Chapter 204: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [204] [X-MAS]
Merry Christmas!
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By the time she stumbled out the next morning, her legs were trembling, and she had to cling to the walls just to stay upright.
Her weakened state did not go unnoticed by the members of the Tanit tribe. They exchanged shocked glances, their imaginations running wild.
Was Luo Qing truly that powerful?
After all, when their tribal leader sought… companionship in the past, it was usually the man who hobbled out the next day.
But now, she was the one clinging to the walls?!
Exhausted beyond measure, Babale had no choice but to lie down in her room for the entire day, conserving her strength for her plans to exact revenge against Luo Qing that night.
As the tribal matriarch, she rarely participated in labor anyway, so no one questioned her absence.
The day slipped by, and as night fell, it was time for the tribe's nightly routine—gathering in the square to perform two rounds of their absurd, hideous dance, followed by sitting in neat rows to write their so-called reflections on "new ideals." Only after completing the assignments could they rest.
Babale's plan with Azarig and the other allied tribes was timed to coincide with the nightly gathering.
Weapons had been hidden earlier, ready to be retrieved during the chaos of battle. Babale and Azarig had even downplayed Luo Qing's strength to the other tribes, hoping to weaken their forces in the process.
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As the stars dotted the desert sky, Babale finally emerged from her room.
Though Luo Qing had generously spared her from the morning exercises, she still had to participate in the evening's writing session.
Once everyone had assembled in the square, Babale called her closest confidants over for a quick, whispered meeting.
"When will they arrive?"
"Soon, Lady Babale. Any moment now…" Azarig glanced at her with concern. "Lady Babale, you seem… still unsteady. Perhaps I should take charge of tonight's operation—"
The thought of Luo Qing leaving Babale in such a weakened state made Azarig's heart ache. After all, he hadn't yet had the honor of being chosen for her… attentions.
"No need," Babale snapped. "I'll personally make sure Luo Qing understands—"
Her gaze locked onto Luo Qing, who stood not far away, laughing and chatting with his subordinates. Her eyes burned with hatred.
She could have tolerated a fight to the death, but to force her to dance all night long? And threaten her with public flogging if she refused?
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"Everyone's here. Form five orderly rows!" Natalia barked out the command, prompting Sergei and another subordinate to haul out the large gramophone.
Rosalyne stood nearby, maintaining a watchful guard to prevent any disruptions.
Just then, shadows began to appear along the cliffs surrounding the camp. Figures clad in the distinct armor of the Eremites emerged, their numbers quickly growing as they lined the edges of the cliffs.
"Wait…" Natalia's gaze flicked to the red-clad warriors. Turning back toward Luo Qing, who was leisurely humming a tune and sketching on a piece of paper, she called out, "Master Luo Qing, maybe now isn't the time to be drawing… They've called reinforcements."
Natalia rushed to his side as Sergei and another guard took up defensive positions near their leader. Rosalyne, however, remained unconcerned, her calm demeanor unshaken.
"You're all so tense," Luo Qing said, not even looking up. "I'm on a roll with this sketch. Let me finish first."
The paper in his hands contained a design for a sleek, modern combat suit he had imagined—a gift to a certain someone. If realized, it could boost attack speed by at least 50%.
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Meanwhile, on the cliffs, the reinforcements sneered at the sight of Luo Qing's group.
"Really, Babale? Five people? You couldn't even put up a fight against five people? And you call yourselves desert warriors?" one voice jeered.
"Exactly! You might as well disband your tribe now," another chimed in mockingly.
Babale's lip curled. "If you're so confident, then by all means, go ahead. Show me what you're capable of."
The Eremite warriors began leaping down from the cliffs, quickly surrounding Luo Qing and his companions in the square.
"Tch, all this for five people," one of the Eremite leaders scoffed, stepping forward. He was a towering man wielding a massive trident, the weapon glowing faintly with Geo energy.
His gaze lingered on Rosalyne, who stood poised and unbothered in the center of the square.
She was striking—her figure an enticing blend of curves and elegance, her aura exuding cold arrogance.
"That one's mine. Don't any of you dare touch her!" the man declared before charging forward, trident raised.
Even through his mask, he could sense her innate haughtiness, and it stirred a primal urge to conquer her.
But reality fell short of his ambition.
