Chapter 6: The Chaotic Battle in the Ancient Castle

Shenling realized the identity of these troops a moment too late. The spells in the hands of the six vampire mages were already prepared, and several black spheres darted erratically through the corridor, devouring everything in their path—even some careless vampire warriors could not escape their fate.

Shenling noticed that though the black spheres seemed to move at random, they were ultimately under the control of the vampire mages. She instantly ordered, “Valkyries, kill them!”

The two Valkyries who had been following Shenling sprang into action. Their golden spears danced up and down, and in a flash, they assassinated two vampire mages before they could even react.

Just as Shenling had expected, with the death of these two mages, two of the black spheres vanished on the spot. This only heightened the fervor of the Valkyries, whose spears whirled even faster as they turned upon the remaining vampire mages.

At that moment, the heavily armored Bone Paladin, who had been standing behind the vampire mages, moved. He produced a massive bone shield from who knows where, instantly blocking the Valkyries’ assault.

Only then did Shenling recognize the origin of this Bone Paladin—a Level 10 unit, a rare sacrificial reward for the undead. Any undead player or hero could offer a fitting tribute to an undead deity to receive this unit, which could even stand against a bone dragon.

However, the quantity of tribute required for such a unit was enough to leave even the most seasoned undead players speechless. This Bone Paladin had been exchanged from the Bone Lord with a squad of Level 3 Skeleton Soldiers and five squads of Level 4 Wraiths. A few might be manageable, but assembling an army of Bone Paladins was beyond the means of most.

Seeing the Valkyries being stalled by the Bone Paladin, while the remaining four black spheres continued to devour her forces, Shenling could hold back no longer. With a sweep of her spear, she joined battle against the Bone Paladin herself.

The two Valkyries, understanding the situation, broke away from the Bone Paladin and charged at the vampire mages. But now, the mages were no longer unguarded—several vampire warriors stepped forward, and their swords clashed evenly with the Valkyries’ spears.

Seeing all her forces bogged down, Shenling gritted her teeth and shouted, “Forest Stalkers and Swamp Assassins, attack with all your might—eliminate every vampire mage!”

Meanwhile, in another corner of the third floor of the vampire stronghold, Naraku encountered another squad of vampires. Though he knew well the strength and tactics of these foes, he had no desire to engage them head-on. At the first sight of the vampires, he immediately led his men in retreat.

Of course, the vampires would not let their quarry escape so easily and gave swift pursuit. Soon, they stumbled onto the battlefield where Shenling and the vampire troops were locked in chaotic combat.

Noticing that Shenling had managed to gain the upper hand against the vampire force, Naraku’s eyes gleamed as he shouted, “Hero up ahead, come help me! We’re allies!”

Shenling parried the Bone Paladin’s longsword and stepped back, asking, “Hero?”

“Y-yes,” Naraku stammered, then hastily affirmed.

But before he could say more, Shenling thrust her spear at him. Naraku cried out, “It’s a misunderstanding, please stop!”

“My master has no heroes like you under his command,” Shenling replied coldly, ignoring Naraku’s protests as she pressed her attack.

“Wait, I’m a player! I came to help you!” Naraku defended himself as he desperately fended off her spear.

“My master commanded that all players must die,” Shenling replied, her attacks growing swifter and more ruthless.

At that moment, the vampire squad that had been hunting Naraku arrived. The two Bone Paladins moved together, conferring over the state of the battlefield.

To them, letting Shenling and Naraku fight each other was far more convenient than handling things personally. Yet Naraku could read their intentions with a single glance—his ambition and keen eye for opportunity had always served him well. Seeing the Paladins’ demeanor, he realized they intended to leave his fate to Shenling, and a plan quickly took shape in his mind.

While dueling Shenling, he quietly ordered his troops to fan out. As soon as his forces drew near the vampire mages and priests, he shouted, “Now, let’s counterattack together!”

Shenling was caught off guard by his words. Before she could react, Naraku and his men launched a sudden assault on the vampire mages and priests.

Shenling immediately pursued, but her movements deceived the Bone Paladins, who believed she was assisting Naraku. The two Paladins leaped into the fray, attacking Shenling together.

Naraku, seeing the situation develop even better than he’d hoped, was inwardly delighted. He pressed the attack, and his men swiftly cut down a vampire priest.

At that moment, the tightly shut doors of the third floor suddenly swung open, and a squad of Death Knights charged in. Except for the harpy and Amazon units under Shenling’s command, they cut down anyone they encountered.

Immediately after, a barrage of poisonous gas and nearly a hundred arrows rained down, finishing off any enemies wounded by the Death Knights.

In the blink of an eye, the Death Knights were upon Naraku. Unsure if they were friend or foe, he cried out, “Don’t attack—we’re allies!”

But the only response he received was an even fiercer assault from the Death Knights.

“So, you’re Naraku?” came a distant voice. “One of the three organizers who attacked our territory—all the others are dead. Do you really think you’ve lived too long?”

Naraku turned to see Li Bin approaching, flanked by Reed and his elite guards. A chill flashed through Naraku’s eyes. “You’re the lord of this domain?”

“Indeed. I had come to settle accounts with the master of this vampire stronghold, but to encounter you here—this operation has been far more fruitful than I imagined,” Li Bin replied with a smile.

“If I surrender…” Naraku began urgently.

“I do not trust players,” Li Bin replied coldly. The Death Knight before Naraku raised his sword and brought it down in a swift, final stroke.