Chapter 325: The Kneeling Ten Talents: The End of the Battle of the Hills

Boom—

Despair appeared in the depths of the Leader’s pale eyes. A crisp cracking sound came from the skeleton in his chest; the penetrating force of the silver knight’s lance had easily shattered his spine.

His body split into two in mid-air!

His mana had long since been exhausted, and the defensive gear and various magical items on his person had also failed and been destroyed during the previous process of resisting the Dominion Authority.

Snap!

Having lost all effective means of defense, the Leader was reduced to scattered bone shards and severed body parts under the magical attack.

The silver-white lance continued to blast backward with remaining force, landing in the distant forest with a loud crash.

Rumble!

A large number of trees were pierced and destroyed, and a shockwave arrived from the direction of the loud noise, causing the earth to tremble.

"Experience gained: 368925"

[Experience Bar: 658160/310000]

The Leader?

The dangerous smile on Clementine’s face stiffened. Her peripheral vision darted toward the shattered bone fragments, and her pupils contracted involuntarily.

Terrifying, powerful!

The Leader, whom various nations feared, had actually died?

He didn't die at the hands of the Dominion Authority, which possessed the power to counter gods, but instead died at the hands of a minor character who hadn't even been paid any mind!

Swish—

Clementine’s slender, powerful arms tensed in an instant, veins bulging on her palms as she forcefully threw the short stiletto weapon in her hand toward Tang Zheng.

The moment the stiletto left her hand.

A flash of blue electric light was released from the stiletto, transforming into a straight, piercing thunderbolt that shot through the air toward Tang Zheng.

"Lightning"

This was the third-tier spell "Lightning" injected into the stiletto using enchanting methods.

Clementine seemed unsatisfied; while one hand threw the stiletto, the stiletto in her other hand flared with a red magical light once more.

"Fireball"

This fireball was not aimed at Tang Zheng, but rather blasted at the ground between the two of them.

Boom!

The fireball made contact with the ground, causing a massive explosion. A large amount of dust and rising flames obscured the vision of both sides.

She knew that "Teleportation" magic required line-of-sight to lock onto a target and location to execute, so she first used "Lightning" to force this red-robed mage to defend, then used the fireball to block his line of sight.

"Wind-Riding Sprint—"

Clementine shouted internally. A faint blue luster covered her entire body, and her figure retreated rapidly at an extraordinary speed, disappearing as if fleeing.

And this series of actions was completed in almost a single breath!

As the smoke and dust dissipated,

The Shadow Clone appeared, completely unscathed. It gazed at the spot where Clementine had vanished, remained silent for a moment, then walked toward the Leader, collected the shattered body, and disappeared.

…………

At this moment on the battlefield.

Tang Zheng’s eyes flickered slightly, and he muttered to himself: "Ran away quite fast, but that's fine too."

The Leader had been dealt with, and the corpse was preserved relatively intact. The next step was resurrection to obtain information; he was familiar with this operation.

Additionally, he also needed to observe whether there was any possibility of the Leader being resurrected by others.

Tang Zheng pondered the entire process in his mind.

The power displayed by the Shadow Clone was within a controllable range and did not expose any abnormal information.

The escaped Clementine was a minor issue; she already knew her identity was exposed. On the contrary, the Shadow Clone identity now had more leverage and even held the initiative.

What Tang Zheng needed to consider now was the possibility of controlling [Zuranon]. The only trouble was the inability to disguise himself as an undead.

This would make the plan to indirectly contact the [Abyss Body] through [Zuranon] troublesome, as this true secret society was composed entirely of undead members.

"Kill these hateful humans!"

"Ah—"

"Run away!"

"Gather toward me—"

"…………!"

The shouts of the demi-human side came continuously from all directions.

The ordinary demi-humans could still be dealt with, but the moment those 32 fourth-tier Dominion Authority angels appeared, they revealed terrifying power, completely crushing them.

Even the stronger Go-Jin, "Beast General" Hekterwis, and "Seven-Colored Scales" Kokeshi could not withstand such a large number of fourth-tier angels at all.

Not to mention that after just experiencing a life-and-death battle, all the demi-humans were already exhausted.

After a brief resistance.

A scene of slaughter by the angels appeared on the battlefield.

A thick, bloody scent permeated the air.

Screams and angry roars continued to echo in the sky!

The people of the Holy Kingdom all looked exhilarated; it was resentment for the long-standing invasion by demi-humans. The [Sunlight Scripture] troops, however, watched this scene in constant silence.

Captain Nigun was dead, and Clementine was missing!

The remaining troops of the [Sunlight Scripture] clearly had no heart to pay attention to this.

The Green Leaf Witch frowned, her eyes filled with unbearable pity and indignation. She gripped her staff tightly, her expression full of complexity.

Although she had no connection to these demi-humans, she was a demi-human herself, and seeing them being slaughtered now naturally caused some resonance in her heart.

"This... is this not a bit too cruel?"

