Published at 15th of December 2025 8:27 am

Chapter 1344: The Hermit

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

The explosion erupted with a deafening roar, a blossom of flame bursting outward before surging upward in a towering column.

Fire billowed into the sky like a living being, devouring the air and darkness alike. For a heartbeat, night surrendered completely. The world was bathed in a blinding orange and white light.

The firecloud climbed higher, churning and rolling as if trying to claw its way towards heaven. Then the light began to fade, leaving only the echo of the explosion.

In the far distance, the Tsuitsui army was thunderstruck at this sudden development. Goro and his brothers emerged from the tent, looking in the direction of the fading explosion with varied expressions.

"Wh-what the hell did Brother Ao do?!"

"That madman! Is he even alive?!"

"No, more importantly! What’s with that explosion!"

"Just what were those Tiesha Tang bastards planning?!"

"They’re using explosives!"

"Are they out of their damned minds?!"

Goro had an extremely dark look on his face as he saw the fading flames in the distance.

"Tiesha Tang," he coldly muttered. "You dare to use armaments that have been forbidden in our realm. You are begging to be eradicated!

Explosives were prohibited in Yen-Lu. There were several reasons for that, but the main ones were political and practical in nature.

Explosives bypassed the traditional power of the realm: mana. It made mere commoners capable of killing Magi, which was politically unacceptable.

Unlike magic, which was, for the most part, regulated, explosives were difficult to control once ignited. Hedgemons distrusted weapons that could not be commanded.

It gave power to those without the gift of spellcasting. This weakened the monopoly Magi had over warfare, law enforcement, and intimidation. In a society where magic was equivalent to power, explosives were a dangerous equalizer.

Thus, the ancient doctrine was established: only magic could shape destruction, and fire born of explosives was a heresy.

Another Magus standing beside him muttered coldly, "Just because it’s a Great War, do they think they can get away with doing anything?"

"What about Brother Ao? Is he going to be alright?" Another asked, his voice laced with concern.

Goro’s eyes narrowed as the flames gradually died down. At last, he turned around and entered the tent, leaving behind his words:

"He’s endured flames worse than those. Don’t worry about him."

The Tsuitsui Magi exchanged glances with one another before following behind Goro.

***

Back at the enemy’s ambush site... or whatever was left of it, Adam stood at the edge of a charred clearing, facing the dying flames.

That... was close!

The explosion was far more intense than he had anticipated. If those barrels were to explode near the army, the casualties would have been substantial.

Adam waited for several more minutes until the fire completely died down. Earlier, he had sensed that some of the enemies were still alive—albeit barely.

These were the handful of Mana Vortex Magi, who had managed to cast defensive spells around themselves at the last moment. As for the rest of the Magi, they were already dead.

The explosion was just that strong. Unless the Magus was extremely fast at casting hand seals and had great spatial awareness, it would be difficult for them to come out unscathed.

Adam heaved a sigh, thinking to himself, I wonder if a Paladin would be able to endure such an explosion...

He stepped on blackened ground as he approached the few survivors. Without a shred of remorse, he ended their lives. Some were completely charred from the explosion, while others were relatively fine.

However, the latter group had their senses completely turned haywire. So Adam killed them effortlessly. They couldn’t even muster a shred of resistance.

Just as Adam killed the last of the survivors, an ancient voice echoed in the air:

"How easy it is to snuff out a life, wouldn’t you agree, young Magus?"

Adam’s body stiffened. He quickly drew distance from the source of the voice. Then he turned around, getting into a fighting stance with his daggers drawn.

A drop of cold sweat trickled down this side of his forehead as his senses washed over the newcomer.

I couldn’t sense his arrival at all!

The newcomer seemed to be an elderly man. He wore tattered robes, and his head was covered in a hood, making it difficult to ascertain his facial features. In one hand, he leaned upon a wooden staff, and in the other, he held an ancient lantern whose dim light flickered against the night.

Everything about him... his gait, his appearance, his silence... gave the impression of a wandering hermit.

In that moment, when Adam’s senses washed over this elderly man, he instantly knew...

A Mana Core Magus!

Adam’s lips involuntarily curled into a wide, crooked grin as he thought about his next steps. He had obviously assumed that the man was an enemy Mana Core Magus. Now he thought about how to keep this newcomer away from Goro and his army.

"I don’t mean you harm," said the hermit. "I’ve only come to speak with you."

"Auhh!" Adam’s grip around the daggers tightened, and his mind raced.

Who is this man? Is he with the Tiesha Tang? Or some other Unorthodox Faction? What does he want?

No, wait!

Adam’s heart tightened.

He said he’s come here to speak with... me?

Don’t tell me... could he be...

From the Cult of Bones?!

Those damned bastards! Have they finally shown up!

"No need for pretenses," the hermit chuckled lightly.

He raised his wooden staff, causing Adam to instantly go on alert and subconsciously take a few steps back.

Tap!

He rapped the staff on the ground. A faint wave of energy surrounded the two. It was silent, gentle, and almost imperceptible.

Adam’s heart raced.

A sealing barrier! He screamed inwardly.

Then, under his stunned observation, he saw the lantern emitting an ethereal white glow. Because of Adam’s deep connection with the Eternal White Lotus, he could tell that the lantern’s glow had something to do with divination.

Or rather...

Anti-divination? Now, Adam was even more perplexed.

However, he still didn’t let down his guard. He sized up the hermit, looking out for any surprise attacks.

But the hermit’s next words caused him to be astonished:

"We finally meet... Adam."

Share