The earth-shaking cheers echoed through the underground palace; everyone was ecstatic, rushing toward me. After all, the creature we had slain was one of the ten most notorious fiends on the continent of Marfa, and what was even more remarkable was that this entire operation had resulted in zero casualties. Compared to those rare historical endeavors that ended in total annihilation due to failure, how incredibly fortunate we were this time.
Within the narrow passage, the Woma High Priest was long since reduced to dust. All that remained on the ground was a massive, gaping crater, still emitting billowing, scalding blue smoke. The air was thick with a strange, acrid, burnt smell, reminiscent of scorched wiring.
At the crater’s edge lay scattered stones, blasted outward by the terrifying explosion, mixed with pools of thick, viscous ** fluid, the color of red and green blended together. Interspersed within this gore were random scraps of flesh and viscera, vaguely recognizable as remnants of the Woma High Priest, inducing an immediate urge to retch.
Everything clearly testified to the cataclysmic battle that had transpired here. Residual magical fluctuations from the powerful explosions could still be felt in the surroundings.
Looking at the scarred surroundings and the huge pit in the ground, everyone instinctively drew a sharp breath. They had long heard tales of the sealing mages' prowess, and now they had finally witnessed their terrifying strength. Even a titan like the Woma High Priest had been obliterated beyond bone or trace by their bombardment. The sheer destructive power was comparable to the Super Fireball I once unleashed in the Yellow Springs World; the entire site resembled the ruins left after a nuclear detonation—a truly shocking sight.
However, at this moment, nobody cared about the destruction; everyone was immensely excited, staring intently at the crater and the shattered remains on the ground, trying to search for and identify something.
“I can’t believe we actually killed the Woma High Priest,” someone still sounded incredulous, gazing blankly at the scene. “Am I dreaming?”
“Dream on, you fool,” a companion nearby smacked him on the head without ceremony.
“What a shame, I didn’t even get a clear look at what the Woma High Priest looked like,” a young sealing mage lamented, clearly feeling aggrieved. “I never expected it to just be blasted to pieces like that.”
“Tell me about it,” another young mage sighed, though excitement and elation were barely concealed in his expression. “If anyone asks me in the future what the Woma High Priest looked like, I won’t even be able to tell them.” The young mage continued, “Heavens, what am I supposed to say when asked? I was part of this operation, yet I don’t even know its appearance before we vaporized it.”
“Hehe, forget it, it’s the same for us. Don’t be so depressed. Since the Woma High Priest is utterly gone, whatever you say its appearance was, it was!”
“Haha, you’re right!” The crowd discussed animatedly, but their attention was quickly drawn to the pair of Woma High Priest’s unique horns, which stood planted in the ground—the creature’s only remaining artifacts.
“Ah, look! What is this?”
“Could it be the Woma Horn?” Several older rangers, possessing some knowledge, exclaimed immediately.
“The Origin records that the horns of the Woma High Priest are excellent material for crafting horns,” Elder Mo Yue of the Sealing Mage Brotherhood, clearly well-informed, picked up the horn from the ground and examined it closely. “Legend holds that during the era of the Divine Dragon Empire, the people of Marfa were fierce, and the warriors of that time were far stronger than we are now. In that age, to establish the largest Divine Dragon-level guild, one had to defeat the Woma High Priest, obtain its horns, and fashion them into a horn to present to the Imperial Family. Only then could one receive approval to claim three large cities as guild strongholds, thus forming a Divine Dragon-level guild.”
“Divine Dragon-level guilds,” Qing Long murmured wistfully. “Was the ancient Divine Dragon Empire truly that powerful?”
“Of course,” Mo Yue replied. “Back then, rangers couldn't even dream of killing the Woma High Priest.”
“If that’s the case, shouldn’t the Woma High Priest have died long ago? Why is it still alive now?” a young mage voiced the doubt shared by everyone.
“That you don’t know,” Mo Yue explained. “The Illusionary World is a realm constructed by special magic. As long as the Illusionary World exists, monsters slain during the annual Scarlet Moon season will be reborn—this applies to the Woma High Priest and the Woma legions we killed.”
“What! Reborn?” Someone gasped immediately. “Just like the Centipede Cave, Skeleton Cave, and Zhumu Temple?”
“Precisely,” the Brotherhood Elder confirmed. “No one knows how the Illusionary World came to be, but one thing is certain: its history predates the Marfa Empire. What sort of age that was, no one clearly knows. But since historical records began, the Illusionary World has always served as a sacred ground for rangers and warriors to cultivate—much like the Skeleton Cave, Centipede Cave, and Zhumu Temple today. The difference is that the warriors of that era were far more formidable than we are now. Therefore, places that seemed ordinary for cultivation then are extremely perilous for us today. Since the Phoenix Sky War, humans have never managed to kill the Woma High Priest again; that’s why, over centuries, it gradually became one of the Ten Great Fiends that everyone in the Magic Continent speaks of with dread.”
