It's so painful! So hard! So difficult!

Sunlight slanted through the clear window, caressing the shoulders of a young girl. Her hair, as white as snow, draped gently over her shoulders, radiating a bright and gentle warmth, like the soothing warmth of the sun.

Her eyes seemed to be outlined with golden threads, reflecting the sunlight's radiance. Yet, unlike the sunlight, they didn't pierce through her gaze with such force. Instead, they were slightly undulating, as clear as the bottom of a lake. Yet, within them, a subtle flicker of confusion and contemplation seemed to flicker. But her impeccably beautiful face completely concealed this.

She was just a young girl standing there, listening to the ringing of the bells. Yet, the sacred aura emanating from her was no less divine than the slowly emanating from the church. Calling her a nun was a bit of an understatement. Perhaps calling her someone who deserved to be worshipped was just the right word.

However, now she is just a girl standing there.

Her hands rested on the window, her eyes seemingly fixed on the nearby woods, or perhaps even her own hazy reflection within. No one could be certain of what she was looking at, not even herself. Just like her expression, calm and composed, as if absorbed into a sacred painting, it was impossible for anyone to fathom.

Chapter 710: The Bells of the Temple

Or perhaps, the posture the girl is maintaining now is no longer something that can be described in words.

The heavy sound of metal hitting the ground was heard. Between the sounds of metal plates colliding with each other, there was a questioning voice with a heavy tone, but still pleasant.

"Hey, what are you doing calling me to a place like this? Are you really going to attack those three?"

In front of this half-ruined church, a few ivy and green plants weave through the cracks in the wall, blending naturally into this sacred building. A slight gap in the roof still drips water into the shallow puddles on the ground, and small flower clusters grow peacefully under the sunlight that reaches into the house.

Stepping into such a church, bathed in the morning light, our hero Bai Lin made his debut. This church, which looked somewhat shabby but seemed more sacred than before, was the area previously ruled by the three succubus nuns.

So far, some repair work has been done, and it seems that the repair work has been very successful. It has helped people start to work hard to make a living, which is good. However, if someone deliberately sabotages it... that would be bad.

Near the center of the church, a massive, milky-white scythe satinched in the ground. It exuded a sacred aura that, while not entirely harmonious with the atmosphere, seemed to have broken through the ground, standing in the center of the area. It seemed to divide the space in two, separating Bai Lin from the girl within.

However, this is certainly not what Bai Lin should lament about now.

The girl standing by the back window slowly turned around. Her identity was obvious to everyone. The only person in the world with a beauty comparable to Bai Lin was probably Saint Qili. She stood condescendingly on the high platform of the church, looking down at Bai Lin standing in the ruins, and said slowly in her cold voice,

"Don't worry, sinner. I never want to harm innocent people. It was only after some persuasion that those three evil creatures from another world voluntarily vacated this area. Before leaving, they left you a message: you will have to pay for any damage. Don't get away with it like last time."

After hearing that the three guys weren't shredded, and seeing Saint Qili's serious expression, Bai Lin breathed a sigh of relief and even felt a little relieved. She smiled and jokingly replied,

"Then don't fight here. If anything breaks, I'll be the one to pay for it. Let's go somewhere else."

Sheng Qili's brows furrowed slightly, but the change in her expression only lasted for a moment. She quickly returned to normal and asked Bai Lin,

"I really don't understand why you can say these words so easily. Just like I didn't expect you to actually answer the call. Could it be that you are so confident that you can defeat me without any help?"

It's true that Bai Lin did manage to briefly suppress his opponent last time with the help of three succubi, but that was a surprise move, a victory impossible to replicate. So now, facing this opponent who was superior in every way, Bai Lin was naturally under immense pressure.

However, there is an old saying from Qianhong that goes, "Since you are already here, it would be inappropriate to worry too much about what will happen after you arrive." Bai Lin just looked at Sheng Qili and replied,

"You can use your method to make me feel you, how long will it take you to catch up with me? Anyway, we will meet sooner or later. You are my destined enemy. Compared to that, I care about you more. Why did you take the initiative to call me over?"

