"Humility, honesty, compassion, courage, fairness, sacrifice, honor, Soul!"
"Facing formidable enemies without fear or dread, dare to be loyal and righteous, never disgracing God, always rendering loyalty and honesty, prefer death to surrender, protecting the weak, never violating the rules of heaven!"
"I swear to treat the weak with kindness!"
"I swear to bravely confront Qiangbao!"
"I swear to combat all wrongdoings!"
"I swear to fight for those who are helpless!"
"I swear to assist anyone who seeks my aid!"
"I swear to never harm any woman!"
"I swear to aid my fellow knights!"
"I swear to be sincere to my friends!"
"I swear to love the one I cherish until death parts us!"
"I swear, with my life, I will protect the life of the Fourth Prince!"
"Even if the path ahead is filled with countless difficulties and thorny obstacles!"
"Honor is my life!"
William placed his right hand on the Fourth Princeâs forehead. He remained still for nearly ten seconds before slowly rising.
This was a knightâs promise and commitment! To protect with his life!
In the distance, the outcome of the battle between Cyclops and the Stone Demon had been decided.
The Stone Demonâs immense size brought about unparalleled strength.
Unfortunately, the Stone Demon was not fast enough.
Under the power bestowed by Mortal Combat, Cyclopsâs physical ability surged to over 200 points. The seemingly horrifying wounds did not hinder Cyclopsâs combat ability at all.
Even though the Stone Demon kept splitting into Little Stone Demons, hoping to confuse Cyclopsâs sight and escape Cyclopsâs attack range, Cyclops saw right through it. The Flames of Tyranny immediately annihilated the split Little Stone Demons.
Claws enveloped in black flames wildly expanded the wounds on the Stone Demonâs body.
The black flames raged on, accompanied by endless roars.
These were the mournful wails of the Stone Demon in its death throes.
Finally, the dust settled...
The Stone Demonâs body, made of condensed sand and soil, was incinerated to ashes by Cyclops, leaving behind only a magic crystal.
Cyclops carried the magic crystal in his mouth and slowly returned to Wen Yuâs side.
Wen Yu picked up the magic crystal and returned Cyclops to the Soul Realm space.
Glancing at everyoneâs defeated expressions, Wen Yu sighed. "Letâs find a place to rest for now. Weâll think about what to do next after a breather."
The death of Princess Consort Feina and Ba Song was a huge blow to the team.
It meant that the journey ahead had to be undertaken head-on.
In a cave, this was the temporary rest spot the group had found after nearly four hours.
Wen Yu stared blankly at the Fourth Prince in Williamâs hands, seemingly lost in thought.
Not only Wen Yu, but everyone else also sat quietly, their faces filled with pessimism and despair.
The difficulty of the Second Stage was simply too high.
Now, it was only the fourth day, and about eighty percent of the nearly one hundred professionists had already perished.
What was even more terrifying was that Princess Consort Feina, the target of the mission, had also been ruthlessly killed by a Demon Fiend.
"Right, Knight, donât you have Princess Consort Feinaâs space ring? Check whatâs inside."
The one to break the impasse was Jiang Wentao, who was in charge of the team.
William hesitated slightly but still took out Princess Consort Feinaâs silver-white space ring and threw it to Jiang Wentao.
"Wen Yu, come and have a look!"
"Hm? Oh."
Wen Yu responded absentmindedly and got up to join Jiang Wentao.
Truth be told, Wen Yu was also in a trance at the moment.
Jiang Wentaoâs argument that "the ultimate goal of the mission is to protect the Fourth Prince, not Feina" had some validity, but
what if?
What if the mission had already failed?
Everyone would be trapped in this hopeless Danger Ground, awaiting the arrival of death.
And the demise would be a pathetic oneâstarvation, dehydration, or, in despair...suicide!
"Hmm, my judgment isnât wrong."
Jiang Wentao pulled out a radar, nodding affirmatively at everyone.
Upon hearing Jiang Wentaoâs words, Wen Yuâs eyes instantly lit up. He quickly stepped forward and snatched the radar from Jiang Wentaoâs hands.
The radar was pointing towards the northeast.
According to the route, it was precisely where the refuge set up by the Dominator, as mentioned by Princess Consort Feina, was located.
"This is the radar! Itâs pointing towards our destination! Everyone, we havenât lost yet; we still have hope!"
Wen Yuâs voice involuntarily became louder, successfully drawing everyoneâs attention to the radar in his hands.
"All we need to do is protect the Fourth Prince and reach our destination safely. Then we will have succeeded. We can return to Earth and leave this damned trial of treasure land. My friends, we still have hope!"
As a leader, Wen Yu had to make a "motivational" speech.
Regrettably, Wen Yu really wasnât cut out for this.
Moreover, the successive deaths had filled some peopleâs hearts with despair.
"Um... Brother Wen Yu, I have something to say."
A hesitant voice sounded. It was a lightly injured professionist.
"Go ahead," Wen Yu said, looking at the man. His voice was indifferent, yet his tone was surprisingly gentle.
Though Wen Yu was not accustomed to being a superior, he understood certain things.
Under the current circumstances, he couldnât keep pushing and ruling with an iron fist.
Doing so would cause the already unstable team to break apart.
"I... I canât go on..."
The professionistâs voice was low and filled with despair.
"I donât want to keep going. I canât keep going. I want to stay here, even if it means failing the mission..."
The cave fell silent.
This was the behavior of a Deserter!
"So, youâre waiting for us to resolve this trial? While you place your hopes on us, is that it?"
Wen Yuâs cold voice resonated.
Those familiar with Wen Yu knew that he was intending to kill.
"Iâm sorry, I canât go on either. Iâm sorry, Brother Wen Yu, Iâm sorry..."
The moment Wen Yu finished speaking, a familiar, sobbing voice sounded.
It was Sun Aotian.
Before Wen Yu could respond, another voice rang out.
"Brother Wen Yu, we... we really canât hold out against the Demon Fiends. As you said, we canât even obstruct them. We all understand that weâve only made it this far because of your strength!
"But our lives are at stake out there with hardly any security; we could face death at any moment!
"The Third-level Demon Fiends, which you can easily kill, are like grim reapers to us.
"I also donât want to continue forward. Itâs not that Iâm cowardly, but I simply canât see any meaning in going on!
"Thereâs really no point. Please let us go! I beg you!"