Chapter 45: Breaking Free

“General Luo Ling! Watch out!”

“General, wake up! That’s an illusion!”

In the distance, the personal guard knights noticed Luo Ling’s strange condition.

They called out anxiously, trying to rush forward to help, but were tightly entangled by the remaining demons, unable to get close.

A victorious smile appeared on Qiqi’s face.

Her Mental Power surged toward Luo Ling like a tidal wave, aiming to drown his consciousness completely and turn him into her most loyal Puppet.

At the moment when Luo Ling’s consciousness was about to be utterly lost, and “Dawn” was slipping from his grasp, a faint yet unyielding voice echoed in the depths of his mind.

“Eve…”

She was his childhood friend, the person he had promised to return and protect.

Her smile was as pure as sunlight.

“The Empire…my Companions-in-arms…”

They were the brothers who fought alongside him, the countless imperial soldiers behind him who trusted and followed him, viewing him as their leader and hope.

“No—!”

A beast-like roar erupted from deep within Luo Ling’s throat!

Within that roar were endless regret, rage, and most importantly—a Willpower that refused to yield!

“I can’t fall! I can’t give up!”

Luo Ling’s eyes snapped open.

The confusion vanished, replaced by a piercing, icy sharpness like ancient ice!

The battle aura within him raged uncontrollably, gold entwined with a streak of black (the ultimate burning of indomitable Willpower), fusing into an even more ferocious power!

“Ah—!”

Qiqi screamed in agony.

Her mental charm and illusion were forcefully shattered by Luo Ling’s Willpower!

The sudden backlash sent a shock through her mind, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of her mouth.

She stared at Luo Ling in disbelief.

“Impossible…how can your Willpower…”

“Demoness! Did you think such petty tricks could trap me?”

Luo Ling’s voice was as cold as a winter storm, brimming with murderous intent.

He raised “Dawn” high, the exhaustion and confusion of before wiped away, replaced by surging fighting spirit and fury!

To be interfered with by such despicable means, nearly dragged into an abyss—an unprecedented anger burned within Luo Ling’s heart.

That fury raged like a blazing inferno in his chest, nearly consuming his reason.

His eyes were bloodshot, as if flames might burst forth, his teeth clenched tight, grinding with a “grrk” sound.

“Die!”

Luo Ling roared, his voice booming across the land.

He stepped forward.

His form became a streak of black lightning, crossing dozens of meters in an instant, appearing before Qiqi like a ghost.

A sharp whistling filled the air—the sound of his speed tearing through the wind.

In his hand, the sword “Dawn” blazed with a brilliant light.

Within that glow was the force of Luo Ling’s mighty Willpower and rampaging battle aura.

It was as if the blade had come alive, carrying the momentum to cleave the world as it descended toward Qiqi.

The blade sliced through the air with a “sss” sound, as if proclaiming death.

Qiqi saw Luo Ling’s thunderous strike, surprise flashing in her eyes—but a moment later, her bewitching smile returned.

“Hehehe…the hundredth Hero, is it? Interesting. To beat Liliya like that, you’re certainly no ordinary person.”

Her voice remained gentle, but now carried a hint of mockery.

“However…let’s meet again when we return~”

As her words fell, Qiqi’s body began to change.

Her form grew increasingly insubstantial, like smoke dissipating in the wind.

Then, she transformed into a streak of red light, shooting into the depths of the Demon King’s castle like a meteor.

The red light left a long trail in the air, like a crimson ribbon, shimmering strangely beneath the sunlight.

Luo Ling stared in the direction Qiqi had vanished, the sword “Dawn” still trembling slightly in his grip.

His chest heaved, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

The anger and the all-out attack from moments before had drained much of his strength and energy.

“Damn it!”

Luo Ling cursed under his breath.

He knew that with Qiqi’s sudden escape, he had lost a golden opportunity.

Yet he also understood that, as one of the Demon King’s Four Generals, Qiqi’s strength was not to be underestimated.

Her escape under his furious onslaught was no surprise.

Slowly, he sheathed the sword “Dawn”, his gaze gradually regaining its calm.

