by Zhuang Bifan
"How interesting. I never thought that I would be forced into this situation by someone who has yet to even reach the Sanctuary-realm," Rodhart said in a low voice. Actually, he didn't sound too indignant, but rather a little self-deprecating.
Lin Li remained silent and looked at Rodhart coldly. Even though Rodhart seemed to be on the verge of giving up, Lin Li dared not let his guard down at all. At the same time, Lin Li also continuously reminded himself that the person in front of him was the terrifying figure who had killed hundreds of thousands of lives in the Breezy Plains. Everything would not end until he was completely purified.
"Since you've seen the black dragon, you must also know about my relationship with Willen. You find it peculiar that I chose the opposite path from my brother, don't you? He's a Son of The Holy Light, while I'm the fallen Retribution Knight who has done plenty of evil and killed countless people. Who would believe that we are brothers?" said Rodhart, who sounded like he was talking to himself even though he was saying those words to Lin Li.
Rodhart closed his eyes slightly as if opening his eyes was painstaking in his current situation. The menacing armor on his body gradually changed from black to a little gray too, just as if it would break with a poke of the finger.
Chapter 829 - Departed
"Willen, you are right, but I am not you, how can I resist the temptation of that power? Immortal King, since you're called the Immortal King, why did you leave a crippled arm behind to harm others…" Rodhart murmured, sounding rather resentful and regretful.
Lin Li initially didn't want to bother with what Rodhart said, and he felt that it would be enough to see Rodhart getting thoroughly purified with his own eyes. However, when he heard Rodhart saying those words out of nowhere, Lin Li's heart suddenly jumped. Did Rodhart really choose to become the Retribution Knight because of the Immortal King's broken arm?
Legend had it that although the Dragon of Destruction Azardas was killed at the end of the battle between the Immortal King and the Dragon of Destruction, the Immortal King was also injured by the counterattack launched by the Dragon of Destruction before his death. One of his arms then landed in the Breezy Plains. The piece of news was actually confirmed by Nefa and Rogge when Lin Li was in the big rift. It was said Rodhart had obtained the severed arm of the Immortal King, and thus chose to embark on a completely opposite path from Willen by becoming the Retribution Knight.
When Rogge watched the intense battle between the Immortal King and the Dragon of Destruction, he ended up in a horrible state just because he had suffered the erosion of the Immortal King's death aura. Rodhart obtained the Immortal King's arm that contained the infinite death aura which made it easy for him to become the Retribution Knight.
Regarding the arm of the Immortal King, Lin Li was suddenly reminded of something that happened a long time ago. Back then, the Syer Bandits attacked Black Clouds Town, all for the sake of the Immortal King's arm that Willen had sealed in the chapel. However, Lin Li did not manage to find the Immortal King's arm in their lair; it seemed to have been taken away by some other force.
Lin Li didn't really care about the arm of the Immortal King. He mainly heard from Nefa and Rogge that when the arm of the Immortal King was blasted off by the Dragon of Destruction, the Immortal King seemed to be holding a weapon which Lin Li reckoned to be the Stars of Fury which he had been trying hard to find.
Since Rodhart had obtained the Immortal King's arm, where did the weapon in his hand go? Lin Li finally couldn't help asking the Retribution Knight who was already on the brink of death about it. "There was a weapon that was left together with the arm of the Immortal King. Where is it now?"
Even without any debris of the stars, the Stars of Fury was still a very powerful weapon. According to the standards of Anril, it would probably not be an exaggeration to call it a divine weapon. Lin Li didn't think that Rodhart would ignore such a powerful weapon when he obtained the arm of the Immortal King.
"Hah…" Rodhart laughed painstakingly, while the soul fire in his eyes flickered like a candle in the wind as if it would be extinguished at any time. There was not a single race of death aura at all.
"You must have seen that weapon, right? Where is it now?" Seeing the condition that Rodhart was in, Lin Li couldn't help but feel a little anxious. Obviously, the Retribution Knight was already drained, and if Lin Li were any slower, he might not be able to ask anything in time.
