119: conquer

In the endless wilderness, mist permeated the air, as if it had been draped in a grey veil.

Blade Claw followed behind the hunting party, feeling that the atmosphere in the team was strange today. The few "Trainees" who were usually considered "harmonious" were exceptionally silent today, occasionally exchanging glances with flickering eyes, as if plotting something.

Blade Claw felt a faint chill in its heart; it couldn't pinpoint what was wrong, but it felt a coldness creeping up its spine. It tried to focus on the hunt, but that feeling of unease was like a maggot in the bone, impossible to shake off.

"Stop, guard!" The leading Beast Speaker stopped, voice hoarse.

Blade Claw looked up; not far ahead, another team appeared.

"Giant Axe Tribe..." Blade Claw muttered. It recognized this tribe; they were the target of their hunt today. This tribe practiced Contemplation of the Giant Axe Totem and possessed immense strength, making them notoriously difficult to deal with.

"You have crossed the line." The Beast Speaker of the Giant Axe Tribe stepped out, his voice like muffled thunder, making one's eardrums ache.

"Bullshit!" A "Trainee" from their own team, who usually didn't get along with Blade Claw, jumped out and pointed at the other's nose, cursing, "Since when did this wilderness become yours, Giant Axe Tribe?"

"Hmph, the Oracle has shown that the ownership of this land should be determined by The Strong Ones." The Beast Speaker of the Giant Axe Tribe sneered, his eyes filled with a fierce glint.

"The Strong Ones? Just you?" That "Trainee" spat, its tone disdainful, "Why don't you take a piss and look at yourselves in the reflection? Are you worthy?"

Before the words fell, energy surged on the Beast Speaker of the Giant Axe Tribe, and a massive stone axe slowly emerged behind him.

"You're courting death!" The "Trainee" roared and also activated its Visualization Diagram.

Both sides were on the verge of conflict, ready to fight at any moment. Blade Claw also began to activate the Sharp Claw Totem, preparing for battle.

"Kill!" No one knew who shouted first, but the two teams instantly clashed into a melee. Stone axes were swung, bringing gusts of wind. Flying stones splashed, causing pain when they struck the body.

Blade Claw swung its stone claws, barely fending off the attacks from the Giant Axe Tribe. It discovered that the "Trainees," who were usually considered "united," seemed like different entities today, intentionally or unintentionally pushing it into the encirclement of the Giant Axe Tribe.

"You..." Blade Claw was shocked and angry. Just as it wanted to speak and question them, a stone axe, carrying a fierce wind, slashed down towards its head.

Blade Claw narrowly dodged, and the stone axe smashed into the ground, sending broken stones flying. Before it could catch its breath, another gust of wind came from its side.

It was those "Trainees"!

They were actually taking advantage of the chaos to sneak attack it! Did they not know what kind of punishment would await them after returning to the tribe for doing this?

"Blade Claw, you have blasphemed against the gods and stolen our favors; today is the day you die!" The leading "Trainee" had a ferocious expression, its eyes full of resentment.

"Nonsense!" Blade Claw roared and struggled to block.

But being attacked from the front and back, it was ultimately unable to fight off so many opponents. Soon, several wounds appeared on its body, and blood flowed down its fur, staining the ground red.

Its physical strength was also draining away bit by bit. Blade Claw felt its eyelids growing heavier, and its vision began to blur. It knew it couldn't hold on much longer.

"Could it be... that I am going to die here?" A surge of unwillingness rose in Blade Claw's heart.

"No! I cannot die!" Blade Claw suddenly opened its eyes, and two rays of sharp light shot out from them.

It recalled its insights into the Fusion of the Great Sword and the Sharp Claw, as well as the knowledge taught to it by Artemis during this period. At this moment, its Mental Energy reached an unprecedented level of concentration.

In its mind, that originally blurry Great Sword began to tremble, and sharp claw marks slowly emerged on the sword body.

The Sharp Claw and the Great Sword began to further undergo Fusion!

A powerful force surged out from within Blade Claw, flowing through its Hundred Skeletons. Its wounds began to heal, and its strength began to skyrocket.

"This is..." Blade Claw felt the surging power within its body, and a trace of surprise flashed in its eyes.

