Bear School Astartes

Chapter 951 - 933: Crimson Spirit Invasion

"Meow?"

Rong Buqiu descended from the Qilin’s back, following Lann, and sat down docilely on all fours, its furry head gazing up at the sky.

The architectural style of this world, in the environment on the brink of the Fire Apocalypse, always gives one a peculiar sense of ’entering decline’ and ’splendid yet decaying beauty’.

Even for someone like Lann, who has seen a lot, the many scenes of this world can still be shocking.

But what surprised Rong Buqiu was more than just this.

A snowflake drifting down leisurely fell onto its wet nose under the watchful gaze of the kitten’s moist eyes.

The Three-Floral Elu Cat immediately sneezed.

"Achoo!"

"Neigh!"

Rong Buqiu sneezed, and the Qilin, pacing beside it, was startled, its four hooves hopping up.

Ignoring the chaotic Elu Cat and Ancient Dragon beside him, Lann focused on the snowflake that landed in the center of his leather-gloved palm.

Not only was the sky unusual, but even the climate was off...

Could it be that a normal and powerful being of the Divine Race can autonomously influence the surrounding environment?

Lann has encountered quite a few Divine Race individuals in this world.

Rosalie, Ausloes, two divine offspring... But their states were all abnormal or even incomplete.

The [Dark Moon God] Gwendolin, the current Sect Leader’s capital of the Divine Race, did update Lann’s view of the divine beings in this world.

Previously, he thought the Divine Race were merely a group of beings that had an early advantage in discovering the First Flame, differing from mortals only in power.

But now it seems, what they can influence... conceptually might be closer to the Ancient Dragons of the New Continent?

Just their unconscious existence can change the surrounding environment.

"Feeling cold?"

Lann turned to ask Rong Buqiu.

"Neigh!"

The Qilin snorted in dissatisfaction because Lann didn’t ask it.

But the Qilin didn’t need concern at all, as this type of Ancient Dragon in the realm of the New Continent is reported to be sighted across various terrains and climates like volcanoes, glaciers, beaches, etc.

Lann estimated that even if it jumped from a volcanic crater to a glacier, its body would have no problem at all.

So he didn’t even bother to ask.

"No problem, meow!"

Rong Buqiu thumped its chest and looked up to say.

It did feel a little cold, but since it didn’t bring any warm clothes, it could only pretend to be unconcerned.

It’s naturally very resilient.

Lann could see Rong Buqiu’s situation, but he was a bit perplexed, as he hadn’t felt bothered by temperature differences for a long time.

The [Genetic Seed] and the enhanced organs that regulate various hormones in his body greatly boosted his adaptability.

Interstellar Warriors have strong survival abilities, and excel in adapting to harsh battlefields.

Therefore, wearing this heavy armor set for high-altitude cold-zone Warriors of the Bear School, he never felt uncomfortable in numerous locations.

However, seeing Rong Buqiu like this, he realized he should consider his Companion Cat more in the future.

"Let’s move quickly; when we reach the Dark Moon God, surely he won’t let us freeze, right?"

Lann joked, picking up Rong Buqiu into his arms and heading towards Ilyushil.

The city gate was connected to the underground passage at the base of the mountain by a stone bridge, beneath which was a river revealing parts of its shallow banks.

In the cold, snowy moonlit night, only Lann, the Qilin, and Rong Buqiu were walking on the spacious stone bridge.

The silence was such that their footsteps could be heard.

The initial shock of seeing this New Divine Capital was gradually suppressed by this abnormal and unsettling silence.

As they got closer, Lann realized that what hung in the sky above Ilyushil was not an aurora but the ’barrier’ that Kirk mentioned.

A barrier that enveloped the entire city, preventing those without credentials from entering.

Under the moonlight, the power of the barrier manifested visibly as a gentle, faint aurora.

However, Lann had no worries as he carried the evidence of the little doll in his pocket.

Just before passing through this layer of barrier, Lann suddenly noticed a commotion not far ahead of him.

The Demon Hunter placed the Three-Floral Kitten on the Qilin’s back and walked toward the direction of the noise.

After a few steps, an eye-catching and familiar figure appeared in Lann’s sight.

It was a soul body entirely blood-red, the color signifying malice and killing intent.

Amid the serene moonlit background, this blood-red appeared even more vivid.

The appearance of a malevolent soul body meant that it was there to kill someone.

"Sirius?"

The Demon Hunter called out the name of an acquaintance uncertainly.

In the distance, the figure entangled in a standoff and fight with the malevolent soul body was slim and fit, clad in silver light armor, with a light white veil on the head.

It resembled the image of the Female Knight from the Land of Dusk that Lann had seen.

