Chapter 006: A Matter of Life and Death
Suddenly, Ringo quickly recited a spell and then whispered, “Follow me!”
Du Fan turned around and saw that Ringo had somehow drawn a bunch of runes on the ground, which together formed a magic circle. With a wave of her hand, she managed to create a magical blade that swept aside all the Nether Wolves trying to approach the circle.
Seeing Du Fan still there, she couldn’t help but shout, “Du Fan, come here quickly!”
Du Fan acted on impulse. There was no time to think further. He twisted his Silver Moon sword again and slashed with a holy light cross, shattering the approaching Nether Wolves into pieces before rushing to stand beside Ringo.
Ringo was already sitting cross-legged on the ground. When she saw Du Fan arrive, she quickly formed several hand seals and muttered words. Moments later, she seemed to groan as a mouthful of blood sprayed out, landing on the runes.
As soon as the runes touched the blood, they emitted a bright white glow. The surroundings suddenly lit up, and the runes seemed to move, forming a circle that surrounded the two of them.
Seeing this, Ringo relaxed and collapsed to the ground. Du Fan also sat down immediately, feeling pain all over his body. After checking himself briefly, he couldn’t help but smile bitterly—his combat energy and magic power had been largely depleted. It would take a long time to recover. He wondered how long Ringo’s magic circle could hold. If it failed, he might not even have the strength to commit suicide!
The edges of the magic circle grew brighter, forming a crystal-like wall. The Nether Wolves seemed to have some sense, hesitating at first upon seeing it. But in less than a moment, greed filled their minds, and those ferocious monsters charged forward.
Seeing them, Du Fan was shocked. He tried to stand up, but Ringo gasped and said, “No… don’t be afraid… they can’t get in… Even if this spell isn’t very strong, it can hold off these things for at least half an hour… If they still don’t retreat by then… we’ll think of something else…”
Du Fan frowned and nodded, glancing around. He saw that the Nether Wolves indeed couldn’t get in for now. No matter which one tried, as soon as it hit the transparent wall in front of it, white flames would erupt all over its body, and it would collapse on the ground motionless in less than a moment. Du Fan was deeply alarmed. He hadn’t expected Ringo to still be able to use such powerful magic under these circumstances. It seemed that his ability to deal her a heavy loss back then was also a matter of luck. Most of the Nether Wolves were blocked by this transparent wall-like barrier, and countless of them died within just over ten minutes. Yet, these seemingly endless Nether Wolves seemed inexhaustible. After sitting there for another half hour, Ringo suddenly opened her eyes and exclaimed, “It’s bad!” “What’s going on?” Du Fan asked. But before Ringo could answer, he saw several cracks faintly appearing in the air around them, as if something was about to shatter! If Du Fan had thought for a moment, he would have understood immediately! Ringo’s magic was losing its effect due to the constant attacks from the Nether Wolves. Looking at the endless waves of Nether Wolves surrounding them, Du Fan knew that once Ringo’s magic was broken, the two of them would be overwhelmed by these endless wolves. By then, not to mention dying, not even a single bone would likely remain! Cold sweat broke out on Du Fan’s back. After considering for just a second, he gritted his teeth and said, “No matter what happens next, you must follow me. Remember, we only have one chance! I hate you, but right now, you can’t die!” Ringo was stunned and asked, “You want to?” Before she could finish speaking, there was a “ding” sound, as if something had shattered. The runes on the ground lost their color, and the Nether Wolves surged forward… Ringo let out a tragic laugh, her face turning deathly pale. Du Fan seemed not to notice any of this. He gripped his Silver Moon Sword tightly, with his combat energy surging in like a tide. He had used this move once before, and this time he had more control, avoiding losing it. As his Silver Moon Sword grew brighter, Du Fan swung it fiercely, uttering a few words as if forcing them out between his teeth! “Space Rupture Slash!!!”
A crack of black and white suddenly appeared in the air. Things around it rushed in like water near a whirlpool. In less than a moment, it took shape—a crescent arc shot out like a phantom, instantly creating a vacuum-like zone in front of Du Fan! At that moment, the Abyssal Wolves around them seemed frightened by this move. Without thinking further, Du Fan grabbed Ringing Bell and the two stumbled out toward the perimeter. But after just a few steps, the Abyssal Wolves closed in. Watching those demonic beasts covered in magical flames approaching, Du Fan felt utterly despondent. With a deep sigh, he said, “Bastards… Even if I die, I won’t let you off easy!” Ringing Bell also let out a bitter laugh before whispering, “The Great God will comfort my soul!” Du Fan sneered, “Some so-called Great God! If he really were a god, he should show up now—I don’t need him to comfort any soul!” Ringing Bell grew angry and was about to speak when suddenly a calm voice rang out, “Young Master Du Fan, you’re still a believer of the God of Light. Haven’t the teachings of the God of Light told you that besides him, there are countless other gods in the world? Even if the Great God of the Kara clan is a lower-tier god, he still cannot be defiled… Or perhaps, Young Master Du Fan isn’t afraid of that sacred fire that can burn souls?” Thinking he was doomed, Du Fan was stunned upon hearing a voice. After a moment, he turned to look—and was shocked! Ringing Bell followed his gaze and both froze, unable to move. Gan Nong wore simple clothes, his jade-like face expressionless as he slowly walked over from the side, as if strolling in his own backyard. Yet those ferocious Abyssal Wolves, like mice facing a cat, retreated in terror. But with thousands of them, how could they retreat so quickly? Though Gan Nong appeared completely normal, it seemed as though he was surrounded by a stream of air. The Abyssal Wolves that couldn’t dodge him instantly turned to powder, while their magical flames, as if drawn by something, flowed into Gan Nong’s body. As he walked slowly, he created a path through the swarm of Abyssal Wolves. Even those that had been lunging at Du Fan and Ringing Bell now retreated in fear.
After walking leisurely for a while, Gannon had already reached them. He glanced briefly at Du Fan and Ringtone, then suddenly smiled softly and said, “Young Master Du Fan, Ringtone… it seems you two are having a great time here!”
Du Fan’s surprise had passed. After frowning at Gannon for a moment, he said, “So it’s High Priest Gannon. If I’m not mistaken, the path into this valley has been blocked. How did you get in?”
“How did I get in?” Gannon replied indifferently, as if the question were utterly ridiculous. “Naturally, I walked in step by step… Although the mountain path you used to enter has collapsed, I simply came in through the Submerged River…”
Du Fan gasped in shock, and Ringtone couldn’t help but cry out in alarm. But for a moment, they couldn’t say anything.
With Gannon present, those Abyssal Wolves no longer posed a threat. After thinking for a while, Du Fan said in a low voice, “I see. So what brings High Priest Gannon here? Could it be that you’ve had a change of heart and want to rescue us? Or has the trial already ended?”
Gannon gave Du Fan a casual glance, then looked at Ringtone, a hint of surprise in his eyes. He didn’t answer but instead said in a low voice, “I see… Young Master Du Fan, you’re quite capable. My student isn’t very strong, but she’s always kept her mouth shut. I thought, given her nature, she wouldn’t tell you anything. But it seems… she’s spilled everything… What a useless student…”
Du Fan sneered but remained silent.
Ringtone grew anxious and said, “Teacher… it’s not like that… I just…”
Gannon waved his hand to cut her off. He glanced into the depths of the Submerged Valley, as if talking to himself, “Whether it was intentional or not, it doesn’t matter now. Since I’m here, it doesn’t matter if you talk or not… Well then… Young Master Du Fan… please come with me from now on. As for this useless disciple of mine, if you want, carry her; if not, just discard her.”