Facing Bai Lin's question, Sheng Qili's face was as gloomy as water. Her skin was as white as paper, and she held a blank expression, seemingly free of distractions. She walked slowly down the stairs, placed her hand on the scythe, lifted it with one hand, and held it behind her back.

The bright knife flashed, and the murderous atmosphere overwhelmed the clear sky. The flash of sunlight brought only her cold but clear words,

"I just want to settle accounts with you, sinner."

Saint Qili, as if stepping through space, lightly reached Bai Lin in an instant. While the curling blade in her hand theoretically defied the laws of a normal weapon, it felt perfectly comfortable in her hands. The massive scythe, destined to reap life, instantly bore down on Bai Lin's head.

Bai Lin seemed to have anticipated the opponent's attack and raised his shield in time to defend himself. The one-handed shield blocked the one-handed sickle, and the shield holder was instantly knocked back several steps.

Bai Lin's eyes flickered with surprise, but her movements remained unfazed. She placed one hand beneath her shield and once again, with difficulty, blocked the opponent's attack. Then, her hands met, and the familiar small, broken machete appeared in her hand. A blaze of fire erupted, and the curved blade slashed out swiftly, attempting to deflect the opponent's diagonal blows and strike directly at the opponent's vital points with subsequent consecutive slashes.

Unfortunately, the thin blade didn't seem to be able to shake the heavy scythe much. Even though it looked light and graceful when wielded, the scythe was still a heavy weapon. In the hands of such a person, it naturally felt even more weighty. Bai Lin gathered his energy, slashing sideways while engaging the opponent, taking a step back to create distance. At the same time, he took a low stance, ready to unleash his attack the moment the opponent pursued him.

"You've become much stronger. Is that the function of your sickle?"

Although she looked quite nervous, Bai Lin even took the time to ask this question. It was hard to believe that it was her side that was being suppressed and beaten.

But as Bai Lin said, this is exactly the effect of the sickle.

In the myths and legends of Bai Lin's original world, Osiris was born as the god of agriculture, but after his death, his farm tools were used to harvest lives, transforming him into Hades. In this world, a similar phenomenon of twins also existed.

Even gods need executioners. Even those who are daily nurtured by the gods still struggle to be enlightened, as not everyone possesses the same level of understanding. It was this old, stoic goat, with limited understanding, who, out of reverence and piety, volunteered to become the gods' executioner.

Countless lives have been lost at the hands of the goat, but she has never doubted the correctness of her actions. Judging crimes is her duty, which she takes upon herself to do things for God and to repay him with her life.

Chapter 711 Sheep

However, killing is still killing. In the eyes of the goat, while the verdict was correct, the essence of the bloody smell remained the same. Gradually, she could no longer blend into the peaceful atmosphere of her fellows during her training, because her heart was filled with a harsh and solemn killing, rather than the divine ring of clear punishment and reward.

After all, sheep are sheep, immersed in slaughter day after day, unable to comprehend the divine, unable to balance this existence. Gradually, her inner aura began to emanate. Initially, her compatriots were surprised, but then they expressed understanding and encouraged her to continue her practice, believing that one day she would attain enlightenment and come to regard judgment as something "sacred and peaceful."

But the goat herself couldn't accept this. Her mere presence might have disturbed the cultivation of her fellow cultivators. So, she chose to leave. After all, she was a prim goat, unwilling to accept the kindness of others.

She began meditating day and night, but her asceticism yielded little benefit. In fact, amidst the daily slaughter, she felt the gods drifting away. She couldn't achieve the same clarity of mind as the other messengers, nor could she break free from her sinful and punishing thoughts. Ultimately, she realized she would never achieve enlightenment, never consider herself to be a saint.

We don't know Goat's past, but now she maintains a resolute character. One day, realizing this, she swung her scythe in a thunderstorm, slicing herself in two. A bloody scar on her waist, a crack in her soul, a spiritual separation. This was her decision.

Since he could not act with holiness, he would serve as an official under the burden of guilt. He used his inability to understand as a sharp sword, constantly condemning his own heart, and viewing the act of judging on behalf of God as a punishment for his own heart. Beyond his duties, he considered himself a pure being, listening to divine oracles and cultivating his body and mind.

