Chapter 14: The Road to Counterattack

In the distance, the black shadow was getting closer and closer, like a monster swallowing everything, carrying a suffocating sense of oppression.

Ji Chen's heart was beating thump-thump, as if it were about to jump out of his chest.

He pulled Ceng Yue's hand and ran away, his speed as fast as a gust of wind.

"Holy crap, what the hell is this? Playing for real!" Ji Chen complained while running, adrenaline soaring, making him feel full of power.

Ceng Yue didn't speak, just followed Ji Chen tightly, her eyes cold, vigilantly scanning the surroundings.

The surroundings were dead silent, only the sound of wind blowing through leaves, this quietness making them feel more uneasy, as if some terrible thing was lurking in the darkness, waiting for an opportunity to move.

"Be careful!" Ceng Yue suddenly shouted and pushed Ji Chen to the ground.

With a loud "Boom!", a huge fireball flew over their heads, slamming

"Damn it, this is too brutal!" Ji Chen scrambled up from the ground, patted the dust off his body, his heart pounding wildly.

They stood back-to-back, vigilantly scanning their surroundings, searching for the real danger.

The surrounding trees were tall and dense, blocking out the sky and sun, and the ground was covered in withered leaves that made a crisp "crack, crack" sound when stepped upon.

A faint scent of blood permeated the air, making one shudder.

Suddenly, a group of Ability Users dressed in black surrounded them from all directions, each with a fierce look in their eyes and murderous intent.

They coordinated perfectly and moved swiftly, like a well-trained army, surrounding Ji Chen and Ceng Yue so tightly that not even water could leak through.

"This time we're in big trouble..." Ji Chen swallowed hard, feeling immense pressure.

The strength of these Ability Users was clearly far greater than the Masked Man they had encountered before, and there were so many of them; this was simply a dead end!

"Don't be afraid, I'm here." Ceng Yue gripped the dagger in her hand, her gaze firm, though her tone was surprisingly calm.

"Beauty, saying that just makes me panic more..." Ji Chen said with a bitter smile.

The enemy's encirclement grew smaller and smaller; their leader, a Black-Clad Man, sneered and slowly raised his right hand.

"Attack!"

At the Black-Clad Man's command, the battle erupted instantly.

Dozens of energy beams struck toward Ji Chen and Ceng Yue like a violent storm.

Ji Chen hurriedly activated his Energy Shield, but it was as fragile as paper, shattered in an instant.

He let out a muffled groan, his body sent flying by the powerful impact, crashing heavily to the ground and splashing up a cloud of dust.

"Cough, cough..." Ji Chen struggled to crawl up, feeling as if his internal organs had shifted, a metallic, sweet taste surging in his throat.

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth; damn, they really hit hard!

Ceng Yue's situation was no better.

Although she was agile, she was outnumbered, and she had sustained several wounds; fresh blood dripped down her arm, blooming into enchanting blood-flowers on the gray ground.

"Hold on!" Ji Chen shouted and charged forward once again.

He swung his fists, unleashing all the supernatural energy within his body, like a fierce tiger descending a mountain, unstoppable.

However, facing such a large number of enemies, his attacks were like a drop in the bucket.

The Black-Clad Men coordinated seamlessly, their offensive continuous like a tidal wave.

Ji Chen gradually felt his strength failing, more wounds appearing on his body, his clothes stained red with blood.

He felt his strength gradually fading, and the world before his eyes began to blur.

Ceng Yue was also struggling to hold on nearby, but after all, she was only an Intermediate Ability User; facing such powerful enemies, she also gradually felt powerless.

"Pfft!"

With a muffled sound, Ceng Yue's body jolted violently, and a mouthful of blood gushed out. She slowly collapsed.

"Ceng Yue!" Ji Chen's eyes were bloodshot; he rushed to Ceng Yue's side regardless of everything, pulling her tightly into his arms.

"Don't... don't worry about me..." Ceng Yue said with a weak, intermittent breath, "You go quickly..."

"Shut up! I'm not leaving!" Ji Chen held Ceng Yue tightly, his heart filled with anger and sorrow.

He felt as if he were about to lose her, and an atmosphere of despair permeated the surroundings.

The Black-Clad Men slowly closed in, wearing mocking smiles on their faces.

The leading Black-Clad Man walked up to Ji Chen, looked down at him from above, and sneered: "Give up, you have no chance left."

Holding Ceng Yue, Ji Chen slowly raised his head, a chilling light flickering in his eyes.

"Is that so..." A strange smile curled the corner of his mouth, "The game... has only just begun..."

Holding Ceng Yue, Ji Chen slowly stood up; the wounds and blood all over his body did not make him retreat.

His eyes shone with a firm light; it was as if at this moment, he was no longer an Elementary Ability User, but a fearless warrior.

"Ceng Yue, wait for me here." Ji Chen placed Ceng Yue behind a protruding rock, where it was relatively safe and would not be easily discovered by the enemy.

Ceng Yue struggled to say something, but Ji Chen had already turned and charged toward the enemy's encirclement.

"Is this guy crazy?" The leading Black-Clad Man was full of confusion, and the other Black-Clad Men were equally puzzled; they watched as Ji Chen charged at them in an unexpected way, seemingly seeking his own death.

Ji Chen's speed suddenly increased; his pace was as swift as a leopard, and every collision was like a heavy cannon, knocking the enemies away one by one.

The Black-Clad Men were caught off guard by Ji Chen's sudden assault, and their formation began to fall into chaos.

"What on earth is this kid trying to do?" The leading Black-Clad Man roared in anger, but his voice was drowned out by Ji Chen's shockwave.

Every one of Ji Chen's impacts was accompanied by the sound of cracking bones and screams; the enemies began to feel fear.

Just as the enemies were retreating, Ji Chen suddenly felt the supernatural energy within his body surging like a tide.

He did not use supernatural attacks, but instead let this energy gather rapidly within his body, as if an invisible container were storing it up.

His strength increased instantly, every movement filled with explosive power.

"You scumbags, all of you fall for me!" Ji Chen roared, hitting the leading Black-Clad Man with a punch; the massive impact smashed him into the ground, sending dust flying.

Seeing this, the surrounding Black-Clad Men scattered and fled, their faces filled with terror and despair.

Ji Chen's gaze swept across the surroundings; only a few enemies remained struggling in his line of sight.

He walked over slowly, every step heavy and powerful; those enemies, seeing Ji Chen's eyes, could not help but lie on the ground, not daring to move again.

"Weren't you arrogant just now? How come you've all ended up in this state?" Ji Chen said coldly, his tone carrying undisguised mockery.

He picked up Ceng Yue, a firm light flickering in his eyes.

He knew there was a greater conspiracy behind all this, but he would not retreat.

He took a step forward and walked toward the depths of the darkness ahead.

"Ceng Yue, we will not stop; no matter who stands in our way, I will make them pay the price." Ji Chen's voice echoed in the night sky, carrying an unstoppable dominance.