However, Lann wasn’t sure if it was indeed Sirius or someone else wearing the Land of Dusk Knight’s gear.

But after hearing the shout from behind, the Female Knight from the Land of Dusk turned her head, revealing to be the acquaintance he met at the Profound Church earlier.

However, Sirius’s eyes revealed vigilance.

Her stance and steps adjusted slightly from the solo combat state she had earlier.

Lann frowned as he watched her movements... Was she including him as a target of her vigilance?

Opposite her, the hostile soul entity wielded a gleaming battle axe, and the armor design was familiar to Lann.

It was Clayton, whom the Thorn Knight Kirk had recently warned him about.

"Are you also here to ambush me, Lann? Have you been deceived by that mentally unstable Goddess too?"

Sirius thought to herself that she was facing two enemies now.

Yet her cold and calm words wouldn’t lead anyone to associate them with ’anxiety, fear,’ or any such emotions.

She seemed capable of accepting all fates with serenity, even the fate of death.

Beside her, the crimson malevolent spirit was panting heavily, his chest heaving. It wasn’t combat fatigue but excitement.

The panting sounds escaped from the helmet’s breathing holes, like a dog panting with its tongue out and drooling.

Even from a distance, Clayton’s unsightly demeanor made Lann frown in disgust.

The young Demon Hunter could chat easily with maggot-like Maggot Men, but he couldn’t stand Clayton’s indulgence in the pleasure of violence for even a second.

"The Goddess is in good spirits now. I’ve helped her find her child, so she’s no longer mired in grief. Your previous predictions are invalid."

Lann’s hand rested on the hilt of the Lady of the Lake’s Sword at his waist.

"And I just arrived, so this guy and I are not on the same side."

Sirius’s cold face and gaze swept over Lann without any fluctuation.

"Prove it."

"What?"

"Prove you’re not here as an enemy to kill me."

The pleasant sound of the blade sliding against the scabbard rang out, as the elegantly curved long blade was drawn like the gleaming of a lake.

Lann shrugged while holding Aron Dite: "Happy to oblige."

As the Demon Hunter approached, the malevolent soul entity also moved closer to Sirius.

This made Lann’s eyes narrow with interest.

If only Lann had moved just now, it could be said he was ’aggressively approaching the enemy,’ but Clayton moving in sync with him suggested a ’two-person advance.’

Sure enough, Sirius, whose face had always been ice-cold, appeared even more alert, wary of both people left and right.

But Clayton wasn’t done yet.

"Yes, just like that, buddy. She can’t escape!"

Under the helmet, Clayton’s voice was filled with hunger and anticipation for violence, even carrying a slight tremor.

Sirius’s steps to retreat between the two widened even more.

Clayton’s words made Lann’s actions appear even more suspicious.

In a life-and-death exchange where enemies and friends couldn’t be distinguished, anyone could use deceit to gain tactical victory.

So the safest approach was to assume everyone else was lying and couldn’t be trusted.

Sirius’s cautious approach fully showcased the qualities of an experienced Warrior.

But then, the crimson soul entity suddenly quickened its pace, no longer moving with cautious testing but striding forward!

Simultaneously, the battle axe in his hand was already raised.

A semi-transparent energy wave visible to the naked eye exploded from his body with his stomp and shout.

"Haah!"

This is a [Battle Technique]!

Who in this unstable world could still be a novice and survive to this day?

Clayton, of course, knew that Lann wasn’t siding with him and wouldn’t join him now.

But in the brief time earlier, he relied on his survival experience to make a spontaneous decision.

He couldn’t persuade Lann to join him; all he could do was make Sirius doubt that Lann was a companion out for a hunt together.

Doubt would make Sirius cautiously distance herself from Lann.

But at the same time, the distance created would be his opportunity!

Taking advantage of Lann’s inability to intervene in time, he would first muster a burst of energy to kill Sirius, potentially creating a one-on-one situation for himself.

The plan was to exploit the difference in reaction time caused by the distance difference.

This time variation would be tight, and seizing the opportunity accurately would be challenging.

However, Clayton was equally resolute.

Because he had no other choice, and after making the decision, he acted immediately and without hesitation.

Perhaps the efficiency of Warriors’ movements in this world was not as good as that of Ninjas or New Continent Hunters.

But just in Sirius and Clayton, the characteristics and strengths of Warriors in this world were apparent.

They each demonstrated a well-honed advantage and flexible and meticulous tactical thinking.

Lann had only just appeared, and Clayton had already created a distrustful situation among the three in this death match.

If it were an ordinary Warrior, regardless of whether Clayton had the quick ability to resolve Sirius, at least this time difference could indeed give him an advantage.

... However.