Chapter 1697 An Unexpected Meeting with Heroes
Gerlane looked quite pleased with herself.
The Dwarves and Half-Elves raised their eyebrows at each other.
However, Sun Hao had also made a very surprising discovery. After accepting this squad of Undead Warriors, perhaps having met a specific condition, the concealed First-grade Purple-Gold Belt on his forehead once again underwent a miraculous change.
It was a change that surprised Sun Hao immensely.
Within the Half-Dead Frost Dragon Realm, some of the Lower Realm Warriors whose names were registered on the First-grade Purple-Gold Belt and who had once attached themselves to Sun Hao, now had their names lit up, similar to the Dwarf Warriors and Half-Elf Warriors.
So, did that mean Sun Hao could actually summon them across realms to fight?
If that were truly possible, how difficult was the summoning? Could they be sent back?
Sun Hao found it extremely intriguing; this was a brand-new discovery. If the First-grade Purple-Gold Belt really possessed such a miraculous function, then every time he descended to a Lower Realm hereafter, it would be like carrying an entire summonable army of Warriors with him.
Warriors from different Lower Realms possessed various special skills; perhaps his own forces would astonish people.
Beaming with self-satisfaction, Gerlane directed her team to advance further into the plains.
Sun Hao quietly activated the First-grade Purple-Gold Belt and summoned Ande, the Undead Archer he had accepted in the Half-Dead Frost Dragon Realm, whose name was now lit.
Space in front of the party rippled as a small vortex formed. The skeletal figure of Ande tumbled out, looking somewhat disoriented.
The sudden development startled the group. The Dwarf Warriors instinctively gripped their hand axes tightly.
Gerlane, with keen eyes, spotted Ande and cried out happily, “Oh! Aren't you that Ande from the Half-Dead Frost Dragon Realm? How did you get to the Taoman Continent?”
The Soul Fire in Ande’s forehead flickered, showing traces of excitement, but he didn’t quite grasp the situation. Somewhat bewildered, he instinctively looked towards Sun Hao.
Sun Hao said with a smile, “Ande, if there’s no trouble, you shouldn’t wander around aimlessly. Go back now. We’ll call you for help when there’s a fight.”
Ande glanced towards Gerlane.
Gerlane quickly added, “Yes, come help when there’s fighting later. This place is unfamiliar and full of strangers; you shouldn’t roam about carelessly.”
Ande nodded rapidly and stepped into the vortex he had fallen out of.
Just as one foot was disappearing and he was about to vanish completely, Gerlane shouted, “Ande, remember to be friendly! Don’t attack our own people...!”
Ande nodded and disappeared.
Sun Hao looked towards the spot where Ande had disappeared, then focused on the changes in his forehead's First-grade Purple-Gold Belt. He saw that Ande's name had dimmed again. This meant that if he wanted to summon Ande again to fight in the Battle Realm, it would probably require a significant amount of time.
It seemed cross-realm summons came with numerous restrictions, but that made sense. If he could summon without limits, it would truly be cheating. The current capability was already incredibly powerful.
As they walked forward, Sun Hao pondered over his First-grade Purple-Gold Belt and concluded that only those Warriors from the Half-Dead Frost Dragon Realm possessing at least Mid-stage Deity Transformation strength and some command ability could basically meet the summoning requirement.
After seeing Ande off, the Great Warriors of the Dwarf Race and the Elven Clan were utterly convinced and fully understood that the strange duo they were following possessed truly miraculous abilities. No wonder they dared to descend without a large army; this explained it.
With a few Undead Warriors now added to their ranks, the team naturally divided into two groups, distinctly following Sun Hao and Gerlane as they pushed deeper into the plains.
Like a rolling snowball, the group slowly grew in size.
Sun Hao dispatched some Undead Warriors to spread out, acting as his scouts while roaming the plains.
On the tenth day after entering the plains, an unexpected situation occurred. Undead Warriors Sun Hao had sent to the due south encountered a powerful force and were wiped out before they could relay much information.
Then, less than two days later, winged beasts appeared to the due south. They looked like eagles, not particularly large in size, flying extremely high, deep in the clouds. Had Sun Hao not possessed formidable abilities, he might not have noticed them.
A Half-Elf archer also spotted the eagles and gave Sun Hao a questioning look. Sun Hao shook his head and ordered the troops to set up camp right there.
