwarf walked grumbling over to the only surviving Apprentice Rank warrior. He roughly lifted the bloodied cultist and roared harshly:

“Listen up! Tell me where that bitch Tisha Xia’er is right now, and I’ll promise you a quick death! Otherwise, I’ll show you the methods of our Heavy Hammer Clan!”Bahanger couldn’t wait to battle Tisha Xia’er. The dwarf warrior was extremely impatient now – if this prisoner remained tight-lipped, Bahanger would absolutely follow through on his threats!

Kangkai glanced at the mage and warrior who paid no heed to his advice, his eyes revealing profound helplessness. Although he never expected these “companions” from the neutral faction to listen to him, he simply couldn’t accept their way of doing things.

In the end, Kangkai only sighed and went to join the dwarf in interrogating the prisoner. The urgent task now was to save the innocent citizens of Doleiz City. For matters beyond his control, Kangkai could only pray for the blessing of Nature God Obe.

Unlike Bahanger’s ferocious approach, Kangkai calmly counseled the young warrior follower:

“Child, your judgment has been clouded by evil. Awaken and see the beauty of this world. Your family awaits your return – they certainly wouldn’t want to see you like this.”

The compassion on Kangkai’s face was completely genuine. If this were Earth, he’d be what people called a true “saint” – the type willing to cut his own flesh to feed an eagle for others’ sake.

But unfortunately – it was utterly useless!

(End of Chapter)