Before he could close the distance, Rosalyne raised her hand, and a pillar of ice shot forth, instantly freezing the man solid. A moment later, the ice shattered, leaving only fragments of his body scattered on the ground.
"Pathetic," Rosalyne muttered, stepping forward with the grace of a predator. Her very presence seemed to cow the surrounding warriors.
"If this is the best you've got, I suggest you all come at me together."
Her words struck a nerve.
"Don't get cocky, woman!"
"Fine, let's see if you can handle all of us at once!"
Desert-hardened and experienced in battle, the Eremites had no qualms about fighting unfairly. At their leader's command, dozens of warriors summoned their shadowy familiars, sending them charging toward Rosalyne.
Some warriors hung back, loosing arrows and elemental projectiles from a distance, hoping to exploit any opening.
Rosalyne let out a soft, derisive hum as she moved forward, her steps as deliberate as a dance.
The air around her grew heavy with Pyro energy. Crimson flames seeped from her skin, her eyes burning with an ominous red glow.
The Eremites and their familiars closed in from all directions. Arrows, elemental blasts, and snarling beasts hurtled toward her.
"Desert fools… Feel the flames," Rosalyne whispered.
She swept her hands outward, and a vortex of crimson flames erupted around her, forming a spiraling inferno.
The fiery whirlwind not only nullified the incoming projectiles but also surged into the advancing horde, consuming warriors and familiars alike. Agonized screams echoed through the square as the flames devoured their targets.
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From her vantage point in the crowd, Babale stood frozen in shock.
This…
She had assumed Luo Qing was the primary threat, and that Rosalyne, despite possessing a Vision, was merely a lesser concern.
But now she understood.
Even without Luo Qing lifting a finger, this one woman alone…
She could annihilate the entire tribe.
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I, WiseTL, in my infinite grace and generosity, have bestowed upon you an extra 2 chapters as my holiday gift. 🎁 Consider it a glimpse of my benevolence—cherish it well.
May your festivities be as golden as my treasury and as plentiful as my updates. Farewell, mortals, until the next chapter. 😉
Now, bow in gratitude. 🌟
Chapter 205: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [205]
In the past, the icy power she controlled was merely a tool to suppress the cursed flames within her, a precarious balance of elements that allowed her to use only one at a time.
Now, empowered by the Vision, her mastery over Cryo had grown exponentially. She could wield both Cryo and Pyro simultaneously, a duality that transformed her into a true force of destruction.
It quickly became clear that even the combined strength of the allied desert tribes—every warrior and shadow beast they could muster—was no match for the former Fatui Harbinger.
One by one, Rosalyne buried her enemies in fire and ice with ease, maintaining precise control so as not to disturb Luo Qing, who remained seated at the edge of the square, sketching away.
From the moment the battle began, the tribes had no chance of victory.
When Rosalyne wiped out nearly a third of their forces, the remaining warriors began to waver. Fear and despair crept into their hearts, eclipsing any will to fight.
Finally, they understood.
So this is why Babale didn't resist.
She hadn't been cowardly—just sensible. The woman they'd foolishly provoked wasn't someone they could afford to cross.
Why did we even try…?
As their resolve crumbled, the tribes began to consider retreat.
But Rosalyne saw through their intentions immediately. With a wave of her hand, a towering wall of flames erupted around the battlefield, cutting off any chance of escape.
"You have two choices," she said, her cold voice carrying across the square. Hovering in midair, she looked down on the warriors like a queen addressing her subjects—or a predator taunting her prey.
"Kneel… or die."
While she understood that Luo Qing needed these people alive, she also knew desert tribes only bowed to power. Without making an example, there was no way they'd submit willingly.
The leaders of the tribes exchanged hesitant glances.
To kneel would be humiliating, a blow to their pride as proud desert warriors.
But to refuse… would likely cost them their lives.
"Fools."
Seeing their hesitation, Rosalyne let out a derisive snort. She raised her hand, conjuring another flaming whirlwind that sent more of their comrades screaming in agony.
"Stop! We surrender!"
A trembling voice rose above the chaos. A warrior threw down his weapon and dismissed his summoned beast.
Better to live and fight another day than die here for nothing.
Soon, the rest of the warriors followed suit, laying down their arms and kneeling in submission.
"Pathetic," Rosalyne muttered, descending gracefully to the ground. Her disdainful expression softened as she approached Luo Qing, her every movement radiating deference.