However, the corners of Rodhart's mouth curled up in a strange smirk, and he struggled to speak. "It… It left the Ice and Fire behind, and departed…"
"What do you mean departed? Where did it go!?" Lin Li darted forward and reached out in a bid to grab Rodhart's shoulder. However, as soon as he touched Rodhart's armor, the latter's tall body collapsed like a sculpture made of sand.
Damn it! Make yourself clear before you die, bastard! Looking at the pile of ashes on the ground and the Eternal Frost Blade that was driven into it, Lin Li was filled with grief and anger. He didn't show any joy of victory at all. He had finally gotten a clue about the Stars of Fury, and yet he had to watch it slip away right in front of him. Damn it, is this a joke!?
Lin Li stretched out his hand to pull the Eternal Frost Blade out from the ground. Without even taking another look, he threw it into the Eternal Snow Storm. Although it was a rare and legendary magical weapon, it was worlds apart from the Stars of Fury, and Lin Li was in no mood to appreciate it now.
Lin Li put away the debris of the stars Holy Light and the divine ring. He then recalled the majestic Divine Power in the palace immediately, and even the power that had purified the Sanctuary powerhouse disappeared in an instant. Standing still, Lin Li looked at the original position of the skeleton throne, followed by the ashes on the ground, which made him feel rather emotional.
A joyful shriek sounded in the palace, and a petite figure appeared in front of Lin Li immediately afterwards. It was sticking its tongue out and l.i.c.k.i.n.g Lin Li mindlessly.
After being licked by Xiao Hua, Lin Li felt a lot better. He used a magical crystal to lure Xiao Hua to come down before turning around to look in the direction Xiao Hua came from. Connoris, Norfeller, Ujfalusi, and the Holy Death Knights that were following them from behind entered from outside.
Seeing that Lin Li was standing in the middle of the palace without any injuries, Norfeller and Ujfalusi hurriedly strode towards Lin Li and exclaimed in unison, "Master, it's wonderful that you're alright!"
Lin Li nodded and shifted his gaze onto Norfeller.
In the previous battle, Lin Li witnessed the scene of Norfeller unleashing his potential, and he only knew that his Vampire servant was not feeling as good as he seemed on the surface. Hence, he took out a potion that was full of Dark Force, and said, "Drink it."
The potion was a by-product of Lin Li's formulation of the Tribute of Darkness. Although its effects were inferior to the Tribute of Darkness, it was rather effective for creatures of Darkness. Norfeller didn't ask any questions, and simply grabbed the potion with both hands, unplugged the cork without hesitation, and poured the potion into his mouth immediately.
Although the Soul Contract, like the Blood-oath, had conditions that would bind the servant to the master until their deaths, and didn't seem to involve any loyalty, Norfeller chose to take the initiative and risk his own life during the hopeless battle. On the other hand, Ujfalusi chose to wait passively. That was the difference in their loyalty. Although Lin Li did not intend to punish Ujfalusi for that, he felt that it was also necessary to reward Norfeller for his loyalty.
Seeing the Dark Force erupting and surging in Norfeller's body after he consumed the potion, Ujfalusi was instantly green with envy and jealousy. He was filled with regret, and wished that he had also risked his life to put up a fight.
Although the 40 Archmages were physically and mentally exhausted after the intense battle, they were still looking at Lin Li with gazes that were filled with awe, worship, and admiration. The Retribution Knight was a true Sanctuary po
werhouse, a powerful, god-like existence. Yet, he was killed by their President, Lin Li. The problems that the Tower of Dusk was facing now were considered nothing at all compared to this!
Dang, dang!
Connoris walked up to Lin Li, threw half of the Holy Light Cross Spear that he was holding onto the ground, and lamented in disp.l.e.a.s.u.r.e and disgruntlement, "Look, this is the elaborate and luxurious product of your forging workshop, yet it's inferior to a fire stick. I don't care. Since you refuse to give me Osric's weapon, you have to make me a decent weapon when we go back."
