Nai’er, I’m back, Sauron said in a trembling voice.
However, Nai’er lying on the bed gave no response.
She lay there quietly, motionless, her eyes closed, completely unconscious.
Sauron rushed forward and saw that her face had become much thinner, her chin sharp, her eyes slightly sunken.
Even her once jet-black hair had lost its shine, and her lips were dry and cracked, bleeding.
He could not imagine what kind of life this peerlessly beautiful woman had endured over the past month.
Moreover, there seemed to be a frightening aura of energy lingering faintly over her forehead.
He reached out to feel her neck pulse, checked her breathing, and pressed his ear to listen to her heartbeat.
Her breathing was almost imperceptible, her heartbeat extremely faint, as if it could stop at any moment, her life force already incredibly weak.
Nai’er has been poisoned, an unknown and deadly toxin, Tu An said.
Sauron felt a sharp pain in his heart, tears streaming down as he asked, Mr Tu, what exactly happened?
Tu An’s eyes were red as he said painfully, A month ago, Nai’er led us into the desert for guerrilla warfare. She is a natural genius on the battlefield, almost invincible. She wiped out all the strongholds in the desert and destroyed every caravan, practically cutting off all trade routes to Tianye City by herself.
Sauron was stunned. His original plan had been guerrilla tactics, selectively attacking certain forces to break the anti-Yan alliance. He had not expected Nai’er to be even more decisive and ruthless, directly strangling Tianye City’s lifeline and forcing everyone to bow.
Everything was moving in the best possible direction, Tu An continued. The allied forces were on the verge of collapse, many leaders secretly reached out for peace, and victory was within sight.
Then what happened? Sauron asked.
Forces from the Furious Wave Kingdom intervened. They supplied large amounts of resources and troops, suppressing those who wanted to withdraw. The Black Ice Bureau also sent wave after wave of assassins. The last group included five Dragon Warriors.
All five came to assassinate Nai’er, and all five were killed.
Sauron was shocked. She killed five Dragon Warriors alone?
She fought three by herself, Tu An said. The other two were taken down by us. In the end, four died by her sword, and one was killed by our combined attack.
Sauron was stunned. He knew she was strong, but not to this extent.
Then why was she injured? he asked.
Tu An’s eyes turned bloodshot. After killing the assassins, we were all exhausted. Nai’er had used up all her power. At that moment, a hidden traitor struck from behind. It was Yuan Jie, the leader of the archers, someone we trusted completely. He fired countless poisoned needles into her. She had no defence left and was struck by all of them. The poison took effect instantly, and she fell unconscious.
Yuan Jie? Sauron could hardly believe it.
He escaped immediately after the attack, Tu An said. He also poisoned all our warhorses. Without mounts, we had no mobility. With Nai’er down and the enemy closing in, we had no choice but to retreat into the Yellow Springs Ancient City.
How long has she been like this? Sauron asked.
Three days and nights.
She wakes once a day, but for less time each time. Her life force is fading.
Sauron gently touched her face and kissed her cracked lips.
Why not give her water?
If she drinks, the poison spreads faster, and she dies sooner, Tu An replied.
After Tu An left, Sauron held her tightly.
We can save her, right? he asked the entity within him.
Yes, but at the cost of her lifespan, it replied.
Sauron fell silent.
How long does she have?
Perhaps two days.
Then we wait one day. If nothing changes, we save her, no matter the cost.
After that, Sauron went to find Tu An.
Take me to Yan Yan, he said. I can save him.
Moments later, inside the stone-built hall, Sauron stood alone before Yan Yan’s body.
He opened a box.
Golden light burst forth.
A chilling wail echoed as Yan Yan’s body began to tremble violently.
A powerful wraith burst out of the body and rushed towards the light.
One after another, countless spirits emerged, drawn to it.
They surged forward like moths to a flame, only to be completely destroyed.
Then—
Yan Yan’s body trembled.
His eyes suddenly snapped open.
Sharp and fierce, like a wolf king reborn.