"Roar!" It let out a long howl toward the sky, its voice filled with deterrence.

The surrounding members of the Giant Axe Tribe, as well as those treacherous "Trainees," were stunned by this sudden change. They looked at Blade Claw, their eyes filled with confusion.

"Now... it's my turn." Blade Claw spoke slowly, its voice icy, like the judgment of the god of death.

It moved.

Its figure was like lightning, as fast as a flash. It swung its sharp claws, creating streaks of afterimages.

"Puchi!" "Puchi!" "Puchi!" Flesh and blood flew, and screams rang out one after another.

The members of the Giant Axe Tribe, under Blade Claw's attack, had no power to fight back and fell into pools of blood one by one.

Those treacherous "Trainees" were even more terrified, their Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, turning and fleeing.

"Want to run?" Blade Claw sneered, its figure flashed, and it gave chase.

"Spare me... spare me..." "We were wrong... we shouldn't have betrayed you..." "Please... let us go..." The "Trainees" knelt on the ground, kowtowing like pounding garlic, begging for mercy in sorrow.

But Blade Claw had no pity whatsoever. It swung its sharp claws, and heads flew into the sky one by one. Fresh blood stained the wilderness red.

The battle was over. The Giant Axe Tribe was completely wiped out. Those treacherous "Trainees" were also all executed.

Blade Claw stood alone in the center of the battlefield, covered in blood, like a god of slaughter descending.

The wind blew across the wilderness, bringing waves of the smell of blood.

"Clap... clap... clap..." In the empty wilderness, clapping sounds suddenly rang out. The sound was unhurried, appearing exceptionally strange on this battlefield filled with the scent of blood.

Blade Claw turned its head sharply, looking towards the source of the sound.

Artemis's figure slowly emerged. It stood there, an inexplicable smile on its face, its gaze lingering on Blade Claw.

"En... Envoy..." Blade Claw was stunned, subconsciously taking half a step back and gripping the stone claw in its hand.

It didn't understand why Artemis would appear here. Even less did it understand what this clapping meant.

"Not bad, very not bad." Artemis walked over slowly, its voice low, "To be able to achieve a Breakthrough in a desperate situation and master the Fusion of the Great Sword and the Sharp Claw, you have... more potential than I imagined."

"Envoy... you... knew everything?" Blade Claw's voice trembled.

"Of course." Artemis stopped, meeting Blade Claw's gaze, "This battle was originally a... trial for you."

"A trial?" A flash of confusion crossed Blade Claw's eyes.

It didn't understand why this method was used to test it. Those dead Giant Axe Tribe members, those treacherous "Trainees," were they all just... sacrifices for the trial?

"No need to overthink it." Artemis seemed to see through Blade Claw's thoughts, its tone flat, "Their existence had no value to begin with. Being able to become stepping stones for your growth can be considered... recycling waste."

"..." Blade Claw was silent. It could not understand Artemis's logic, but it knew that it had no right to question it.

"Now, you have passed my trial." Artemis changed the subject, its tone becoming serious, "This means you will be qualified to... undertake an important task."

"A task?" Blade Claw's heart tightened. It sensed that this task was definitely not simple.

"That's right." A flash of fanaticism crossed Artemis's eyes, "An important task... concerning the glory of the God."

"Envoy... please instruct me." Blade Claw took a deep breath and knelt on the ground.

Artemis did not speak immediately, just quietly looking at Blade Claw.

Its gaze was deep and dark, as if it could see through everything.

After a long time, it slowly opened its mouth, its voice low but carrying an unquestionable majesty: "Go, as the spokesperson of the Lord, go and unify everything in the world, so that all living beings in this world can listen to the voice of the Lord."

"..." Blade Claw did not respond, only silently kowtowed once. It knew what this meant.

It meant that it had been chosen by the God and had become the God's spokesperson on earth.

Artemis's figure disappeared into the wilderness.

Blade Claw slowly stood up and looked into the distance. In its eyes, there was no longer confusion, no longer fear, only... determination.

It knew what kind of path it was about to embark on. It was a path filled with slaughter and conquest, and also a path... leading to the side of the "God."