She returned, but she was stranger than when she left. Some said the goat had violated the teachings, but she had found her own spiritual enlightenment and became a unique executioner.

Because of this, this Holy Scythe possesses properties similar to those of its origin. It can enhance two aspects of its characteristics. On the one hand, it can release its own aura, allowing Bai Lin to sense it and summon it.

On the other hand, during battle, punishment will be carried out more severely!

Sheng Qili glanced at Bai Lin and surprisingly did not pursue him directly. She placed her sickle heavily on the ground and replied,

"That's right. There's no need to hide it from you. After all, you're a cunning and clever sinner. There's no point in doing this."

"But to put it bluntly, my compatibility with this weapon is not good... As God's agent, I will never hesitate for a moment. Naturally, I cannot agree to a decision that would split me in two."

"Really? Then why did you run away last time?"

Bai Lin interrupted Sheng Qili's words, their words like a sharp blade piercing her opponent's nerves. Sheng Qili's eyes glared, a fierce gleam flashing like the echoing sound of the void. The Holy Snake's spear instantly split from her hand and attacked Bai Lin again.

Holding a katana, he didn't dare to take such a heavy stabbing attack head-on. Although it was not a good choice, Bai Lin still had no choice but to use the fragile blade to block it. Fortunately, the blade could not be broken. If it were a normal katana, it would have been broken long ago.

Of course, Saint Qili's offensive wouldn't stop. Catching Bai Lin's concession, she'd pursued him relentlessly. The dazzling, heavy lance flashed and struck, sometimes swirling like the inky claws of a snake's depths, alternately pursuing Bai Lin from treacherous angles.

Instantly, wounds of varying degrees appeared three inches below her shoulder and on her right thigh. Despite Bai Lin's desperate defenses, Sheng Qili's pressure was more than she could handle. And she showed no sign of stopping, her spear pressing ever closer. Even a moment of distraction would result in immediate death.

"I will not engage in a verbal battle with you, sinner. Instead of trying to sway me, it is better to first find a way to resolve your own embarrassing situation."

"I didn't argue with you..."

Bai Lin bravely took the blow, then turned to retract her blade, retreated several steps, and thrust her long blade out at a tricky angle. However, the Holy Spear easily deflected Bai Lin's long blade with a powerful swing, and instantly stabbed her in the center.

This back and forth also made Bai Lin miss the opportunity to continue speaking. She hurriedly dodged, leaping slightly in the air to avoid the opponent's attack. At the same time, she withdrew her slightly numb knife-wielding hand in front of her, holding her breath, concentrating her whole body, and then launched an explosive and powerful slash at the open space in front of her.

This strike, like slicing through waves, sent rivers of flames scattering everywhere. The instantaneous heat and sharp impact caused the rock formation to slightly collapse, destabilizing the support point. This forced Sheng Qili to change the trajectory of her attack. She held back slightly, then paused for a moment before returning to Bai Lin's vicious thrusts.

These successive gaps were enough for Bai Lin to recover and avoid falling into despair. Her figure flipped backwards in the air, seemingly trying to avoid Sheng Qili's pursuit, launching some fancy dodges. In response, Sheng Qili naturally did not hesitate at all, and she launched her attacks without hesitation until -

She saw Bai Lin, who was about to land, looking up at her with that sinister look in his eyes.

A flash of blade light fell, and two streams of blood splattered simultaneously. Bai Lin's blade had slightly pierced Saint Qili's dark inner armor, leaving a not-too-deep, but complete cut from his hip to his shoulder. Bai Lin, on the other hand, had only suffered a scrape to his waist and abdomen.

During the mid-flip, Bai Lin's long-prepared blade strike unleashed with a surprising gesture. This strike was akin to the hawk's hook, a technique passed down by Yamashita Kanon, a truly remarkable technique performed in desperate situations with a last-ditch effort as the premise. The principle was to not exert all the force during the slight jump, but to channel the energy within, then unleash the attack at the moment of the mid-flip.

As for why it should only be used in desperate situations, the answer is simple. If your opponent is still alive after the blow, your body has not yet fully landed, and once you land, you will have no power to respond.

