Chapter 71: Nangong Li Takes Action

“Run quickly!” Qiu Han wrapped his left arm around the unicorn’s waist, ready to use his Water Escape technique to flee back along the narrow path. Yet as he turned, his gaze swept across the scene, and he could only smile bitterly.

At the exit of the path, the mud at the bottom of the water stirred, and soon hundreds of jellyfish beasts emerged from beneath the silt. Combined with the swarm chasing from behind, they encircled Qiu Han completely.

Without hesitation, Qiu Han unleashed several Ice Needle techniques, instantly killing nearly ten jellyfish beasts. He then darted toward the entrance, employing Water Escape, but the remaining jellyfish beasts surged forward like a hive, dozens of Ice Arrow techniques raining down upon him.

The defensive light screen around him held for only a few breaths before three layers were breached.

The unicorn slipped from Qiu Han’s embrace, leaping into the fray and scattering the surrounding jellyfish beasts, who shrank back, afraid to approach.

“The reach of spells is too limited. If I used spiritual tools, there wouldn’t be time. If only I could cast Wind Blade underwater—then I’d stand a real chance of breaking through.”

Qiu Han sighed softly, spreading his palm to release more Ice Needle techniques. Glancing at the dense swarm behind him, a bitter smile curled his lips.

“Out of my way!”

With a roar, he unleashed Fire Control, incinerating the jellyfish beasts that dared approach. Manipulating the flames, he charged toward the path’s exit, losing yet another layer of defense.

Now only ten yards from the exit, nearly fifty jellyfish beasts blocked the way, while thousands more rushed from fifty yards behind, a deafening tide.

“Time to gamble!”

Qiu Han summoned the unicorn once more and pushed Water Escape to its utmost, his right hand shrouded in fire as he surged forward, arriving at the exit in an instant.

He paid no heed to the dozens of Ice Arrows threatening him, charging straight into the mass of jellyfish beasts.

With a final shattering sound, his last layer of defensive light screen fell, leaving only his spiritual power shield, which quivered under the assault. Yet he reached the exit; the unicorn bounded to his side, burrowing close, clinging to him.

With Fire Control, Qiu Han burned away the beasts blocking his path, then accelerated his Water Escape, striving to flee. But the winding, narrow path made it impossible to fully unleash his speed.

Forced to look back at the pursuing swarm, Qiu Han reluctantly summoned a low-grade spiritual shield, encasing himself in protection. He drew a stack of talismans from his hand.

He activated all the attack talismans at once. With a grave expression, he placed them where the beasts would pass, then hurried toward the exit, his spiritual sense monitoring the rear.

When the leading jellyfish beasts entered the talisman zone, Qiu Han’s lips curved in a cold smile. With a soft command—“Explode!”—the talismans detonated, sending fireballs and ice swords flying. In a few breaths, nearly a hundred jellyfish beasts were slain, but more swarmed forward, undaunted by death.

Fleeing with the unicorn, Qiu Han drew the Ice Feather Ring from his storage pouch, channeling spiritual power to launch another attack on the pursuing beasts. After nearly an hour of fighting and fleeing, he had killed close to a thousand jellyfish beasts, and even he felt fatigued.

With more beasts closing in, Qiu Han bit his tongue, sharpening his focus, and accelerated his escape. At last, he reached the path’s end; not far ahead lay the tunnel—if he could follow it, he’d be safe.

But just as he prepared to sprint at full speed, a rumble echoed from the tunnel ahead. Probing with his spiritual sense, his bitter smile deepened.

Within the tunnel, nearly a hundred water beasts barreled toward him, blocking any hope of escape. Now, Qiu Han was trapped between thousands of jellyfish beasts and a hundred water beasts; to break free seemed impossible. Even now, he could not think of a way out.

“Is this where I die today...? No—fight to the end!”

His brows knitted, and his handsome face was hardened by murderous resolve.

“Qiu, boy, it seems your situation is dire. Alas, since I’ll need your help in the future, I suppose I must lend you a hand. I’ve only just awakened, my strength not fully restored, so I can use my divine power only once. If you can hold out until all the beasts gather here, I can obliterate them in a single blow. After that, you’re on your own!”

The voice of Nangong Li rang out once more.

“I’ll do my best. Senior, wait for the right moment and strike when it comes!” Qiu Han gritted his teeth, watching the approaching swarm, his voice resolute.

He slapped his storage pouch, producing a supreme-grade spiritual shield, pouring all his power into it. The shield’s defense enveloped him and the unicorn.

After about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, thousands of jellyfish beasts and nearly a hundred water beasts had arrived, surrounding Qiu Han on all sides and above, launching fierce attacks.

Hundreds of Ice Arrow techniques struck the shield in waves, but its defense stood unshaken like a mountain, holding for nearly half an hour without breach.

Another volley of Ice Arrows came, sweat beading on Qiu Han’s brow as he persisted, maintaining the flow of spiritual power. After nearly an hour, the jellyfish beasts finally ceased their assault.

Now, the hundred water beasts, their thick arms raised, split into dozens of groups, taking turns to charge forward and hammer at Qiu Han’s shield. He felt his spiritual power draining rapidly—he could last only half an hour more. After that, without spiritual power, the supreme-grade shield would no longer protect him.

Another heavy blow landed. Though shielded, Qiu Han suffered from the relentless barrage, his chest roiling with blood and energy.