Chapter 896

Chapter 896: Zhan Tie Stovite

In the darkness, the light from the torches gradually dimmed, the flickering dark red glow making one worry that they might go out at any moment.

Baron Moroz looked ahead at the stone platform. This was the final place. The layered stone platform was like steps, rising one by one. At the very top of the platform, a lustrous elliptical gem floated slowly, emitting a faint glow. Below it, one could vaguely see piles of dust and a rusted longsword.

“Could this be the treasure buried for a thousand years?” A red-clothed officer greedily gazed at the gem.

“There is a special magic on it, so calm and silent,” two people beside him slowly commented while looking at the gem.

“This isn’t an ordinary thing. I think we need to collect it first and hand it over to the Royal Family for verification.”

“I agree,” they did not intend to let Baron Moroz have this treasure, even though he had brought them here.

“How can you do this, breaking your word and betraying us? This is betrayal!” Baron Moroz seemed furious, standing aside and accusing them, but he was somewhat afraid. At this moment, he couldn’t fight these three.

“Feel free to say whatever you want, Your Excellency.”

They paid no attention to this weak Baron’s words. Perhaps in the past, he was a significant nobleman, but now in the Southern Region, the power of the nobility has been greatly cleansed, and naturally, his status was no longer as high.

The three ignored the Baron and quickened their pace towards the high platform. But as they got closer, the gem became brighter, emitting blue ripples that made the three feel a chill.

They retreated again, carefully avoiding the spreading ripples, then cautiously probed once more.

A stone was thrown, rolling silently to the ground. Then, they tried to draw the sword, testing the ripples. Suddenly, a cold magic force spread from the sword, freezing the hand that held it.

Seeing the situation, the other two forcefully knocked the sword away, severing the brief connection. The officer fell to the ground, gasping for breath after narrowly escaping danger.

“It seems we still need Baron Moroz.” Saying this, the two dragged Baron Moroz back.

“I know what to do because this is our family secret. You must bring me along to avoid the curse,” Baron Moroz said confidently.

“Fine, we’ll take you,” the two men grabbed Baron Moroz and moved forward again.

When they approached the steps again, the gem emitted more ripples. Seeing this, Moroz hurriedly took out a small blood bottle from his pocket and sprinkled its contents onto the ripples.

Upon contact with the ripples, glimmering star-like lights spread through the air, and some of the blood splashed onto the gem.

Red light swirled, and the gem slowly descended, as if tamed. Seeing this, Baron Moroz excitedly lunged forward.

“Move aside, Lord Moroz,” the two officers behind grabbed him and pushed him aside, then rushed forward themselves, both lunging toward the slowly descending gem.

Their bodies rolled in the dust on the platform, struggling and fighting each other. Although neither used lethal force, their increasingly heated state suggested that conflict was inevitable.

After another round of punches and kicks, they struggled to stand up, but one still clutched the gem tightly, unwilling to let go.

The two looked at each other, seemingly hesitating whether to completely turn against each other, but fortunately, footsteps were heard again near the stone platform.

“Have you retrieved the treasure?”

Yan Liuyan, holding a knife, casually asked the two. Behind him, a young lady in black and red dress slowly stepped forward.

“What do you want?” The two did not answer Yan Liuyan but instead retreated cautiously, wary of the Sequence 6 expert compared to their Sequence 5 status. Moreover, underground was not safe.

“I just want to see what kind of treasure requires such effort. But judging from your looks, you seem reluctant to show it.”

“This is an imperial secret. You’d better not pry too much,” the two shook their heads and slowly backed away, preparing to leave.

Unfortunately, a familiar figure appeared behind them.

“Want to see what kind of treasure? It’s indeed a simple matter, click, click, click,” Baron Moroz’s sinister laughter suddenly echoed.

“You—” Before the two officers could react, a sword beam slashed across, and the two fell to the ground like skewered meatballs. Blood gushed from their severed bodies, then they collapsed into the pool of blood.

In a split second, Moroz had severed them at the waist. At this moment, Yan Liuyan

Only the Viscount Moroz’s distinct longsword caught Yan Liuyan’s attention.

The sword was rusty, but its edges were as sharp as silver threads, dangerous and emitting an unusual magic power.

