Chapter 315: Rules

Chapter 315: Rules

Ola’s absence for many days did not cause much change. As Guardians of the Amphibians, their existence was actually quite awkward. They were like totems that had been enshrined, gradually losing their color over the passage of time, becoming mottled and unrecognizable.

All the clansfolk knew of them, yet did not truly know them. Only the few who guarded them closely, those responsible for relaying messages, knew their true faces.

And the Guardians had also grown accustomed to this life. After burying their last relative in the endless years, their grief and longing gradually faded under the erosion of time, and they became beings hidden behind the scenes.

Therefore, apart from a very few individuals, most Amphibians remained immersed in their own sorrow. The damage caused by Xina was too great, leaving the Amphibians facing a severe problem—handling the corpses.

The Amphibians practiced water burials, but the vast seas adjacent to the long coastline of the southern Continent could not, for a time, meet the needs for sea burials.

The disaster for the Amphibians was a fortunate event for this Continent. Thus, many people began to rejoice, with South Cape and Lianhai being the most jubilant.

It should have been the best time for a counterattack, but they instead widely spread talk of divine protection. The Royal Families of both countries also coincidentally claimed the title of descendants of the Sea God. The two countries, which should have been united against an external foe, began to exchange harsh words over who were the legitimate descendants, even adopting a posture of being willing to fight over it.

The allied forces, originally planning to bypass the two countries to launch exploratory attacks, had to abandon their operations and began to mediate these trivial and messy affairs.

Bran was still in a hurry. The sudden appearance of the Amphibian Guardians had already threatened the people around him. Even if it was just a sign, Bran had to immediately snuff it out.

After throwing part of Xina’s body back to Northland City, he headed straight for the Southern Coast, near the side of the Dragon Riders. He had to reveal his crazy side, he had to use his own methods to intimidate the enemy…

When he landed beside the Amphibian Camp, he nodded with satisfaction at the devastation surrounding him. Xina had done a thorough job; the destruction far surpassed his imagination. And he finally understood why Ola only wanted to vent his anger on him but did not dare to trouble Xina.

Because the Amphibians, living by the water, could not avoid it, and thus could not afford to provoke it.

Bran ignored the Amphibians who were still in a state of numbness. Instead, he found a large tree not far from the shore and sat down, quietly waiting for his prey to arrive.

The grief-stricken Amphibians had no heart to pay attention to this abruptly appearing youth, and his blatant appearance left them momentarily confused about the situation.

Someone came over and tried to question him, and Bran casually responded. Unfortunately, neither side could understand each other’s words, so the questioning turned into an awkward stare-off.

Soon, two guards stood beside Bran, protecting this inexplicable youth.

Bran stared at the distant sea, watching as Mana surged from the far horizon, rapidly approaching with a warning intent. Bran leaned his back lightly against the tree trunk and suddenly realized it had been a long time since he had rested against his own Wood. Many simple things from the past could no longer be experienced. Everything could only be savored and remembered from memory, fantasizing about all the wonderful sensations of being in the flesh.

This suddenly put him in a very foul mood, so he closed his eyes slightly, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. That’s how it was back then, holding Huahua while leaning against the tree.

In his perception, someone walked under the tree’s shade and came before him. They looked at him silently, forming a triangular formation around him.

Bran’s expression remained unchanged. He reached into his robe, pulled out Ola’s head, and placed it in front of him.

“This person came to me the other day, and some unpleasantness occurred. However, that unpleasantness was quickly resolved. Before his death, this person pleaded for my help. In a moment of weakness, I agreed.”

“What did you agree to?”

“He said he was too lonely and needed some old friends for company. A rather hard request to refuse, isn’t it?” Saying this, Bran raised his hand and tapped on the tree trunk behind him. Three short sticks appeared in his hand. “Will you choose among yourselves, or decide by drawing lots?”

“Insolence!”

“Is that so?” Bran opened his eyes and scanned the beach. “I always believed that beings like us would not personally attack these ignorant Mortals, at least not specifically target them. But this person’s actions showed me I was wrong.

Do you know? I hate mistakes, so I try my best to correct them whenever I’m wrong.”

“Ola would not do such a thing! He was only following the true culprit. So, you were the one who first attacked these Mortals. You are responsible for the losses before us.”

As these words were spoken, three waves of killing intent also enveloped Bran.

“Don’t rush. Later, there will indeed be things I need to take responsibility for, but definitely not these before us.” Bran raised his hand and scratched his head. “I’m a bit confused. Why don’t you go trouble Xina? We all know it was that Monster that caused all this.”

“If no one had provoked it, none of this would have happened.”

“You are afraid of it?” A smile bloomed on Bran’s face. “So you only dare to vent your anger on a nobody like me, preparing to kill the chicken to scare the monkey?”

Seeing their defaulting attitude, Bran clapped his hands. “I like these Rules. I also appreciate your honesty.”

Bran spread his hands open at his sides. Then you can make your move.

The three shook their heads. “Our clanspeople are here. We cannot involve them.”

“Don’t worry. I promise you they will not be involved, because the dead cannot be involved at all.” As Bran spoke, except for the four transcendent beings, not a single living person remained on the beach.

Shocked and furious, the three Guardians attacked Bran simultaneously. The radiance of Mana instantly tore Bran to shreds. This outcome made the three pause in surprise; none had expected it to be so easy.

But the three knew it absolutely should not have been this easy. As they exchanged glances in hesitation, the tree shadows came to life, swallowing two of them in one bite. The tree shadows wriggled, and Bran’s form reappeared. He said to the last one, “Help me pass on a message. I am someone who always follows the Rules, who always corrects mistakes when I’m wrong.”