On the other two fronts of the battlefield, the tide of battle had already turned completely.
Aeldara's sword descended, and the Power of Death clung to Frost Troll Korrak's chest like a festering sore, tearing open a wound so deep the bone was visible.
Previously, such a horrific injury would have healed within seconds, the flesh writhing back together. Now, a faint golden radiance pinned the wound shut, completely stripping away his regenerative abilities.
Korrak roared in agony, his massive ice-crystal mace swinging down with the force of an avalanche.
Aeldara didn't dodge or evade. She simply raised her left arm.
Clang—!
A deafening clash of metal against metal echoed across the field.
The mace struck the Jade Shield, yet the thick golden barrier merely rippled, remaining as steadfast as a mountain.
Aeldara herself hadn't even taken a single step back.
A flash of understanding lit her crimson eyes.
This shield doesn't just defend—it weakens the enemy.
She hesitated no longer. Her longsword traced an arc of deadly, chilling light, her attacks becoming several times fiercer than before.
Since the enemy's most vaunted regenerative power was nullified, there was no need to drag this out.
-
Meanwhile, Paladin Baroque's situation had transformed from heaven to hell—for his opponent.
Previously, facing Yeti Noinam's mountain-like frame, he could only rely on his exquisite shield techniques to desperately hold on, unable to retaliate.
But now, he felt like a completely different person.
When Noinam's heavy fist slammed into the Jade Shield, over ninety percent of the force transmitted to Baroque's arm was nullified.
He even had enough strength left to swing his longsword between blocks, carving deep gashes into the yeti's thick ice armor.
"Divine Grace Abounds!" Baroque roared fanatically. "Knights of God never retreat!"
As the Elven Army pushed back, several Elven Rangers and Mages freed themselves to focus their fire on Noinam.
Ice lances, fire arrows, and enchanted projectiles rained down on the yeti's massive body.
Attacks that had previously been mere annoyances now easily blasted away large chunks of ice, revealing the churning Dark Core beneath.
The one-sided beating had instantly reversed into a coordinated siege.
Lin Qingyue took it all in, nodding with satisfaction.
Her gaze swept over the cavern ceiling, where loose stones were raining down from the battle's aftershocks.
Forget Planet Befall. If I bring this whole place down and bury everyone, that would be a real disaster.
The thought flashed through her mind, and she turned.
Her golden eyes, steeped in Primordial Radiance, held no trace of warmth as they locked coldly onto the green-skinned goblin leaping and dodging amidst the attacks of her sister and teammates.
It was time to end this farce.
Lin Qingyue strode toward the center of the battlefield.
Her pace was unhurried, her steps firm. Each one resonated with the earth, stirring an unseen pulse.
The cloud patterns on the hem of her obsidian-black and dark-gold robe flowed with a restrained radiance as she moved.
"Sis! You're here!"
Lin Xiyue batted away a hastily summoned Shadow Bolt from Gyrus with her shield, then glanced back, her voice brimming with excitement.
"This guy's as slippery as an eel! He keeps popping up one Shadow Barrier after another—it's so annoying! Hurry up! Let's pin him down together. I'll smash his face, and you can kick his ass!"
Su Wan and Xia Lian also looked over, their eyes filled with anticipation.
Though the three of them had been running Gyrus ragged, they hadn't found a truly effective way to deal with the green-skinned goblin.
The level difference was a major factor, and the creature was incredibly tough.
Despite their prolonged assault, Gyrus had only suffered some cosmetic damage—not a single decent wound marred his body.
"Leave him to me," Lin Qingyue said, her voice still calm.
She extended her right hand, palm up.
Vwoom—!
An ancient spear, forged entirely from Geo energy, materialized in her palm.
Its shaft had the warm, jade-like texture of polished stone, entwined with golden, dragon-shaped patterns. The spearhead's cold glint was subdued, yet it contained a terrifying power capable of piercing mountains.
The Vortex Vanquisher.
The moment Lin Qingyue grasped the spear, a feeling of blood connection surged through her.
The spear felt like an extension of her arm—heavy, yet a perfect fit.
She could even feel the immense Power of Geo within its shaft, surging in response to her will.
Countless pieces of knowledge, techniques, and insights about spearmanship surfaced in her mind, as if they were innate instincts.
No flashy moves, no complex routines.
Only the simplest, most direct, and most effective actions: thrust, cleave, sweep, and lift.
The greatest skill appears artless.
"Think you can beat me just because you swapped out your toy?" Gyrus shrieked, his voice a mix of bravado and fear as he eyed the spear in Lin Qingyue's hand.
Despite his defiant words, he had already taken two stealthy steps back, trying to distance himself from the woman who had suddenly become extremely dangerous.
Lin Qingyue didn't reply.
She simply thrust the Vortex Vanquisher forward gently.
A basic straight thrust.
The movement seemed unremarkable, even slow.
Yet, the instant the spearhead lunged, the entire cavern's clamor seemed to be choked by an invisible hand. Even the floating dust motes froze in midair.
Gyrus felt an indescribable, terrifying pressure lock onto him.
This wasn't a psychic pressure, but pure, physical impetus!
He wasn't facing a spear, but an entire towering mountain range toppling down upon him!
No retreat!
No escape!
"Shadow Barrier! Wall of Bones! Filth Field!"
Under the threat of death, Gyrus unleashed his full potential, instantly layering three defensive spells before him.
