Warhorses neighed, their iron hooves crushing the snow and silence.
Wu Liang scooped Ignis up from the snow.
He domineering directly tossed her onto his horse's back.
"You!"
Just as Ignis was about to struggle, a wave of hot masculine scent mixed with the smell of blood assailed her.
She lay prone on the broad horse's back.
"Hold on tight."
Wu Liang growled, controlling the reins with one hand.
Ignis gritted her teeth, her heart pounding, her body soft.
On his handsome and masculine face, there was no trace of pity or jest, only cold killing intent and absolute focus.
His gaze was like an eagle's, locked onto a Roland officer in the distance, surrounded by Personal Guards, trying to regroup his formation.
"Kill!"
Wu Liang roared, and the warhorse beneath him let out a long neigh.
Its four hooves pushed off with immense force, like a black arrow, charging straight towards the command core of the Roland army!
"That's their General!"
Ignis also became excited, letting out a scream.
That was the enemy's commander, surrounded by at least dozens of heavily armored knights acting as Guards!
With just one man and one horse charging in, Ignis was thrilled by Wu Liang's bravery.
However, Wu Liang enjoyed her screams.
The warhorse beneath him seemed to be in sync with his thoughts, deftly dodging through the chaotic battlefield without slowing down in the slightest.
"Stop him!"
"Protect the General!"
The Roland Soldiers in front finally reacted, and several knights, holding long spears, roared as they charged forward.
Ignis's heart surged, and a dramatically excited smile appeared on her face.
This feeling almost made her realize that she was a born warrior, she loved the battlefield, and she loved the feeling of Wu Liang holding her while she killed enemies.
"Exciting! Awesome!"
Ignis couldn't help but shout out.
Wu Liang didn't even look at the charging knights; his free hand flashed, drawing the war saber from his waist.
Without looking, he swung it backward!
"Swish!"
A flash of extreme cold light streaked across.
The two knights charging at the very front, along with their horses, were instantly cleaved in half!
Hot blood and internal organs, mixed with shattered armor, splattered everywhere.
The warhorse rushed through the pool of blood without stopping, and the splashing blood droplets hit Ignis's face, warm and sticky.
She was horrified yet exhilarated!
What terrifying strength was this?
Those were knights in iron armor!
Wu Liang cut them down with one saber!
In her moment of distraction, Wu Liang had already charged in front of Holt Dekes.
That Roland General still had a trace of disdain and arrogance on his face, seemingly unable to believe that a "barbarian" would dare to charge at him alone.
He raised the fine steel longsword in his hand, preparing to deal with this reckless fellow.
However, Wu Liang was faster than him!
Wu Liang's war saber cut a bright arc through the air, striking later but arriving first.
"Clang!"
With a crisp sound, Holt Dekes's longsword broke in response.
"No!"
Holt Dekes's expression instantly froze, turning to extreme fear.
Wu Liang's blade did not pause, continuing its downward trajectory, splitting straight down from the top of his helmet.
Pfft—
No screams, no struggles.
Holt Dekes, along with his sturdy helmet and head, was cleaved in half by Wu Liang's single strike.
All Roland Soldiers who witnessed this scene, whether they were fighting or preparing to charge,
All froze in place for a moment.
Their General, just like that, was split in half with one saber, like chopping firewood?
"General Dekes is dead!"
"General Holt Dekes is dead!"
"Run!"
Someone let out a desperate cry.
This cry was like a spark, instantly causing all Roland Soldiers to explode into chaos.
"The General is dead! Run!"
"These barbarians are devils! They are devils!"
The Roland army's formation instantly collapsed.
The soldiers threw away their weapons and desperately turned to flee, regretting that their parents hadn't given them two more legs.
The once orderly military formation instantly turned into a chaotic rout.
"Hahahahahahaha!"
Wu Liang stood proudly amidst the vast army, watching the scattered enemies flee, letting out a hearty laugh of pure exhilaration.
His laughter echoed across the desolate snowfield, full of dominance and wildness.
Hearing it, Ignis felt her blood stir, surging hot.
This man, with his strength alone, slew a General, captured a banner, and routed a regular army!
If it was a man like this, she was willing to offer her loyalty!
Just as Ignis was lost in thought, Wu Liang's booming laughter abruptly ceased.
He lowered his head, his hot breath caressing her earlobe.
"Now, it's our turn."
Ignis felt a tightening around her waist, followed by a crisp tearing sound from her body.
She looked down to see her leather armor torn open, revealing her skin.
"You... what are you going to do!"
Ignis's heart was ablaze, but she was still instinctively a little panicked.
"Fulfill the bet."
Wu Liang's voice carried an undeniable command.
"Ignis, a beautiful moment like this shouldn't be wasted!"
"You... you bastard! We're on a battlefield right now!"
Ignis's breathing was ragged; she felt like she was going crazy.
Was he really going to do it here?
"The battlefield is even more exciting, isn't it?"
Wu Liang let out a low chuckle, his laughter shaking Ignis's heart.
The surrounding warriors tactfully averted their gaze, pretending to be busy cleaning up the battlefield.
Only Sa Lan, watching this scene from afar, had a complex look in her eyes.
She watched Wu Liang, in the midst of the slaughter, lower his head and do something to the woman in his arms.
Her cheeks inexplicably flushed, and her breathing also became somewhat rapid.
The warhorse galloped across the snow, Wu Liang's blade continuously reaping the lives of the fleeing soldiers.
On the horse's back, only the jolting and whimpering remained.
[Ding! Detected target 'Ignis's' will defense collapse, submission level +30%!]
[Ding! Submission level +20%!]
...In the night, Wu Liang rode his horse while looking down at the woman in his arms.
Her fiery red hair was disheveled, her face flushed, her eyes hazy, having lost all focus.
[Ding! Detected Host and high-potential target 'Ignis' completed first Bloodline Linkage, triggering 'Conquest Return' reward!]
[Mission Evaluation: Perfect!]
[Issuing mission rewards...]
[Reward 1: Double return of Host's expended stamina!]
[Reward 2: Acquire double racial talent from target. Congratulations, Host, for obtaining 'Flame Affinity LV16'!]
[Reward 3: Comprehend Fire-elemental Combat Technique 'Ember Fire Frenzy Dance'!]
[Reward 4: military technology tree unlocked — 'alchemical gunpowder', 'incendiary weapons' related branches!]
A series of system prompts rang in Wu Liang's mind.
Wu Liang's expended stamina and energy quickly recovered to peak condition, even surpassing it.
What surprised him even more was that he could clearly feel an explosive increase in his perception and control over fire elements.
"Ember Fire Frenzy Dance..."
Wu Liang's thoughts stirred.
A cluster of orange-red flames appeared out of thin air in his palm, dancing joyfully like a living little spirit.
He could feel that he could control the form and temperature of this flame at will.
Ember Fire Frenzy Dance was a complete set of combat techniques utilizing fire for attack and defense.
With a little practice, he could become a true fire controller.
"alchemical gunpowder," "incendiary weapons"... the unlocking of these technology tree branches made his heart burn with excitement.
This meant that the Black Rock Tribe's military strength would soon undergo a qualitative leap.
Firearms, cannons, incendiary bombs... the realization of these weapons would become possible.