The Era of Coexistence was a glorious time when many powerful legendary figures rose to prominence. There were countless extraordinarily talented individuals, but in the chaos of war, many ultimately could not escape the grip of fate. In the relentless march of history, they became mere piles of bones. Very few survived from that era until now.
Among the people Nian Yan had encountered, Karl was one, the War God Kro another, and this guy before him was also among them.
Those who had survived for so long had become increasingly powerful. Their understanding of strength surpassed anything ordinary NPCs could achieve.
Since he had been discovered, Nian Yan no longer saw the need to hide. Slowly, he revealed himself and walked into an open space in the stone chamber. He could feel a powerful force repelling him, blocking his entry—there was a barrier here!
Invisible chains appeared in Nian Yan’s vision. They stretched out from the surrounding rock walls and tightly bound the NPC.
These chains were transparent, yet undeniably real.
Nian Yan cast a Detect spell on the undead NPC.
Nadago the Necromancer: Legendary Mage, Level 260.
As for health and other details, Nian Yan couldn’t see them. Nadago’s level was lower than that of the War God Kro, and he had not yet reached the divine realm.
Previously, Nian Yan had looted the Nadago’s Cursed Staff from the Dark Treant, which must have belonged to this mage.
Bennett’s Spirit trembled violently, as if sensing something.
The necromancer turned his attention to Bennett’s Spirit and showed a hint of surprise. “So it’s the spirit of a Cavern Lord. I happen to have something related to it.” Saying so, he took out a black talisman inscribed with mysterious runes.
When Nadago took out the talisman, Bennett’s Spirit suddenly radiated brilliant light, resonating with the black talisman. In the enclosed stone chamber, the effect was especially dazzling.
Nian Yan was certain that the black talisman must have some connection to Bennett’s Spirit, which was why the spirit had led him here.
Nadago the Necromancer smiled mysteriously, his bony face twitching slightly. “This talisman is called the Spirit Communication Talisman. It can summon a powerful Cavern Lord from another dimension. However, the summoned Cavern Lord will only have a physical body without a soul. If Bennett’s Spirit is fused into it, it can become a powerful summoned creature. Power always drives people mad!”
Nadago’s sinister smile made Nian Yan feel uneasy. He seemed confident that Nian Yan would be interested in the talisman, like a fisherman waiting for his catch.
After a moment of silence, Nian Yan asked, “May I take a closer look at this Spirit Communication Talisman?”
The necromancer did not refuse and nodded. “Of course.”
With a flick of his pale fingers, the talisman floated toward Nian Yan.
Nian Yan caught it and examined its properties.
Talisman of Spirit Communication (Legendary Item): Special item. Using this item allows the summoning of a Cavern Lord’s physical body for a duration of three hours. Skill cooldown: 60 natural days. Cavern Lord: Level 100 Boss, HP 2,000,000/2,000,000.
A powerful item indeed!
A 60-day cooldown was something Nian Yan had never seen in either his past or present life. Even on forums, he had never seen anyone display such an item. Such treasures could only appear in SSS-tier quests.
The summoned Cavern Lord was a Level 100 boss. At the current level cap, such a formidable creature could easily crush player fortresses.
Instantly, greed surged within Nian Yan, and he desired to claim the Spirit Communication Talisman for himself. Since Nadago was a Lawful Evil NPC, taking the talisman wouldn’t bring any sense of guilt.
Nian Yan and Nadago were enemies!
Just as these thoughts crossed his mind, Nadago suddenly cackled, his voice sinister. “Don’t even think about taking it. Do you really believe you can steal the Spirit Communication Talisman from a legendary mage without my permission? Even though I’ve been imprisoned by this cursed seal for a thousand years, I can still control your life and death here.”
With a snap of his fingers, the talisman in Nian Yan’s hand shattered into pieces and vanished.
Nian Yan’s right hand trembled violently from the talisman’s residual power, numb and devoid of sensation.
It was a warning from Nadago! Nian Yan’s mind raced. This quest was proving to be far more complicated than he had anticipated. Nadago was a Lawful Evil NPC. If Nian Yan completed his quest, he would face severe repercussions from the Lawful Good faction. Moreover, Nadago was dangerous; even if Nian Yan completed the task, Nadago might betray him afterward, making the effort futile.