The Holy Light Cross was a magical weapon that Lin Li had personally designed. Of course, it wouldn't be as weak and pathetic like Connoris described. It was just that they had faced the siege of 20 Death Knights this time, and the fact that the spear could last until the end was already rather impressive.
In fact, Lin Li of course knew that Connoris was still coveting the spear that was used by the perfect body back then, which was a transformation of the debris of the stars, Nothingness. However, Connoris' strength and abilities were now considered the most important combat power of Lin Li's subordinates. Indeed, Connoris needed a better weapon to allow the power of the perfect body to be fully exerted.
Of course, it was impossible for Lin Li to give Nothingness to Connoris. He happened to recall the Eternal Frost Blade that Rodhart had left behind after being purified, and thus said, "The Eternal Frost Blade is with me. Once I study it, you may use it."
Connoris humphed and remained silent. Although the Eternal Frost Blade could not be compared to the Spear of Nothingness, it was also considered a very powerful legendary weapon which was somewhat similar to Nothingness in terms of Space Power.
After packing everything up, Lin Li decided to leave because there was nothing worth wasting his time on in the underground palace. Lin Li led everyone out of the cave and arrived at the opening where Archbishop Englos of the Brilliance Shrine was waiting for him. He knew that Lin Li had plenty of Undead creatures, and thus didn't bring any believers of the Holy Light with him.
"Archbishop Englos, thank you very much for your help this time," said Lin Li, who let his subordinates go first while he walked towards Englos and expressed his sincere gratitude to him.
Englos smiled, and said, "I'm sure you know what happened to Rodhart. I can't say that it has nothing to do with the Brilliance Shrine. Besides, we were just praying outside the battlefield. Judging from the way you are now, the matter has probably been resolved, eh?"
"Well, although things unexpectedly did not go according to plan, we still managed to resolve it smoothly with the help of you and your believers. Let's talk while walking." Lin Li was not modest at all. If it weren't for the Holy Light Mageweath array that Englos and the believers of the Holy Light had put up, the result would have been completely different.
The two of them slowly walked out, and Lin Li briefly told Englos about the battle in the underground palace. Although it was all over, Lin Li couldn't help but shudder and feel a lingering sense of fear at the thought of Rodhart's menace. Englos was also shocked after hearing it. At the same time, he also felt rather awed and emotional about Rodhart's death. After all, he was also a mythical character.
When he was about to leave the Dragon Mountains, Lin Li invited Englos to the Tower of Dusk as a guest to express his gratitude. However, Englos was an archbishop of the Brilliance Shrine, and had plenty of concerns, especially since there were many believers of the Holy Light who had come on this trip with him. In the end, he had no choice but to regretfully bid Lin Li goodbye.
Watching Englos leave, Lin Li reunited with his subordinates, and they set off together to make their way back to the Tower of Dusk.
Chapter 830 - Theft
Although there was an unexpected occurrence during the operation this time, the outcome was fortunately good. After obtaining Polar Snow and Raging Flames, Lin Li finally got hold of the seven pieces of the debris of the stars. Having them all might not be that different from having five in terms of the increase in combat power, since it just gave him two more options. However, the nomological power contained in each of the seven pieces of the debris of the stars encompassed all the World Laws of Anril. For Lin Li, it was not just about having two extra options.
The seven pieces of the debris of the stars contained the seven basic World Laws—earth, fire, water, wind, light, darkness, and chaos—which constituted the world of Anril. Although it was not necessary for him to master all the Laws to enter the Sanctuary-realm, the seven basic Laws were extremely closely related. No one could truly and completely master a single Law when there were no connections in between.
Darkness had to be complemented by light, and vice versa. It was the same for the other laws. The high priest of the Darkness Shrine, Rogge, mentioned that the two powers were interchangeable, and Pope Rosario's understanding of the Laws of Darkness was definitely not what most people could compare to. Hence, for Lin Li, it would be good to have a better comprehension and enlightenment of other Laws, regardless of which law he wanted to master in order to enter the Sanctuary-realm. Not only would it speed up his pace of entering the Sanctuary-realm, he might even get to enter the Sanctuary-realm just by mastering all the Laws.
