The atmosphere suddenly became extremely oppressive.
Following his instincts, Duan Xianxing glanced at Li Nanzhu, his eyes filled with questioning and a familiar itch for action.
Li Nanzhu understood his meaning immediately, but she ultimately gave a slight shake of her head. She didn't dare gamble with the lives of her senior brothers and sisters.
Their subtle interaction was keenly caught by Jiang Yifan.
He spoke in a deep voice, "Little Junior Sister, Seventh Senior Brother, do you have any thoughts? Do not hesitate to speak. At this moment, any possible method is worth discussing."
Seeing his fourth senior brother ask, Duan Xianxing took a deep breath and stopped hiding his thoughts, quickly explaining the strategy he and Li Nanzhu had considered earlier.
Li Nanzhu added, "...This method works against Golden Core stage cultivators. By relying on speed advantages and the assistance of talismans, there shouldn't be much of a problem. But facing a Nascent Soul stage demonic beast, its speed, intelligence, and attack range are far beyond the Golden Core stage. The risk for the person responsible for drawing it away is extreme..." She didn't say more, but the meaning was self-evident.
After hearing this, Jiang Yifan’s face showed no fluctuation. He remained silent for a moment, appearing to weigh the options rapidly.
After a while, he said, "We can try it."
He looked at the three of them. "I have several protective magic tools on me that are sufficient to withstand a Nascent Soul stage attack. This is already the method with the lowest relative risk currently."
Ling Suxin also nodded in agreement, her tone firm. "Fellow Daoist Jiang is right. My lotus lamp can also cooperate; it has a slowing effect that can affect the opponent's speed and spiritual energy circulation. It should have some effect even against a Nascent Soul demonic beast."
Li Nanzhu and Jiang Yifan’s eyes lit up at the same time.
Jiang Yifan looked at Ling Suxin with a hint of confirmation in his tone. "Fellow Daoist Ling, is that true? This lamp is effective even against Nascent Soul demonic beasts?"
Ling Suxin nodded with certainty.
"That's wonderful!" Li Nanzhu couldn't help but let out a soft exclamation. Her furrowed brows finally relaxed, and the light of eagerness was reignited in her eyes. "If we have the help of Senior Sister Ling's lotus lamp to slow the dragon crocodile's movements, the risk of Fourth Senior Brother attracting its attention will be greatly reduced! Our chance of success has increased by at least thirty percent!"
A plan that originally had almost no hope became feasible in an instant because of Ling Suxin's unexpected and powerful support ability!
The worst-case result would simply be shattering their jade pendants and being eliminated from the competition.
Let's gamble!
Li Nanzhu immediately pulled six brand-new acceleration talismans from her storage bag. These were high-grade items she had specifically prepared before the competition, and their effects far surpassed the ordinary versions she had given to Duan Xianxing.
She distributed three talismans each to Jiang Yifan and Ling Suxin. After a thought, she stuffed three more into Duan Xianxing’s hands just in case.
"Senior Brother, Senior Sister, please be extremely careful! Once we succeed, we will immediately send a signal. You must use all your strength to break away; do not linger in the fight!" Li Nanzhu exhorted them solemnly.
Jiang Yifan and Ling Suxin took the talismans and nodded to show they understood.
With the plan set, they executed it immediately!
Jiang Yifan instantly locked onto the distant green-armored dragon crocodile. With a flick of his wrist, a magic tool hovered before him.
With a point of his finger, the magic tool turned into a streak of golden light, shooting directly toward its nostrils!
At the same time, his own aura exploded, steadily maintaining a limit distance that was extremely provocative to a Nascent Soul stage cultivator yet relatively safe.
The magic tool accurately struck the dragon crocodile's nose. Although it failed to even break a single scale, the slight stinging sensation and the sense of provocation instantly enraged the gargantuan beast!
"Roar—!"
The green-armored dragon crocodile violently raised its massive head, its vertical pupils instantly locking onto the human cultivator in the distance. It hadn't intended to pay attention to these little bugs, but now, it was thoroughly infuriated!
Its massive body thundered toward Jiang Yifan, ready to crush him!
Jiang Yifan’s pupils shrank, and without hesitation, he instantly activated a high-grade acceleration talisman!
Whoosh!
His figure instantly shot away in the opposite direction of the flag's nest, his speed soaring to an incredibly terrifying level!
Almost at the same time Jiang Yifan moved, Ling Suxin on the other side moved as well!
The lotus lamp in her hand glowed brightly, and a soft blue halo rippled out like water, accurately enveloping the charging green-armored dragon crocodile!
The green-armored dragon crocodile, which was in the middle of a violent pursuit, suddenly jerked to a halt. However, its speed only dropped by ten percent!
But that was enough!
Ling Suxin took the opportunity to instantly activate two acceleration talismans. Her figure turned into a pink streak of light, fleeing in Jiang Yifan’s direction. Meanwhile, she continuously channeled the lotus lamp, releasing the slowing halo to disrupt the dragon crocodile.
The dragon crocodile was completely enraged by these successive provocations and obstructions. Its hatred was firmly captured by the two of them. It fixed its gaze on these two audacious humans and charged after them with reckless abandon!
Although its speed was slowed, every step it took was still comparable to the limit speed of a Golden Core stage cultivator, and it remained glued to their trail!
In a hidden hollow in the mountain, Li Nanzhu and Duan Xianxing held their breath, tensely sensing the commotion in the distance.
The terrifying roars and footsteps gradually faded, but every sound hit their hearts like a heavy hammer.
"Wait a bit longer... just a bit longer..." Li Nanzhu's palms were covered in sweat as she forced herself to stay calm.
The longer they waited, the more dangerous it would be for Jiang Yifan and Ling Suxin, but they had to ensure the dragon crocodile was led far enough away.
A few minutes felt as long as several hours.
"It’s about time!" Li Nanzhu grit her teeth. "Seventh Senior Brother, get ready to support me! I'm going!"
She instantly activated an acceleration talisman, her figure bolting from the hiding spot toward the dry clearing in the middle of the marsh. Her target was the solitary flag planted there!
Duan Xianxing also activated his talisman at the same time, following closely behind to handle guarding and support.
Li Nanzhu’s heart pounded like a drum. She pushed her speed to the limit, her eyes fixed solely on the flag that was getting closer and closer!
Meanwhile, in the distance, the fleeing Jiang Yifan and Ling Suxin were under unimaginable pressure!
Although both had used high-grade acceleration talismans and Ling Suxin's lotus lamp had a significant slowing effect, the green-armored dragon crocodile behind them was still like a relentless shadow, refusing to let go!
It didn't even use many of its innate divine abilities. It only occasionally opened its mouth to spit out a cloud of highly corrosive poison mist or swung its massive tail for a long-distance strike!
Every attack contained the terrifying power of the Nascent Soul stage!
Three golden diamond-shaped small shields revolved around Jiang Yifan. However, from just one instance of failing to dodge in time and being brushed by the astral wind generated by the dragon crocodile's tail, one of the gold shields exploded with blinding light. Then, with a crack, it became covered in fissures and flew back into his body, its spiritual light dimmed!
And that was from just being brushed by the aftershock!
Ling Suxin’s situation was slightly better. The blue light curtain hanging from the lotus lamp protected her firmly, but every time it blocked an attack, the curtain would shake violently, and her face would turn a shade paler as her spiritual energy was consumed at a massive rate.
Both could clearly feel that the green-armored dragon crocodile didn't seem to be using its full strength. It felt more like it was playing with them, enjoying the pleasure of the hunt!
But this kind of play was also lethal to them!
Jiang Yifan’s second gold shield's spiritual light completely dissipated and shattered while blocking the erosion of a poison mist!
Fortunately, he quickly sacrificed another defensive magic tool, which allowed him to steady himself.
Just as the two were about to activate their acceleration talismans again to try and create some distance—
The green-armored dragon crocodile, which had been chasing them relentlessly, suddenly came to a halt.
Its massive head swung toward the direction of its nest. A trace of confusion flashed through its vertical pupils, which then transformed into a world-shattering rage!
"Roar—!"
A sky-shaking roar, more violent and furious than any before, erupted from the depths of its throat!
It had realized it!
Someone had touched its nest!
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