1045 Might of Mages Part 1 (1/2)

The false dragon was a flying spirit and the only one that Winged Skull had actually went all the way to specifically create. It was huge and the Winged Skull had even added a purple-gold sack in the false dragon's mouth, capable of carrying large amounts of toxin essence. When the essence was added to the poisonous mist that the false dragon breathed, it enabled the beast to continue spewing for over an hour.

No other flying spirits had such powers, but having 30 to 50 of them attacking a small camp would yield similar results.

The attack that Saleen pulled was different than the ones he pulled when he was dealing with large armies. No other mage would have gone to collect refined toxins like he did for several years. Even the Winged Skull, who was adept at crafting poisons, were impressed by Saleen's thoughts. When large amounts of toxins were added to the common spirit poisons, not only did it allowed them to kill living creatures, it also allowed the spirits to corrode most non-magical equipment.

The Holy See army's camp was well prepared to deal with threats. The flying spirits were detected by the troops on guard at the rear when the spirits were still several miles away, and the entire army were alerted soon.

The spirits were hit by arrows like falling rain as soon as they got close enough. However, few of the arrows were imbued with divine spells. While the arrows would have worked well against spirits below level three, the flying spirits were above level four. Common arrows were unable to harm the spirits. The first wave of attack had seen only two level four spirits being shot down by huge arrows and had their bodies crushed as they fell to the ground. The remaining spirits stormed the area and spewed terrifying amounts of mixed toxins at the ground.

The Winged Skull chuckled as they instructed the spirits smoothly and began to massacre everything below. While the Holy See army was able to react fast enough, their formation was too sparse. As such, as Saleen had anticipated, they were only able to send out flying professionals to intercept the spirits.

Powerful holy masters were just as quick in killing the spirits and that should not have been much of a problem.

However, Saleen and Jalin, as well the Winged Skull, were among those spirits.

Over 20 holy masters gathered from all corners. The flying speed of the holy masters was faster than the spirits'. They intercepted the flying spirits, but were attacked by the Winged Skull before they were able to cast divine spells. Black light shimmered on their huge battleaxe, Death Break was cast in an instant, hitting the level nine holy master who was taking the lead.

The Winged Skull's death magic was capable to be stored within the huge axe and that particular spell was the most sudden in all level nine death spells, as well as the most powerful offensive spell. The streak of black light bisected the level nine holy master. Another death magic spell within the axe—Death Cloud—enveloped the group of over 20 holy masters in an instant.

The Winged Skull took the initiative and even though they were powerful, they still had problems killing a level nine holy master. It had been an easy kill simply because the holy master underestimated their enemies. The Winged Skull was a spirit and looked like weak skeletons. The level nine holy master was preparing a powerful area-of-effect divine spell when they were killed. The other holy masters all switched to instant divine spells immediately to protect themselves.

Death Cloud did not come with massive damage potential, but it was difficult to purify using holy light. The holy light that emanated from the surface of the holy masters' bodies turned grey. They were unable to shake the cloud off no matter where they went.

The Winged Skull had considered the possibility of fighting holy masters before they left Golden Plains. Holy masters were incredibly resilient and very hard to kill. They excelled in healing powers, especially the ones used on themselves, those were simply insane.

As such, the Winged Skull had prepared two death magic spells that were made specifically to deal with such abilities in their magic weapon. Death Break resembled a full force attack launched by a golden grand swordmaster. Even a level nine sorcerer would have a hard time defending against such an attack all of a sudden, let alone a level nine holy master.

The holy masters tainted by Death Cloud did not suffer much damage, but all divine spells cast after they were tainted were all grey, diminishing their damage to spirits considerably. The Winged Skull burst into laughter seeing the holy masters losing the attribute that gave them their edge, and they leapt from the back of the spirit false dragon, heading for the holy master closest to them.

They spread the bone wings behind them. The Winged Skull was more nimble in the air compared to mages. The holy master that they targeted cast Divine Protection and unfolded a divine spell scroll.

The Winged Skull arrived behind the holy master in a flash. The holy master was unable to lock on to the Winged Skull and was at a loss of what to do. They chanted a short prayer and shouted, ”Fall!”

It was not a divine spell directed at the Winged Skull, but one that made themselves drop all of a sudden. The Divine Protection about them ensured that no harm would come to them even when falling at a height of over 100 meters. It was the quickest way that holy master could shake off their enemy.

The spirits spread out with their attacks, but the holy masters stayed in a tight formation. They saw the huge spirit false dragon and decided subconsciously to make the beast and the Winged Skull their target. Their initial charge had cost them their most powerful peer. The remaining holy masters scattered and went to hunt those spirits behind them.

A holy master usually had an attack range shorter than a mage's, but there were nonetheless some special divine spells that had a very long range. The holy masters were terrified by the Winged Skull and were unable to help but cast the spells with the longest range of attack. However, being tainted by Death Cloud, the greater the range of the attacks used, the smaller the damage they were able to do against the spirits.

The spirits did not bother to tangle with the holy masters. They flew straight ahead and the Winged Skull, who had killed their second holy master, flew for the camp as well. The attacks of the spirits were mostly melee, but with the power to spew poison added to their repertoire of attacks, none of the spirits wanted to land on the ground, opting to simply spew poison a distance away from the camp.

Saleen and Jalin looked at each other. Saleen then said, ”24.”

”How about a match?” Jalin got what Saleen meant.