Chapter 2070: Chapter 691: Fleeing in Disgrace? Bah, Who Do You Think We Are!

After finding the Ratman Tunnel in the place where Veylanther buried the Mejewa treasure, the “treasure hunters” rushed all the way back to Blackflame Mountain Pass, only to find the battlefield in utter chaos and ruins upon their return.

The good news was that they guessed correctly.

The tunnel dug by the Ratman indeed became the key to altering the course of the war at Blackflame Mountain Pass.

The bad news was that they guessed correctly.

How could it be that they went out to dig for treasure, only to come back to find not only was the high ground dismantled, but even the crystal was now in imminent danger.

Because the Split-claw Jackal-man used the Earthquake Skill to collapse the frontal lines, the area, once a mountain ridge, became a fragmented zone. This allowed the treasure hunters led by the Big Bird Team and Silver Moon Group to notice the cracks in the underground Ratman Tunnel as they approached Blackflame Mountain Pass, where they could even see the night sky directly.

“Damn! This is too tragic!”

Brother Meow, carrying a Dwarf Battle Axe, turned numb at the sight of the battlefield ruins littered with Ratmen and Gnolls, especially the bodies buried within. Old players were left dumbfounded, questioning if they had come to the wrong place, and the newbies’ reactions were even more overwhelming.

They hadn’t been in the game long enough to witness the grand destruction of Cardman City by the Star-world Tear, and now facing such apocalyptic chaos left them completely lost.

“The front half of the battlefield is gone!

The Jackal-men are still attacking, the defenders of Blackflame Mountain Pass may have retreated to the rear, and we can go to support, but we have to cross through this monster-infested ruin first. I think this might be a bit of a ‘challenge’ for us at the moment.”

Yuan Mou, who had transferred to an Avalon Hunter Witch, holding a greatsword and a war bow, looked with pained expression at the densely packed Ratmen and Gnolls ahead. It’s impossible to count how many monsters have been refreshed; just looking at the heads makes one’s scalp tingle.

“The scene is set up in such a way that it clearly isn’t meant for us to charge through head-on.”

At the critical moment, it was Lady Shui who had an idea.

With Yan Song casting the Eagle Eye Skill on her, she hid at the tunnel exit and assessed the situation before decisively speaking to the players behind her; the White Knight was heading their way:

“Can you still use your Calculating Pearl?”

“No, once we entered the battlefield, it showed that we’re in a complex Spiritual Energy area, definitely due to the Jackal-men disrupting communications.”

Carrying a sword and shield, Orchid shook her head and said:

“But we can use the forum to contact other players, Transylvania’s position is just ahead, and as it stands, if other brothers and sisters are still alive, they surely have retreated.”

“Check the forum for news.”

Lady Shui instructed Orchid, then gave Brother Meow a look. The two senior members of the Avalon Church quickly moved to President Natalie’s side, eager to hear the insight of this high-level NPC who had journeyed with them back from the tunnel.

Natalie was half-kneeling, touching the ground with the Watcher’s Great Sword in a classic pose.

As players approached, she lifted her head and said to Brother Meow and Lady Shui:

“I can sense that the area behind the lines is also unsettled, the enemies powered by the Power of Nature are wreaking havoc there, perhaps the undead, it seems the Jackal-men also played tricks there. The Power of Nature is constantly warning that this place is becoming increasingly dangerous.

I also sense that soldiers are retreating from the battlefield to Shadow Valley, it’s a very large-scale evacuation.

It appears something terribly frightening occurred on the battlefield while we went treasure hunting.

Governor Murphy’s prophecy has come true, Blackflame Mountain Pass will fall today.”

“Isn’t your scouting ability a bit too outrageous?”

Brother Meow complained:

“Is this the power of the White Knight? It makes me envious.”

“It’s nothing significant; White Knights in the old sects had a duty of hunting in part, and the Power of Nature gives us keen perception. As long as there’s a presence of natural forces, hidden dangers can be anticipated.”

Natalie stood up, shook her head, and said in a heavy tone:

“Now is not the time to discuss this; I must return to the rear of the lines. There might be room for the Watcher’s Holy Blade there, but relying on the concealment by the Power of Nature allows me to swiftly traverse this land alone. You’ll need to figure out your own way to leave.

Relying on your combat skills to cross the battlefield now is impossible. I suggest you retreat!

If you can’t move forward, then go somewhere else.

Head to the Fortress of Courage.

Old Eugene is there with a group of devoted Avalon believers. He will welcome and protect you, but I estimate the Jackal-men have also heavily fortified there. You will face a battlefield to enter the Fortress of Courage.”

If the Calculating Pearl functioned, it would trigger a plot choice here, but unfortunately, most of the Pearl’s functions are disabled in this chaotic Spiritual Energy zone.

While Brother Meow and Lady Shui hesitated, Orchid, who went to the forum to gather information, stood up, walked over, and said to the two:

“I found a post from Lord Qin and his group, stating that players on the frontline suffered heavy losses but managed to break through the lines during some strange ritual by the Jackal-men, and have safely reached the Fortress of Courage under the reception of the Earth Priest, taking along over a thousand NPC warriors.

Lord Qin is currently planning a counterattack; he intends to gather Psychics to unleash a Star-world Tear on Blackflame Mountain Pass to bury the nearby Jackal-men tribes completely.”