Chapter 25: Battle

“Lu Yao, Lu Yao,” Sister Peng called out, breaking his concentration. “Fetch me a copy of this month’s report. There’s an urgent call waiting.”

“Right away,” Lu Yao replied, handing over the report while rubbing his temples, feeling the fatigue setting in.

“You’ve been looking exhausted lately,” Sister Peng teased as she printed some materials. “What’s been going on? Working a second job after hours? Or partying late into the night?”

Lu Yao could only offer a vague explanation, mentioning his recent struggles with sleep.

…

These were crucial times for the Garlic Tribe’s development, and Lu Yao couldn’t afford to let his guard down. The mountain passage had been deliberately destroyed to sever trade with the Yanchi tribe. Now, the Garlic Tribe needed to establish a new route to connect with the outside world.

In theory, there were three possible routes.

The first option was to venture north through the treacherous forest, delving into the northern territories.

The second choice involved crossing the East River and heading east until reaching the East China Sea.

The third and most favorable route was to march south into the desert and reclaim the oasis.

However, Yin Shabel had warned Lu Yao about the dangers of the forest path.

“My lord, deep within the forest, dwell powerful elemental creatures,” Yin Shabel cautioned. “Their numbers remain unknown, and some are incredibly aggressive. Even if a pathway is opened, we may face constant harassment from these creatures, posing significant risks.”

To establish water trade and navigation in the east, the Garlic Tribe needed to develop superior shipbuilding techniques. While canoes served well for fishing and short distances, they fell short for long-distance voyages. Building larger and sturdier ships would require time and effort.

Comparatively, the desert seemed like the most promising option.

The Bedou Tribe had thrived in the desert for generations and possessed an intimate understanding of its environment. Sandstorms, inclement weather, desert monsters, and bandits were the primary threats in this arid landscape.

Among these dangers, the desert monsters, known as sandworms, posed the greatest risk.

Sandworms were colossal insect-like creatures that burrowed beneath the desert’s surface. Resembling giant earthworms, their rough, impenetrable yellowish-brown skin made them impervious to stones or wood. Sandworms preyed on camels and devoured various hard substances, establishing themselves as the formidable giants of the deserta natural disaster for the Bedou Tribe.

But the most crucial information came from Yin Shabel.

“While searching for the Bedou Tribe, I encountered and slain a sandworm,” Yin Shabel revealed.

This revelation instantly put Lu Yao on high alert.

“Can you handle those sandworms?” Lu Yao inquired cautiously.

“Sir, would you like me to eradicate them all?” Yin Shabel asked, sensing the gravity of the situation.

Lu Yao realized there was more to this situation than he had initially perceived.

“The extermination of sandworms is of secondary importance,” Lu Yao clarified. “Our primary objective is to regain control of the oasis and establish a passage from the desert to the outside world. However, minimizing the presence of sandworms would be ideal.”

“Yes, my lord,” Yin Shabel confirmed.

“Do you require any additional support?” Lu Yao asked.

“My lord, the resources you have provided are more than sufficient,” Yin Shabel reassured him. “Dealing with these bugs won’t pose much difficulty.”

“Very well, let us proceed,” Lu Yao commanded.

…

After returning home from work, Lu Yao eagerly sat in front of his computer, fixated on the displayed desert region.

The desert had expanded into an extensive, unexplored territory, and Yin Shabel had managed to locate an oasis under enemy control. Surrounding her were numerous carcasses of sandworms, their elongated bodies partially protruding from the sandy ground, resembling colossal fingers.

Above Yin Shabel’s head, the word “Battle” flashed, indicating an ongoing confrontation.

Lu Yao repeatedly clicked on the apostles, unveiling a detailed battle screen. The serene electronic music in the background transformed into a fast-paced and exhilarating melody.

Donned in black attire, Yin Shabel confronted a group of brown, monstrous bugs, with only two adversaries left. Both sides displayed their respective health bars overhead.

Yin Shabel LV15VSSandworm LV10Sandworm LV11

The battle unfolded in a real-time auto chess style.

Yin Shabel wielded a green lightsaber like artifact, thrusting it repeatedly into the sandworms. Each strike emitted bursts of green energy from the blade, precisely targeting the sandworms and bombarding them relentlessly.

Lu Yao recollected the description of the Forest Sword ability.

Forest Sword Lv1: [Yin Shabel exclusive ability] Yin Shabel summons the holy sword, significantly augmenting her combat attributes. The duration and potency of the enhancement depend on the ability level and mana reserves.

This green lightsaber must be the holy sword in action.

