It was indeed a trap.
Bai Yue Ling and her four companions huddled tightly together, looking up at the black-clad figures surrounding them like a dark tide, their presence menacing.
[Name: Black-clad Figure]
[Race: Unknown]
[Level: 20–30]
[Description: Mysterious and enigmatic, their identities unknown, stronger than the black-clad figures encountered previously.]
[Note: Next time you’re in a situation like this, try covering yourself with a black cloth and blending in—you might not get caught.]
Faced with a horde of enemies, all they could do was entrust their backs to each other, relying on the bond with their trusted companions… yeah, right!
“There’s over 30 of them, and the highest level is 30—how are we supposed to fight that?” Bai Yue Ling threw up her hands, utterly helpless.
Ying Ye scanned the black-clad figures’ positions but found not a single gap to exploit, saying helplessly, “There’s no way to escape either. We’re completely surrounded.”
Though their faces were hidden, the group could feel the black-clad figures’ gazes—cold and sharp, like vengeful spirits locked onto the Emerald Crown atop Bai Yue Ling’s head.
Bai Yue Ling cut to the chase. “Who are you people, and why are you attacking the Nature Priestess?”
“No comment,” a black-clad figure said, looking down at her. “Hand over that crown obediently, and maybe we’ll spare your life.”
“Spare my life?” Bai Yue Ling narrowed her eyes. “Are you idiots? I’m an Otherworld Traveler. I can just kill myself and teleport back to the Royal Capital.”
“We were waiting for you Otherworld Travelers to say that,” the black-clad figure replied, clearly prepared, sneering. “Why don’t you try it? If you kill yourself now, where do you think you’ll respawn?”
With that, she pulled out a large, diamond-shaped stone, black as the night sky.
[Item Name: Otherworld Soul-Sealing Stone]
[Quality: Excellent]
[Description: A sealing stone developed specifically to target Otherworld Travelers, temporarily binding their souls to respawn only near the stone.]
[Note: Logging off won’t help, but you could have someone yank your power cord in the real world.]
“Tch, didn’t expect them to develop an item targeting players so quickly.”
As the black-clad figures closed in, Bai Yue Ling stepped back, her rear unintentionally brushing against Ying Ye’s Ninja Outfit’s short skirt, their soft, shapely hips pressing lightly against each other through thin fabric.
Bai Yue Ling whispered, “Ying Ye, looks like we’ve got only one option left.”
Ying Ye raised an eyebrow. “You mean… fight that way again?”
“We don’t have a choice.”
“But my Fallen Heaven skill is still on cooldown.”
“No worries, I can handle it alone.”
Hearing their hushed exchange, Princess couldn’t help but chime in, “Hey, hey, do you two have some kind of combo move or something?”
“Not exactly,” Bai Yue Ling shrugged. “I just have experience fighting with respawn points.”
Yes, the only way to break through was the “self-destruct truck” tactic she’d used against Aiya.
Sure, it’d cost her a ton of levels, but standing here and getting pummeled would cost even more.
If that’s the case, why not go all out?
“Here we go.” Bai Yue Ling drew her Charm Wound Staff. “If you’re afraid of dying, stay back.”
She aimed the staff at the farthest black-clad figure, pale purple mana swirling at its tip as Charm-Sorrow Infusion shot out.
“Urgh… argh!”
The hit black-clad figure suddenly collapsed in pain, letting out a ROAR, slashing her curved blade at an unsuspecting ally beside her, blood spraying everywhere.
The surrounding black-clad figures shouted in fury, “What’s happening? Stop her!”
Taking advantage of the chaos, Bai Yue Ling dashed forward, a glint of darkness in her eyes, swinging her staff to unleash an arc of Dark Holy Light through the air.
Some black-clad figures, clearly veterans of the attack on the Nature Priestess, were wary of Bai Yue Ling, shouting, “This Priest’s damage is insane—don’t let her holy light hit you!”
At that, the black-clad figures swiftly retreated, leaving Bai Yue Ling’s attack to miss, and in perfect unison, they drew light crossbows, their arrowheads gleaming with a chilling glint, locked onto Bai Yue Ling.
In an instant, countless crossbow bolts surged from all directions toward the petite, delicate figure in the center.
Bai Yue Ling gritted her silver teeth. Just as the bolts were about to strike, a faint dark light suddenly BURST from her armor, shining brilliantly in the darkness.
An invisible shockwave spread out, deflecting the bolts as if they’d hit an air wall, falling powerlessly like broken-winged birds.
This was the equipment skill of her Fallen Light Armor—Fallen Aura.
“Fancy tricks, little Priest,” a black-clad figure sneered, reloading her crossbow. “But how many rounds can you withstand?”
Bai Yue Ling panted, exasperated. Despite the level gap, these black-clad figures fought so cautiously.
She glanced back at her struggling teammates under the black-clad figures’ onslaught.
Silver Fang shielded Princess with her sturdy armor, blocking attack after attack, while Ying Ye transformed into a shadow, dodging the black-clad figures’ pursuit like a ninja.
