"Someone who can wipe out a two-thousand-strong army in one go is exceptionally powerful... If it's truly impossible... Cult Master, perhaps we should retreat for now!" Lin Xiaoxiao suggested from the side. Her implication was that even with everyone present combined, they couldn't defeat such an opponent.
"Indeed. As a cult, we are not a nation; we don't need to fight for every inch of land," Su Ran also advised. "As long as our followers are here, our base can be anywhere."
"No, this city was given to me by the True God. I absolutely cannot let it go," Tang Xueyao stated resolutely, her face cold. "If I can't even fulfill the True God's will, what right do I have to be the Cult Master? If our True God Cult followers have to choose between death and executing the True God's will, it must be the latter!"
"This..." Su Ran and Lin Xiaoxiao exchanged glances, a sense of unspoken admiration filling them. When Su Ran assisted the previous Cult Master of the True God Cult, she had never possessed such mettle. Yet, despite their constant evasion, they couldn't escape their eventual demise. It was even more so for Lin Xiaoxiao; the previous Cult Master's first thought in times of trouble was to have the protectors and followers hold the line while he fled with the riches. Although his words were grand and respectable, the outcome was… a lack of faith. The cult was merely a tool for their personal enrichment. But today, Tang Xueyao had reignited their passion and steadfast devotion from when they first joined the cult. The only pity was that while Tang Xueyao had a fervent spirit, passion alone couldn't stop the advance of the Black-tailed Swallow Legion. It seemed likely that a rare Cult Master with such unwavering faith was about to be lost.
"By the way, True God, Cult Master, why don't you pray for the True God's help?" Su Ran suddenly had an idea. "The current situation is beyond our ability to resist; we need the True God to intervene."
"I will pray with all my devotion. But if the True God deems this a trial I must endure, I will not falter!" Tang Xueyao said with firm conviction.
"Then I'll make battle arrangements to try and slow down the enemy's advance... However, without any intelligence, these deployments will be difficult to make effective!" Lin Xiaoxiao said with a troubled expression.
"Don't overthink it. Our priority is to protect the Cult Master. Abandon everything else that can be abandoned," Su Ran advised.
"Alright. Since we can't scout their location, I'll recall all the scouts and defend the City Lord's Mansion to the death!" Lin Xiaoxiao nodded, preparing to go down and make arrangements. Just then, a dark guard, clutching his shoulder, stumbled in.
"Cult Master, the enemy has appeared on the main street. The first layer of guards has already been breached, and the enemy is closing in on us."
"How many enemies are there?" Lin Xiaoxiao asked urgently.
"Just one. But his strength is too immense; we couldn't even discern his movements," the dark guard said nervously. The memory of what had just happened left her with lingering fear, her face pale.
"But... this person never leaves survivors. How did you manage to escape?" Su Ran realized something was amiss and asked quickly.
"It was during the fight with the other dark guards that I managed to retreat. But I was still injured in the shoulder by his attack," the dark guard replied confusedly, not understanding why his return had caused problems.
"The enemy intentionally let you escape to find the Cult Master's location!" Lin Xiaoxiao's face turned ashen; she wished she could strike this fool to death. The dark guard's duty was to protect the Cult Master, yet she had led the enemy to them.
"It's alright. Against an enemy that strong, they could find us through their senses alone; it was only a matter of time. At least now we know the enemy's strength: only one person. Perhaps we can try a pincer attack or a war of attrition," Tang Xueyao analyzed seriously.
*Bang!*
As soon as she finished speaking, the main gate of the City Lord's Mansion was kicked open. Along with it, two dark guards were sent flying.
"The True God Cult is truly not what it used to be. It is said that the former True God Cult was difficult for even the combined might of all the experts in the world to contend with," Jin Zaishi said as he slowly walked in from the dust, a hint of contempt and disdain on his face. "Now what? A bunch of trash, not even worthy of fighting me."
"It truly is someone from the Black-tailed Swallow Legion!" Su Ran's expression stiffened when she saw the uniform and arm badge on Jin Zaishi. She then stepped forward, shielding Tang Xueyao.
"I must admit, the girls of the True God Cult have decent looks. After all, it's a cult that worships an evil god. I almost feel reluctant to kill them directly!" Jin Zaishi said, his hands in his pockets as he slowly moved forward.
"Enough of your nonsense. If our main forces weren't attacking the royal city, how could a clown like you take advantage of our vulnerability?" Lin Xiaoxiao said dismissively. "In my opinion, you have no real skill; you can only bully the weak. If you have the guts, go challenge our main forces!"
"Ha, interesting. A provocation, such a low-level trick is ineffective against me," Jin Zaishi chuckled. "My mission is to annihilate the True God Cult. Killing the Cult Master and the high-ranking officials around her will be my greatest achievement. As for the remaining riff-raff, I'll deal with them slowly. Without the Cult Master, those people probably won't amount to much. Also... your so-called main forces have another companion dealing with them. Judging by the time, he should be stepping on the corpses of your main forces right now and heading towards Rockstone City," Jin Zaishi said with a smile.
"Damn it, the Black-tailed Swallow Legion is indeed targeting us. Otherwise, they wouldn't be fighting on two fronts," Su Ran whispered, her eyes showing resentment and unwillingness. "It seems they planned this long ago."
"Although you are beautiful, it's a shame. I have to kill you all; it's an order," Jin Zaishi muttered to himself. "Otherwise, I'd really like to keep you all. You are truly rare goddesses..." "Alas, never mind, killing goddesses should be fun too!" Jin Zaishi continued his monologue for a moment, then slowly raised his hand. Instantly, a powerful energy began to gather in his hand, condensing and gradually emitting a dazzling light.
"Everyone, be careful! Dodge quickly!" Su Ran exclaimed, pushing Tang Xueyao and Lin Xiaoxiao aside.
*Voom!*
A burst of bright light flared, blinding everyone. After a moment, the intense light gradually faded.
"We're... still alive?" Tang Xueyao, Lin Xiaoxiao, and Su Ran looked at themselves, miraculously unharmed, with astonishment. Then, looking out into the courtyard, where Jin Zaishi had been standing, a tiger named Huzizi was crouching, its tongue lolling out.
"Burp..."