Chapter Seventy-Six: Collecting the Corpses (The Slaughter May Begin)

Requesting recommendations, aiming for the overall rankings.

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One hundred days to master a three-star Xuan Heaven-level spell?

A three-star Xuan Heaven-level spell matches the power of a four-star Earth Emperor-level spell, but since the former is of a lower rank, it naturally requires more profound and intricate laws to achieve that level. He Chen stared at Xu Wen’s back, his face filled with shock. He, too, had once asked Dean Harman to teach him this spell, but the dean declined, claiming his foundation was insufficient, and told him that to even begin learning this spell, one needed at least five-star magical knowledge.

What’s more, it took him half a year to fully master a four-star Earth Emperor-level spell... Yet the other mastered a three-star Xuan Heaven-level spell in just one hundred days.

The gap was glaring!

No wonder Dean Harman discreetly accepted him as his disciple.

He Chen had no idea that Dean Harman was completely unaware of this. If not for the special circumstances and the urgency of the moment, he would definitely have pursued Xu Wen for a thorough discussion.

Soon, the group searched the entire business house from top to bottom!

Nishikawa Hideki and Nangong Xueyan descended the stairs together; judging by their cheerful expressions and the bitter faces of several soldiers behind them, their haul was substantial.

“Next stop?” The two immediately crowded around Xu Wen and He Chen, whispering about dividing the spoils.

He Chen was still immersed in the shock brought by Xu Wen and didn’t hear; Xu Wen had no objection, but seeing the disappointed backs of the eight soldiers, his heart stirred slightly.

“Gentlemen, please stay.” He hurried over to the leader, pulling out a crystal card from his ring and quietly slipped it into the soldier’s hand. “We couldn’t have subdued those thieves without you; there’s a little money inside, please accept it if you don’t mind.”

“This is too generous... Thank you, Young Master Xu.” The four-star soldier trembled when he saw the amount displayed on the crystal card—over six thousand gold coins.

It was no small fortune.

They had been disappointed that the two noble sons didn’t intend to share any spoils with them, but the youngest among them was so straightforward. With Xu Wen’s insistence, they accepted the crystal card, deeply moved, and promised to serve him whenever needed.

Xu Wen had been waiting for those words.

“Good, then please pile up the corpses of those thieves and let me cremate them. If they fall into the hands of necromancers, it could be troublesome.”

“Absolutely! Young Master Xu, you’ve thought it through! You lot, move the bodies to the street!” The leader raised his head, received the card, and his seven brothers worked as if fueled by adrenaline—the power of money was considerable.

“No, move them to the back room and cremate them there. Bury the house along with them.” Xu Wen’s suggestion made Nishikawa Hideki and Nangong Xueyan nod repeatedly—destroy the bodies and erase all traces, impressive!

The eight soldiers exchanged knowing smiles and, without hesitation, moved all the corpses from the street and hall into a small room at the back of the business house.

He Chen and the others watched from outside as Xu Wen calmly entered the back room, stopping at a broken corner, watching the soldiers arrange the bodies. Then he said:

“You can go now. I’ll burn the bodies and come out.”

“Yes, Young Master Xu!” The soldiers suspected nothing and turned to leave.

Xu Wen entered the room, closed the door, sensed with his spirit to confirm everyone had left, then took out a ring from his own ring and put it on his right hand, approaching the pile of corpses.

The five-star ones weren’t needed yet, but among the adventurers, thirteen were four-star, suitable as specimens for skeletal warriors.

The ring flashed, and Xu Wen swiftly collected the thirteen bodies, removing them and storing them in a superior storage ring. Then, he casually flicked a deep blue flame onto the remaining bodies.

A pure four-star high-temperature flame instantly reduced two corpses to ashes...

All done.

As he exited, hurried footsteps and shouts rang outside. Xu Wen frowned slightly, closed the door behind him, and was greeted by the leader, Sukcha, his face beaming.

“Young Master Xu!”

“The necromancer has been successfully executed by the commander; orders are out for the city guard to assemble!”

Xu Wen was astonished.

“Is it true?”

“Absolutely! Young Master Xu, we’re rushing to the assembly. If ever you need us, just command.” Sukcha was loyal; he didn’t just run off, but came to inform Xu Wen before leaving.

Xu Wen nodded, watching Sukcha depart.

Ever since learning that Harman had been framed and killed by the Dark Empire, Xu Wen had loathed them. He was pleased that the necromancer from the Dark Empire was slain, but hadn’t expected the seven-star necromancer to fall so soon. Perhaps he was ambushed by He Lianquan, or lacked enough undead servants to resist the experts from **** Town.

To become the city guard commander of **** Town, He Lianquan must have secret trump cards, or perhaps the credit lay with the strongmen of the six great families.

Xu Wen’s mind raced with possibilities, but regardless, **** Town was safe for now. Next, He Lianquan would surely convene a discussion about sending aid to the imperial capital.

The thought of high-level undead and bone dragons filling the skies over the capital gave him a headache. In past games, his experience battling necromancers was the least—necromancers were a hidden class, very rare, and each one of equal rank was an extremely formidable opponent. Necromancers knew that fighting each other was pointless, so there were rarely any internal conflicts.

The capital had a vast number of necromancers, grand magi, and even magic masters holding the fort. The small force from **** Town rushing to help would be like moths to a flame!

On one hand, Xu Wen wanted to destroy every necromancer who attacked Qingyun Imperial Capital to avenge Dean Harman; on the other, he knew that, with his current strength and the Qingyun Empire’s situation, it was almost impossible.

In his misery, He Chen came in.

“Xu Wen!”

“With the necromancer slain, the next step is for **** Town to search the city for remnants of the Ayer and Salem families. We should ask Commander He Lian to send troops to support everyone.”

Reminded by He Chen, Xu Wen remembered the students from the Fire Magic Branch still waiting in the mountains. Three hours hadn’t passed yet; they should be awaiting news.

When they reached the town’s central square, they saw hundreds of cavalry lined up, riding off toward all the streets to enforce martial law and eliminate remaining threats.

In the center, He Lianquan was surrounded by the sixty-odd surviving strongmen, all bearing wounds—clearly the battle with the necromancer had been fierce.

“In our design, the seven-star necromancer still managed to kill over half our men. With our numbers, even if we reach the capital, we’ll be of little help.”

As they approached, He Lianquan’s words reached the four. Xu Wen felt a strange relief.

“You’re here?” He Lianquan turned and saw the four, his face grave. “Good timing. We’ve just decided that you four will lead the Snow Warriors, take a hundred cavalry, and go to the mountains to escort the students to town.”