Chapter 712: The Evil Falcon Bite Again

If your opponent pursues you at this moment, you will only die. If your opponent doesn't pursue you when you throw the hook, the energy consumed by this move is also considerable, and rolling over will naturally cause your center of gravity to be unstable after landing.

While Bai Lin didn't have this problem, she couldn't use this move recklessly. Saint Qili remained calm despite the pain. With her martial arts skills, slightly superior to Bai Lin's, she instantly saw through the essence of the move. With a short, powerful step, the spear swiftly stabbed out of her hand. But something unexpected happened again.

Blades flashed, the sound of wounded flesh echoed alongside Bai Lin's screams of pain. She flung herself sideways, her right hand, cracked from the palm to the upper arm, instantly gushing blood. The sharp edge of Saint Qili's spear was lodged in it. Holding the blade, she retreated swiftly, dancing with it in the forest near the village, igniting a blazing fire that obscured her view.

The previous one was taught by the master, but now, it's all his own thinking. With Bai Lin's ability to surpass his limits, he could easily have used a second attack after that life-threatening move. While it was a blow without prior luck, it's not an exaggeration to call it a desperate struggle. But if Bai Lin used it, if it hit a vital point, it could still kill. Therefore, this strike must have been delivered from an extremely tricky angle.

The name of this move is "The Falcon Bite Again." It's essentially a desperate dog that will jump over the wall, but the person using it is no mere dog.

Of course, the cost was obvious. If this move failed to put the enemy in a state where they could no longer pursue, then death was certain. Furthermore, it was only effective in extreme one-on-one situations; against a group, the probability of success was so low that it was practically suicidal.

And how could Sheng Qili, who had injured Bai Lin so severely, actually allow Bai Lin to do these things without pursuing him? The reason was, of course, that Sheng Qili wasn't doing well either. Her spear fell to the ground from her hand, her calf tendon was cut, and her bones were half broken. She looked seriously injured too.

Even being severely injured didn't prevent her from continuing to attack. Saint Qili could easily use her spear blade to further injure Bai Lin. However, Bai Lin was also holding the sword with one hand. If she pursued rashly, the advantage of the sword as the fastest two-handed weapon would likely be exploited by her, resulting in a life-for-life situation.

In this exchange of injuries, he actually had the upper hand. With Bai Lin's arm in such condition, it would be nearly impossible for him to handle his attacks with ease. He couldn't say Bai Lin had lost an arm, but at least half of it was useless. His leg injury, on the other hand, wasn't as severe; if he adjusted, it wouldn't be a big problem.

After all, Sheng Qili is slightly faster than Bai Lin, so there will be no problem in chasing.

After making a prudent choice, Saint Qili drew her long sword. Gritting her teeth, she briefly numbed her aching leg with an electric shock, then calmed her slightly ferocious expression and slowly stepped through the sea of ​​fire.

Bai Lin had just finished cauterizing the wound and bandaged the torn limb, allowing his arm to recover to the point where he could still hold the knife with some difficulty. Saint Qili couldn't see through the helmeted face to see if he still had a relaxed expression, so he could only ask,

"Why, you're not going to run away? You injured my leg, so I still have a chance if I run away."

"What nonsense! Forget it, if you say you can run, then run. Even if I can run, I won't run. It seems like if I run again..."

"It's like I won't have to face the pursuit of a crazy woman like you!"

Bai Lin declared with immense passion, his golden eyes peering through his mask, their warmth instantly reaching Saint Qili, leaving her dazed. Bai Lin, using his right hand as a support, held his blade to his side, standing proudly amidst the sea of ​​flames like a blood-soaked war ghost.

It's really dazzling. But a sinner is still a sinner after all.

These words flashed through Sheng Qili's mind. She charged forward, wielding the Feather Wolf Blade, a blade similar in shape to Bai Lin's. Bai Lin, however, sidestepped to meet the enemy, unexpectedly taking a step forward. Her strike perfectly deflected Sheng Qili's attack, and in a moment of despair, she retreated slightly, thrusting out with the remaining force of her blade, striking back. Her blade collided with Sheng Qili's once again, matching their speeds.

