Chapter 163: Ambush and Alliance

Three days later.

The Forest Cabin was opened once again as promised.

The Hunter informed everyone of the ambush location for the Immortals. Unexpectedly, the site was chosen in the underground world, just over two hundred kilometers north of the Star Alliance, inside a cavern.

This was good news for Sunan, as it was close to his domain. He suspected the Hunter considered this fact. If the ambush failed, they could retreat into Sunan's territory for sanctuary.

With the ambush location decided, the operation wasn't set to start immediately. After all, the Forest Cabin members were spread across vast distances, and traveling from various places took time. After discussion, they decided to carry out the plan in five days.

Being nearby, Sunan spared the travel time and chose to use these five days to prepare. Although confident with the secret puppet, facing the notorious Immortals warranted thorough preparation.

In the meditation room, Sunan checked his personal stats.

His mental power was approaching 52 points, and in about five months, he could construct the seventeenth star ring. Along with four super magic skills, even without using his trump cards, his true combat strength ranked him in the upper middle among third-level wizard apprentices.

"Without using my trump cards, I should be able to contend with the likes of Black Hand and Bloodmouth."

"That is, at the level of a third-circle legendary."

"Adding the magic core and various magical items, facing a fourth-circle legendary shouldn't be a problem."

Sunan glanced at the back of his hand, where five bright red marks were etched.

The Death Knell Marks!

Bloodline marks made from the Death Knell Striker's bloodline.

Additionally, his spatial ring contained over a hundred high-level rune stones.

With the growth of his mental power, the energy intensity Sunan could handle had increased significantly.

Thanks to this, the number of synthesized high-level rune stones had surged to 37, with a substantial boost in power.

Sunan had tested: one high-level rune stone was enough to break through the defense of the Ring of Extreme Protection!

Its power was roughly equivalent to over a dozen second-circle attack spells combined!

It could even instantly destroy an advanced stone golem!

With all these trump cards in hand, Sunan was confident that even against the top third-level wizard apprentices, he stood a good chance.

However, just in case, Sunan packed an entire small golem army into the Cube, filling more than half of its slots.

He also ordered the Magic Pattern Knight Corps to stand by in Giant Eye City, ready to mobilize at any moment.

Having made all these preparations, Sunan felt reassured, waiting in Giant Eye City for the operation to commence.

Five days passed in the blink of an eye.

Sunan arrived at the ambush site as planned.

He found himself in a massive cavern, very spacious, with a rare, smooth ceiling, devoid of the stalactites found elsewhere.

This meant there were no other exits through the cavern's ceiling.

Likewise, there were no other openings in the cavern's depths, only solid rock walls as far as the eye could see.

The vast cavern was completely enclosed, except for the entrance they had used.

Sunan understood the strategy.

Once the Immortals were lured into the cavern, blocking the exit would trap them like fish in a barrel.

"Not a bad place," Night Owl remarked.

When Sunan arrived, the Forest Cabin members, except for the Hunter, were already present.

Notably, everyone was cloaked and masked, just like in the Forest Cabin, concealing their appearances thoroughly.

Only Sunan stood without a mask, openly revealing his face.

Seeing him like this initially surprised everyone.

After collecting themselves, the Staff chuckled, "You are quite open."

The Traveler also laughed, "He has the confidence to be."

The Player's true identity was no longer a secret in the Forest Cabin. Out of respect for Sunan, no one had revealed it, avoiding the topic.

However, since Sunan chose to reveal himself, indicating indifference, they no longer hid it.

Hearing the Traveler, the others looked at Sunan, filled with admiration.

Only someone like Sunan could afford such openness.

With his current power and influence, he had no fear of being targeted.

Not to mention, just the adamantine golem alone would deter many with ill intentions.

"Where's the Hunter?" Sunan asked, scanning the area.

"Should be here soon."

As Night Owl finished speaking, he suddenly tensed, turning towards the entrance.

"They're here."

Accompanied by faint footsteps, seven or eight figures entered the cavern.

Leading them was the Hunter.

Behind him were six heavily armored, formidable men.

A quick glance told Sunan that these six were legendary knights, equipped with enchanted armor and swords.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

The Hunter first apologized, then introduced the men behind him:

"This is Puwedo and Moss, senior members of the Holy Fist. Both are experienced second-circle legendary knights."

"This is Kurt, Berger..."

The Hunter introduced the remaining four.

However, Night Owl and the others only nodded slightly to Puwedo and Moss, acknowledging their presence, while showing little reaction to the other four.

In their eyes, first-circle legendary knights were mere cannon fodder, only second-circle legendary knights warranted respect.

The Hunter understood this, so after introductions, he got straight to the point.

"I left some traces along the way. The Immortals should be here soon. Everyone, take your positions."

Having previously discussed the details, the group wasted no time, moving swiftly.

Aside from the Hunter, Night Owl, the Staff, and the Holy Fist members staying inside the cavern, the others left, pairing up to find concealed spots outside. They would reveal themselves to block the entrance once the Immortals entered.

Rose accompanied Sunan.

Both cast invisibility spells and sprinkled scent-masking potions, beginning their wait.  

"The Holy Fist is finished," Rose suddenly whispered.

Sunan glanced at her, nodding slightly.

The once-great organization of legendary knights had been reduced to just six by the Immortals.

After this battle, who knew how many would remain? Even if they successfully dealt with the Immortals, a Holy Fist with just a handful of members was essentially defunct.

But Sunan pondered other aspects.

