The three passed through a stretch of ruined walls, and the sight before them made Kokkoro and Ilena simultaneously gasp.
This was an ancient battlefield, strewn with corpses.
Tattered banners were planted in the scorched earth, and crows circled above the mountains of bodies.
The air was thick with the scent of blood and decay.
"Is this what a real battlefield is like...?"
Kokkoro's face was a little pale.
Ilena also frowned: "There's actually a place like this in this city?"
Ying Ping's gaze swept across the battlefield, and he casually said, "This Warring States era is just like this; human lives are as cheap as grass."
"As the saying goes, 'Don't laugh at those who sleep drunk on the battlefield; how many return from ancient wars?'"
No sooner had he spoken than a white mist suddenly surged from all directions, quickly enveloping the entire battlefield.
"Thump! Thump! Thump!"
Heavy hoofbeats approached from a distance, and the ground vibrated with them.
In the mist, a tall figure slowly appeared—
It was a warhorse clad in heavy armor, and sitting atop it was a samurai in crimson armor and a Ghost Face helmet.
He held an eighteen-foot long spear, its tip glinting with cold light, radiating killing intent.
"Oniwa Gyobu Masataka"
"Level: LV10+"
"Traits: Mounted Combat, Charge Thrust, Immortality (once)"
"I am Oniwa Gyobu Masataka!"
A powerful voice echoed across the battlefield, and Gyobu pointed his long spear, his warhorse neighing as its front hooves reared high.
"Intruders, state your names!"
Ying Ping gripped the Sword of Hestia and said in a deep voice, "Ilena, Kokkoro, spread out for ranged attacks, then look for opportunities to support me."
"Master, he looks very difficult to deal with, you must be careful!"
Kokkoro cried out worriedly.
Ilena had already raised her staff, ready to cast magic at any moment.
Ying Ping stepped forward, his sword pointed directly at Gyobu: "Enough talk, you must die here today!"
"Very well!"
Gyobu roared, "Then let's fight!"
"Charge! Charge, Onikagemaru!"
The warhorse charged violently, its speed so great it was almost a blur.
Gyobu thrust his long spear, its tip tearing through the air, aiming directly for Ying Ping's throat!
"Good timing!"
Ying Ping instantly dodged to the side, simultaneously slashing his sword at the horse's leg.
"Clang!"
Gyobu reacted incredibly fast, sweeping his long spear horizontally to block the attack.
The two weapons clashed, sparks flying.
"Killing Intent Lock!"
Ying Ping immediately activated the skill, and Gyobu's movements instantly slowed by a few fractions.
"Hmph!"
Ying Ping seized the opportunity, his sword light like lightning, continuously slashing at the gaps in Gyobu's armor.
"Pfft!"
A deep, bone-visible wound appeared on Gyobu's shoulder, blood seeping out.
"You demon, you do have some skill!"
Gyobu, instead of getting angry, laughed, "Again!"
The warhorse turned around and charged again.
This time, Gyoubu Oniwa's long spear danced, creating a myriad of spear shadows that blocked all of Ying Ping's escape routes.
"Inherent Time Control: Triple Speed!"
Ying Ping instantly activated his acceleration magic, dodging the countless spear shadows, and at the same time, used the Sword of Hestia to leave a deep wound on his opponent!
"Pfft!"
Gyoubu Oniwa suffered a heavy blow, a blood blossom blooming on his body, and his entire figure staggered!
"Intruder, die!"
Gyoubu Oniwa went mad, roaring, his warhorse suddenly accelerated, and his long spear thrust forward like a dragon!
"Clang!"
Ying Ping blocked with his sword, sparks flew, and the huge impact forced him back half a step.
"He's clearly severely wounded, but with the momentum of his horse, he still has such strength!"
Ying Ping's eyes narrowed, "Shadow Step!"
His speed suddenly increased, and he flashed like a ghost to Gyoubu Oniwa's side, slashing at the horse's leg again with his sword!
"Hiss!"
The warhorse cried out in pain, its front hooves rearing, but Gyoubu Oniwa remained as steady as a mountain, sweeping his long spear horizontally!
"Boom!"
"Inherent Time Control: Triple Speed!"
Ying Ping quickly leaned back, the spear tip grazing his nose, and then he slashed Gyoubu Oniwa's arm with his sword!
"Pfft!"
An arm flew high into the air.
"Damn it!"
Gyoubu Oniwa roared in pain.
"Eileen, now!"
"Wind Blade: Tornado!"
Eileen raised her staff high, and a violent tornado instantly swept towards Gyoubu Oniwa!
"Petty tricks!"
Gyoubu Oniwa switched hands, waving his long spear, and actually split the tornado apart!
But at that very moment, Ying Ping seized the opening again, leaping up violently, his sword light pouring down like a storm!