Yet, the seemingly slow spearhead ignored the distance, arriving in an instant.
There was no earth-shattering explosion, no dazzling display of light.
The spearhead tapped lightly against the outermost Shadow Barrier.
Pop.
With a soft sound, the resilient Shadow Barrier instantly dissipated.
Next came the Wall of Bones.
Crack!
The spearhead touched it, and the thick bone wall crumbled on contact, turning to dust.
Finally, there was the foul-smelling Filth Field.
The golden Power of Geo flowing along the spearhead flared slightly. The Filth Field sizzled like snow under a scorching sun and evaporated in moments.
Three layers of defense, shattered!
Gyrus's pupils shrank to pinpricks as the golden spearhead grew ever larger in his vision.
"No—!"
He let out a desperate scream.
Squish.
The Vortex Vanquisher precisely pierced his right shoulder, pinning him firmly to the ground.
A stream of extremely condensed Power of Geo flowed down the spear shaft into his body, instantly destroying all the tissue in his shoulder and sealing his self-healing abilities.
"Gahhhhhh—!"
The intense pain twisted Gyrus's features into a grotesque mask as he let out a piercing, agonizing howl.
"See? Simple."
Lin Qingyue withdrew her spear. Not a single drop of blood stained its tip.
She calmly watched the goblin writhing and wailing on the ground, as if she had just performed a trivial task.
Lin Xiyue, Su Wan, and Xia Lian all stared, dumbfounded.
"That... That's it?" Lin Xiyue rubbed her eyes, unable to believe what she'd just seen.
The three of them had fought for ages and barely scratched the goblin.
But her sister stepped in and ended it with a single spear thrust?
One thrust to cripple this annoying green-skinned goblin?
"So... so strong..." Xia Lian murmured, having not even seen Lin Qingyue's strike clearly.
Su Wan, meanwhile, stared intently at the spear in Lin Qingyue's hand, then glanced down at her own staff.
So... a physical class... can be this elegant, this stylish?
Then... maybe I should branch out a bit...
"No... Impossible... My magic..."
Gyrus clutched his gushing shoulder, his face a mask of disbelief.
His prized magic shield, his immense spiritual power—they had shattered before her like thin paper.
"Your power is impure, chaotic, and rootless," Lin Qingyue stated calmly, her tone matter-of-fact.
She began to walk toward Gyrus again as she spoke.
"You stole authority that wasn't yours, yet you don't know how to wield it."
"Like a child swinging an oversized axe—seemingly intimidating, but riddled with openings."
With each sentence, she took another step forward.
With each step, the Vortex Vanquisher in her hand emitted a low hum, resonating with the earth.
The formless "aura" around her grew heavier, pressing down on Gyrus until even breathing became difficult.
"Shut up! What do you know?! I am the king chosen by destiny! I am the embodiment of art!"
Gyrus struggled to rise, but the crushing pressure pinned him to the ground, immobilizing him.
"Heaven rewards the diligent. This is the First Contract of the world."
Lin Qingyue stood before him, looking down from above.
"And you are merely a... thief who stole the fruit, hoping to skip the labor of cultivation."
She raised the Vortex Vanquisher once more.
"No! Don't kill me! I... I'll submit! I'll give you my entire collection! I have so many gems! So much gold!"
Gyrus was utterly terrified, his pleas devolving into incoherent babbling.
Lin Qingyue's hand paused, the spear's tip hovering just before his brow.
A barely perceptible smile touched her lips, her voice as calm as still water.
"The contract is made. Those who break their word shall suffer the Punishment of Eating Rock."
Gyrus froze, not understanding her words. But seeing her hesitate, a flicker of cunning and madness flashed in his beady, terrified eyes.
An opening!
"With my blood as sacrifice! With my soul as guide! Spatial... Teleportation!"
In a desperate last-ditch effort, he forcibly cast an unmastered spatial spell through self-mutilation!
The space beneath him twisted violently.
In the next instant, he vanished from the spot.
"Those who violate the contract must be punished."
Lin Qingyue spoke calmly, her tone devoid of surprise, as if merely reading a verdict long since written.
She didn't even move. Deep within her golden eyes, ancient contractual runes silently flared before fading back into stillness.
Almost simultaneously, Gyrus reappeared several dozen meters away—directly behind Ilanier!
His face was contorted into a crazed grin of survival, one hand already reaching for the unsuspecting Queen!
"Hahahaha! My future Queen Consort, you're more useful after all!"
His goal had never been to escape, but to take a hostage!
However, his laughter and movements froze abruptly.
For at the very moment he materialized, the magnificent Throne before him—along with the Queen seated upon it—vanished into thin air with a whoosh
Simultaneously, with another whoosh, Ilanier—throne and all—was "express delivered" right beside Lin Qingyue.
"Huh?" The Queen, sitting bolt upright, stared blankly at Lin Qingyue, who was now just inches away. She had absolutely no idea what had just happened.
The entire field fell silent.
All eyes focused on the lone green-skinned goblin standing in the empty space, frozen in a perfect "hungry tiger pounces" pose.
His hand hung awkwardly in mid-air, grasping nothing but empty space.
The crazed grin on Gyrus's face froze solid.
He slowly lowered his head to look at his empty hand, then raised it again to stare at the vacant spot before him. His mind went completely blank.
Where did she go?
Where's my huge Queen Consort?!