Chapter 151 116: Blood of Fearlessness and Commander of Hundred Races

Warriors clashed with Warriors, colossi with Giant Beasts. The two sides were locked in an endless, mutual slaughter across the icy, snow-covered landscape.

Of course, the monsters weren't packed shoulder to shoulder; the ground was mostly covered with mangled corpses.

The trio didn't immediately join the fray. Instead, they chose to follow the guidance of the Spirit Candle and explore the perimeter of the entire Battlefield Relics.

The area, large enough to contain the battle between the two tribes, was vast, and exploring it took the trio a considerable amount of time.

Along the way, they killed a few monsters, which mostly dropped Weapons, equipment, and Skill Books.

After some time, the three had finished scouting the entire battlefield.

Aside from the canyon they had entered through, there were also clear traces of a path on the opposing slope. Farther up was the Dark Boundary.

This was most likely the entry point for the tribes from the polar region.

Having made a full circuit, the trio returned to the Milestone Spirit Candle where they had first started.

"This instance feels more like a common 'bonus stage'," Li Miao said thoughtfully.

Within this Battlefield Relics, there was hardly any complex terrain or architecture. The only feature of note was the altar at the center, which they had yet to investigate.

Furthermore, the monsters they killed during their exploration were generous with their drops, yielding items like Battle Ash and Magic. It was clear the drop rate was significantly higher than that of other monsters.

'Perhaps the Spirit Candle designed this instance specifically to help players expand their collection of Skills and Weapons?'

"Very likely," Faraway said, a rare occurrence. He gave a slight nod. "Let's head for the altar."

Hearing this, Li Miao and Brother Yu had no objections.

And so, the three began to push toward the central altar, cutting down numerous monsters along the way.

[Obtained: Wax Oil x16]

[Obtained: Natural Great Axe (Excellent)]

[Obtained: Battle Ash·Power Spell]

[...]

Li Miao's theory was correct.

The drop rate for Skill Books and Weapons along their path was indeed much higher than they were used to.

Although the overall Quality was low, the sheer quantity made up for it. Besides, not every single drop was poor.

Most were of Residual Ash and Ember Quality.

Players had long since figured out what Skill Quality affected: its power ceiling.

Generally, most Skills—be they Battle Ash, Magic, or Prayers—were enhanced based on a player's Attributes.

However, if a player's Power surpassed a Skill's power ceiling, the Skill's damage would no longer increase.

Players could still augment the Skill with their own base stats, so some Low Tier Skill Books weren't useless. In fact, if a Skill had particularly powerful mechanics, a player might not need to replace it for a very long time.

Previously, Skill Quality had been a secondary concern. The main issue for players had always been the strict activation requirements.

They simply didn't have many Skills to choose from.

But now, in this battlefield instance, the trio hadn't come across a single duplicate Skill Book. The sheer variety was astounding.

They could already foresee that once the majority of players leveled up and entered this Battlefield Relics, a host of players with vastly different combat styles would emerge. It would no longer be like before, with a Law Knight around every corner and an Iron-faced Warlock behind every bush.

It was worth noting, however, that most of the monsters here didn't possess a special Warfire that could be used for Fire Ignition.

BOOM!

As the trio continued their advance, a colossus collapsed under their combined assault, crumbling into Ashes before disappearing.

[You have slain the Giant Spell Stone Statue]

[Obtained: Wax Oil x32]

[Obtained: Spell-type Attribute Object x1]

[Obtained: Giant Stone Gloves (Excellent)]

"An Attribute Object?" Li Miao was surprised.

"It must be the kind of Attribute Object used in forging schematics," Brother Yu said, stroking his chin. He quickly made the connection to the "Frost Riding Spear" schematic.

'Doesn't that thing require a Frost Attribute Item?'

At this thought, the two of them exchanged a look, then simultaneously turned their gazes in the same direction.

Over there, a bipedal Giant Beast resembling a crocodile man with ice growing from its back was fighting a colossus.

[Polar·Ice Crocodile Man]

This was a Level 18 Ember Tier monster. Judging from both its Talents and Skills, it was definitely ice-aspected.

'It's highly likely to drop a Frost Attribute Item!'

"We'll go later." Seeing the other two were ready to charge in for the kill, Faraway stopped them. "Let's check the altar first."

Hearing Faraway's advice, the two temporarily shelved their plans for the Frost Crocodile Man. It was only temporary, though; they would definitely be paying their new "friend" a visit later.

After another round of fighting.

The trio finally arrived before the altar-like structure at the center, where they also laid eyes on the two strongest monsters in the Battlefield Relics.

The first was a humanoid monster. It was enormous, its muscles so overdeveloped that it looked squat. Its body was covered in Spells, and its face was a ferocious mask.

[Divine Statue Tribe: Fearless Blood]

[Tier: Molten Slag]

[Level: 26]

[Warfire: Divine Statue Totem]

[Talent: Blood of Fearlessness]

[Skills: Giant Transformation, Blood Burning Spell, Power Spell, Roar of the Fearless Horn]

[Explanation: Only the most valiant Warriors of the tribe may earn the title of Fearless Blood. They undergo a ritual where the Divine Statue Totem is carved upon their heart, turning them into the bravest and most dauntless of all Warriors.]

'The Golden Bull Guard was already tough enough to kill. I can't believe there are creatures on this battlefield even fiercer than it—and more than one of them.'

Opposite it was a massive, four-legged creature. It had the head of an elk, a long mane, and the body of a brutish bull. With horns as sharp as blades, it faced off against the Fearless Blood.

[Polar·Commander of Hundred Races]

[Tier: Molten Slag]

[Level: 25]

[Talent: King's Horn]

[Skills: Rampage, Piercing Horn, Summoning of the Hundred Races, Burning Steel Mane]

[Explanation: The hundred races of the polar regions live by the law of nature: the weak are prey for the strong. Only the most powerful is qualified to command the hundred races, and this command can only be used when one condition is met: survival!]

Notably, neither of these two monsters had the desiccated, corpse-like appearance of the other creatures.

"ROAR!"

Just as the trio was examining their information, the Commander of Hundred Races let out a tremendous roar and violently broke free from the Fearless Blood's grip.

The next moment, Warfire blazed to life on its body as it charged violently at the Fearless Blood once more.

The Fearless Blood roared in return, Spells and Warfire flaring as it thrust out with both palms.

With immense momentum, the two behemoths launched themselves into another head-on collision.

BOOM!!!

A massive shockwave from the battle radiated in all directions, sending snow and corpses flying.