Thorne devoured Kristy's body. At Transcendent Tier Level 8, it earned him 10,000 energy points—a mere appetizer now. He handed the soul and brain marrow to the Ghost Thorn Tree and Magic Dragon Gecko.
Through the devoured memories, Thorne learned much about the Light Temple, particularly the Divine Judgment Squad—a unit dedicated to eradicating heretical faiths. Kristy was just one member.
He also understood how Kristy found him. The Light Temple had crafted compasses to detect faith power across the world. When the Huang Tribe knelt and praised Thorne, the faith power triggered Kristy's compass.
Fortunately, Thorne's system blocked faith power, leaving Kristy with only a vague location. It took him over two months to pinpoint the lake.
This posed a thorny issue. With the Faith War looming, the continent's dominant powers would tighten surveillance on rival faiths to maximize their edge.
Factions like the elves, backed by mighty gods, couldn't be openly challenged. But a rootless faith like Thorne's? They'd aim to crush it entirely.
Though Kristy was dead, the next surge of faith power could alert the Light Temple again.
For now, Thorne could only restrain the Huang Tribe from kneeling or praising him, minimizing faith power. This, however, hindered raising their loyalty.
He needed to grow fast—matching the elves' level to face the Light Temple head-on.
Under his current constraints, he could only bide his time and adapt, unable to flee.
"Tylen's been gone a week. I wonder how he's doing."
Tylen's 100% loyalty let Thorne see through his eyes via the system, though it cost energy points.
Tylen's situation was critical to Thorne's next strategic move, so he spent some points to check.
Thorne's mind split, sensing the lake while peering through Tylen's eyes and thoughts.
The Huang Tribe's main camp nestled in a hidden valley, surrounded by high ground with watchtowers and concealed outposts. Simple huts dotted the valley for habitation.
But as Tylen entered, the watchtowers stood empty. No response came to his coded calls—he knew something was wrong.
Rushing in, he heard shouts echoing through the valley.
Bloodstains marred the scene, houses collapsed, and mangled Huang Tribe bodies littered the path.
Survivors fled as several cunning Hellhounds pursued them.
Thorne had encountered Hellhounds shortly after arriving in this world—his first hunted magic beast was one.
These vile, sly creatures toyed with the Huang Tribe, chasing them across the valley, occasionally snapping off a fleeing victim's head with one of their mouths.
Thorne felt Tylen's fury. Five Hellhounds— Mortal Tier Levels 7 and 8—outmatched Tylen, who, post-bloodline awakening, was barely Level 6. This fight looked grim.
Tylen didn't hesitate or rush in rashly. He drew the bow Thorne gave him, its arrows crafted from other beasts' bones.
Hiding behind a house, he aimed at a Hellhound baring its fangs at a fallen Huang child.
Only when the beast's stench reached the child did Tylen loose his shot.
The arrow streaked like a meteor, piercing one head before the Hellhound could react.
It turned its other head, seeking the attacker, but mid-turn, a second arrow struck, piercing both heads. The once-arrogant predator collapsed in a pool of blood.
The other Hellhounds, alerted, stared in shock at their fallen kin, searching for Tylen.
After confirming the kill with his second shot, Tylen had already relocated.
The Hellhounds abandoned their playful chase, hunting him with focus.
As one passed his new hiding spot, it casually smashed half the house. Debris buried Tylen, but he stayed still. When it moved on, he fired.
The arrow pierced both heads. The Hellhound, not instantly dead, charged him but fell halfway.
The remaining three spotted him, rushing his position.
Too late to hide, Tylen leapt out, wings flapping, taking to the air.
From above, he fired three arrows, killing another, but couldn't dodge the counterattacks from the last two. Struck, he crashed down.
Fallen and powerless, Tylen silently called to Thorne.
Thorne had awaited this. Seeing Tylen falter, he invoked Divine Descent—exclusive to 100%-loyal followers—via the system.
Tylen's soul eased as his body moved beyond his control. He watched like a bystander as it stood, waved, and conjured ice arrows, pinning the two Hellhounds dead.
"Handle this quickly and bring the remaining Huang Tribe here," Thorne instructed tersely, returning control to Tylen.