Fierce combat raged around a lake lush with greenery.
The ones besieging the adventuring party were a group of oddly dressed cavalry. They wore the broad white robes characteristic of desert dwellers, their heads wrapped in thick turbans that left only a pair of wolf-like eyes exposed. Their mounts were creatures resembling single-humped camels.
At this moment, the leader of the cavalry let out a tremendous howl, urging his subordinates to completely surround the adventuring party and even drawing bows and arrows directly.
When the adventurers saw this formation, their expressions shifted slightly.
In terms of numbers, they were at an absolute disadvantage — to say nothing of the fact that among these cavalry were mixed numerous high-ranking blade masters and similar fighters.
"What are they saying?" The female mage Eleri layered several defensive spells over herself before turning to ask the blade master.
"They say we've offended this land, and must wash away the transgression with blood and life."
The blade master leader's expression was extremely grim as he translated hurriedly: "We're in serious trouble. These are the Sand Tribe! The original inhabitants of the western desert — the desert is their home ground, and they seem to possess some peculiar curse-like magical abilities."
"Hakli! Hakli!!!"
The Sand Tribe riders charged forward, howling as they released their arrows.
Several Sand Tribe warriors, thin as bamboo poles, leaped high into the air, their golden scimitars — inlaid with enormous gemstones — cleaving downward in elegant arcs through the void.
"Bring it on!"
The blade master leader bellowed, his own scimitar leaving its sheath.
A flash of light like a cold moon swept past, and the Sand Tribe warriors collapsed to the ground, their scimitars shattered into pieces that scattered like dancing butterflies.
"Chief! Why did you strike first? And so ruthlessly!"
The other adventurers watched the blade master attack directly, astonishment on their faces.
"There's no other choice," the blade master explained with a bitter smile. "'Hakli' means total annihilation."
But he quickly had no more time to exchange words with his companions — the earlier Sand Tribe leader had also dismounted and was closing in on him.
Bang!
A massive scimitar sliced through the air, the gust alone making the blade master leader's facial skin sting.
Clang!
"Explosive Moon Strike!!!" the blade master roared, his scimitar colliding with the opponent's. Brilliant battle qi erupted in all directions, leaving countless tiny holes in the desert surface before they were quickly buried by shifting sand.
Whoosh! At the instant the two scimitars collided, the Sand Tribe leader's waist twisted into an eerie arc. Another small scimitar materialized in her left hand, thrusting directly toward the blade master's eyes.
Secret Technique: Twin Serpent Blades!
"Captain!" The female mage cried out, one hand shooting forward as the ring on her ring finger blazed with brilliant light — Mage's Sword!
A magical longsword materialized midair, blocking the Sand Tribe leader's lethal strike!
"Damn it! Get out of my way!"
At the edge of life and death, the blade master leader also unleashed his full power. He let out a fierce howl, his muscles swelling into solid blocks, as if he had instantly transformed into a small giant.
The force behind his scimitar surged, driving the Sand Tribe leader back.
The Sand Tribe woman let out a soft cry, a flicker of surprise passing through her water-like eyes as she nimbly leaped away, her frame as light as a water swallow.
"A woman?"
The blade master leader broke into a cold sweat — he hadn't expected that a moment of carelessness had nearly cost him his eyes to a woman.
"Chief! What do we do?"
Arrows rained down like a storm. His other teammates were also caught in the siege.
"Group up around Awa — we break out together! Eleri, watch the support!" the blade master leader quickly issued orders.
"Hah! Berserk!"
The member called Awa was their berserker and tank. Hearing the order, he let out a low growl as his muscles bulged.
Bull's Strength! Bear's Toughness!
Eleri's hands flashed with spell light as she layered several beneficial enchantments onto Awa.
"Ha! Kill!"
Now in his berserker state, Awa roared and swung his shield like a human tank, instantly sending several rows of Sand Tribe warriors flying. Blood sprayed through the air.
"Modwak! Abdonia!"
The female Sand Tribe leader shouted repeatedly, directing her subordinates to form defensive layers — clearly intending to kill every last one of the blade master's group.
"Your opponent is me!"
The blade master took a deep breath. A layer of luminescent battle qi seemed to emanate from his plain, unassuming scimitar.
In the face of the enemy, this blade master displayed absolute tenacity, resolving to personally hold down the opposing leader and buy time for his teammates to escape.
Tsss tsss!
The female Sand Tribe leader said nothing. The large and small scimitars in her hands crossed and uncrossed with explosive sonic booms.
Suddenly, her figure blurred, and she had arrived before the blade master. Her arms seemed boneless — every strike came from an unexpected angle.
