Chapter 569: The Door and the Clamp

The female hero Grete acted without hesitation, flinging the weaker half-deer woman Kira backward.

She shouted at Tally:

"Take her and go first!"

Done speaking.

She hurled a metal sphere.

With her monstrous, brutal steel spear swinging, it struck and instantly unleashed a torrent of magical smoke that once again engulfed the fading gunpowder fumes.

Meanwhile, crimson energy erupted from her, vivid red lines swirling across her silver battle armor.

Her strength surged.

With a boom, she blasted a small crater into the ground.

At the same moment.

A emerald straight-bladed short knife spun through the air, circling to the side of the spell formation.

She had not abandoned Luo De.

In one swift step, she charged through the chaotic air currents into the massive cloud of smoke raised by the giant lightning dragon's strike.

The dust carried the stench of burning and the unique coldness of magic.

Then Grete saw a charred impact crater, with fragments of clothing scattered nearby.

Such a massive amount of magical energy.

The power boost from this coordinated multi-person spell.

Even an eighth-rank would not escape unscathed.

Though she knew this Mr. Luo De, a cold sense of sorrow still rose in her heart.

She had seen this scenario many times on the battlefield.

Under the absurd destructive power of legendary spells, even preserving a corpse was a luxury.

She quickly snatched up half-charred fabric.

At least something remained—she could at least give this to Miss Tally.

The situation was urgent.

Grete had no intention of staying; the magical smoke wouldn't last long.

"Sigh."

She let out a light breath, turned sharply, and exploded power from her legs.

It didn't explode.

She turned and slammed straight into a solid chest.

No time to be startled.

A faint, mysterious scent slipped into her nostrils—clearly male, hot, yet clean and secretive.

Grete's legs went weak in an instant.

Her skull felt struck, as if feathers brushed her nerves.

She nearly rolled her eyes back.

But her strong will snapped her back to awareness; she recoiled in shock.

A large hand instantly gripped her shoulder.

"It's me."

Hearing the familiar voice, Grete froze.

She looked closely—and realized it was Luo De.

His upper clothing had been burned away, revealing a body of naturally flowing, powerfully corded muscle.

The gold and silver swords at his waist were untouched by dust.

Though his lower body clearly wore new pants.

Not to mention any injury.

Not even a single scratch.

His ruggedly handsome face showed no expression, his hairstyle unchanged.

"You're not dead?!"

"You seem disappointed."

"Don't talk nonsense! No joking on the battlefield!"

She snapped coldly, then realized this wasn't a real battlefield and softened her expression.

"Sorry, I'm used to it—I never allowed soldiers to say such things."

"No problem. Huh? Why are you holding onto my underwear scraps?"

Luo De stared at her with a strange expression.

His entire outfit had been vaporized.

But two months of time management had drastically improved his speed in changing pants, allowing him to appear relatively presentable.

"I should tell you, I'm not really interested in humans."

Luo De stepped back, gently shielding his bare chest.

Grete's stern, masculine face twitched.

She swiftly and stiffly spread her fingers wide, eager to rid herself of the fabric.

"Enough talk—let's go!"

"No rush. Bahadur is waiting for us to come to him—he began sealing the mountain the moment we approached; not even a fly can escape."

"... ou knew?"

Grete frowned.

Luo De smiled.

【Insight Demon Eye】 flickered briefly.

"They're trying to close the door for me—why wouldn't I agree?"

"What?"

Hum—

Another piercing magical friction echoed above the platform.

Then a powerful wind surged, scattering the dusty magical smoke.

Grete's face darkened as she stared at the array of unmoving mages on the three-meter-high platform.

Blue magic coalesced above their heads into intricate, complex patterns, covering most of the sky.

A transparent dome formed by magical barriers.

Seven-colored defensive walls arranged in a honeycomb pattern.

Mist curled through the mountains, obscuring their exact positions.

Instantly, pressure like a mountain crushed down on her shoulders.

"You? Luo De?!"

The Image Society's director, Shemus, exclaimed in shock.

He had clearly seen Luo De.

He knew an intruder was present—but not his identity.

Luo De stepped past Grete.

He smiled: "Didn't lifting the 【Curse Shadow Soul Chase】 cost you a fortune? Why is your real body here working?"

The last time Shemus used a puppet to invade Shi Ying Town,

Luo De and Kalist had jointly branded him with 【Curse Shadow Soul Chase】.

It could track his location and corrode his life force.

Too bad.

That spell had been removed a month ago.

As expected.

At the mention of it,

Shemus's expression darkened instantly.

"Foolish. Capture these people—they came searching for mercenaries, so they must be connected to that place."

It seemed his deployment of mercenaries wasn't just to hunt cat-fairies—he was luring the real target out.

One of the seventh-ranks beside him frowned: "The 【Flame Lightning Slash】 had no effect. And you say his name is Luo De—could he be the Luo De from Dusk Hill?"

"So what?"

"Don't tell me you didn't hear the news: two months ago, he schemed to kill two great dragons and repelled the Infernal Duke."

Shemus sneered: "Rumors."

"I last saw him five months ago—he hadn't even reached seventh rank. Are you saying he could defeat a ninth-rank in two months? Do you believe that?!"

Another seventh-rank was more pragmatic and careful.

He said: "【Flame Lightning Slash】 had no effect—classified as a high-defense tactical counter-group. Prepare 【Glass Transformation】."

Luo De sensed Grete staring at him in disbelief.

He ignored the incantations echoing above.

He pulled out the sign girl's sword of self-sacrifice and laughed, "It's all those bards' excessive flattery."

"."

Shi Laimu's 【Black Gold Adhesion】 rapidly dyed the steel sword black and gold.

Luo De walked over calmly.

Facing the growing magic power.

His casual expression never changed.

"I'm coming—hold tight, I mean, you mages, focus your concentration."

No one responded to his cold, crude joke.

Except Tally.

She shouted from behind in a sweet voice:

"Master~~ Tally's holding tight~~"

"Hahahaha—"

Ding ding ding!

As Luo De drew closer, a shrill magical bell rang out.

The illusion spell's mist thickened rapidly, extending hundreds of pale blue tentacles.

Luo De drew a deep breath, his chest swelling like a bellows.

The next instant, he unleashed a deafening roar.

"Disperse!"

【Purifying Dragon Roar】!

The sound waves became visible ripples, instantly evaporating the mist and tentacles.

(End of Chapter)