Yes, perhaps Bai Lin really didn't want to escape anymore, but the main reason she didn't run this time was precisely the reason why her blades collided with Saint Qili's. That was the terrain.

Outside the succubus village were a series of small hills. Bai Lin had been chased and attacked before, so he naturally had a rough understanding of the terrain. In combat, attacking from above was also advantageous, especially when it came to distance control.

Once this advantage is mastered, those at a higher level will definitely be able to suppress those at a lower level. Although Bai Lin's skills were not as good as Sheng Qili's to begin with, and she was now injured, she relied on the advantage of the terrain to stand on the same level as Sheng Qili and compete on the same stage.

By exchanging injuries to interrupt the opponent's initiative, and then using the difference in terrain to create an advantage for himself, it is obvious that Bai Lin is in excellent condition now.

Blades clashed, wave after wave, and intense sparks flew between the two. Bai Lin's footsteps twisted and turned, always pulling at the opponent at an appropriate angle, and using this slight distance advantage to prevent Sheng Qili from exerting his full strength.

After all, Sheng Qili's current injury happened to be in her leg. Even if her speed wasn't significantly affected, her agility would be greatly reduced. But how could Sheng Qili be considered an ordinary warrior? She snorted softly, and lightning flashed across the blade's edge. A humming sound that pierced the heavens and earth also echoed from her hand.

She stood still, as solid as a rock. After taking Bai Lin's attack, she exerted force, using her huge magic advantage and enormous pressure to prevent Bai Lin from easily moving the blade in his hand away and choosing another way out.

Bai Lin, already wounded in the hand, naturally couldn't withstand such immense pressure. Her only option was to leap back, creating distance and continuing to consume the enemy as before. She retreated and slashed, but just as the blade was about to touch Sheng Qili's face, it was blocked again.

Chapter 713 Pull, Pull, Pull

Immediately afterwards, Saint Qili once again summoned destructive magic, instantly exerting force on his body, pointing the tip of his blade downward, thrusting diagonally forward. Taking advantage of Bai Lin's moment of retreat, he retreated a step. This completely ended the clash of blades, and the lightning surged like a wave, striking directly at Bai Lin.

With Bai Lin's long sword, it was impossible to compete with such magical power. She could only slightly deflect the blade's edge and then step back again. But if she continued to increase the distance, Bai Lin's advantage would disappear. If she abandoned the technical control of close combat and switched to a fierce battle of waves, she would have no chance of victory.

Thunder roared, shrouding the sky in darkness. What had been a spur-of-the-moment strike was now a deliberate, fatal blow. The trees in the forest were instantly crushed to the ground by a massive surge of magical energy, which gathered like a storm, converging on Saint Qili. Bai Lin simply ran.

While simply running away from a blow like this wouldn't be of any use, she still had to maintain as much distance as possible. Otherwise, she wouldn't even have the chance to switch weapons. In a split second, the twin blades swirled in Bai Lin's hands. She moved as light as a swallow amidst this condensed stream of magical energy, soaring like a shadow along the storm of pressure.

Theoretically, twin blades wouldn't be the most suitable weapons for defense, but since she chose to do so, she naturally had a purpose. She slit the palm of one hand in mid-air, and a faint flame instantly imbued the short blades with special properties. As her body flipped horizontally, facing Saint Qili, she hurled the short blades without hesitation.

The temperature of the Misty Flame itself wasn't much higher than the Cinder Flame, barely reaching 3,000 degrees Celsius. However, the inherent incessant nature of the flame made it a formidable force. Even Saint Qili couldn't withstand it head-on, and could only counteract it with magic power, effectively dispelling its charge.

As expected, the moment the short blade was thrown, the lightning's light instantly converged, transforming into a rainbow beam that descended from the dome. The terrifying aura, which seemed to split the world in two, directly met Bai Lin's face. Even though she had been mentally prepared, she couldn't help but tremble slightly, but her movements did not stop for a moment.

