The clamor of battle gradually subsided.
Cheers and shouts of excitement from the Black Rock Tribe warriors echoed across the mountains and plains.
On the snowfield, discarded weapons, armor, and the mess left behind by the fleeing Roland Soldiers were everywhere.
Wu Liang reined in his horse, which snorted and came to a halt.
Ignis lay quietly on his chest, gently panting.
Her eyes were glazed, and her fiery red hair clung messily to her sweaty cheeks.
Wu Liang casually draped his cloak over Ignis, wrapping her up.
"Ignis."
Wu Liang's voice sounded in her ear.
"From now on, you and your Ember Tribe shall burn for me."
Ignis trembled, saying nothing, only nodding with an extremely slight movement.
Wu Liang patted her back in satisfaction.
"Chief!"
Sa Lan's voice came from not far away.
She approached with a few warriors, escorting a group of captives.
"Finished clearing up?"
Wu Liang asked.
"All cleared up, Chief."
Sa Lan's gaze swept over Ignis, and she pointed to the captives behind her, saying:
"Most of the enemies were annihilated; we only captured these few alive."
"And one of them has an unusual identity."
Wu Liang looked in the direction she pointed.
Among the captives, one figure stood out.
It was a young girl who looked only sixteen or seventeen.
She wore luxurious but damaged noble attire, and her brilliant golden hair shimmered under the firelight.
Even with her face covered in dirt, it couldn't hide her delicate, doll-like features.
Her skin was almost transparently fair, and her sky-blue eyes were filled with terror and stubbornness, glaring fiercely at the surrounding Black Rock Tribe warriors.
Compared to the other captives who were trembling with fear, she, though afraid, still tried to straighten her back, maintaining her last shred of dignity.
"Who is she?"
Wu Liang asked.
"We found out from a dying knight."
Sa Lan replied:
"Her name is Aniya Merlin, daughter of the Tiee Fortress Lord."
The daughter of the Tiee Fortress Lord?
Wu Liang raised an eyebrow.
Tiee Fortress was the largest pass fortress of the Roland Empire on the outskirts of the Great Desolate Mountain Range.
Why would a fortress lord's daughter appear in a vanguard camp like this?
Could she have come out to experience life?
Just as he was scrutinizing the golden-haired girl, the system's notification sound suddenly rang in his mind.
[Ding! Detected S-rank potential target — Aniya Merlin!]
[Target: Aniya Merlin (Daughter of Tiee Fortress Lord)]
[Potential Rating: S-rank!]
[Racial Talent: Heart of Elements LV9 (Extremely high affinity for all magic elements, learning magic yields twice the results with half the effort, extremely fast magic power recovery speed)]
[Conquest Reward: Successfully conquer and complete the first Bloodline Linkage, you will gain double her racial talent, and have a chance to comprehend the special skill 'Mana Spring' (greatly increases magic power cap and recovery speed). A brand new 'magic technology tree' will be unlocked!]
S-rank!
magic technology tree!
Wu Liang's heart pounded, and his eyes instantly became fervent.
He never expected this night raid to come with such a huge surprise!
Magic towers, alchemy workshops, enchanted weapons, teleportation arrays... these things that only existed in legends could all become reality through this technology tree.
Wu Liang's gaze towards Aniya instantly changed.
It was the look of a hunter seeing top-tier prey.
Aniya felt a chill run down her spine from his gaze, and she shouted, putting on a brave face while inwardly fearful:
"You... you barbarians! What do you want to do?"
"I warn you, my father is the Lord of Tiee Fortress! If you dare to harm a single hair on my head, he will never let you go!"
Her voice trembled slightly from fear, but her tone remained arrogant.
"Heh, the fortress lord's daughter?"
Wu Liang let out a scoff.
He urged his warhorse forward, slowly approaching Aniya, looking down at her.
"So what? Now, you are just my spoils of war."
With that, he gave Sa Lan a look.
"Take her, guard her well, and we'll return to the Tribe."
"Yes!"
The army returned triumphantly.
On the way back, night had already fallen deep.
After the main force set up camp, Wu Liang went alone to the small river by the camp.
The night was like water.
Moonlight scattered on the gurgling, unfrozen river, reflecting tiny scales of light.
Amidst the falling snow, Wu Liang took off his upper garment, revealing his bronze, well-defined muscular torso, and stepped into the icy river water, thoroughly washing off the bloodstains.
The previous battle, coupled with the overtime with Ignis, had made him sweat profusely.
"Chief, you were truly magnificent tonight."
Wu Liang opened his eyes and saw Sa Lan standing by the river, her long legs appearing exceptionally shapely in the moonlight.
She had taken off her leather armor and changed into a simple linen skirt, outlining her vibrant body curves.
"Why are you here?"
Wu Liang was a little surprised.
Sa Lan didn't answer, but looked at him intently, her gaze bold and direct.
"I saw you and Ignis."
She said, biting her lip slightly.
Wu Liang paused, then a playful smile appeared at the corner of his mouth:
"So what if you saw?"
"I want to taste that feeling too."
Sa Lan's answer made Wu Liang stunned for a moment, then he burst into laughter.
He suddenly found himself appreciating this woman's straightforwardness.
"Are you sure?"
"This water... is very cold."
Wu Liang looked at her, his eyes deepening.
"But I'm very hot!"
Sa Lan lifted her head, her gaze firm.
"Hahahahaha... Good!"
"I won't go easy on you."
A blush rose on Sa Lan's cheeks, but her eyes became even more resolute.
She said nothing, merely silently removing her burdens and the triangular basket.
As she slowly walked into the icy river, step by step, towards Wu Liang.
"Come here."
Wu Liang extended his hand to her.
Sa Lan grasped it without hesitation, and the next second, she was pulled into his embrace by immense strength.
The cold river water and the fervent two formed a stark contrast.
Unlike the roughness when conquering Ignis, and different from the tenderness when comforting Florgloria.
Facing Sa Lan's initiative, Wu Liang was exceptionally gentle.
Under the night sky, the river water splashed, creating ripples.
Sa Lan also showed no weakness.
At certain moments, she even wanted to take the lead.
[Ding! Host and high-potential target 'Sa Lan' have completed their first Bloodline Linkage, triggering the 'Conquest Return' reward!]
[Mission Evaluation: Perfect!]
[Issuing mission rewards...]
[Reward 1: Double the Host's expended stamina returned!]
[Reward 2: Obtain double the target's racial talent, 'Gust Step LV7' upgraded to 'Gust Step LV14'!]
[Reward 3: Host's Agility attribute greatly enhanced!]
[Reward 4: military technology tree unlocked: 'Scout Special Operations', 'Scout Advanced Stealth' related branches!]