“General Luo Ling! Watch out!”

“General, wake up! That’s an illusion!”

In the distance, the personal guard knights noticed Luo Ling’s strange condition.

They called out anxiously, trying to rush forward to help, but were tightly entangled by the remaining demons, unable to get close.

A victorious smile appeared on Qiqi’s face.

Her Mental Power surged toward Luo Ling like a tidal wave, aiming to drown his consciousness completely and turn him into her most loyal Puppet.

At the moment when Luo Ling’s consciousness was about to be utterly lost, and “Dawn” was slipping from his grasp, a faint yet unyielding voice echoed in the depths of his mind.

“Eve…”

She was his childhood friend, the person he had promised to return and protect.

Her smile was as pure as sunlight.

“The Empire…my Companions-in-arms…”

They were the brothers who fought alongside him, the countless imperial soldiers behind him who trusted and followed him, viewing him as their leader and hope.

“No—!”

A beast-like roar erupted from deep within Luo Ling’s throat!

Within that roar were endless regret, rage, and most importantly—a Willpower that refused to yield!

“I can’t fall! I can’t give up!”

Luo Ling’s eyes snapped open.

The confusion vanished, replaced by a piercing, icy sharpness like ancient ice!

The battle aura within him raged uncontrollably, gold entwined with a streak of black (the ultimate burning of indomitable Willpower), fusing into an even more ferocious power!

“Ah—!”

Qiqi screamed in agony.

Her mental charm and illusion were forcefully shattered by Luo Ling’s Willpower!

The sudden backlash sent a shock through her mind, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of her mouth.

She stared at Luo Ling in disbelief.

“Impossible…how can your Willpower…”

“Demoness! Did you think such petty tricks could trap me?”

Luo Ling’s voice was as cold as a winter storm, brimming with murderous intent.

He raised “Dawn” high, the exhaustion and confusion of before wiped away, replaced by surging fighting spirit and fury!

To be interfered with by such despicable means, nearly dragged into an abyss—an unprecedented anger burned within Luo Ling’s heart.

That fury raged like a blazing inferno in his chest, nearly consuming his reason.

His eyes were bloodshot, as if flames might burst forth, his teeth clenched tight, grinding with a “grrk” sound.

“Die!”

Luo Ling roared, his voice booming across the land.

He stepped forward.

His form became a streak of black lightning, crossing dozens of meters in an instant, appearing before Qiqi like a ghost.

A sharp whistling filled the air—the sound of his speed tearing through the wind.

In his hand, the sword “Dawn” blazed with a brilliant light.

Within that glow was the force of Luo Ling’s mighty Willpower and rampaging battle aura.

It was as if the blade had come alive, carrying the momentum to cleave the world as it descended toward Qiqi.

The blade sliced through the air with a “sss” sound, as if proclaiming death.

Qiqi saw Luo Ling’s thunderous strike, surprise flashing in her eyes—but a moment later, her bewitching smile returned.

“Hehehe…the hundredth Hero, is it? Interesting. To beat Liliya like that, you’re certainly no ordinary person.”

Her voice remained gentle, but now carried a hint of mockery.

“However…let’s meet again when we return~”

As her words fell, Qiqi’s body began to change.

Her form grew increasingly insubstantial, like smoke dissipating in the wind.

Then, she transformed into a streak of red light, shooting into the depths of the Demon King’s castle like a meteor.

The red light left a long trail in the air, like a crimson ribbon, shimmering strangely beneath the sunlight.

Luo Ling stared in the direction Qiqi had vanished, the sword “Dawn” still trembling slightly in his grip.

His chest heaved, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

The anger and the all-out attack from moments before had drained much of his strength and energy.

“Damn it!”

Luo Ling cursed under his breath.

He knew that with Qiqi’s sudden escape, he had lost a golden opportunity.

Yet he also understood that, as one of the Demon King’s Four Generals, Qiqi’s strength was not to be underestimated.

Her escape under his furious onslaught was no surprise.

Slowly, he sheathed the sword “Dawn”, his gaze gradually regaining its calm.