Chapter 85: The Skeleton War General

Crack, crack…

Cracks appeared across the surface of the jade-like white skull, spreading like a spiderweb. Finally, the entire skull shattered. Fragments of fine white bone sprayed out from the Giant Lizard Beast’s mouth, some even embedding themselves into its gums.

Roar…

The Giant Lizard Beast roared towards the sky. A faint purple firelight flickered in its mouth.

The firelight flashed and vanished. The last remnants of the Skeleton Soldier disappeared from this world.

Having killed the annoying Skeleton Soldier, the Giant Lizard Beast resumed chasing Xu Feng. As long as Xu Feng remained in the Blackwater Swamp, this beast wouldn’t give up.

…

“Captain, Skeleton Soldier Patrol Three’s Soul Flame suddenly vanished.”

“Where was the last sighting?”

“To the east. Not far from here.”

“Take your squad and investigate. The glory of the Undead must not be tarnished.”

“Yes, Captain!”

Not far away, a large group of Skeleton Soldiers stood silently in formation. At the front stood a Skeleton War General clad in armor, gripping a massive two-handed sword. It listened as a Skeleton scout reported.

“What a disgusting planet this is,” the Skeleton War General muttered to itself. “The stench of the living is suffocating. How I wish to return instantly to the Silent Death Star. Only there can my spirit find peace.” The green flames in its eye sockets danced vigorously.

Roar!

A Swamp Lizard Beast charged into the territory claimed by these skeletons. To the creatures dwelling in the Blackwater Swamp, these Undead Creatures were outsiders, invaders.

“Filthy Beast Clan,” the Skeleton War General announced, swinging its longsword to point at the oncoming lizard. “I could smell your foulness long before you drew near. One day, we Undead will invade your Home Planet. But for now, let us begin by slaughtering you, a weakling. Advance!”

Instantly, the once motionless, silent block of Skeleton Soldiers seemed animated. Their figures blurred as they moved with swift, powerful action. Long bone arrows, bone swords, and bone spears – all weapons were leveled at the lizard beast.

“Sorayashikama…”

A low, raspy chant rose from the rear of the formation. Several Skeleton Mages clutching Bone Staffs began their incantations. Vast clouds of dark death mist gathered, drifting towards the Swamp Lizard Beast.

The Skeleton War General stood calmly, observing as a dozen Skeleton Soldiers surrounded the Swamp Lizard Beast. Though the creature roared angrily and attacked constantly, coordinated defense by the skeletons rendered its efforts ineffective. Conversely, the persistent attacks of the Skeleton Soldiers steadily whittled down the Lizard Beast’s Health Points.

It was crucial to note: this Lizard Beast possessed Two-Star Strength, while its attackers were mere One-Star Strength Skeleton Soldiers. Normally, they could barely scratch it.

Yet now, this Two-Star Lizard Beast was losing against a group of One-Stars. Its Health Points visibly neared the halfway mark.

Finally sensing extreme danger and the imminent threat of death, panic seized the lizard. It prepared to retreat, to flee.

But at that precise moment, a huge mass of dark mist descended upon it – the Skeleton Mages’ attack was unleashed. The Lizard Beast, along with dozens of Skeleton Soldiers near it, was swiftly engulfed in the ominous cloud.

Horrified shrieks erupted from within the Death Cloud, but these grew weaker and weaker before finally ceasing altogether.

After a dozen seconds, the mist dispersed. Only scores of Skeleton Soldiers remained, clustered around the body of the Swamp Lizard Beast lying at their center. Its corpse looked as though it had been doused in potent acid.

“Death is merely the beginning,” boomed the Skeleton War General, striding to the lizard’s corpse. “The end of life signifies a rebirth in a different form. Rise once more, my Warrior. Embrace death, and achieve eternity.”

Countless dark runes manifested around the War General’s skeletal form. As it continued chanting, the runes multiplied, their patterns growing increasingly intricate and complex.

Soon, the swirling mass of dark runes detached from the War General and drifted towards the lizard’s body.

Boom! A muffled thud sounded from within the lizard’s corpse, as if a sudden fire had ignited inside.

Two pools of oily green light began to glow within the lizard’s dead eye sockets, condensing into twin flickering flames. The eyeballs still inside sizzled and popped beneath the heat. Rapidly, they burned away entirely, leaving only the two burning green fires within the sockets.

Inside the lizard’s skull, a Soul Flame the size of a fingernail materialized, pulsing faintly.

The lizard corpse twitched. It struggled, limbs flailing, until it rose unsteadily onto its feet.

Roar! An invisible sound wave erupted from its mouth. The beast, formerly Two-Star Strength, had instantly surged to Three-Star strength.

“Good,” the Skeleton War General declared, resting its greatsword on the creature’s head. “You carry a trace of the Black Dragon Bloodline. Upon undeath, you surpassed your former self. Henceforth, you bear the honor of my war steed and battle partner.”

The enormous lizard creature stepped forward, lowering its head deeply in a gesture of profound reverence towards the War General.

“The rotting flesh upon you stinks horrendously,” the War General stated coldly. “I will not endure such fetid decay.”

The lizard shuddered, seeming terrified. Then, it began trembling violently. Chunks of rotted flesh sloughed off its body, hitting the ground with wet thuds. In moments, all that remained was the gleaming white skeleton of a lizard beast.

“Excellent. Now that’s acceptable beauty!” The Skeleton War General nodded in satisfaction, then swung itself astride the skeletal beast.

“Hmm?” It muttered, helmet tilted slightly. “This is odd… Luoqi’s Soul Flame also vanished? What did you encounter, to be killed so utterly helpless? Not even escaping?” It paused thoughtfully. “Forward, companions! Let us see what insolent creature dares defy the Undead.”

After a moment’s consideration, the War General brandished its massive sword and pointed it in the direction where Luoqi’s flame had disappeared.

Quickly, the entire force, led by the mounted War General, began advancing towards Xu Feng’s location.

Xu Feng was running for his life. The previous Skeleton Soldier had only slightly slowed the pursuing Giant Lizard Beast. Soon, Xu Feng felt that piercing sensation on his back again – the beast was locked onto him, closing the gap relentlessly.

“Huh? Another Skeleton Soldier?” Xu Feng’s eyes lit up slightly. Not far ahead stood another Skeleton Soldier, this one wielding two white bone daggers instead of a bow.

Xu Feng charged straight towards it.