Because the charge had ended prematurely, the power of the attack was significantly reduced. Bai Lin placed her moon-thin long sword against the attack, and the armor on her arm was instantly blown away, sending her body plummeting backwards. Despite the increasing number of wounds on her body, she miraculously avoided being bisected.

In the instant before her body hit the ground, the dagger she had retrieved from the recycling bin returned to her hand. She unfurled both blades, gritted her teeth, and used the momentum of the impact to slam into the ground. However, she didn't fall directly to the ground, instead her upper body was slightly lifted by the reaction force. It was during this moment, with both limbs on the ground, her upper body holding up at the limit, that the two blades met and slashed out.

Huashuiyue Body Style·Continued Sword·Hundred Flowers in Disarray

Countless blades of light slashed out at unrepeated angles in a split second. If one wanted to disperse or deflect magical energy, this move was the perfect choice. The destructive force of thunder was directed towards countless locations, shattering the mountains like a scattering of flowers. Amidst the mountain's mournful cries, it gradually crumbled.

Bai Lin herself, however, ultimately took the blow head-on, suffering multiple injuries. The forced breathing had also caused internal pain, and blood gushed from her mouth, causing her entire body to collapse. However, she still managed to navigate the mountain's wreckage, her speed significantly faster than before.

She chose to receive the strike mid-air to avoid being driven directly into the ground by the force. That would restrict her movement, and while the trauma would be less severe, Sheng Qili's next strike would instantly end Bai Lin's life. In this situation, she could easily utilize her "not moving on the ground" ability to increase her speed, easily creating distance and preventing Sheng Qili from catching up.

That being said, Bai Lin still sustained considerable injuries and had no intention of counterattacking. Saint Qili, on the other hand, suffered no setbacks in this round of clash and once again seized the initiative. She was truly a formidable opponent.

Trying to find a chance to win by delaying the battle through terrain was too difficult. Those who couldn't afford to delay would always be the weaker side, Bai Lin. If she didn't gain an advantage instantly with her extra trump card, she would only be defeated.

What he needed to do was to fight as hard as possible to avoid injury. Even if a protracted battle was unavoidable, he had to suppress the opponent completely, just like he did last time when he used the Red Lotus Form. Otherwise, he would be at a permanent disadvantage.

Bai Lin thought this without hesitation. With a slightly stumbling step, she took another quick step, heading towards the top of the mountain. But before she could get far, a dangerous aura, accompanied by a powerful light, flashed from behind her. She turned around, only to be met with an unbelievable scene unfolding before her eyes.

The shield formation has always been a common formation in cold-weapon warfare. In the era of cold-weapon warfare, it meant being indestructible, broken only by a cavalry charge. The shield formation represented a barrier forged from flesh and steel.

However, the effectiveness of a shield formation was actually quite limited. After all, even in a city defense, even just holding up a shield wouldn't be enough manpower. This formation, which required both manpower and horses and lacked mobility, was rarely useful, even if it was extremely powerful. It was generally employed during a battle, when advancing forward.

However, what if we retain the strength of the shield formation itself and then use the cavalry to lead the charge?

In reality, this would be sheer nonsense. A cavalry charge is powerful and unstoppable, but it would never be possible to charge with shields raised in rows. However, this isn't the harsh real world after all, so perhaps only creatures called "angels" could achieve this. The ferocious battle inscribed on Saint Qili's shield speaks volumes about their power.

If they couldn't coordinate their shields, then they would transform each unit into an iron wall, using the fewest number to form the strongest formation. This charge was like a moving steel fortress, far exceeding the limits of heavy cavalry.

Chapter 714 Paladin Charge

Once you get hit by something like this, it's no joke.

White wings spread out behind Saint Qili. In one hand, she transformed into a medium-sized rapier, in the other, she held a holy shield. Her entire body remained motionless, yet she soared upward in a manner that defied physics. Beside her, countless phantoms flew shoulder to shoulder with her, all firing at Bai Lin, their own—or rather, their—

Paladin Charge

It flattened the mountain road, leaving behind white burn marks, and even flattened the will to resist in Bai Lin's heart, even if it was only for a moment. Her mouth was slightly open, and she stood there in a daze, as if saying,

"What the hell is this..."