Chapter 1227: YUNYUE VS CELESTIALS (XI)
Chapter 1227: YUNYUE VS CELESTIALS (XI)
THE ground shook as the cave ceiling exploded above them. Jagged stalactites plummeted down like deadly rain. Luo Yan froze, his grip on the Invisibility Cloak tightened. The cloak wouldn't be able to stop the falling stalactites, as it was only a stealth item and not a defensive one. And as the target, this situation was not very ideal.
Luo Jin also thought the same. Since there's a possibility that Luo Yan might be the target, he quickly moved before the first stalactite hit the ground. He yanked a one-use barrier orb from his inventory and shoved it into Luo Yan's hands just as a massive spike was about to hit them from above. The barrier activated instantly, wrapping around Luo Yan alone.
"Go, Yan!" he shouted at his brother. "Leave this area!"
And then, with no hesitation, he burst out from under the cloak, guns already drawn. He fired rapidly, bullets shattering incoming stalactites mid-fall. Rock fragments pelted his arms and back as he dodged and weaved, intercepting every deadly projectile falling on top of him.
Luo Yan gritted his teeth. His fists clenched as he watched his brother struggle against the stalactites. But as much as he wanted to help, he didn't have any AoE attack that could stop the falling projectiles. The stalactites kept crashing down around them, forcing Luo Yan to retreat step by step to avoid being crushed. The barrier around him wouldn't last forever. So, he needed to get away from this area first.
But abandoning Luo Jin wasn't an option - not with Azrael potentially still lurking nearby. He shot a glance at his brother, then moved to position himself in a safe spot away from the falling stalactites. He'd hold his ground here and then back up Luo Jin the moment Azrael showed himself.
Luo Jin snapped one of his guns up and use [Hale], and a storm of ice bullets appeared. The hailstorm shredded through the falling stalactites, reducing them to harmless gravel that clattered against the cave floor.
Just as he was about to relax a bit, a new sound cut through the settling dust—a rhythmic metallic clicking, like dozens of ball bearings rolling across stone. From a side passage ahead, a wave of smooth, silver orbs spilled into the cavern. Each was perfectly round, no larger than a tennis ball. The orbs scattered across the ground as they rolled.
Luo Jin's finger hovered over the trigger of his guns, ready to shoot—then froze as the first orb bumped a pebble and exploded.
The explosion was small but sharp, the concussive blast kicking up dust. Three nearby orbs went airborne, bouncing wildly before detonating against the walls. Those explosions launched more orbs skittering, their metallic clinking now punctuated by sporadic blasts.
His grip tightened on the guns. Shooting the orbs would set them off. Stepping on them would be worse. Even the vibrations from movement might—
An orb ricocheted toward his boot.
He jerked back just in time, but the sudden motion sent a tremor through the ground. Three more orbs shuddered, their surfaces flickering red, as if about to explode.
Luo Jin threw himself backward, eyes darting for any open space free of those deadly orbs. He spotted a clear patch and twisted his body to land there—
And that's when the real trap of this whole scenario happened.
A blazing arrow of pure light energy sliced through the debris, moving too fast to block—streaking straight for Luo Jin's exposed back.
Luo Yan saw everything unfold from his position - the deadly light-arrow, its trajectory, the inevitable impact. But he was too far. His warning died in his throat as the arrow hit its mark, piercing straight through Luo Jin's back and into his heart before either of them could react.
Luo Jin stared at the fading light arrow jutting from his chest. "What the f—"
Then his avatar shattered into light particles.
***
[AmazingYoungMasterJin has been eliminated!]
Shen Ji Yun's eyes flicked to the notification as he sidestepped another of Michael's attacks. Luo Jin was eliminated? That left just him and Luo Yan. Which confirmed it - Luo Yan had to be the target. He didn't know how many team Celestials members remained besides Michael, but one thing was clear: he needed to end this fight fast and regroup with Luo Yan.
His sword crackled with purple energy as he blocked Michael's rapier thrust. The clash sent sparks flying—violet lightning meeting golden light. He pushed forward, moving sideways as Michael's next jab sliced empty air.
Shen Ji Yun's blade arced down, using [Thunder Slash], purple electricity splitting the ground where Michael had stood moments before. The Celestials captain was fast—dodging backward with unnatural grace, rapier already glowing for another strike.
Light gathered at the tip of Michael's sword. Shen Ji Yun barely raised his katana in time to deflect the blinding beam. He didn't let it slow him. He sent three quick slashes forward, each leaving afterimages of violet light. Michael weaved through two, but the third grazed his shoulder, drawing blood.
The other's rapier retaliated instantly. A flurry of golden thrusts forced Shen Ji Yun into retreat, each jab precise as a surgeon's scalpel. One found his thigh, making his HP dipped.
Shen Ji Yun frowned. He used [Tempest Surge]. A whip of purple lightning erupted from his sword, forcing Michael back. The momentary breathing room let him assess the current situation: Michael fought like light itself—relentless, everywhere at once. But lightning could outpace even light if timed right.
He feinted left, then used [Stormblitz]. His body became pure violet electricity, katana aimed straight for Michael's heart—
The rapier met him mid-charge. Light and lightning collided in a deafening explosion, throwing both apart. Shen Ji Yun hit the ground rolling. Michael obviously anticipated that move just now.
This wouldn't end with flashy skills. It'd come down to who would make the first real mistake.
The explosion's dust cleared—Shen Ji Yun and Michael locked eyes. With their blades raised, they both knew the next move would might as well decide the outcome of this battle.