Hearing the screams coming continuously from beside her, the Green Leaf Witch finally couldn't help it and carefully looked at the expressionless Tang Zheng next to her.

If anyone could stop all of this, it was the Master.

Cruel?

Tang Zheng heard the Green Leaf Witch’s faintly trembling voice and looked toward the angels flying in the air, attacking everywhere.

Humans were too weak in this world; the true cruelty was the humans located in the center of the continent who were treated as food and livestock.

"I have no reason to stop it."

Tang Zheng raised his palm and gently stroked the cheek of the Evil Hound.

His stance was on the side of humanity.

Moreover, Tang Zheng noticed that these angels were not attacking the Green Leaf Witch, who was also a demi-human. It was not hard to guess why this was happening;

It was nothing more than an arrangement specifically made by Qirat, which was also a disguised way of expressing goodwill toward him.

The Green Leaf Witch’s eyes dimmed, and she lowered her head.

Suddenly.

"Reason?"

The Green Leaf Witch’s bright yellow pupils lit up.

She knew a little about the Master’s temperament. According to the Master’s personality, if it wasn't necessary, he wouldn't say any nonsense to her; she only needed to obey orders.

Therefore—the key was the "reason."

The Green Leaf Witch’s throat moved as she quickly thought about what kind of reason could make the Master intervene in this matter.

She thought through everything!

The Green Leaf Witch realized there was no such "reason," or at least, given her status, she couldn't provide a suitable reason.

Younger sister?

Not enough.

It was the same for the demi-humans; they didn't have any reason for the Master to save them... no, there was one person.

Go-Jin!

This name surfaced in the Green Leaf Witch’s mind, as if she had suddenly woken from a deep sleep. Her throat spasmed uncontrollably, and her peripheral vision darted toward Tang Zheng.

Thinking of everything that had happened.

The Green Leaf Witch realized with horror: could it be that everything was in the Master’s plan?

On the soil stained red and piled with blood and undead remains.

"Steel Strike!"

Go-Jin roared, swinging the mace weapon in his hand, colliding with the weapon in the hand of a Dominion Authority angel. The savage force knocked this Dominion Authority angel back.

But the next moment!

Two more Dominion Authority angels swung the lance-staves in their hands.

Pfft!

Pfft!

The sharp lance tips pierced through Go-Jin’s chest from front to back. A large amount of blood sprayed out from the wounds like blood arrows, staining the ground red once again.

"Outer Skin Reinforcement!"

"Outer Skin Super Reinforcement!"

"Flowing Water Acceleration!"

"Divine Skill Flash!"

Ge Jin let out a muffled grunt and unleashed his martial arts in succession, roaring as he repelled the three Dominion Authority angels surrounding him, his hands gripping his mace as he panted heavily.

Dealing with one Dominion Authority angel was no problem at all, and two were manageable, but facing three, Ge Jin knew that defeat was only a matter of time.

And there were a full 32 angels of this caliber!

"Beast General" Heketuoweishi and "Seven-Colored Scales" Kekeshen were also surrounded by several Dominion Authority angels, and their situations were even more perilous.

This cannot go on!

Facing these powerful angels, they simply could not hold out in their current state.

Ge Jin was not stupid; seeing all kinds of complex humans in the empire had long taught him to act differently from those ogres and trolls who only knew how to rely on brute force, and instead, he had learned to think.

Since the humans were moving against them at this time, it was likely they already had the intention to exterminate all of their demi-humans.

Ge Jin’s eyes were bloodshot; without realizing it, he had long since considered himself a part of the Hill demi-humans.

Who could save them!

The first person to appear in Ge Jin’s mind was Tang Zheng, thinking of his astonishing performance in eliminating the Death Knight and defeating the alliance leader.

But—

The other party was also a human; would he really save this group of demi-humans?

Tang was not from the Holy Kingdom, and he was an adventurer with demi-human companions in his party; perhaps...

Friends, perhaps.

Ge Jin shook his head, gritted his teeth, knowing this was not the time for deep deliberation, and turned to run in the direction where Tang Zheng was.

The massive figure, over three meters tall, charged all the way.

Facing the angels that came to intercept him one after another, dense wounds kept bursting open on his body; by the time he rushed in front of Tang Zheng, Ge Jin had become a bloody mess!

"Help me, Tang!"

"Sorry."

Ge Jin’s expression stiffened for a moment, a bitter smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, and he turned, preparing to charge back into the battlefield.

"Cuiye," Tang Zheng said.

"Plant Growth."

"Plant Entanglement."

The Cuiye Witch cast her magic, and thick vines burst out from the ground, rapidly binding Ge Jin.

"What are you doing? Let me go!"

Ge Jin was both shocked and angry, reaching out to tear at the vines wrapped around him.

These plants grew at an extremely fast rate, and coupled with the fact that Ge Jin had exhausted a large amount of stamina, he did not break free immediately and was soon tied up by the vines.

"You are my friend."