“This,” Yan Liuyan speculated, then frowned and slowly squatted down, placing his hand on the hilt. He sensed immense danger; the extraordinary core within him urgently informed him of the sword’s extreme sharpness and terror.

This was not a man-made object, but a natural treasure, a remnant of a deity.

Yan Liuyan, who had studied at Emanas, naturally knew what this meant: it was a legendary creation with limited divine powers, second only to those of witches, ancient heroes’ weapons, historical terms, and great ‘relics’ that many aspired to.

“Oh, did you guess? Mr. Yan Liuyan, hehe.” The small, old-looking Viscount Moroz lifted the sword and slowly caressed it in delight.

“Seeing how tense you are, you must know what this is. Yes, this is the true treasure in this ruin. How laughable these ignorant and shallow soldiers disdain it, hahaha.”

“What nonsense legion, puppets of the new emperor, uncultured and barking everywhere, truly disgusting.” Feeling the special magic power transmitted through the sword, his body growing stronger, Viscount Moroz never felt more exhilarated and joyful.

He could hardly wait to find someone to boast about and vent his feelings after enduring all this frustration.

“Although the process was a bit convoluted, it ultimately belongs to me.” Holding the sword, Viscount Moroz slowly opened his eyes, his emotions gradually calming down.

“Pity, Mr. Yan Liuyan. Although I am grateful for your protection, to prevent today’s secrets from leaking out, I have no choice but to ask you to die here.”

After saying this, the short Viscount Moroz stepped forward, swinging the rusted sword in mid-air, leaving a gray shadow in the air.

Facing this sudden attack, Yan Liuyan naturally would not sit idly by. A blazing blade surged from the scabbard, flashing brilliantly before slashing towards the short figure.

The two weapons clashed, and a faint tearing sound was heard. Yan Liuyan’s long knife sliced through like tofu in an instant, and the flames on the blade exploded onto Viscount Moroz.

Surprisingly, the fire that could burn demonic beasts had little effect on Viscount Moroz. He easily stepped out of the flames and pursued again.

Though slightly slower than Yan Liuyan, with the aid of the rusted sword, Yan Liuyan faced this attack as if he were a vulnerable infant without armor.

The cold, sharp sword blade cut across his arm, drawing hot blood. After one exchange, Yan Liuyan was already wounded. He had to focus entirely on dodging the slashes, trying desperately to find an opportunity to escape.

Another acceleration and slash, the red-gray sword arc swept across. Yan Liuyan had no choice but to roll to the ground, dodging the dangerous attack among rubble and mud. This time he managed to dodge, but afterwards, he couldn’t anymore; once on the ground, he lost his ability to move quickly.

The red-gray sword relentlessly pursued. Viscount Moroz shouted excitedly, watching the powerful Eastern swordsman clumsily dodge, allowing himself to be toyed with, a feeling of exhilaration like a poisonous drug.

“Hahaha, is that all? Not enough!”

Viscount Moroz seemed to have become an iron man, impervious to pain, freely hacking amidst the crumbling stones, even without any form, the sword light still gradually cornered Yan Liuyan.

“Let me see your strength! Stand up, you barbarian from the East, why so weak!”

Using the sword like a hammer, he swung it, occasionally slicing the ground, raising dust and debris. He wasn’t in a hurry to finish off Yan Liuyan; instead, he wanted to savor this overwhelming pleasure.

“Stop, Viscount Moroz.”

Finally, a clear voice sounded beside him, and Viscount Moroz suddenly felt as if his sword had hit cotton, the blade slowing and rebounding slightly.

“You are… Oh yes, and you, Miss Mesia.” Viscount Moroz finally saw the girl in the darkness, a greedy smile spreading across his face.

“Miss Mesia, from now on, you will be mine. I think you have no right to refuse.”

With that, he finally stopped, kicking Yan Liuyan away and approaching this rare, peerless beauty step by step.

“But I refuse,” Lolan Hill blinked her eyes, looking at the text on the virtual screen.

【Iron-Slaying · Stovite】(Holy Creation): At the end of the ‘Divine Winged Sun’ era, created using fragments of the Crown of Gods, this holy creation possesses partial divine powers.

