Raine’s sudden movement was like dropping a massive boulder into a tranquil lake, instantly drawing the attention of the Undead Garson. Those cold, ghostly blue Flames had just shifted toward Raine when a stocky figure interrupted them.
"Old bones! Your opponent is right here!"
Sodden charged with his Shield without hesitation. The heavy Giant Shield slammed into the Undead Garson’s knee joint like a Siege Hammer. The Dwarf had only one thought burning in his mind like molten lava: Raine was his brother from the Earth People, a teammate he fully acknowledged. If his brother needed time, he would use his body and Shield to forge an impenetrable fortress, even if it only bought a single second! He didn’t know what Raine was trying to do, but he trusted him, and that was enough.
Almost at the same time, Kaelin fought through the tearing pain in her arm as her sword light flared like a silver snake. Pushing her Agility to its absolute limit, she darted around Garson’s massive skeletal frame, her sword tip striking repeatedly at her opponent’s joints. Though every exchange was fraught with peril, with the cold wind of the axe constantly grazing the tips of her hair, her gaze remained unwavering. She didn’t retreat a single step. The trust between her and Raine needed no words. Whatever he was doing had to be the key to breaking this stalemate; she just needed to give it her all to create an opening for him.
Winnie’s face was as pale as paper from the severe drain on her Magic Power, her slender fingers trembling slightly. Yet, she bit her lower lip, the eyes beneath her hood filled with sheer determination. One Colorful Ball after another shot out stubbornly, tracing increasingly erratic arcs through the air before blasting into the Undead Garson. Though she hadn’t known Raine for long, the courage he had shown in facing everything head-on during this desperate situation had quietly birthed a sense of admiration deep within the heart of this Tiefling, who was so used to hiding and evading. He never once considered backing down—something she had always wanted to do but never dared. Right now, she was willing to squeeze out every last drop of her Magic Power just to answer that courage.
Amidst the fierce battle, the trio’s teamwork was far from flawless, but their life-risking resolve forcefully pinned down the terrifying Undead Commander, buying precious time for Raine.
Raine threw himself at the rubble, digging his hands fiercely into the cold crevices of the rocks. His muscles tensed like iron, and Power surged instantly from the soles of his feet to his waist.
"HRAAH!"
With a low roar, he forcefully heaved up a massive boulder that would take two men to wrap their arms around. It tumbled and crashed to the side, kicking up a thick cloud of dust.
"COUGH! COUGH!"
The ancient dust choked his lungs, bringing a burning sting, but Raine’s movements didn’t stop for a second as he carefully dug through the rubble for any sign of the Wolf’s Oath. His hands were soon cut in several places by the rough edges of the stones. Blood mixed with stone dust into a sticky mess, and agonizing pain shot from his fingertips. But his mind was entirely focused on the location he had pinpointed during the regression, and on that splash of azure that could bring them salvation.
He knew he didn’t have much time. There was no telling when those confused, ordinary Undead would snap out of it. With every passing second, the risk of the party being wiped out grew exponentially. Without his ranged support, his three teammates would only find themselves in increasing peril under the Undead Garson’s frenzied assault. Casualties could happen at any moment.
One heave. Two heaves. Three.
He clawed away more rubble in an almost savage manner until finally, after flipping over an exceptionally heavy, flat stone slab, a warm and pure azure glow seeped out from the cracks, illuminating his dust-covered face.
He had actually found it.
Raine’s eyes lit up. He carefully reached into the crevice, and a strange sensation—a mix of coldness and warmth—transferred to his fingertips. He gently pulled it out. It was indeed the Wolf’s Oath! The fist-sized Sapphire rested quietly in his palm, which was now a mix of crimson blood and gray dust. A galaxy seemed to swirl within the Gemstone, emitting a soothing, soft halo of light. The light was incredibly pure, completely at odds with the aura of death and decay permeating the surroundings.
"Kaelin! Catch!" Without a shred of hesitation, Raine used all his strength to throw the ancient Gemstone—lost for five hundred years—accurately toward the red ponytail darting through the flashing axe strikes. "Use this! Wake him up!"
Hearing his voice, Kaelin whipped her head around. Her entire focus was instantly captivated by the azure Flowing Light tearing through the gloom. That was the very goal she had traveled countless miles and endured endless hardships to find! More importantly, it was the key to saving her father! And now, thanks to Raine’s reminder, she fully realized that it was also their greatest hope for awakening her lost ancestor! The Wolf’s Oath was a Holy Artifact that symbolized the Clan’s supreme glory and the Commander’s duty. Her ancestor’s soul would absolutely not remain indifferent to it!
She unhesitatingly reached out both hands, catching the flying Gemstone securely in her palms with an almost reverent posture. The moment her skin touched the Wolf’s Oath, the ancient Gemstone seemed to suddenly awaken from a long slumber. The swirling nebula inside began to surge at an unprecedented speed. A soft blue pillar of light shot up into the sky from the Gemstone, rippling outward in warm waves that enveloped the entire main gate area.
Kaelin felt the blood at the wound on her arm seemingly grow warm. A sense of resonance welling up from deep within her bloodline arose spontaneously—undeniable proof that the blood of Duke Fenglang coursed through her veins.