Chapter 21: Eightfold divine power shatters the bonds; at the crow's beak he seizes his kin, vying for a brief respite

Chen Wen's roar was like thunder, instantly overwhelming the chaos inside the cave!

He turned into a bolt from the bow, 8x speed at full throttle.

He ignored the flapping, shrieking monster crows around him and the soldiers trying to block him.

In his eyes were only the two beloved relatives bound beside the altar!

Liu Shi and Chen Wan snapped their heads up, looking in disbelief at the source of the voice.

Upon seeing that blood-soaked figure, yet with eyes extremely firm,

Liu Shi's pale face instantly lit up, while Chen Wan's tears finally burst forth, she cried out with a sob: "Brother——!"

Several frenzied monster crows were drawn by the wind kicked up from Chen Wen's rapid movement.

Shrieking, they dove down, talons aimed straight at his face and back!

Chen Wen didn't even turn his head; his 8x perception had already locked onto these attacks.

The broken wooden rod in his hand, as if it had eyes, swung backward violently!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

With several thuds, those monster crows were smashed away at greater speed, slamming into the rock wall, feathers flying.

【Repel the frenzied raptor, Diligence Points (WP)+15!】

In the blink of an eye, he had rushed to beneath the altar!

Two Iron Crow Army soldiers guarding the wooden posts roared and slashed their blades at him!

Get out of the way!

Chen Wen roared, not dodging or evading, his left hand shooting out like lightning.

He precisely grabbed the wrist of the first attacker, then unleashed 8x strength!

Crack!

A bone‑grinding crack rang out; the soldier's wrist was crushed outright, he screamed as his knife flew from his hand.

Chen Wen seized the curved blade, backhanded a flick to deflect the other knife, and kicked out with his right foot like an axe!

Bang!

The second soldier's breastplate visibly dented, he flew backward and crashed into a pile of debris.

【Felled two Iron Crow Army soldiers, Diligence Points (WP)+40!】

All of this happened in a flash!

Even the priest blowing the horn hadn't reacted yet when Chen Wen had already cut the ropes binding his mother and sister!

Wen'er!

Brother!

Liu Shi and Chen Wan weakly collapsed, each caught firmly by one of Chen Wen's hands.

Mother, Wan'er, it's all right! I'll get you out now!

Chen Wen's voice grew hoarse from excitement, but the strength in his hands was utterly steady.

【Successfully rescued the target! Diligence Points (WP)+200!】

The huge WP gain notification rang out, highlighting the task's difficulty and the rich reward after completion!

However, the crisis was not over.

Their commotion utterly enraged the horn‑blowing priest and drew the attention of more soldiers and monster crows.

Whoooom——!!!

The priest blew a more urgent, piercing horn; this time the horn's sound seemed to carry a clear command!

Those monster crows that had been somewhat chaotic now began to gather consciously toward the altar!

And more soldiers poured in from all directions!

Take them away! Hurry!

The priest halted the horn, bellowing in a harsh, grating voice, clearly marking Chen Wen as the primary target.

Ahead were raptors, behind pursuers, and he still had to protect two weak relatives!

Chen Wen drew a deep breath, his eyes sharp as blades.

He shielded his mother and sister behind him, lowly saying, "Stay close to me!"

He fixed his gaze on the passage they'd come from—the only way out!

He held the seized curved blade in his left hand, while his right still gripped the wooden rod that was about to fall apart.

His 8x‑speed brain frantically calculated the best breakout route and timing.

Now!

He hurled the left‑hand curved blade forward, driving back two charging soldiers.

At the same time he swept the wooden rod backward, smashing away a monster crow trying to sneak‑attack!

Go!

Guarding his mother and sister, he charged toward the passage mouth like an immovable moving fortress!

Monster crow talons and beaks kept striking, soldiers' spears and swords thrust from the sides.

Chen Wen exerted his 8x dynamic vision and reaction speed to the limit, using blade and rod together to block, slash, and smash!

Each strike was precise and efficient, forming a brief death zone before him!

【Blocked attack, reaction speed proficiency up! WP+5!】

【Repelled frenzied raptor, WP+10!】 【Wounded Iron Crow Army soldier, WP+15!】

The WP notifications kept sounding, but he had no spare attention for them right now.

His stamina was draining rapidly; protecting two people was ten times harder than fighting alone!

Pfft! A cold arrow came from a tricky angle; Chen Wen shielded his mother behind him.

He suddenly twisted sideways, and the arrow pierced deep into his shoulder blade!

【Suffered a puncture wound, stamina -12%! Current stamina: 46%】

Sharp pain surged, causing his movements to stall.

In that instant of opening, several monster crows swooped up, their talons gouging deep, bone-revealing gashes across his back!

A soldier's sword also took the opportunity to slash his thigh!

【Suffered severe laceration, stamina -18%! Current stamina: 28%!】

【Warning! Stamina below 30%! Multiple injuries, mobility reduced!】

"Wen'er!"

Liu Shi let out a terrified cry.

"Brother!"

Chen Wan also wanted to help, but Chen Wen firmly shielded her behind him.

Desperate situation!

A true desperate situation!

Chen Wen gritted his teeth, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

But the fire in his eyes never died out!

He cannot fall here!

Absolutely not!

Just as he was about to exhaust his strength, about to be engulfed by the swarming attack——

Boom—!!!

The entire cavern suddenly shook violently!

As if a subterranean dragon turned over!

Stalactites and dust from the ceiling rustled down, and some insecure iron cages collapsed with a crash!

Everyone was thrown off balance by the sudden violent shock, their attacks faltering!

Even the frenzied monster crows were startled, shrieking and flying wildly, their formation breaking apart!

An earthquake?! Or…?

Chen Wen didn't know the cause, but he knew this was the only chance!

"Go!!"

He summoned his last strength, ignoring the pain all over, and with his left and right arms he grabbed the waists of his mother and sister.

He shoulder-bumped two staggering soldiers aside and lunged desperately toward the nearby passage entrance!

This time, no one could stop him!

He dragged his two close relatives and surged into the narrow downward passage!

Behind him came the priest's ragged roar and the ongoing rumble of the quake.

Temporarily… safe?