A day later, banners unfurled across the plains. A massive, imposing army appeared directly south, halting its advance about ten kilometers from Sun Hao’s group. Three Cultivators floated up from within their ranks.
The Cultivator in the center wasn’t much shorter than Sun Hao, clad in golden armor and sporting a pair of Dragon Horns on his head.
To his left was a female Human Cultivator at the Late Soul Division Stage. Wearing silver armor, she held her silver helmet in her right hand, revealing a flowing cascade of long hair.
To his right was a Witch Clan Cultivator. She was staring intently at Gerlane, a mysterious blue glowing orb floating in her hand, emitting a faint light. Raising her voice, she called out, “Ahead, is that Little Lan? Why have you also come to the Battle Realm?”
Gerlane recognized the Witch Clan Cultivator. Jumping happily on Sun Hao’s shoulder, she shouted back with gusto, “Sister Grefni, I’m so happy to see you! But, what did you say? It’s too profound, I don’t understand.”
Grefni muttered under her breath, “Damn it.”
She then spoke quietly to her two companions, “Big Brother Ao Gang, that’s indeed a Cultivator from my Witch Clan, but her strength is mediocre. She hasn’t recruited any Hero either, and communication can be… tricky. She probably won't be much help.”
Gerlane continued shouting loudly, “Sister Grefni, what did you say? I didn’t hear you clearly!”
Grefni retorted impatiently, raised her voice, “I said, Little Lan, you’re clever and pretty.”
Gerlane beamed, “Thanks sis! But people in the Dragon Domain always say that!”
The female Human Cultivator leaned in and whispered, “I think we should stick to the original plan: advance in three separate directions to collectively reduce the pressure on the Human Clan’s city of Angor. Ultimately, if we can breach the defenses on all three fronts, we’ll convene in Angor City. Grefni, since this little sister is from your Witch Clan, perhaps her and the warriors with her could be placed under your care.”
Grefni rubbed her forehead, looking rather troubled. She spoke, “Hmm, I suppose that’s the only way. Lan’er’s status within my Witch Clan isn’t low; we can’t just abandon her. Alright then, I’ll take the northern approach. Big Brother Ao Gang, you continue heading due south as our main force. Bai He, you’ll handle the remaining flank.”
The three Cultivators quickly finalized their plan.
War horns sounded. Behind them, several flags were hoisted high, and their large army swiftly divided and marched away.
Gerlane whispered to Sun Hao, “Xiaoshan, Sister Grefni recruited two Heroes, both incredibly powerful. Look closely, there’s two banners behind her!”
Sun Hao looked towards Grefni’s retinue. Sure enough, he spotted two Cultivators with piercing gazes. The head of one Cultivator looked like it was molded from mud, slightly indistinct, wearing an earthen yellow robe and riding on the back of a mighty, giant rhinoceros. The other Cultivator sat astride a powerful black horse, with a slender build but topped with a distinctive blue fish head.
These must be Grefni’s two Heroes. Sun Hao could see vibrant blue Hero’s Headbands fluttering on their heads.
These were symbols of their status and their pride; they weren't hidden away inside their heads like Sun Hao’s was. Of course, it was also possible their headbands weren't high-level enough to conceal at will.
Combined, the forces under the three Cultivators numbered forty thousand warriors, with Ao Gang commanding the largest contingent. After brief farewells, they charged towards the due south. Ao Gang’s bellowing laughter echoed from the sky, “Ladies! Let’s have a competition! See who can be the first to smash through the Undead Race blocking our path and break into Angor City! Hahaha! Even though the Undead are strongest on my path, my Dragonborn warriors and I are confident we can compete!”
Grefni shook her head, offering no reply.
The Human Cultivator Bai He retorted crisply, “Dragonborn Warriors are renowned for their valor in battle, Bai He has long admired that. However, my Human Clan Warriors are no weaklings either! A contest it is! Who’s afraid? Hehehe. Sister Grefni, would you like to play along...?”
Grefni hadn’t spoken yet.
Gerlane, however, piped up enthusiastically, “Yes! Wow! Yes! A contest is fun! My Sacred Witch Little Lan Brigade decides to join the race! Hehehe! Xiaoshan, this is so much fun! We’re going to be the first into Angor City!”
Hearing this, Grefni couldn’t help but shake her head internally. Little Lan, you have no idea what you’re dealing with; this isn’t a game of make-believe back in the Dragon Domain. Claiming first place? Impossible. If only she wasn’t holding them back, that would be a blessing in itself.