Chapter 1212: Entanglement, Preparing to Counterattack

The Astral Plane.

Led by Suo En's Radiant Domain, Xia Duo and Kelifu continuously maneuvered and dodged within the boundless silver void, but no matter how many times they changed direction, the hunters behind them remained stuck to their trail.

Even while staring down Kelifu's continuous Scorching Sun Rays, or enduring Xia Duo's constant stimulation and interference, they still pursued them relentlessly.

However, the absolute difference in speed was clear; no matter how hard Xia Duo and the others tried, they could not avoid the outcome of being caught in the end.

And the closer the two sides got, the more Xia Duo felt the danger and excitement of combat in the Astral Plane.

At close range, many spell effects could be fully displayed; those hunters, besides needing to dodge and resist Kelifu's attacks, had to pay even more attention to Xia Duo's obstructions.

After all, both sides were in high-speed motion, and any slight obstruction could potentially cause a twelve-fold effect.

At the same time, because they were closer, Kelifu's Scorching Sun Rays became increasingly sharp; not to mention a direct hit to a vital spot, even a slight graze would immediately turn one into a human torch.

But correspondingly, because they were closer, the hunters could also attack.

It was also at this moment that Xia Duo realized more and more the power of this hunter leader; in the Astral Plane, one must maintain the intent of movement at all times, for once that intent stops, speed will be slowed by the obstructions caused by other distracting thoughts.

This was somewhat similar to a fighter jet's engine and wind resistance.

When necessary, an occasional pause was acceptable, but to maintain continuous flight, one had to remain in an operational state for the vast majority of the time.

Xia Duo's movement here relied mainly on Suo En, the Eternal Holy Spirit, but because of this, Suo En was tied up with most of his attention and could not spare any mind to obstruct the hunters behind them.

Yet that hunter leader, while maintaining the formation flight and maneuvering of his companions, could still strike to shatter Kelifu's attacks.

And at close range, he was even able to stir up Astral Winds with a clear retarding effect to entangle Suo En's Radiant Domain.

Seeing this situation, Xia Duo felt anxious, but in the Astral Plane, anxiety itself meant obstruction, which reminded him of his experience hunting Orcs in the Green Pearl Forest during his time as an Apprentice.

Back then, although he couldn't beat the Orcs, he still had a group of helpers, and even if he couldn't win, running away was no problem.

But now, even running away was a problem!

Of course, as long as Xia Duo was willing to give up this exploration of the Dream Ruins, he could return to the Main Plane at any time, but he might not have Suo En's help next time.

Moreover, he also had to consider Kelifu's thoughts, and besides, a body of astral substance almost like a real body, as they had now, should not be without a price.

Although he didn't know what Kelifu had paid, Xia Duo guessed that perhaps Kelifu didn't even master this kind of Spell, otherwise he wouldn't have needed to come to Giles Tower.

He wouldn't even have needed to ask Suo En for help; at worst, it would just be infinite explorations.

……

The Astral Plane was windless, but Xia Duo could clearly feel the influence of his own distracting thoughts on his speed, to the point where he even had the feeling that he was about to break away from Suo En's Domain.

"This can't go on!"

Xia Duo realized that the pressure of being pressed step by step was truly too great, and the Astral Plane itself was even amplifying this pressure.

It would be better to simply fight these hunters behind them; even if he couldn't win, he had to teach them a big lesson before leaving the Astral Plane!

Thus, taking advantage of a gap in Kelifu's attacks, he suggested: "Lord Kelifu, we are not yet too passive at the moment; why not counterattack now? If we are truly caught, it might be very disadvantageous instead!"

Kelifu did not answer, but Suo En, who had remained silent ever since unfolding the Radiant Domain, spoke up instead: "Lord Xia Duo is right. I can already feel the resistance to movement growing greater and greater. In ten minutes at most, we will be completely pinned down by the other side, but I will leave alone before that happens!"

Since Suo En had said as much, Kelifu naturally would not object; if he really did object, Suo En might leave immediately, and this exploration of the Dream Ruins would be over.

He might be able to continue next time, but without Suo En's help, he didn't know how much time it would take to find the Dream Ruins, and he didn't think Lord Xia Duo would continue to waste time with him.

"Then let's counterattack! But there is no need to stop completely; please, Lord Suo En, continue to move and dodge, just lower the speed slightly to let them get closer."

After speaking, Kelifu reminded Xia Duo: "Watch out for the silver sword in the leader's hand. I suspect that besides having the effect of Spell Breaking, it may also have extra damage to astral substance!"

Xia Duo nodded silently; he had long noticed that sword of the leader's. After all, it was used every time to swing and shatter Kelifu's attacks, and its shape, full of fluidity like liquid metal, made it impossible for him not to notice.

It was just that he had originally intended to use the Blade of Veto in his hand to fight the opponent, but now that Kelifu had said this, he was somewhat hesitant.

The Blade of Veto was not his real body; although it retained all its Magic abilities and some material properties, its essence was still astral substance.

If it were shattered or cut in two, Xia Duo worried whether it would affect the real body of the Blade of Veto; at the same time, he also had to try his best to avoid having his own astral body hit by that sword.

……

Since they had decided to counterattack, the three of them did not deliberate too much and soon settled on a plan for the counterattack.

First, they accelerated; Xia Duo and Kelifu both temporarily gave up on interfering with or attacking the rear, instead joining forces with Suo En to push the Radiant Domain to accelerate and shake off the entanglement of the hunter leader's Astral Wind.

And in the rear, the hunter leader Tulusu and the hunting squad he commanded saw the prey break free from the capture net, but none of them showed the slightest change in expression, nor did their formation show any disorder.

Having hunted for many years, Tulusu had long seen countless ways prey struggled before death, but in the end, they still could not escape death.

Facing prey that gave up resistance so easily and was intent on fleeing, he even felt a bit uninterested, but hunting was not just his personal hobby; it was for the prosperity of his tribe.

"Accelerate!"

A thought containing the command was instantly transmitted to the minds of all team members.

……

"They've accelerated!"

"Understood! Stay close to me, prepare to change direction!"

While sensing the real-time changes in the Radiant Domain, Xia Duo kept his mind guarded to be ready to react at any time; receiving the order, he immediately sent out the same intent as the Radiant Domain.

This intent was so strong that it stirred up a small Astral Wind.

But at this moment, Xia Duo had no time to worry about whether this mental wind would provide the hunters behind them with any information involving the counterattack plan; he just followed Suo En's Radiant Domain tightly and provided all his thrust.

At this stage, overthinking would only hinder the counterattack plan.