This marked the first time Lu Yao witnessed Yin Shabel engaging in a serious battle where her abilities came into play. When facing barbarian heroes, she dispatched them effortlessly with a mere steel pipe, rendering her abilities unnecessary.

This further emphasized the superior strength of the sandworms compared to the barbarian heroes.

Sandworms resembled burrowing rodents, capable of submerging into the sand and emerging from unexpected directions. Their attack involved spitting black venom from a distance.

However, Yin Shabel’s movements and attack speed proved too swift. The sandworms’ venomous attacks consistently missed their mark, resulting in a long list of “Miss” displayed on the screen. Meanwhile, Yin Shabel’s holy sword slashes and green energy bombardment were relentless, leaving the sandworms defenseless.

The health bar above the sandworms plummeted rapidly, with the lower-level sandworm’s health depleted completely, symbolized by the [Death] symbol above its head.

Lu Yao directed his focus to the remaining living sandworm.

…

Sandworm LV11

Health: 101/220

Mana: 16/44

Damage: 8

Defense: 8

Speed: 5

Evasion Lv5

Capable of evading certain attacks, though the probability is higher due to its low life expectancy.

Poisoned LV5

Attacks inflict a continuous damage effect, poisoning the enemy.

…

Lu Yao discovered the availability of detailed battle data.

He then refocused his attention on Yin Shabel.

…

[Apostle Lv15] Forest Sword Yin Shabel

Health: 220/224

Mana: 271/385

Damage: 27

Defense: 25

Speed: 15

Wisdom Lv15

Wisdom serves as the key for apostles to comprehend and execute the will of God. Higher wisdom levels facilitate the mastery and improvement of various abilities.

[Dying Prayer Lv5] (15 mana)

Invoke a prayer to the dying sea, momentarily awakening the slumbering dead to seek assistance. The type of aid received depends on the ability level and available mana.

[Forest Sword Lv1] (100 Mana)

[Yin Shabel’s exclusive ability] Summon the holy sword, which enhances combat attributes to their fullest potential. The duration and augmentation depend on the ability level and mana reserves. After the battle, Yin Shabel generates forest elemental creatures, their number and type determined by her ability level and the strength of the defeated foes.

…

Lu Yao observed for a while, gaining a rough understanding of the simulator’s combat mechanism.

The simulator simplified battles, providing visual representations of values and abilities.

Yin Shabel’s speed was three times faster than that of the sandworms, which explained why their attacks consistently missed. However, under Yin Shabel’s relentless assault, the number “-19” continuously appeared above the sandworms.

Lu Yao performed some calculations. Yin Shabel’s damage stood at 27, while the sandworms had a defense of 8. The resulting difference of 19 points indicated the direct damage inflicted when an attack successfully landed, disregarding any special abilities or equipment. 

Given the substantial disparity in basic values and the absence of any restraining abilities, the battle scene became utterly one-sided.

It was akin to a sandworm facing Yin Shabel.

Even if the sandworm managed to land an attack, it would be unable to pierce Yin Shabel’s defenses, and the outcome would be predestined.

As the last sandworm’s health bar emptied, a prompt [Battle End] materialized on the screen.

In that moment, Yin Shabel plunged the holy sword into the ground.

Subtle wisps of green light emanated from the sandworm corpses, piercing into the holy sword before twisting and morphing into two furry reddish-brown creatures. They possessed identical levels and types.

…

Striped Lynx LV10Created by Yin Shabel

Health: 182/182

Mana: 55/55

Damage: 9

Defense: 4

Speed: 9

Quick Strike

Capable of launching frequent attacks.

Sneak

Undetectable when in stealth, the initial strike against an opponent guarantees a [bleeding] effect, continuously draining the opponent’s health.

Forest Element LV1

Forest elemental organisms foster the rapid growth of forests, boosting all attributes within. The effects are contingent upon the ability level and health.

…

Lu Yao was filled with excitement.

The Forest Sword had finally been successfully unleashed!

Considering the abilities and attributes, the Striped Lynx was undeniably an assassin, adept at ambushes and swift strikes. Its grades were rather impressive as well.

“My lord, I have a request,” Yin Shabel spoke up.

“They are too weak to be of use following me,” Yin Shabel explained, “but they can protect the humans of the Garlic Tribe in the forest.”

“Could you send all the created elemental creatures back to the forest, allowing them to continue growing? Once their numbers accumulate, they will prove invaluable when they reach maturity.”

Lu Yao found the proposition feasible.

Deploying troops in successive waves was a classic tactical approach.

— END OF THE CHAPTER —

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep