Chapter 189

But unfortunately, the cave was the black-robed figure's home field, and with six fast-running legs, it soon left the three behind.

The three continued to pursue in the cave according to the traces left by the black-robed figure.

Finally, when the three pursued to a three-way intersection, the traces left by the black-robed figure disappeared without a trace.

Looking at the three-way intersection before them, the three-person squad gradually stopped their steps.

A problem appeared: how should they choose?

Facing three different roads, it seemed that splitting up was the best choice.

Splitting into three paths, pursuing separately, this looked like it had a one hundred percent possibility of catching up to the opponent.

But in reality, the situation of the three fork roads was all unknown; splitting up rashly would cause their strength to be dispersed, which was very likely the opponent's strategy to defeat them one by one.

So they must not split up!

Subsequently, Mizunuki Ryosuke made a quick decision.

Putting his hands together, two ice clones appeared beside Ryosuke.

Subsequently, one went left and one went right to pursue.

"Go to the middle!"

Finally, Ryosuke took Mizunuki Hikohiko and Terumi Mei to go to the middle.

Unlike ordinary water clones, Ryosuke's ice clones, after Ryosuke's optimization, were not as fragile as water clones and possessed considerable combat power.

Regardless of which side caught up, as long as they could stall for time until Ryosuke arrived later, it would be fine.

After making the decision, the three pursued into the middle tunnel all the way.

Soon, a stone door appeared at the end of the fork road.

On this stone door, there was a huge "X" mark.

Seeing this stone door, Mizunuki Ryosuke's mind immediately recalled the content on the mural.

If he remembered correctly, at the end of the mural, an "X" mark also appeared above the cave.

Could there be any connection between all this?

Mizunuki Ryosuke frowned slowly.

But at this moment, the arrow was on the string and had to be fired; having pursued to here, they couldn't return empty-handed.

Suddenly, Mizunuki Ryosuke sensed that the two ice clones he had sent out had both lost contact.

At this moment, Mizunuki Ryosuke was startled; this was the first time he had encountered such a situation.

Note, it wasn't that the clones had been destroyed.

But the connection was lost directly!

It was as if Mizunuki Ryosuke had never used the Clone Jutsu at all!

As everyone knows, regardless of which kind of elemental Clone Jutsu it is, the core principles and effects are mostly the same.

Once the clone is dispelled, whether the clone is destroyed or the caster actively dispels the clone...

The moment the clone is dispelled, the information experienced by the clone during this time will immediately be transmitted back to the caster's mind.

But at this moment, this situation of the clone being lost was the first time it had appeared.

What on earth was going on?

Without too much hesitation, Mizunuki Ryosuke looked at the door with the huge "X" symbol before him.

Because he knew, perhaps all the answers were behind this door.

After taking a deep breath, Mizunuki Ryosuke pushed open this door before him.

At this moment, the heavy stone door transmitted an incomparable suction force; the powerful gravity made Mizunuki Ryosuke unable to react for a moment.

Before opening the stone door, the standing position of the three-person squad still maintained the previous state.

Ryosuke was in the front, Terumi Mei was in the middle, and Mizunuki Hikohiko was in the rear.

The moment the "X" stone door was opened, Ryosuke was directly sucked into the stone door, and Terumi Mei, who was extremely close to Ryosuke, also did not escape.

Fortunately, Ryosuke reacted quickly, instantly casting an Ice Wall Technique, blocking it in front of the stone door.

Mizunuki Hikohiko, who was at a slightly further distance, was also affected by the gravity and flew rapidly toward the stone door, but because of the ice wall Ryosuke created, he was blocked in front of the stone door.

It was precisely this momentary obstruction that allowed Mizunuki Hikohiko to escape disaster; about one second later, the stone door slowly closed again.

"Master!"

Seeing Mizunuki Ryosuke sucked into the interior of the stone door, Hikohiko was shocked.

But remembering Mizunuki Ryosuke's daily teachings, Hikohiko did not act rashly; he neither touched the stone door rashly nor turned and walked away, but waited quietly in front of the stone door.

This was because in a B-level mission the squad had before, the squad encountered rogue ninjas while escorting a merchant caravan.

The traps set by the rogue ninjas forced the squad members to be temporarily separated, although that mission was without danger.

But after the mission ended, Mizunuki Ryosuke set such rules for the squad members.

"Once squad members are forced to fight on their own."

"Remember, first you must ensure your own safety, as well as the safety of the surrounding environment."

"If there is no problem, stay where you are and do not act rashly, especially do not worry about my safety."

"Worrying about my safety is questioning the captain's strength."

For a time, Mizunuki Ryosuke's words seemed to echo in Hikohiko's ears.

Afterwards, a flash of determination crossed Mizunuki Hikohiko's eyes, and then he waited quietly in front of the stone door. ===== CHAPTER 191 =====