Tang Zheng looked at Ge Jin, who was restrained in place, and said earnestly while maintaining a pale and weak complexion: "I will ensure your safety."

"You... mm... mm!"

Ge Jin still wanted to say something, but his mouth had already been sealed by the vines.

The scene here fell into everyone’s view.

There were clearly only three people in the entire "Free Will," one of whom was unconscious, yet every move they made attracted everyone’s attention.

Having experienced this war to exterminate the undead, no one dared to underestimate this adventurer party called "Free Will" anymore.

Remedios watched this move, one hand pressed on the hilt of her sword, her gaze shifting from time to time between Tang Zheng and Ge Jin.

Clang!

The holy sword was drawn.

"Team Leader Tang, I hope the demi-human you are protecting is only him."

Remedios spoke with a sunken face.

This guy in front of her possessed such strong power, yet he insisted on protecting demi-humans; it was truly something she could not understand and made her angry.

After saying this!

Remedios had already charged out, carrying her holy sword, because she had seen that it seemed Ge Jin’s actions had given the demi-humans some kind of hope.

Two more demi-human powerhouses she had been keeping an eye on were rushing toward Tang Zheng’s direction.

The ground beneath Remedios’s feet exploded, and her body disappeared from the spot, turning into an afterimage as she sped toward the two approaching demi-humans.

"Beast General" Heketuoweishi and "Seven-Colored Scales" Kekeshen!

"You damn demi-humans, don't push your luck!"

Remedios’s eyes were cold, and she roared in a chilling voice full of killing intent: "All of you, die here!"

"Heketuoweishi!"

"Seven-Colored Scales" Kekeshen’s scarlet pupils were exceptionally grave as he spoke quickly: "Help me stop her; the only one who can save us now is that human."

Through Tang Zheng’s attitude toward Ge Jin.

"Seven-Colored Scales" Kekeshen sensed that the young black-haired human did not seem to loathe them, the demi-humans.

"Good!" "Beast General" Heketuoweishi nodded forcefully, pushed off hard with his four legs, and charged out first to block Remedios.

"Seven-Colored Scales" Kekeshen bypassed the fierce battle in front and, slithering with his shimmering seven-colored snake scales, rushed to the location where Tang Zheng was.

The Cuiye Witch immediately went on guard.

However!

To everyone’s surprise.

This leader of the "Ten Demi-human Heroes," the one with the highest status among all demi-human races, "Seven-Colored Scales" Kekeshen.

Actually prostrated himself straight on the ground before Tang Zheng, supporting himself with his arms and pressing his head against the ground; this was the most humiliating posture of surrender.

For demi-humans, who had always held themselves in high regard and viewed humans as a base, weak race, to adopt such a posture—let alone the demi-humans who were struggling to resist, even the human side erupted in an uproar.

Is it humiliating?

When the lives of their clansmen and the fate of the women and children of all races were like meat on a chopping block, what did this bit of humiliation count for?

"Seven-Colored Scales" Kekeshen knew that as the weaker side, the bargaining chips they could bring to the table were limited; to get this human to help, he had to be able to offer something that could move him.

Except for the few people at Tang Zheng’s location,

No one knew what "Seven-Colored Scales" Kekeshen had said; everyone only saw Tang Zheng sigh, and then walk toward the direction of Kelart.

The members of the priest group and the holy knight group looked at Tang Zheng, who was confronting Kelart, with both suspicion and fear.

"Let’s end it here, how about that?" Tang Zheng said helplessly.

"This is a grudge between the Holy Kingdom and the Hill demi-humans!"

"You are not from the Holy Kingdom and do not understand this pain and disaster."

Kelart gritted her teeth as she spoke; due to her agitation, her voice became somewhat sharp.

"Having suffered the losses caused by the undead, the demi-humans will not be enough to pose a threat to the Holy Kingdom for at least 20 years."

"I want to eliminate all these demi-humans right now!"

"They still have tens of thousands of people, while your troops have less than 200 left."

"So what!"

"Let’s end it here."

"You are an adventurer; you shouldn't interfere in matters between nations!"

"The method I used earlier to merge into the body of the powerful angel was not relying on special magic or innate abilities, but a type of potion I refined myself."

Kelart’s pupils dilated slightly, a flash of shock and joy appearing in her narrow, sinister eye sockets; after a brief silence, she took a step back.

"You actually intend to use the merit of handling this Hill incident to plead for this group of demi-humans!"

"What do you take the reward from Her Majesty the Holy Queen as!!"

"Fine, don't regret it!"

Kelart acted extremely angry and spoke loudly.

Tang Zheng smiled imperceptibly; he knew that what Kelart said was not for him, but an explanation for the people of the holy knight group and the priest group.

And she used the Holy Queen Calca to endorse it!

Communicating with a smart person like Kelart was indeed much easier at times.

"The Hill incident is finally over." Tang Zheng’s gaze swept across this bloody battlefield, filled with the smell of decay.

(End of chapter)