stjorthotic Chapter 128 Ambush
Chapter 128 Ambush
Chapter 128 Ambush
This fire prophet seemed particularly concerned about the energy interactions between the Purple Plague Stone contamination and the ancient ruins, frequently asking Rolin for his insights on energy transformation and suppression.
Rowling would then share his partial understanding of the corrupting source of power, combined with the characteristics of the blue-purple moss, and some rudimentary energy stabilization techniques disguised as ancestral arts, in a way that was both true and false, always prompting the prophet to ponder for a long time.
A few days later, an urgent military report came from the front-line outpost—the Ash Ring was on the move!
Contrary to the anticipated large-scale assault, a small, elite squad was dispatched to bypass the main defense zone of the mine and, through another hidden lava fissure, appeared directly at a small outpost less than twenty miles west of Yaoyan City. They swiftly eliminated the outpost, wiping out the dozen or so soldiers stationed there.
When the news arrived, Lord Karug was furious.
This is not merely a provocation, but a direct infiltration and attack on the imperial defenses.
The enemy has clearly changed its strategy, no longer launching a full-scale attack on the mine ruins, but instead engaging in harassment and sabotage in an attempt to weaken Yaoyan City, and may even be looking for an opportunity to infiltrate the city.
"Furnace Guard Second Squad, depart immediately and pursue these invaders!"
"The Fire Purifier will accompany you, responsible for dealing with any potential energy traps and contamination!"
Karug gave the order decisively.
The Forge Guards are elite; sending out a small squad is enough to deal with a small group of enemies.
Having Rolin and his two companions accompany them was not only to utilize their experience in dealing with energy-based methods, but also to take the opportunity to further observe and test them.
The captain of the second squad of the Forge Guard, who was called out, was a tall native named Gore. His soul fire was a deep, dark red, like cooled lava, and his aura was calm and fierce.
After receiving the order, he simply nodded silently and began to gather his men.
Including Gore himself, this squad has a total of eight Forge Guardians, each fully armed and with their soul fire condensed.
Luo Lin and the other two immediately made preparations.
This mission is dangerous; the enemy is an elite squad from the Ash Ring, and they may have set up an ambush.
But this also presents an opportunity to learn more about the Ash Ring's operational patterns and strength.
The group quickly set off, leaving Blackrock City and heading west towards the destroyed outpost.
The furnace guards moved swiftly and silently, their heavy metal boots clattering on the scorched earth with only a dull thud, demonstrating their strict discipline and formidable physical prowess.
Luo Lin and his two companions followed closely behind, remaining vigilant.
Arrive at the destroyed outpost.
All that remained was a scene of devastation and charred corpses. The stone houses of the outpost were mostly destroyed by the explosion, and the air was filled with the acrid smell of magical energy and a faint, slightly different, but weaker, chaotic aura, similar to the pollution of the Purple Plague Stone.
Captain Gore crouched down to examine the bodies and signs of battle. His rough fingers brushed over a penetrating wound on the chest of one of the corpses, where there were fine traces of crystallization at the edges.
"Energy attack, corrosive in nature."
"The enemy was few in number, but they were ruthless and extremely fast."
The nightingale, like a ghost, flitted through the ruins, searching for any trace left by the other party.
A moment later, behind a rock on the outpost's perimeter, she discovered a simple mark drawn with special mineral powder, almost completely covered in dust.
An arrow pointing southwest, with a twisted flame symbol at the end of the arrow.
"The tracking marker points southwest, which could indicate their retreat or the direction of their next target."
"The nightingale whispered."
Captain Gore stood up and looked southwest.
That area is a branch of the Burning Mountains, with complex terrain and crisscrossing ravines, making it ideal for hiding and ambushes.
"Chase! Stay alert, three people per group, take turns advancing."
The team set off again, following the direction indicated by the markers.
The Forge Guardians demonstrate exceptional tracking skills, always managing to find extremely subtle traces or energy remnants on the scorched earth and rocks.
Luo Lin continued to use the echo unit to sense the surrounding environment and warn of possible energy traps or lurking enemies.
After tracking for more than an hour, they entered an area filled with huge black basalt columns and narrow fissures.
The terrain became increasingly complex, and the light was dim due to the dense rock pillars blocking the way.
Suddenly, Rolin tensed up!
After the echo unit detected the rock pillars on the left wing ahead, it emitted a very subtle but malicious energy condensation fluctuation!
"Left wing! There's an ambush!"
He immediately shouted in a low voice!
Almost simultaneously, a blinding burst of magical light suddenly erupted from behind several thick rock pillars on the left!
Several blazing lines of fire, a few exploding fireballs trailing flames, and a vast cloud of scorching acid covered the entire formation, raining down on them!
The attack came from at least three directions, forming a crossfire network!
"Scatter! Defend!"
Captain Gore roared, slamming his massive double-bladed battle axe into the ground. A thick, dark red shield, like solidified lava, instantly expanded from him, enveloping several nearby Forge Guards.
The other furnace guards also reacted quickly, either raising their shields to block or rolling to the side to dodge.
Rowling, Flame Shield, and Nightingale also reacted.
The Flame Shield instantly expanded into a tower shield, and a crimson light shield protected himself and Rolin.
The nightingale drifted backward as if weightless, its form merging into the shadow of a rock pillar.
Boom boom boom!
Pfft!
The spells slammed violently into Gor's lava shield and fire shield, unleashing deafening roars and hissing sounds of energy annihilation.
The acid cloud fell, corroding the ground and rocks, emitting a pungent white smoke.
Although they managed to block the first wave of attacks, the team's formation had been broken.
Behind the rock pillar, six figures dressed in dark red robes appeared.
The two leading figures were none other than the second-ring wizard and the second-ring witch they had met at the camp by the lava lake!
Behind them were four powerful first-ring wizards.
Clearly, this was a meticulously planned ambush aimed at eliminating the pursuers sent by Yaoyan City, especially the Flame Masters who could potentially threaten their ability to decipher the ruins!
"It's you! You worms from the mine!"
The sinister wizard's eyes blazed with murderous intent when he saw the disguised Flame Shield and Rolin.
"Perfect, let's settle both old and new scores at once!"
"Forge Guardians, form ranks! Kill!" Captain Gore drew his battle axe, dark red soulfire blazing fiercely, and charged towards the second-ring witch.
He realized the witch seemed to be a spellcaster and decided to engage her in close combat.
The eight Forge Guards immediately split into two groups. One group of four followed Gore closely and fearlessly charged at the Ash Ring Wizard.
The other group of four tacitly protected the flanks, fending off the harassing attacks from the other two first-ring wizards.
Flame Shield let out a low growl and swung its tower shield to meet the sinister wizard.
Nightingale's figure flickered, weaving between the rock pillars, targeting the weak points in the enemy's formation and gaps in spellcasting. Her poisoned daggers and crossbow bolts posed a great threat.
Roland remained in a relatively rear position, using his Star Power Rays to precisely disrupt the enemy wizards' spellcasting while quickly analyzing the battlefield. The enemy had two second-ring members, giving them a significant advantage.
The Forge Guardians are individually powerful and work well together, but they lack effective ranged and area-of-effect attacks, making them somewhat vulnerable to agile and spell-wielding wizards.
Flame Shield can temporarily hold off one second-ring wizard, but the other second-ring witch and the remaining first-ring wizard pose a great threat to the Forge Guard.
We must find a way to break the deadlock or create an opportunity to escape.
If we continue fighting head-on, even if we manage to eliminate some of the enemy's personnel, our own side will inevitably suffer heavy losses.