With a whoosh, I broke free from the explosion, trailing a cloud of black mist as I slid backward for some distance before coming to a stop. I looked at my hands, which were gradually turning into smoke and unable to reform. A sizzling sound came from within—this was the Five Elements counteracting each other. These five had precisely targeted the elemental nature of my power, using a mixed force to slowly break down my barrier of Deathbane Aura, then launched a fatal blow from my weakest point—under my feet.
The whole process took only a few seconds, executed with seamless coordination. At this moment, I looked over and saw Calvin Wang once again swinging his fists, charging toward me.
The next wave of attacks was about to begin. Sure enough, as soon as I floated up, I sensed something unusual—it was David Wu, quietly crouched on the ground. But then I noticed that Lori Luo was behind him, pulling on something.
"Threefold Soul Projection..."
With a whoosh, I watched in astonishment as Lori Luo's form split into three. In an instant, they ran off in two different directions. Meanwhile, David Wu was crouched with both hands crossed, holding a red rope in one hand and a blue rope in the other.
The two ropes were being pulled by Lori Luo's other two souls, quickly forming a circle. At this moment, Calvin Wang was already charging toward me.
My Deathbane Aura began to recondense and solidify. As soon as I recovered, I waved my hand, sending out blades of wind with a swish.
"That was close..."
Calvin Wang dodged my two wind blades and immediately raised both hands in a defensive posture. The wind blades, controlled by my Specter Web, circled back.
"Don't take it head-on, uncle. That's high-density Yin energy—your hands will break off if you do."
Quentin Yuan, who had been staying at the back without taking any action, suddenly shouted. Cynthia Mu, off to the side, made a swift leap, her athletic figure crossing over as she raised both hands, holding two pale blue charms.
"Flame Curse."
With a booming sound, the two yellow charms ignited instantly, bursting into flames. Cynthia Mu reached out and grabbed Calvin Wang's collar, and in a flash, the two of them jumped away. I saw the wind blades I controlled falter slightly, their form suddenly unstable, but the flames were snuffed out in the process, leaving jagged, irregular cuts scorched into the ground.
"Damn, I almost died. Good thing, good thing. Cynthia, you did great."
Calvin Wang gave a big thumbs-up. By now, the two of them were far away from me. I stared in shock as a triangle formation closed in, surrounding me.
Apart from the ropes David Wu was pulling, the left side was red, the right side blue, and the other two sides—one red and one blue—were already floating in midair, connected together.
With a sudden pop, I saw David Wu produce two small test tubes, opening their caps with his thumb. Instantly, a nauseating stench assaulted my senses.
"What's that?"
David Wu chuckled. "Heavenly Lotus Bloom from the Nether, should be enough to wipe you out."
My eyes widened. David Wu flashed a confident smile, then poured the liquid from the test tubes onto the ropes he held.