"Master," she said, her tone shifting to one of respect and gentleness. "The situation has been dealt with."
The tribesmen stared in disbelief, their minds reeling.
What?! This fearsome witch… serves him?!
If Rosalyne's power was already beyond their comprehension, then what kind of monster must Luo Qing be?
"Oh?" Luo Qing finally looked up from his sketch, his eyes shifting between Rosalyne and his drawing. He compared the proportions thoughtfully.
"Hmm… about the same size. Rosalyne, what do you think?"
He'd been using her as a reference for the figure in his design—a modern, streamlined battle suit he'd envisioned for a certain someone.
"Master, your depiction is very… accurate," Rosalyne replied, though a faint sadness flickered in her heart.
She had fought so fiercely, yet Luo Qing's only interest was in his sketch. Not even a word of praise for her efforts…
"Since you think so, Natalia, take this," Luo Qing said, handing the design to Natalia. "Find someone to make it when we get back."
"…"
"Yes, Master Luo Qing," Natalia replied, her expression unreadable as she accepted the blueprint.
Having finished his work, Luo Qing stretched lazily and stood, surveying the rows of kneeling tribesmen with satisfaction. Turning to Rosalyne, he flashed her a smile.
"Well done, Rosalyne."
Bringing Rosalyne over from the Tsaritsa had proven a worthwhile move. She was the perfect tool for situations like this.
After all, if his subordinates could handle things on their own, why should he dirty his hands?
"Thank you for the compliment, Master…" Rosalyne said with a bow, though her voice carried a tinge of melancholy.
"But you did kill a bit too many," Luo Qing added, glancing at the battlefield littered with ice sculptures and charred corpses. "Try to hold back next time."
All these wasted lives… That's so much potential frustration value gone to waste.
"Yes, Master…" Rosalyne murmured, chastened.
Luo Qing noticed the faint cracks on her shoulder—remnants of the cursed flames' strain on her body. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a small glowing pill and tossed it to her.
"Take this. Don't let those injuries linger."
"… Yes, Master."
Rosalyne accepted the pill, her mood lifting slightly. She knew Luo Qing's gesture was practical, but the thought that he might care for her well-being brought a small smile to her face.
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Meanwhile, Luo Qing strolled through the square, weaving between the kneeling tribesmen.
They dared not look up at him, their heads bowed in silent fear, hoping to escape his attention.
When he reached Babale, he stopped.
Babale had surrendered early, ensuring the survival of most of her tribe. Even so, her head hung low, her body trembling.
"You disappoint me, Babale," Luo Qing said flatly. "What's the matter? Not a fan of 'embracing new ideals' and 'becoming a model citizen'?"
"…"
[Babale's Frustration +1]
"Master Luo Qing, I was wrong!" Babale pleaded, pressing her forehead to the ground. "Please, spare us! From now on, we'll dedicate ourselves to your teachings. We'll embrace new ideals and strive to become the best citizens we can be. I swear it!"
Her once-proud demeanor as the tribe's matriarch had completely crumbled. All she wanted now was to avoid further punishment.
The other tribesmen listened, bewildered.
New ideals? Model citizens?
What kind of bizarre punishment is this?
"Pathetic," Luo Qing muttered, reaching down to remove Babale's blindfold.
Their eyes met briefly before Babale averted her gaze, unable to hide the fear in her expression.
"I won't kill you," Luo Qing said dismissively, standing back up.
"Thank you, Master…" Babale whispered, her voice trembling.
"Natalia, handle the newcomers like we did before," Luo Qing ordered.
"Yes, Master Luo Qing."
With that, Luo Qing waved a hand and turned to leave.
"I'm heading back to finish my sketch. You all can deal with the rest."
Luo Qing's goal had never been slaughter—it was frustration. Killing everyone would be wasteful when they could still serve a purpose.
As for the Eremites? They had only themselves to blame.
Their gods had long since fallen, leaving them no one to protect them.
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Hello! Thank you so much for reading this chapter. WiseTL has worked hard to bring these wonderful stories to you, and I'm so happy we could share this moment together! Don't you think stories are a little like dreams? Each one has its own colors and shapes, and they grow even brighter when shared with others.
If you'd like to support WiseTL, you can visit [patreon.com/WiseTL]. Even a small gesture is like sunlight and rain to a growing flower—it helps the garden of stories flourish and bloom!
-With love, Nahida 🌱
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