According to current intel, the southeastern continent only had two third-level wizard apprentice organizations: the Forest Cabin and the Immortals.

Together, these two accounted for at least half of the third-level wizard apprentices in the southeast.

After today's battle, only one would remain.

The number of third-level wizard apprentices in the southeast would dramatically decrease.

"Come to think of it, I've killed four third-level wizard apprentices so far," Sunan suddenly realized he had significantly contributed to the reduction of third-level wizard apprentices in the southeast.

However, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

With limited resources on the continent, fewer third-level wizard apprentices were better.

"The Azure Gold Empire has been making frequent military maneuvers lately, seemingly targeting the Starlight Duchy. Are you aware of this?" Rose brought up another topic.

Sunan glanced at her, raising an eyebrow, "What, did the Thorn Flower Duchy send you as a lobbyist?"

"Not exactly, but it does concern my interests," Rose admitted candidly. "The Azure Gold Empire has dominated the southeast for centuries, exploiting neighboring countries as resources for its growth. Many nations are discontent, but fear the Empire's military might, so they dare not resist."

"If the Starlight Duchy leads a rebellion, many nations would likely follow."

Sunan's expression turned curious, "We're currently working together against the Immortals, yet you're digging a pit for the Staff behind his back?"

Rose shrugged nonchalantly, "I can't speak for others, but the Staff had some conflicts with the royal family in his youth, so he doesn't feel much loyalty to the Empire. If you act, I believe he'd abandon the Empire without hesitation and ally with another nation. With his strength, he'd still be a valued guest."

Sunan's eyes flickered with thought.

As Rose said, aside from exceptions like the Staff, most wizard apprentices from royal families had their interests tied to their nations.

The Starlight Duchy's growth would benefit him and the Star Alliance.

If the Duchy expanded, it would undoubtedly purchase large quantities of potions, golems, and weapons from the Star Alliance, bringing in huge profits.

Moreover, seeing the Empire's current aggressive stance, war would inevitably reach the Duchy, even if it didn't initiate conflict. Better to unite and strike first, seizing the initiative.

With thoughts racing, Sunan quickly formed a plan.

"Alright, I'll convey your intentions."

Rose's face lit up with joy at Sunan's agreement.

Just then, her attention snapped to the distance.

Sunan had sensed it before her.

Silently, four figures materialized at the cavern's entrance.

Apart from the leading robed man who appeared normal, the other three had bizarre appearances.

A woman with a graceful figure and elegant demeanor, yet with only a pair of eyes on her face.

A being entirely composed of flames, resembling a humanoid silhouette of indeterminate gender.

And a man covered in obsidian armor, showing only a bluish-gray face.

A segmented tail extended from his backside, ending in a lamprey-like mouth.

Clearly, these four were Saulo, Ira, Ember, and Stone Scorpion from the Immortals.

Sunan couldn't help but marvel.

Including Ugo, Bloodmouth, and Black Hand, whom he had killed, the Immortals sure had a penchant for transforming into grotesque forms.

To them, the human form was dispensable; in pursuit of power, they would abandon it at any time.

Only Saulo looked somewhat normal, but even that was uncertain.

Who knew what lay beneath his robes?

To control a group of monsters, Saulo himself might be an even more formidable monster.

Perhaps fearing the Hunter would escape, or having enough confidence in their power, the four merely glanced around before entering the cavern without hesitation.

However, upon entering, they discovered not only the Hunter but seven or eight others as well.

A group calmly awaited them.

Saulo and the others immediately sensed something amiss. Looking back, they saw more people entering, blocking their exit.

"Sunan!"

Saulo recognized the unmasked Sunan immediately, quickly understanding the situation.

"So, this is the Forest Cabin declaring war on us."

Night Owl coldly replied, "The Starlight Tower, the hope for advancing to a wizard, is a temptation no apprentice can resist."

"Indeed." Saulo nodded calmly.

Despite being surrounded by several times their number, Saulo and the others remained unnervingly composed.

"Enough talk."

Ember's fiery mouth curved into a mocking smile.

"Since we're all here for the Starlight Tower key, let's fight. The last one standing can claim the spoils, fair enough?"

As he finished speaking, Ember's entire flaming form suddenly expanded like fuel was poured on it, surging towards Night Owl and the Hunter.

Night Owl's eye twitched, silently cursing the guy as a madman.

Before the ambush, the Hunter had briefed them on the Immortals.

One point was that most Immortals members suffered from bloodline rejection, leading to drastic personality changes, with tendencies towards madness and psychological distortion.

Ember was one such example.

He had fused with an ancient bloodline known as the Magma Ogre, capable of controlling fire elements and souls, with a bloodthirsty, manic nature, delighting in tormenting souls.

A bona fide madman!

His current actions confirmed this.

Despite being encircled in an ambush, he launched an attack, charging alone at the enemy—only a madman would do such a thing.

Despite his internal grumbling, Night Owl and the Hunter acted swiftly, unleashing prepared spells towards Ember.

Thus began the battle.

Simultaneously, the other Forest Cabin members and the Holy Fist members charged at Saulo and the others.

"Stone Scorpion!" Saulo suddenly barked.

At his command, the obsidian-armored Stone Scorpion opened his mouth, unleashing an ear-piercing screech that seemed ready to shatter eardrums.

The screech transformed into tangible sound waves, spreading rapidly. In an instant, cracks appeared on the surrounding rock walls and cavern ceiling, with stones cascading down.

Before anyone could react, a thunderous crash resounded as the cavern collapsed!

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