"Ha! Solar Gale Blade!!!"
The blade master let out a cold shout, twin flames seeming to burn in his eyes. His scimitar formed a vortex like the fiercest sandstorm, deflecting every one of the female leader's attacks.
"Hmm... I didn't expect to encounter martial techniques like this out here..."
High above, Leilin had set up a layer of illusion magic around himself, leisurely watching the bloody battle below.
"That female leader is also a powerhouse approaching the Legendary realm, and a Legendary combat martial artist at that! The Sand Tribe seems to have some real talent after all. That adventuring party is in danger."
Leilin's eyes were sharp — the absolute disadvantage in numbers and home-ground advantage couldn't be overcome by occasional bursts of power.
Clatter clatter!!! Golden sand churned. Facing the berserker Awa who charged wildly like an armored beast, the Sand Tribe riders chose not to engage head-on. Instead, they rode their camels in formation, pulling out several iron chains.
Bang! Bang!
The berserker roared continuously, but he was like an insect caught in a spider's web — struggling in vain.
After a time, the berserker's roars grew quiet and his body returned to its original size, his face filled with exhaustion.
"No good! Awa's berserk duration has run out!"
Seeing this, the female mage Eleri immediately rushed forward, pouring a Stamina Potion down Awa's throat, her face filled with anxious dread.
Faced with this situation, even the blade master's iron will could not help but feel a touch of despair.
"Mm... if no reinforcements arrive, this adventuring party will likely be wiped out here."
From high above, watching the spectacle, Leilin commented calmly. "However, reinforcements are already on the way."
Leilin's expression turned serious as he looked in one direction, slowly retreating — he too felt a hint of wariness.
Though he had concealed himself with illusion magic, getting too close might still expose him to detection by a powerhouse of comparable level.
Whoosh whoosh!
At that moment, from the direction Leilin was watching, a clamorous sound arose — like the struggling cries of countless birds, or like thunderbolts striking down from the heavens.
Boom!
A bright star rose in the daytime sky, trailing a searing path as it screamed downward.
Only upon closer look could one see it was a thrown spear. The violent friction with the air had turned its shaft a scorching red, as though it might melt at any moment.
All of this was visible only through Leilin's keen sight. The Sand Tribe could see only a blinding streak of light hurtling toward them, piercing through several Sand Tribe warriors and their camels before arriving right before the female Sand Tribe leader.
Clang!!!
Facing this attack, the female Sand Tribe leader's expression grew deeply solemn. She instantly withdrew her blades, crossing both scimitars before her to form a twisted cross pattern.
Boom!
A tremendous explosion rang out. Vast clouds of white steam rose, followed by the acrid smell of scorched iron.
When the swirling sand finally settled, the female Sand Tribe leader was nowhere to be seen — only scattered fragments of broken scimitars littered the ground.
"Woo woo..."
As if receiving some command, the remaining Sand Tribe warriors immediately turned and withdrew without a moment's hesitation.
They departed swiftly. After just a few breaths, not a single Sand Tribe member remained — only the chaotic hoofprints and signs of battle marked the spot.
"It's the Lord! The Lord has come!!!"
The female mage Eleri was the first to cry out in joy. The blade master and the other members showed traces of relief on their faces.
"You were slow."
Along with a deep voice, a massive hand that looked as if forged from iron pulled the earlier spear from the ground.
The newcomer had curly wine-red hair, neatly aligned silver eyebrows, and an expression of utter severity that made him intimidating to behold.
"Forgive us, Lord Rogolo. We encountered an unexpected situation on the road."
The blade master leader's face was somewhat pale as he stepped forward to explain in a low voice.
"Also, my thanks for saving our lives earlier, my Lord."
The female mage's eyes held a trace of adoration, but Rogolo paid no attention whatsoever.
"You useless lot — unable to even handle this much danger on your own. And furthermore—"
Rogolo's eyes glinted as they traveled from the female mage's face down to her midsection, bringing a faint blush to her cheeks.
"And furthermore, you didn't even realize you were being followed, you idiots!"
Rogolo's face initially showed confusion, then erupted in fury.
"Huh? Followed? Impossible, I—"
The female mage stared at the spear pointed at her, her expression one of bewilderment and disbelief.
But soon, she looked down at her hands in horror.
On her once fair, jade-white skin, pustulent yellowish cysts were erupting. Countless blisters burst open, and she let out a piercing scream.
Tsss tsss!
Thick white smoke rose from the female mage's body, her shrill screams sending chills through everyone else. When the smoke dissipated, all that remained on the desert sand was a puddle of pus — the female mage had vanished without a trace.