Abilities:

【Silver Iron Conversion】(Can convert other substances into

The power of Iron)

…

【Iron Sharpening】(Can manipulate iron-containing objects and sharpen their blades)

No wonder, if the treasure is considered a sacred relic, everything makes sense now. Lolan Hill suddenly recalled various demonic beasts they encountered along the way, all seemingly related to iron.

The rust-covered black bear blocking the path, the iron-backed wolves in the forest, and the metallic snake that was slain when saving Lotte.

Although compared to the witch’s powers, such a sacred relic is much more rigid and simple, it remains an incredible divine artifact in the eyes of many commoners. Even with only a Sequence 3, Baron Moroz, after obtaining it, could chase down and attack those with Sequence 6.

“Do you still wish to resist? Poor Miss Mesia, let me properly punish you. I’ll cut off those hands that wield swords.” Seeing Mesia remain indifferent, the short-statured Baron Moroz, feeling humiliated, charged at her again with his sword.

Clanging sounds echoed through the dark underground ruins. Torches rolled onto the ground, casting dim, dark red light. In the dimness, the silver-haired girl held her sword, her figure moving like graceful dance steps, effortlessly dodging Baron Moroz’s attacks.

Though extremely sharp, if it cannot hit its target, it is meaningless.

Lolan Hill is far more agile than Yan Liuyan, and facing such a nimble opponent, Baron Moroz could only rage impotently.

“Stop!” he shouted desperately, no one had ever dared to mock him like this before.

“No,” the young lady’s pale blue eyes stared at the rusty longsword, analyzing it continuously. Her body moved like a black-red butterfly, flickering across the ground in circles, evading the continuous attacks.

Finally, Baron Moroz grew tired. Leaning on his sword, he looked at the young lady still not far from him, filled with anger.

Why? With such a powerful sacred relic, breaking through past limitations, even defeating that powerful Eastern swordsman, and himself no longer as weak as before. Why does this girl still refuse to submit to me? Why is she still so carefree despite being only Sequence 5?

Why? Why? Why?

His anger and fear mixed like lava and ice, making Baron Moroz both extremely confident and terrified. Confident in the sacred relic in his hand, yet fearful of losing this fleeting power.

He did not want to return to the past, being kicked around like a bug by those officers.

“I am a noble Baron! Stop!” He stood his ground, eyes bloodshot, swinging his sword fiercely towards the young lady ahead.

Facing the suddenly enraged Baron Moroz, Lolan Hill finally sensed danger, as if hearing someone turn the keyhole behind a door, a trace of power activation. In that instant, Lolan Hill’s figure turned into faint purple fluorescence, avoiding Baron Moroz’s sight. And behind her, a long, narrow silver iron extended like ice.

The originally stone floor transformed into smooth, eerie pure silver iron.

【Silver Iron Transformation】, Baron Moroz finally used the ability attached to the sacred relic.

But this attack did not capture Lolan Hill. Frustrated, he scanned the darkness, hoping to find the young lady’s figure. Unfortunately, the remaining torches on the ground were few, the faint sparks insufficient to illuminate the surroundings. Darkness seemed like a monstrous void, swallowing everything around.

Baron Moroz gripped his sword tightly, taking small steps, preparing to find an opportunity to meet up with the butler behind him, his most loyal subordinate.

However, this time, Lolan Hill decided to act.

Faint purple fluorescence flashed in the air. Before Baron Moroz could react, a sword beam descended.

The blade cut into Moroz, sparking profusely, as if slicing through thick steel, creating resistance. Afterward, the shallow wound healed instantly, merging back into pure iron, as if it had never been attacked.

“Hahaha, it’s nothing. You scared me for a moment.” Seeing he couldn’t hurt her, Moroz exclaimed excitedly, his initial worry vanishing.

“This is the power of a ‘sacred relic’. No wonder it’s so beautiful,” he seemed to realize, gripping the sword handle with both hands and sweeping it abruptly.

Silver steel extended outward from the sword’s glow, forming a thin layer of steel in the air, dividing the underground space into two isolated sections. Then, the steel fell, and distant cries of struggle and tearing sounded.

“Is she there?” Holding his longsword, Baron Moroz charged again. His sword swung wildly in the air, creating steel fragments that tore apart the world, forming isolated spaces.

And the once empty basement of the ruins thus transformed into a labyrinth of steel like a forest.

(End of Chapter)