Chapter 42.

golden mountains and silver mountains.

The pseudo dragon guards adorned with chestnut hued scales shimmerred faintly under the afternoon sun.

These pseudo dragons exhibited remarkable agility, executing various maneuvers in the air to evade the oncoming hail of arrows.

However, the breadth of the arrow assault was vast despite their evasive tactics.

Several pseudo dragons were struck down by the arrows, their anguished cries echoing as they plummeted from the sky like dumplings.

The scales nonetheless provided a commendable level of defense.

The fallen pseudo dragons shook their dazed heads and resumed their aerial assaults.

Tragically, some were pierced directly by the crossbow bolts, leaving gaping holes the size of bowls, resulting in immediate death.

Swish, swish, swish.

The second and third waves of arrows followed in quick succession, raining down as if they were free.

The pseudo dragons, resembling airborne porcupines, became festoned with arrows.

Simultaneously, an increasing number of pseudo dragons, heavily wounded, fell to the ground, never to rise again.

After the third wave, their numbers had diminished by half.

Yet over a hundred still bravely charged forth.

Soon they reached the skies above the undead army.

The trolls began hurling flying axes while 20 Nispit utilized their ability to strip flight characteristics against the pseudo dragons.

Instantly, a veil of black mist enveloped the heads of 20 pseudo dragons.

In the next moment, their wings convulsed, rendering them incapable of flight, and they plummeted to the earth.

The Nisbid advanced, raising their battle axes to sever the heads of the fallen pseudo dragons.

Fonggha stood at the rear of the formation, observing the skills unleashed by the Nisbbit.

The pseudo dragons, stripped of their flight capabilities, descended from the skies, trembling as if afflicted by Parkinson's disease.

It was indeed as he had anticipated.

The essence of their characteristics pertained to their racial traits, devoid of deeper interpretations.

The ability to strip characteristics resembled the curse, manifesting effects akin to a loss of physical prowess postcurse.

The battle raged on.

The skeletal giant bats began to engage, intertwining with the remaining pseudo dragon guards.

The attack methods of the pseudo dragons were confirmed to be twofold, biting and tail strikes.

The tail end resembled the scorpion stinger, capable of piercing the skulls of the skeletal giant bats with ease and remarkable speed.

However, the skeletal giant bats excelled in sheer numbers, impervious to pain, relentlessly entangling with the pseudo dragons.

Many pseudo dragon guards were left outside the ranks through various means.

A select few braving their bodies laden with arrows, navigated around the skeletal giant bats and plunged directly into the ranks below, engaging in fierce close quarters combat.

Switched to melee weapons, Domiga commanded once more.

All archers sheaved their long bows and drew their melee weapons from their sides.

Anja and Domina, accompanied by their melee troops, commence the task of clearing the vicinity of the pseudo dragons.

Even those that charged into the ranks of the warriors met a swift demise.

It became evident that although these creatures bore a resemblance to dragons, their temperament was akin to that of wild beasts.

They exhibited fierce aggression, yet possessed low intelligence.

Incapable of assessing whether their side held an advantage based on the enemy S numbers and equipment.

Despite lacking any tactical superiority during the battle, they recklessly launched assaults, displaying an unwavering resolve to fight to the bitter end.

In no time, a multitude of pseudo dragons was eradicated.

Those that belatedly sought to flee were swiftly surrounded by skeletal giant bats reduced to mere bones.

Remnants of flesh and bone scattered through the air.

My lord, all the enemies have been vanquished.

Domiga announced as he stroed back.

Fong Hao nodded in acknowledgement.

Yes, clean the battlefield and gather all the corpses.

Understood, my lord, Domiga replied, taking command to oversee the cleanup, collecting arrows and attending to the scattered bodies.

While everyone was preoccupied, Anja approached cautiously.

Hey, what is up these little dragons? You want need many for transformation, will you? Could you spare a few? Anja inquired mysteriously.

Fonhow paused, curious.

Do you have a use for them? Ahem.

It's not for me.

I'm asking for doina.

She expressed a desire to taste whether these little dragons are palatable.

Anja clarified.

Funhao furrowed his brow.

Perplexed at the notion of Domina consuming such creatures.

Edible items would typically be marked for slaughter, and their absence suggested they were not poisonous.

It did not fall under the category of food either.

No, she mentioned wanting them for her camp's mother queen spider.

Not for herself.

Oh, then let us reserve some for her.

Fongghao conceded with a nod.

All right.

Anja agreed, moving to the front of the formation to whisper instructions to Domina.

Subsequently, Domina directed the spider warriors to envelop five wellpreserved corpses in silk, transforming them into cocoons.

Before long, the battlefield was thoroughly cleansed.

The arrows were retrieved, yielding 142 writhing spinal bones.

Aside from this, no additional spoils were obtained.

My lord, the scouts have returned.

No enemies were found along the path to the cave.

Domiga reported once more.

Fongo nodded in satisfaction.

Good.

Leave some personnel to guard the items.

We shall ascend the mountain.

Yes, my lord.

The treasure cave was located halfway up the mountain.

Without a map, it would indeed be challenging to locate amid such towering peaks.

The ascent was arduous as carts and corpses could not be transported.

Domiga arranged for some personnel to remain at the base, not only to guard the items, but also to remain vigilant for any potential enemies from behind.

Fong Ho and his companions formed a lengthy procession.

The skeletal giant trod at the forefront of the expedition, wielding a battle axe that cleaved through the thorns, obstructing their path, enabling the group to pass unhindered.

As they reached the mountain side, the location of the treasure cave came into view.

The company approached, gazing at the immense cavern, which loomed high above them, rendering them insignificant in comparison.

Scattered around the cave's entrance were signs of excavation.

Remain vigilant.

I shall venture inside, Fongo declared.

Upon invoking his divine presence, he summoned the skeletal ash sparrow, which darted into the depths of a cave.

This dimminionive creature was adept at evading detection, even amidst the formidable beings that might reside within the cavern, possessing a significant chance of being overlooked.

The cave was shrouded in darkness, flanked by uneven stone walls.

Perhaps due to recent dealings with tombs, Fongo suspected that this rocky hollow might also be an ancient sephiler or some form of relic.

The tunnel twisted and turned.

But fortunately, there was only a singular path to follow.

Pressing onward, he observed in the corners of the cave plants resembling moss that emitted a faint green luminescence.

The bioluminescent fungal carpet expanded the deeper one ventured, blanketing the ground and walls like an immense tapestry.

Fongghao guided the skeletal ash sparrow to a light upon this carpet, exhibiting no signs of aggression.

It was likely merely a species of fungi flourishing in this unique environment.

Soon, Funghao soared deeper into the cave where various luminous stones began to materialize.