After breaking out of the Black Market in Emerald City, Zhao Yun and the others immediately rushed out of the city and headed towards Leeds City.
Zhao Yun sped through the forest holding the Star Shattering Spear, with Aleia and Nia following behind him, while Leah vigilantly covered the rear.
Aleia carried the injured Nia on her back. Although the arrow wound on Nia's calf had stopped bleeding, the jolting on the road kept pulling at the wound, causing her to frown slightly in pain, making her Silver Bell Earring tremble lightly as well.
"Drink this."
Leah's Ice-blue Long Hair brushed past Nia's pale cheek as she tossed out a crystal bottle. The Potion inside shimmered with an emerald Ripple, emitting a mysterious and soft glow.
Aleia's tail warily coiled around the bottle, her nose twitching slightly, her eyes full of suspicion: "A Healing Potion made by an Elf? You wouldn't be this kind-hearted?"
"If we delay for another quarter of an hour, the corrosive poison on her shinbone will spread to her heart," Leah said coldly. "Or perhaps, little cat prefers licking the wound clean?"
Aleia's Claws instantly pierced the ground, anger burning in her eyes, but under Zhao Yun's backward glance, her movement instantly froze.
Zhao Yun nodded slightly as a signal. Aleia gritted her teeth, and with a mixture of trust and doubt, slowly dripped the emerald liquid into Nia's lips.
Suddenly, Vines formed a Cage dangling from the branches of an ancient cypress ahead. Zhao Yun's eyes sharpened, the tip of the Star Shattering Spear bloomed with brilliant Starlight, and with a light swing, the Spear Wind instantly swept down the Cage.
A dozen glowing bats scattered in panic; the Black Moon emblem was clearly imprinted on their wing membranes, shimmering with an eerie light under the moonlight.
Leah used the tip of her Long Sword to flick up a broken bat Corpse. Frost instantly froze the seeping Black Blood, and a hint of vigilance flashed in her eyes: "The minions of the Undead Race are monitoring us."
The group dared not slacken in the slightest and quickened their pace. However, not long after, a pack of Shadow Wolves emerged from all directions.
Zhao Yun gripped the Star Shattering Spear, leaped forward, and charged towards the Shadow Wolves like lightning. The Star Shattering Spear danced in his hand; every thrust brought forth a magnificent Starlight.
Wherever the spear tip struck, the Werewolves let out painful screams, their Black Blood splashing onto the ground, instantly vaporizing.
Aleia settled Nia behind a large tree, instructing her not to move rashly, then roared and charged into the wolf pack to fight. Her Furs shimmered with golden light; wherever she went, the Werewolves were torn apart, with severed limbs flying everywhere.
"These detestable creatures dare to block our path!" she roared, her voice filled with fury.
Leah was not to be outdone; she swung her Long Sword, and Frost Power surged out.
"Ice Shard Piercing!"
Countless sharp Ice Shards shot towards the Werewolves like blue lightning. Upon impact, the Ice Shards instantly froze the Werewolves into ice sculptures.
After the last Werewolf was torn to pieces by Aleia, the group rested briefly before continuing their journey.
Late at night, Zhao Yun and the others arrived at the residence of Murphy, the Black Robe Priest of Leeds City. Zhao Yun handed the Great Healing Scroll to Murphy, preparing to heal Ross to learn more information about the Black Moon Altar.
"A wound from soul tearing cannot be completely mended by a Great Healing Spell."
Murphy's Bone Staff tapped towards the unconscious Ross. The crystal skull reflected the black mist entangled within the Elf, which spread wantonly inside Ross's body like black Vines, devouring his life force.
"But adding your blood should do it."
His One-Eyed gaze glanced at the Azure Scales swimming on Zhao Yun's left arm, and a trace of greed flashed in his eyes.
Zhao Yun did not hesitate in the slightest. He cut open his palm, and as Fresh Blood dripped onto the Scroll's Rune, emerald light instantly enveloped the entire room.
Within the emerald light, Ross curled up and roared in pain; the penetrating wound on his chest healed at a visible rate, and his grayish white left eye regained its emerald luster.
"They used Roll as a Sacrifice!"
Memories gnawed at Ross's nerves like venomous snakes. He trembled as he described the nightmare of the Black Moon Altar:
The Warriors of the Wind Scar Mercenary Group had their Armor stripped while alive, their flesh and blood melting into a pool of blood within the Rune Array; the Black Robe Mage suspended above the Altar didn't even chant, merely raising a finger to make the Mercenary Group's high-level Magician spontaneously combust into ashes.
In the end, it was their Captain, the Berserk State Warrior Roll, who exhausted all his life force to activate the ultimate Berserk State, using his Great Axe to cleave a small gap in the Barrier, allowing Ross to escape.
"For every person who dies, their blood causes the Fleshy Tumor to swell a little more."
"That thing is devouring life force!"
Ross tore open his clothes, and under the newly formed skin, Star Sand patterns vaguely emerged. Those patterns were like a mysterious curse, sending chills down one's spine.
Zhao Yun's hand, wiping the Star Shattering Spear, suddenly tightened.
"I will set out for the Black Moon Altar tomorrow. You have just recovered from your injuries, so you should stay here and recuperate."
"Take me with you!"
Ross jumped off the healing platform, fluorescent green blood threads spreading in his pupils, his eyes filled with hatred.
"I want Revenge for Roll!"
He unhooked the Wind Chime from his waist; the Wind Chime was still stained with dried blood—that was the bond between him and Roll, and also the conviction for his Revenge.
"Either I sever the Black Robe Mage's head, or my Corpse will become the landmark on the road to the Altar!"
Aleia, who was embracing Nia, coiled her tail around Zhao Yun's wrist, her eyes full of determination: "Don't even think about leaving us behind!"
Leah stood behind Zhao Yun, her fighting spirit resolute.
"Is that Black Robe Mage a Magister? I haven't fought such a powerful enemy before."