The Hero raised her fists again, and within those few short breaths, the red marks on her skin from the burns had faded significantly, with the burning pain already gone.
Perceiving this scene, even the Ancient Hero couldn't help but exclaim.
"Junior, your talent is really impressive, truly worthy of a Hero."
The Beast Spirit Mage's etheric body was driven by magic power, possessing unimaginable toughness with an abundance of magic.
"How could this be, it's all because of the strength given to me by seniors…" The Hero hurriedly shook her head.
If it were not for the strength obtained from the Ancient Hero, just the previous encounter would have drained her magic power, leaving her to helplessly collapse.
"Besides, it has nothing to do with professional talents, seniors are the true Heroes, not only I, but everyone believes this." She earnestly recalled the scholar's notes.
"…Hmm, thank you, junior." There was a subtle warmth in the Ancient Hero's calm voice.
The White Snake, perched above the two Heroes, was also filled with astonishment.
Due to being restrained by level and attributes, most of the White Snake's abilities were ineffective against the Phoenix, otherwise, even if she couldn't defeat the opponent, she wouldn't have been badly injured by a single stealth attack.
Originally, she was prepared to sacrifice herself, but unexpectedly, upon reaching the volcano and seeing the Corrupted Phoenix unseal, the Crystal Token on the Hero, which should have been ineffective, lit up once more, followed by the appearance of the Ancient Hero's Heroic Spirit...
The once invincible Corrupted Phoenix, just after unsealing, sensed the detestable Hero's aura, yet gained nothing from two rounds of confrontation and was instead severely wounded.
It hovered in the air, wings spread, not attacking rashly again, while the poisonous clouds below still churned, its oppressive presence undiminished.
"We cannot grapple with it," the Ancient Hero softly recalled.
"As time passes, it will gradually corrode the surrounding world, the dead will become cacodemons, the living will be twisted and depraved, then merge into an unstoppable Arcane Surge.
"Moreover, despite its depravity, it is still the incarnation of the sun, it cannot be killed in daylight, and at sunset, everything will be covered by its flames, a massive destruction will erase everything, boosting its power once more.
"Although at Dawn Break, the sun's radiance will reset the world's distortions, decreasing its power, at this time, it gains immortality… the battles go on cyclically, seeming endless… back then we all thought this would continue until the day we all perish."
The Ancient Hero's tone was unperturbed, devoid of ripple.
"Though weaker now, a war of attrition makes victory hard to grasp."
The Sergeant's deep voice rang out.
"You all provide support, I will slay her once, then..."
3. Guardian King Immobility
8. Eternal Night Gem♛
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
"Sergeant, I'll leave this to you."
The Sergeant's brow slightly furrowed as he looked at the black gemstone handed by the Count, unable to hide the surprise in his tone.
The blackness was so deep and pure, when it moved, it appeared as though a part of the world was missing, like a lightless eternal night.
"Indeed, it's the Eternal Night Gem." The Count smiled slightly.
[Eternal Night Gem R7]
A gemstone worth a fortune, mined from the deepest []
5. Polar Night Icefield
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
It has strong enhancements to dark magic, due to difficult processing, it had long been sitting in the Count's treasury.
With rough emergency enchantment, it could be used as a magic scroll.
[Inscribed Magic: Nocturnal Canopy LV6]
"This…" There was no need for further explanation; the Sergeant immediately understood the Count's implied meaning.
Yet he still felt deeply hesitated, chewing over his words for a long time, then slowly spilling them out.
"Is this worth it? The information hasn't been confirmed yet."
The value of this gemstone was enough to drive one mad, it was the material to forge a timeless… that's just the least, possibly legendary, or Holy Artifact equipment!
Once successfully forged, its effect could rival an entire army,
and even with mild enchantment, it would become damaged, losing its original value.
"Waiting for confirmation would be too late." The Count chuckled softly.
"Rather than wasting external possessions due to overthinking, waiting until we've lost something truly important, even at the brink of death to regret… Sergeant, don't you think that's a more foolish approach?"
"Since you've made your decision."
The Sergeant no longer refused, reaching out to take the gemstone, feeling as if his palm instantly vanished into the darkness.
"However, if it were the true Phoenix, this gem alone might not have any effect.
"But it should suffice to buy time, and if things become impossible, use it to retreat."
The Count said heavily.
"By then, the border will go all out." When expressing this, the Count's expression was more solemn than ever before.
"...I understand." Even the Sergeant had a very heavy tone when answering.
Mobilizing the entire frontier, pulling back the front lines, initiating a demon-extermination war that would sweep the entire Kingdom.
Once the Corrupted Phoenix broke free, he was prepared to never see his daughter again.
But now, the Sergeant had altered his plan.