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Unable to resist the urge, I quickened my pace and stepped onto the altar, ready to examine the main objective of this expedition. Suddenly, a sharp cry echoed from behind me. I hastily retreated, only to witness electric snakes writhing across the altar, weaving into an electric web. The protective mechanism of the magical array had been triggered. At the same time, four red figures shot up from around the altar, hurtling towards me in mid-air.

"Tsk, overconfidence, Chen Xuanfeng, Chen Xuanfeng, even after reincarnating through lifetimes, you still can't shake off this flaw?"

Fueled with determination, my body was enveloped by the golden barrier of the Golden Bell Shield and the silver-blue glow of my battle aura, repelling the weakened currents. The HuPo Blade's vibrant sheen pushed back the four approaching red half-orcs, allowing me to assess the situation more closely.

The lightning on the altar showed no sign of ceasing, entwining around me relentlessly. Meanwhile, the four red half-orcs surrounding me remained untouched. These "Red Boar Guards" were entirely different from those we'd encountered before. Their crimson skin was adorned with bizarre black patterns, their hair combed neatly into braids atop their heads, and each carried an unusual flag on their backs. They wielded distinct weapons: one a long eight-foot blade, another dual crescent swords, a massive ax for splitting mountains, and a wolf-tooth club. Radiating a dense red celestial glow, they stood firm like towering mountains, revealing them to be master Sword Masters of the highest rank.

"Blimey, there are actually half-orc Sword Masters? That would be the Alliance's greatest laughingstock."

The situation had spun out of my control. Ice Wind was trapped outside the rising barrier, while my battle aura and Golden Bell Shield held back the altar's lightning. Relying solely on the Nine Yin True Energy to wield the HuPo Blade, I now regretted not bringing the newly crafted Hydra Leather Armor. However, it seemed that the God of War, Odin, deemed my circumstances insufficiently dire, as he delivered yet another harsh surprise.

"Hail the spirits of freedom, let the wings of the atmosphere follow the brave. Totem of Graceful Wind."

"Worship the blazing ambition, let the crimson will pierce through the veil of fog. Totem of Fiery Impact."

"Obey the profound teachings, let the ancient pulse ignite vibrant vitality. Totem of Earthly Strength."

"Sense the gentle comfort, let the melody of life resonate with the traveler's heart. Totem of Healing Spring."

With the chanting of ancient and melancholic Orcish verses, four colossal totem pillars, constructed of magic, rose around the altar. An invisible aura enveloped the entire sacrificial platform, and an array of magical effects immediately shimmered across the bodies of the four Half-Orc Sword Masters.

Staring at the red half-orc shaman materializing before my eyes, I was rendered speechless. Even if I hadn't eaten pork, I'd seen pigs run (seemingly right in this pigsty). After spending a few years with the old shaman in Blizzard Hut, I had a basic understanding of their abilities. Within the War God Temple of the Beastman Alliance, shamanistic divine arts were divided into three categories: Battle Songs, Spellcasting, and Totems. Totem shamans could summon totems representing the four elements, providing magical enhancements to their allies within a certain range. The shaman before me was a master of the totemic arts, simultaneously calling forth pillars of all four elements, enhancing speed, damage, strength, and recovery – a development that only worsened my already disadvantaged situation.

These half-orcs seemed to have no inclination for idle chatter. Upon the activation of their totems, they charged straight at me. The four top-notch Sword Masters, empowered by enchantments, were terrifyingly powerful. Although I wielded the divine weapon, Vesper Tiger, their weapons were also extraordinary. Even without infusing my weapon with battle aura, they emerged unscathed from our clashes. Initially, I could have targeted the Shaman or the totem to dispel their magic. However, the magical array beneath my feet activated various barriers, isolating me. Moreover, the continuous onslaught from the four Sword Masters left me no time to gather strength and break through the barriers.

The battle had raged on for half a shichen. If I were to disregard the cost, I might be able to slay two or severely injure three of the orc Sword Masters. However, the price would be my own life – an outcome I simply could not accept. Presently, relying on my combat qi and the defense of my Golden Bell Shield, I remained unscathed. Though I was on the defensive, my position was not perilous; naturally, there was no need for me to risk everything in a desperate exchange. Their combat qi should not have been able to sustain such a prolonged fight, but with the aqueous restorative properties of their totems, they could still endure. Nonetheless, I was convinced that if I were to commit to a war of attrition, I could undoubtedly exhaust these four Sword Masters to death.

However, the surprises of the day have been too many, and I'm worried that if I continue to expend my resources, something unforeseen might occur. Therefore, I'd rather take the risk than wait any longer. I've had a bold tactical idea brewing in my mind, one that I've refined through continuous combat and observation. It seems to hold a significant chance of success. With no further hesitation, I summon all my strength to execute it.

"Ambrosia Prison," she cried, "Seal it—"

Chapter 19: The Sacred Staff and the Weeping Bloodstone Chronicles

On the Xinghai Continent, the existence of gods is universally acknowledged, though the tales about them, especially those surrounding the creation, vary among different races. Among the elves, it is believed that the Earth Mother Goddess planted the seed of the "World Tree" in the mystical "Sea of Starlight." As the "World Tree" grew, its branches and leaves shaped the material world, while its roots formed the elemental planes. The first fruits of the "World Tree" gave birth to the pantheon of gods.

The deities planted the branches of the "World Tree" across the Material Plane, stabilizing the spaces they touched. Eventually, these branches matured into "Golden Trees." Every ten thousand years, a "Ten Thousand Year Golden Tree Spirit" would emerge from the tree, possessing the strength of a 9th Tier peak magical beast. However, despite being classified as a magical beast, it retained some abilities of the "Golden Tree," allowing it to manipulate the material form of energy. This is why it could wield the crystal nucleus as a weapon, the "Amber Golden Tear." Among all magical beasts, only the "Ten Thousand Year Golden Tree Spirit" possessed this ability. Be it a lowly 1st Tier Slime or a mighty 10th Tier peak Chromatic Dragon King, any creature that dared to utilize a crystal nucleus would undoubtedly meet its end.

The manipulation of energy in its physical form doesn't solely refer to crystal cores; it applies universally to any energy system, differing only in the scope and precision of control. In other words, under certain conditions, techniques like Aura, True Qi, magic arrays, and totem poles can all be materialized. Having devoured the "Golden Tree Spirit," Tiger's Eye naturally inherited this ability. The "Amber Prison" I conjured solidifies the energy from nearby totems and magic arrays, using it to trap my opponents.