“Tch… not every enemy is as stubborn as Aiya, tanking my attacks head-on.”
Bai Yue Ling spat lightly, turning her gaze to the cave’s steep rock walls.
“But self-destructing isn’t just one trick.”
The black-clad figures followed her gaze to the dim, impenetrable rock walls, looming like a dark sky above them.
She wouldn’t… a black-clad figure felt a twinge of unease.
Another shook her head. “Impossible. She can’t have that kind of destructive power!”
“Can’t I?”
Bai Yue Ling gently waved her Charm Wound Staff, pure and holy light gathering at its tip like a small sun in the night.
“Everyone thinks my Holy Light Orb doesn’t affect terrain, but that’s because White Night Castle is protected by the Goddess of Death’s power… This cave, though? No divine protection here.”
Bai Yue Ling aimed her staff at a nearby rock wall, smirking wickedly at the black-clad figures.
“Let’s see how many Holy Light Orbs this trash cave can handle.”
As she spoke, a blazing Holy Light Orb slowly formed, brimming with infinite power, drifting lazily toward the rock wall—
BOOM!
A deafening explosion ECHOED through the cave, the sturdy rock wall instantly BLASTED into a massive crater under the orb’s touch, the entire cave trembling like an earthquake, countless rocks falling like meteors, smashing terrifying cracks into the ground.
The black-clad figures struggled to stand, their eyes filled with panic.
She’s just a Priest—how is her destructive power this insane?
If she keeps this up, this entire area will be buried!
One black-clad figure roared, “Stop it! Are you trying to bury us all with you?”
“Yeah, so what?”
Like a kid gleefully wrecking the house, Bai Yue Ling nonchalantly fired Holy Light Orbs in all directions. “Wanna stop me? Then tell me who sent you trash here~”
BOOM after BOOM rang out like firecrackers, fallen rocks piling up, the cave showing signs of collapse.
“Wait, I’ll talk, I’ll talk!” one black-clad figure cracked under pressure. “It was the Third Princess! She sold us your whereabouts, and then—arghhh!”
Before she could finish, a burst of flames engulfed her body, reducing her to ashes in moments.
[Your quest has been updated.]
[Quest Name: Shadows Under Divine Light]
[Updated Description: Further investigate the connection between Viki and the black-clad figures.]
“Third Princess…”
The image of that scheming, red-haired girl flashed through Bai Yue Ling’s mind, her expression thoughtful.
So, the Third Princess sold my whereabouts to these black-clad figures. Looks like they have some kind of partnership.
Maybe corrupting the Third Princess and investigating these black-clad figures are two sides of the same coin.
“Stop now! That fool already spilled everything!” a black-clad figure gritted her teeth, forcing calm. “Cease your attack, and I swear by the goddess, we’ll let you leave unharmed.”
Swearing by the goddess was the most solemn oath in Destiny World—breaking it would bring punishment from the goddesses.
Funny how these black-clad figures, so aggressive before, were now groveling.
If I’d known, I would’ve tossed this damn stone… The black-clad figure glared at the Otherworld Soul-Sealing Stone, her teeth grinding with a CREAK.
But if Bai Yue Ling respawns in the Royal Capital, what’s the point of this mission?
Better to agree to her demands for now and plan later.
Seeing the black-clad figures’ words, Bai Yue Ling put on a hesitant look, as if weighing her options.
But then, Princess shouted from nearby, “Little White, don’t listen to their nonsense—keep blasting! I’ve never seen a cave collapse in person!” Her voice dripped with excitement and anticipation.
“Shut up!” a black-clad figure snapped. “You Otherworld Travelers can respawn, but we only have one life!”
“Who cares about you?” Princess laughed, fanning herself with her Ornate Folding Fan. “This is hilarious—you attacked us first, and now you want us victims to pity you?”
“You…!”
The black-clad figure glared, meeting Princess’s carefree grin.
Princess wasn’t one to kill NPCs, but since the black-clad figures struck first, she wasn’t going to be polite.
Another black-clad figure looked at Bai Yue Ling, saying gravely, “That one already told you what you wanted. Stop now.”
“No rush, I’ve got more questions,” Bai Yue Ling raised an eyebrow. “What’s your deal with the churches? Who’s giving you orders? Why are you after the crown?”
Seizing the rare chance, Bai Yue Ling wanted to dig into every mystery about the black-clad figures.
But they weren’t cooperating, their faces darkening. “You saw what happened to her. We’re under a seal—leak too much, and we die.”
“Oh, such a pity~”
Bai Yue Ling sighed, shaking her head. “Sorry, I’m kind-hearted, gentle, and generous, rarely going all out on NPCs… but I’m no saint.”
“…What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means, since you came after me first… better steer clear of me in your next life.”
With that, Bai Yue Ling didn’t stop—instead, she fired several Holy Light Orbs, shooting straight for the already crumbling rock walls.
No mutual destruction, no surrender!
“You… you bastard!!!”
Amid the black-clad figures’ furious roars, countless rocks fell like a meteor shower, the surrounding walls COLLAPSING with a BOOM, burying everyone in the ruins.