“So that’s how it is.” The crowd finally understood somewhat, but I felt even more confused. I vaguely suspected the Illusionary World held other, deeper secrets, though I couldn’t piece them together immediately.
“What about the Woma Temple in Woma Forest? Will the Woma High Priest there be reborn after death?” I asked curiously.
“I don't know about that. The Woma Temple in Woma Forest was only discovered after the Phoenix Sky War, and to this day, no one has managed to kill it, so there’s no way to know if it regenerates.”
“I see.” Now I was even more muddled. It was only then I realized the Marfa Continent still held many baffling mysteries. For example, the Yellow Springs Priest—recorded in both the Marfa History Records and the Book of Sand, as well as the Ranger Handbook—only appeared after the Sage Word Soul unified the Marfa Continent over three thousand years ago.
However, my master and others also found traces of the Yellow Springs Priest in the Sand City Treasure within Biqi and Sabak. Moreover, my master told me there was another Yellow Springs Priest on the fifth layer of the Illusionary World.
Counting the one in the Yellow Springs World, that made three Yellow Springs Priests in total. My head was spinning just thinking about it. Just how many Yellow Springs Priests existed on the Marfa Continent?
And there were others like the Double-Headed Gold Gang, the Double-Headed Blood Demon, the Woma High Priest—it seemed none of them existed as singular entities.
.....................................................................
“Is everyone alright?” Just as I was lost in thought, a stern male voice came from behind me. Following the sound, I looked over. It was the members of the Vanguard Hall: Nalan Qiushui strode ahead, radiating vigor, followed by Master Jian Li, the elders of the White Tiger Alliance and Azure Dragon Sect, and the elite mages of the Brotherhood led by Mo Ling.
As I turned toward them, Mo Ling and several Brotherhood elders instinctively looked at me. Seeing that I seemed unharmed, they displayed looks of shock, yet the killing intent in their eyes sharpened even further.
Damn it, was I naturally born to clash with them? Their posture suggested they wanted to blast me to pieces right here and now.
“We are fine. Not a single casualty this time, truly blessed by heaven,” Mo Mo Yin said while glancing subconsciously toward me. “Of course, it’s also thanks to Young Hero Bing He and Luo Jiang.”
“You little brat, haven’t you shown off enough?” Master Jian Li scolded, pulling me forcefully in front of him. “I almost thought you were dead.”
“That was reckless beyond measure,” Jian Qiu worriedly added. “The Woma High Priest is not something to trifle with. Truly someone who doesn't know how to cherish life.”
“You nearly scared me to death just now,” Lu Tong suddenly appeared from nowhere, his face pale with lingering fear. “You got lucky this time; don't be so rash again.”
“Ah! Yes.” I felt rather annoyed. After all, I was a major contributor to this success, yet these old guys couldn't offer a single word of praise, only criticism for being rash and overzealous.
Still, seeing the genuine concern on their faces warmed my heart. They were worried about me, after all.
“Haha, I understand your concern for your beloved disciples!” Hong Tian of the Azure Dragon Sect spoke up. “But Young Hero Bing He’s contribution to successfully slaying the Woma High Priest cannot be overstated.”
“Indeed,” Mo Yin stated solemnly. “If Luo Jiang hadn’t successfully intercepted the Woma High Priest’s breakout attempts twice, and if Young Hero Bing He hadn’t executed a surprise attack at the critical moment, striking the Woma High Priest’s vital spot, causing it to be distracted by intense pain, thus creating a perfect opening for us—we never could have struck it.”
“Therefore, for the successful slaying of the Woma High Priest, Blood Tiger Luo Jiang and Young Hero Bing He deserve the primary credit,” Hong Tian asserted gravely.
“Haha, you flatter us. My disciple doesn't know much else, but he certainly enjoys stealing the spotlight,” Jian Li said humbly, though his face clearly betrayed an expression of smug satisfaction.
“By the way, where is Blood Tiger Luo Jiang? I saw him take a lightning strike from the Woma High Priest. Is he alright?” An elder from the Azure Dragon Sect asked with a hint of schadenfreude.
“Blood Tiger Luo Jiang!” I subconsciously looked around, but I couldn't find the man anywhere. He seemed to have vanished into thin air. The terrifying murderous aura he exuded while confronting the Woma High Priest felt like a hallucination, as if it had never existed.
Yet, I clearly remembered seeing Blood Tiger Luo Jiang directly engage the Woma High Priest twice, enduring a lightning bolt from it. Thinking back now, it was hard to believe such terrifying individuals existed in this world. I searched for a long time without success, finally giving up.