At that moment, the phantom chains binding Nadago trembled slightly. He stood up, fixing Nian Yan with a gaze. The flames in his eye sockets flickered, making Nian Yan feel as if he were being targeted by a snake.
A chill ran down Nian Yan’s spine. He decided to hear the quest details first, maintaining a calm demeanor. “What exactly do you need me to do?”
Nadago replied, “It’s quite simple. Just follow my instructions. Do not attempt to test my patience. If I detect any treachery, you will learn how foolish your actions are. Do not even think about leaving. If you try to flee, you will instantly become a corpse.”
Nian Yan felt a dark force silently hovering near his throat, like the blade of Death itself, ready to strike at any moment.
His mind raced. What kind of quest was this? How could he complete it while ensuring his own survival and eliminating Nadago?
Nadago waved his staff, and pillars rose from the chamber floor. Nian Yan quickly counted seven, arranged in an odd formation. Atop each pillar lay a white, egg-shaped stone about the size of a fist, radiating brilliant light. Nadago seemed to fear the light, recoiling and cursing in an ancient undead tongue Nian Yan could not understand.
Seeing these stones, Nian Yan was startled. They were identical to the Holy Light Stones in his inventory, only slightly larger, and brimming with holy energy. These were the very stones forming the array that bound Nadago.
Nadago twitched his fingers, and the broken Nadago’s Cursed Staff, which Nian Yan had obtained earlier from the Dark Treant, suddenly appeared in Nian Yan’s hand. A dark aura swirled at the staff’s tip, radiating destructive power.
Nian Yan gripped the staff, surprised that this broken artifact could be connected to the current quest.
Suddenly, the outer barrier tore open, and Nadago’s voice commanded, “Enter. Follow my instructions.”
Hesitating briefly, Nian Yan realized he had no choice but to comply. He had to bide his time and observe developments.
Carefully watching Nadago’s expression, Nian Yan stepped into the barrier. Though Nadago’s face was only a skull, Nian Yan could sense subtle shifts in his demeanor.
At the moment Nian Yan entered the barrier, Nadago’s expression flickered with a hint of tension—brief but unmistakable to Nian Yan.
He feared Nian Yan!
Nian Yan was certain that once inside the barrier, he could pose a threat to Nadago. The key was figuring out how to kill him. He steeled himself; panic would serve no purpose.
Bennett’s Spirit floated before Nian Yan, seemingly conveying some message.
Nian Yan checked his quest status.
Quest Progress: Locate the Poison Sac of Finas, 2/3; Kill Nadago the Necromancer, Obtain the Spirit Communication Talisman.
Indeed, the quest required killing Nadago, not rescuing him.
“Destroy the Holy Light Stone at the Xingli direction!” Nadago rasped. Xingli was a directional term, roughly southeast, a technical term in array studies.
Nian Yan identified the direction and swung his cursed staff. A dark arrow hurtled toward the Holy Light Stone at the Xingli position. With a loud bang, the stone exploded into fragments, dust drifting down like snow.
“Destroy the Holy Light Stone at the Xingyan direction!” Nadago’s expression turned ecstatic. As the chain binding his left arm loosened slightly with the destruction of the first stone.
Nian Yan swung his staff again, and the Xingyan-direction stone shattered instantly.
“After a thousand years, I can finally leave this cursed place! Let old Karl rot in hell! I will turn every citizen of the Grendale Empire into my undead army!” Nadago cackled maniacally, his sinister voice echoing through the chamber.
At that moment, Bennett’s Spirit absorbed some of the holy energy from the shattered stone, glowing brightly. Nian Yan noticed the Nadago’s Cursed Staff dimming slightly. Though he didn’t yet understand the quest’s intricacies, Nian Yan realized the staff was crucial.
Without it, the Holy Light Stones could not be destroyed.
As Nadago laughed wildly, momentarily distracted, Nian Yan swiftly drew Zeinard’s Sword and slashed at the skull atop the cursed staff, decisively severing it regardless of the consequences!
The Nadago’s Cursed Staff snapped cleanly in two!
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