Chapter 360

Chapter 360: Chorus in the Woods

“Doesn’t seem so.”

Yan Liuyan shifted his stance, preparing to avoid the terrifying fingertips, but each attempt to evade failed. Instead, as he dodged, bloodstains began appearing on his body.

The elf maiden moved like a butterfly through flowers, her light blue-painted fingernails dancing like musical lines on a score, leaving trails of damage amidst the trees. Yan Liuyan, momentarily careless, found himself entangled in close combat with this elf maiden, with no respite. Even the simple act of drawing his sword became difficult, forcing him to continually dodge.

During their battle, a sudden change occurred within the forest.

The wind picked up.

The emerald leaves rustled loudly, rising and falling like waves in the sea. Soon, figures dressed in green and white appeared in the woods, darting swiftly between the trees, joining the fight against the ‘Black Veil’ members.

Five…

Ten…

Twenty…

Fifty…

One hundred…

Two hundred…

Three hundred…

Four hundred…

Complex incantations echoed through the woods like songs, their ethereal, prayerful, melodious, and distant voices blending into an endless chorus. The forest seemed like a verdant ocean, the magic of the Nature Sequence resonating and transforming. Trees grew taller, tender green branches and leaves extended, and flowers bloomed. Intricate engravings spread outwards like ripples in water.

Yan Liuyan, witnessing this astonishing and terrifying scene, prepared to call for his over hundred subordinates to retreat.

But it was already too late. The dense foliage atop the towering trees intertwined, layer upon layer, until a thick canopy of shade completely obscured everything. The forest plunged into darkness, save for the emerald particles fluttering within. Members clad in elegant white and green attire emerged from within.

Hundreds of students of the Nature Sequence formed a crescent moon shape around the ‘Black Veil’ members,

They were roughly divided into two groups: one group sang incantations from behind, constantly altering the environment and enhancing their teammates with blessings and healing; the other group wielded pale wooden weapons in front, fighting. There were swords, long knives, moon spears, axes, and halberds. These wooden weapons clashed with the black-robed members, not breaking but instead cutting various gaps and even shattering them.

The tide of battle turned. Originally, the black-robed members had planned to encircle their opponents, but now their formation was being compressed and squeezed.

Flowers and vines spread throughout the forest, tripping and binding the black-clad members. Eventually, they formed solid wooden cages, fixing the enemies in place.

Suppressing his shock, Yan Liuyan roared, causing his blade to vibrate and temporarily repel the elf maiden. He quickly returned to the formation, where elite members surrounded and protected him. Using his subordinates’ strength, he briefly broke free from the elf maiden’s grip. With his fiery red hair, he closed his eyes slightly, reinserted his sword into its scabbard, and began gathering energy.

Ancient characters glowed brightly on the scabbard, one by one, until the final character near the hilt lit up.

[Backdraft Fire · Blade Seventeen!]

He abruptly opened his eyes, his fiery pupils like lightning. The longsword in his right hand shone like a rising sun in the depths of the dark forest. Immediately, a series of intense explosions rang out like thunder. Tall trees were directly severed, turning black. Nature Sequence students could not continue their offensive, forced to resist the incoming heat wave.

The air filled with the scent of burning and scorched wood. Smoke billowed, and cracks appeared in the sky as trees collapsed, letting slivers of sunlight through.

Then, about twenty demon sequence ‘Black Veil’ members rapidly formed a spell array. Deep crimson magic began to converge. They prepared to cast a joint spell to open a passage and escape.

Zhi-zhi—

Arrows released by archers shot out like rain, piercing through the red barrier formed by the outer black-clad members and hitting those inside. Blood splattered, and pained cries interrupted their intentions.

Seeing this, Yan Liuyan prepared to swing his sword again, but a cold lance emerged from the crowd opposite, moving like a dragon, striking his blade with a trail of light.

Clang—

The metallic resonance accompanied the disappearance of the fiery blade. Yan Liuyan held nothing in his hands, and the surrounding Nature Sequence students unleashed another volley of arrows. The ‘Black Veil’ members in the center could no longer hold on, and the red barrier shattered like glass. Green figures followed swiftly, knocking down the black-clad members.

Watching his subordinates subdued, Yan Liuyan, with four swords at his neck, had no choice but to surrender.

“Who is leading you?” His limbs were gradually bound by sturdy vines, his eyes fixed on the young man holding the cold lance in front of him, voicing his suppressed question.

“I know you, Kuye, although your strength isn’t bad, you definitely don’t have such organizational ability,” Yan Liuyan said with certainty.

“Huh, still talking rudely while bound, Liuyan, you haven’t changed.” Kuye mocked without turning his head, still checking the scene for any uncooperative elements.

“You’ll know later, the presence of that great person.”

In the dark forest, nearly a hundred ‘Black Veil’ members were tied up and led away by Nature Sequence students, despite their struggles along the way. Ultimately, they had no choice but to comply under the overwhelming power disparity.

Yan Liuyan observed the Nature Sequence students guarding him. They seemed to come from different clubs, their original strength not being particularly strong. How did they suddenly become as powerful as him and unite?

While there were many clubs in the Nature Sequence, he had never heard of anyone with such influence capable of doing this.

Forget it, I’ll find out later. But don’t think I’d betray you. This is Emanas, what can you do to me?

As the destination neared, the Nature Sequence students grew silent, seemingly with a sense of respect and faith.

After turning several corners, a straight path appeared in the deep forest, brick-red floor tiles forming intricate patterns. Fallen leaves drifted from the trees on both sides, covering the road. At the end of the vista, members in deep green and crimson stood quietly on either side, while in the center, a throne of flowers came into view.

(End of Chapter)