Just thinking that I had killed his son and father meant the Luo family was my sworn enemy—an irreconcilable feud. A decisive battle with him was inevitable in the future, but given his astonishing skill, I, with my current power, stood no chance. I suspected perhaps even my master might not be his match. The thought of the Elder filled me with anxiety and apprehension.
“Luo Jiang is seriously injured,” Mo Yin said with a crestfallen expression. “But his life is not in danger. He is receiving treatment in the rear.”
“That relieves us,” Hong Tian smiled. “Let’s go see how badly he’s hurt; after all, he is a major contributor to this operation.”
“Luo Jiang is aloof and dislikes crowds; everyone should stop looking for him,” Luo Xiao said darkly, glancing instinctively toward me. I met his gaze without backing down.
Old man, your Luo Jiang might be powerful, but I’m not necessarily afraid of you. I suspect Luo Jiang isn't just aloof; you’re hiding him because he has mental issues.
Nalan Qiushui and the others clearly sensed the palpable tension between me and Luo Xiao and quickly interjected, “What a pity then.” Then Nalan continued, “These two horns will be temporarily entrusted to our care. Later, when we exit, they will be submitted to the Ranger Guild, and the reward earned will be distributed among everyone. What do you all think?”
“That sounds good,” Hong Tian chuckled. “I trust the character of Old Sect Master Nalan.”
“Let it be done as you say,” Luo Xiao agreed.
“I have no objections,” Jian Li nodded slightly.
Nalan Qiushui put the horns into his spatial pouch, then announced, “The continuous fighting has exhausted everyone. I suggest we rest for now and enter the fourth layer of the Illusionary World tomorrow.”
No one disagreed, and everyone dispersed.
...............................................................................................
The battle against the Woma High Priest concluded successfully with not a single casualty among our large force. However, after the initial brief euphoria, most people were utterly exhausted, especially the sealing mages, who collapsed onto the ground like sacks of mud.
Nalan Qiushui and the others arranged for everyone to rest while simultaneously dispatching personnel to the Woma Altar to secure the passage to the fourth layer so that entry could proceed smoothly the next day. Since the assembled forces comprised members from various guilds across the continent, many of whom held grudges against each other, rest areas were partitioned strictly according to guild affiliation to prevent unnecessary disputes. Each guild had its designated resting zone.
My group and the people from the Yun family were naturally situated together. We set up camp in a corner of the great hall, busy preparing some food.
Although everyone was worn out, participating in the battle to kill the Woma High Priest filled them with excitement. Many gathered in small groups, chattering animatedly, reliving the moments.
“This time was an eye-opener. The Azure Dragon Phantom Array of the Azure Dragon Sect was truly incredible! Especially that move, Azure Dragon Rises from the Sea—its power was immense!”
“White Tiger Howling Heaven wasn’t bad either.”
“No matter how powerful those formations were, they couldn't compare to the focused attack from the sealing mages.”
“Exactly! If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed that the magic attacks from so many people could merge into one point.”
“True, but I think the most formidable one was the Woma High Priest. Good heavens, that speed was terrifying, and it could fly!”
“It’s a good thing this was in the underground palace. If something as huge as the Woma High Priest appeared on the continent, wouldn’t it lead to total chaos?”
“What good is being powerful? It still got blasted to death by the sealing mages.”
“Are you saying the sealing mages are the strongest?”
“Aren’t they?”
“Pfft, what are they compared to Bing He? Those mages bombarded Bing He and the Woma High Priest together for a full ten minutes, and not a single hair on him was singed.”
“Ah, that’s true. No matter how strong the sealing mages are, against Bing He, they’d only meet their doom.”
“What nonsense. In my opinion, Blood Tiger Luo Jiang is the strongest. Without him, we would all be finished. That speed, that impact force—it’s simply beyond human capability! Do you think Bing He can beat Luo Jiang?”
“I think he’s even stronger than Sword God. And Bing He is Sword God’s apprentice—there’s no comparison,” someone argued.
“No matter how strong, he was nearly electrocuted to death by the Woma High Priest,” someone objected. “Bing He took two shocks, and was bombarded by those mages for so long, yet not a single hair fell out.”
“My God, it seems Bing He is slightly stronger.”
“But Bing He can’t beat Luo Jiang.”
“Luo Jiang can’t beat the Woma High Priest.”
“The Woma High Priest couldn't kill Bing He with lightning.”
.............................
“Enough arguing,” someone finally couldn't stand it. “If we keep arguing, we won't reach a conclusion by tomorrow. Why don’t we just make them fight another day and see?”
It was predictable that soon, the ranger world of the Marfa Continent would have a new topic of conversation.