In addition to collecting the seven pieces of the debris of the stars, obtaining the Ice and Fire Natural Magic Domain could be considered a gain that would significantly enhance the strength of the Tower of Dusk. Regardless of how great the Tower of Dusk developed and how much power they had, the Tower of Dusk in Doland was their root and foundation. As long as the Tower of Dusk stood strong in Doland, they would definitely be able to resolve all the problems they encountered, regardless of how difficult they might be.
Hence, at the beginning of the establishment of the Tower of Dusk, Lin Li put in plenty of effort into developing it; he had been working hard to make the Tower of Dusk an indestructible fortress ever since then. He set up an All-Kill Array in the Tower of Dusk, installed powerful Magical Crystal Cannons, and even fused the Eternal Furnace with the Tower of Dusk. Even if the Tower of Dusk still couldn't compare to the Supreme Council's after Lin Li's continuous strengthening and enhancements, it could be considered to be close to comparable.
The only thing Lin Li found to be a pity was the fact that the Eternal Furnace, which was a piece of work that Osric was proud of, was not a finished product. The biggest problem was that he did not have an extremely powerful offensive weapon. Although Lin Li had purchased a large number of Magical Crystal Cannons and installed them in the Eternal Furnace to make it seem like a hedgehog with spikes, they would just be ornaments for display if someone were to step on the Eternal Furnace, regardless of how many there were.
As for the two Undead servants, as well as Connoris and Angelano, they might be powerful, but Lin Li could not guarantee that they would continue to stay at the Tower of Dusk forever. Hence, Lin Li placed the Black Front Fortress in the Eternal Furnace, allowing the Holy Death Knights to become a guarding force of the Tower of Dusk. However, that was not enough. Although the Death Knights were strong, they had yet to grow to the level of the Retribution Knight. Hence, if they were to face any real powerhouses, they would definitely be defeated easily.
Obtaining the Ice and Fire Natural Magical Domain could make up for the shortcomings of the Tower of Dusk to a large extent. The Ice and Fire Natural Magical Domain was not a weapon, and did not even have any attacking power. However, when combined with the Eternal Furnace, it would definitely bring about terrifying benefits.
No matter how close the Archmages might be to the Legendary-realm, there would still be a world of a difference between them and Legendary-mages as long as they had yet to step into the Legendary-realm. One of the main reasons for the disparity in power was the enlightenment and application of the nomological power. Legendary-mages could use nomological power to create their own Magical Domains and rely on their absolute control of the Magical Domains in order to become a god-like existence, which was so
mething that Archmages could not compare to.
However, after combining the Ice and Fire Natural Magical Domain with the Eternal Furnace, the Archmages of the Tower of Dusk would have their own Magical Domains. In other words, the Archmages would have their strength upgraded to the Legendary-level in one go with the help of the Ice and Fire Natural Magical Domain.
Of course, there was still a difference between that and the Legendary-mages who really created a Magical Domain for themselves, though the difference wasn't huge. Not to mention, the Tower of Dusk still had the advantage of having more manpower. Lin Li had only brought along 40 Archmages with him this time, and there were actually many more from the Tower of Dusk who had not been selected. How would a powerful enemy react when he broke through numerous obstacles and finally stepped onto the Eternal Furnace, only to find more than 40 Legendary-mages staring at him menacingly?
That was a benefit that could be seen immediately, but that was not all that the Ice and Fire Natural Magical Domain could offer.
As a solidified Natural Magical Domain, the Laws of the Ice and Fire Natural Magical Domain could be considered extremely perfect existences. For the Archmages who had begun to understand the Laws, and were ready to step into the Legendary-realm, it would be a perfect example. There were now plenty of Archmages above level-19 at the Tower of Dusk, and if they had the Ice and Fire Natural Magical Domain to help them in gaining some enlightenment about the Laws, Lin Li believed that it wouldn't take long for them to enter the Legendary-realm and become true Legendary-mages.