What does a ruler, surrounded by powerful enemies, fear the most? He fears his subordinates realizing that he is not all-knowing and omnipotent, and that there are areas beyond his reach. In those places, unrealistic ambitions are born.
He may even fail to capture the princess, but he cannot lose face in front of his men, because there is only one King of the Sand Thief, yet many can vie for that title—
His confidants may not yet think this far, but when the master is humiliated, the servant dies. To them, Fang Hong's actions seemed like a mockery, and the King of the Sand Thief's orders perfectly aligned with their inner thoughts. The riders said nothing, instantly turning to give chase.
At this moment, Fang Hong released the last few Fire Giants, reclaimed his Hook Claw, and flipped onto the ground.
He had to land, not due to a lack of Mana Value, since he could regain mana by killing, and the Web Effect kept his Mana Value healthy. However, his Magic Guided Reactor had overheated, and under overload, he reverted to an ordinary state, unable to use the Hook Claw.
Before landing, he had already planned his route, thanks to Ye Hua's instructions far from the city gate:
"Ade, there's a passage ahead of you leading west, direct them toward my location."
"How long will it take?"
"Five minutes."
Fang Hong nodded, avoided the encroaching Sand Thieves, and darted into a narrow alley.
Still, he underestimated the Sand Thieves' response Speed—the skill and expertise of Mahazar's confidants exceeded his expectations. He quickly saw a faint shadow soar across a rooftop, his heart trembled, and the shadow swiftly returned.
Fang Hong swiftly changed direction, hearing a sharp whistle behind him, only to abruptly cease.
He turned and saw the person cleanly and abruptly topple from the rooftop.
Ye Hua's voice came through the Communication Crystal:
"I can't help you many more times, Ade; it'll alert Mahazar."
Fang Hong nodded.
He touched the Magic Guided Reactor, its residual heat no longer scalding. He tapped the Information Crystal gently, a 'buzz' sounded quietly, sending two pinpricks of Silverlight discreetly flying into the sky, splitting, and flying toward the battlefield's sky, one on each side.
The battlefield Vision soon transmitted into his eyepiece—
As soon as he vanished, the King of the Sand Thief and his confidants raised their left hands, simultaneously blowing sharp notes on wooden flutes, conjuring Phantom tea falcons that flapped onto the Sand Lizard Knights' arms. With a lift of the hand by the King of the Sand Thief and his subordinates, the Phantom falcons immediately soared skyward.
In moments, the King of the Sand Thief and a group of knights closed in from his direction.
Simultaneously, numerous Sand Thieves encircled from both sides.
Fang Hong realized this was certainly that "Sand Sea Frenzy Blade" Skill, likely belonging to a Beast Tamer, Illusionist, or Druid. Their abilities were superior to his Clockwork Fairy, as this Phantom didn't exist physically, nor require his manipulation—
It was concealed once airborne, especially under the night sky.
The Sand Thieves definitely had communication means; otherwise, those before him wouldn't respond so promptly.
But looking up, he suddenly recognized the area; not far, that gray-white, towering Holy Sanctuary, surely Marlan's domain? Surrounding routes poured into his consciousness, leading him to a solution in an instant.
Once more he turned, sprinting madly in one direction, bypassing several turns, until the grand Holy Temple appeared before him—simultaneously, a crowd of Sand Thieves flanked from left and right, Sand Lizard Knights among them, brandishing curved blades as they charged.
A hundred-meter distance for an adult desert lizard was but a moment. Fang Hong dared not glance that direction, traversing the square directly, the Holy Temple's Door wide open, he dashed up the steps, storming inside.
Knights remained on guard within the hall.
Marlan's knights were preparing to retreat, but this sudden intruder caught them off guard.
Within the Resurrection Pool, Fang Hong's eyes brightened upon seeing a familiar face. Luo Yu, Magic Wand in hand, emerged from within, raising his head to see his Captain, looking delighted.
"Luo Yu, cast the Spell," Fang Hong shouted: "Ice Wall!"
The Lizard Knights' figures had already appeared outside the Holy Temple Door.
Luo Yu's eyes gleamed, 'thunk' as he thrust the Magic Wand forward, onto the ground, arrays unfurling underfoot, pale blue light converging from all directions, forming a dazzling Crystal, hovering before this Elementalist.
He opened his mouth, beginning to chant obscure spells.
At this moment, the remaining knights exchanged glances, drew their field swords, and blocked the doorway. They formed a line, surpassing Fang Hong, intercepting the Sand Thief Knights behind. Fang Hong turned, seeing gray and white flows clash before the Holy Temple Door.
In that instant, pristine light from atop the Holy Temple steps surged, casting the Sand Lizard Knights away.
The knights stared, dumbfounded: "Lord Marlan!?"
Fang Hong sighed in relief; luckily, Lady Justice remained reliable, not abandoning her Elect at the crucial moment.
Turning, he saw Luo Yu complete the Spell, lifting a hand, and the Crystal exploded—outside the Holy Temple, upward spears of icy Fangs erupted, piercing through surface pavers, thrusting skyward with a 'whoosh', tightly forming an impermeable Wall. Precisely blocking the Holy Temple Door.
Fang Hong immediately urged: "Leave here, we take the Back Door."
...