"Pfft, pfft, pfft!"
The Sword of Hestia left several deep gashes in Gyoubu Oniwa's armor, and blood gushed out!
"Ugh ah!"
On the verge of death, Gyoubu Oniwa roared, suddenly leaping off his horse, his long spear smashing down like Mount Tai pressing down!
"Rumble!"
A huge pit was smashed into the ground, but Ying Ping easily dodged it.
He held his sword and laughed, "You fellow... you're not as strong as I am, but you're more troublesome than I imagined."
"You truly are the strongest enemy I've encountered so far."
Gyoubu Oniwa gasped for breath, his armor soaked in blood, but his fighting spirit remained undiminished: "Hahaha! Thank you for the compliment! How exhilarating! Again!"
He mounted his horse and charged again, gripping his long spear with his remaining good arm, transforming into countless afterimages, forcing Ying Ping to retreat repeatedly.
"Your courage is commendable, but that's about the extent of it, isn't it?"
Ying Ping's eyes turned cold, "Everyone, hold him back!"
"Yes! Extreme Cold Flash!"
Eileen's staff erupted with dazzling blue light, and an extremely cold frost instantly spread, freezing Gyoubu Oniwa's warhorse's hooves, rendering it immobile!
"Nature's Wrath!"
Kokkoro also completed her incantation, summoning countless giant vines that completely bound Gyoubu Oniwa's body.
"Now!"
Ying Ping suddenly unleashed his full speed, the Sword of Hestia imbued with lightning power, thrusting directly into Gyoubu Oniwa's chest!
The blade pierced through the armor, and Gyoubu Oniwa grunted, but then he grinned ferociously, grabbing the blade: "I finally got you!"
His Undying Body granted him a second life, so his other hand seized the opportunity to swing his long spear, smashing it fiercely towards Ying Ping's head!
"A good idea, but... can you really do it in your current state?"
Ying Ping sneered.
"Blade Storm!"
"Pffft, pffft, pffft, pffft, pffft, pffft!"
A large number of wind blades cut at his face, and Gyoubu Oniwa's entire upper body was cut into sawdust, blood gushing out.
"Ugh ah..."
Gyoubu Oniwa fell heavily from his horse.
"Charged Strike!"
Ignoring the blood splattered on him, Ying Ping struck again with his sword, and Gyoubu Oniwa's warhorse also whined and fell to the ground.
[Killed Gyoubu Oniwa Masataka, EXP +20000]
[Level increased to LV13]
[Profession: Shadow Monarch activated]
[All attributes greatly increased]
[Soul fragment detected, extract as Shadow Soldier?]
[Summoning one Shadow Soldier consumes 1 magic per minute]
[Shadow Soldiers cannot be killed, do not consume magic when not in use]
[Shadow Monarch Upgrade System]
[Level]: LV13
[Profession]: Shadow Monarch
[Strength]: 351
[Agility]: 332
[Stamina]: 275+50 (Gargoyle Plate Armor)
[Intelligence]: 260
[Magic]: 1251
[HP]: 1260 / 1260
[MP]: 1206 / 1251
[Magic]: Lightning Enchantment, Inherent Time Control
[Skills]: Shadow Step, Crippling Strike, Charged Strike, Eagle Eye, Blade Storm, Killing Intent Lock
[Titles]: Goblin Slayer, Goddess's Guardian
[Free Attribute Points]: 0
"I've become so much stronger, has the Shadow Monarch profession finally been activated?!"
Ying Ping was excited and unhesitatingly chose: "Confirm extraction of soul fragment!"
On the ground, a black-purple light flashed.
Gyoubu Oniwa and his warhorse actually 'revived', but their figures became somewhat ethereal, surrounded by shadowy energy.
"Master, be careful!"
Eileen and Kokkoro immediately became alert, but Ying Ping raised his hand, signaling them to calm down.
Gyoubu Oniwa's shadow knelt on one knee, and his warhorse also lowered its head, bending its limbs, showing submission to Ying Ping.
Although they couldn't speak, their loyalty was clearly palpable.
[Shadow Soldier: Gyoubu Oniwa Masataka]
[Level: LV10]
[Traits: Undying, Absolute Obedience]
Ying Ping nodded with satisfaction: "Very good, from now on, you are my first Shadow General."
Gyoubu Oniwa's shadow nodded slightly, then, along with his warhorse, transformed into a black mist and merged into Ying Ping's shadow.
"Master, is this your new magic...?"
Kokkoro asked in surprise.
Ying Ping's lips curved into a smile: "That's right, this is the power the Shadow Monarch is most proud of."
"From now on, I can transform all the strong enemies I kill into Shadow Soldiers who obey my commands."
Eileen whistled: "Oh~ That's so cool~ It seems our next battles will be much easier."