Chapter 106: A Desperate Dash and a Timely Rescue

“Me?”

Liyang watched the tentacles writhe and dance across the sky, a shiver of dread crawling up her spine. She was no master of all magic like Celeste; at best, she could wield a few elementary white spells. To charge in so defenselessly would be akin to becoming a living target.

Yet… if Yalin said so, there had to be a reason.

Liyang suppressed her fear, nodding gravely.

“Just charge straight through?”

“Yes, a straight dash forward. Ignore everything else.”

“I’ll try.”

Liyang cast a basic body enhancement on herself, then swiftly dashed towards Will.

The undead Will sensed Liyang’s relentless approach, and dozens of sharp tentacles instantly reoriented, lunging at her. Despite her preparations, Liyang’s steps faltered. Just as she instinctively moved to dodge, the tentacles were inexplicably severed in mid-air, falling uselessly to the ground.

‘Was Yalin helping me?’

Liyang was utterly stunned. She had never witnessed such a miraculous attack, unable to detect even a flicker of magical fluctuation. To kill without a trace—no wonder the guards hadn’t even managed a reaction when they were slaughtered.

Terrifying as it was, Liyang felt a strange sensation blossom within her. ‘It was as if… Yalin had been by her side all along.’ With that thought, courage surged through her, an endless wellspring.

Her ink-dark hair streaming in the wind, Liyang deftly weaved through the black tide of tentacles. Three Archangels spread their wings, encircling Liyang, shielding her completely as their longswords relentlessly cut down the encroaching tentacles.

Unable to reach Liyang, Will instinctively shifted its focus to Yalin. Its choice was sound. Having dispatched all three Conceptual Deities, Yalin was now unprotected. Facing the onslaught of furious tentacles, he could only brace himself.

Puch!

Liyang’s eyes widened in horror. Glancing back, she saw a single tentacle piercing straight through Yalin’s chest.

“Yalin?!”

Liyang couldn’t help but shriek.

“Don’t mind me, keep running!”

Yalin gripped the impaling tentacle tightly, shouting.

Liyang gritted her teeth, ignoring what lay behind her, and dashed forward with all her might. Finally, after breaking through the last barrier, she darted towards Will and pressed her blood-stained right palm against its form.

A colossal surge of magic instantly erupted, and ice crystals swiftly enveloped Will, encasing it in a frozen sculpture.

“It worked!”

Liyang cried out.

Yalin nodded, tearing the tentacle from his chest. Pinpointing Will’s core, the three Conceptual Deities simultaneously brought their blades down.

Crack, crack—

With a series of crisp shattering sounds, Will’s physical form began to dissolve. Black liquid slowly seeped into the earth, until nothing remained.

“Hah… hah… Is it over…?”

Liyang gasped for breath, her lungs burning. The frantic sprint combined with two consecutive high-intensity spells had pushed her body to its absolute limit.

“Oh, Yalin, are you alright?”

A sudden thought struck her, and she spun around, looking anxiously at Yalin.

A gaping hole marred Yalin’s chest, yet he seemed utterly unfazed. From the horrifying wound, tendrils of eerie black mist emanated, steadily growing. It was rapidly healing itself.

“You…”

Liyang’s lips parted slightly, as if to speak, but she ultimately remained silent. Yalin walked past her, approaching the spot where Will had perished. There, amidst the grass, he found the magic crystal. The red magic crystal, cleaved in two, had long since lost its luster. Yalin carefully tucked it into his pocket.

Leaving the forest behind, they found themselves on an empty mountain path. Yalin walked ahead, while Liyang trailed behind, her head bowed. She didn’t know what expression to wear when facing Yalin. So many questions burned on her tongue, yet not a single word escaped her lips.

“Did Professor Fulin send you?”

Liyang paused, shook her head, hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

“My grandmother helped me get the tickets. There were two left, and she asked if I wanted to come clear my head. I… I agreed.”

“What… what did you hear about me from Professor Fulin?”

“Nothing… Grandmother rarely speaks of you. She only mentioned that our mothers were once acquaintances.”

After that, a silence fell between them, neither speaking another word.

As soon as they reached the small town at the foot of the mountain, Saki rushed to greet them.

“Young Master, are you alright?”

He hadn’t even bothered to straighten his clothes, running over in a frantic state.

“Are you hurt anywhere? Thank heavens, it’s wonderful that you’ve returned safely…”

“I’m fine… But why are you here?”

Yalin asked, puzzled.

“It’s all because of you! I warned you so many times not to meet Will, but you just wouldn’t listen! Thankfully, Miss Liujue happened to be here, otherwise I dread to imagine what the outcome would have been…”

“You sent Liujue?”

“Indeed! I was prepared to risk my life to stop them, but Miss Liujue said she could go in my stead to find you… Come, Young Master, you should also offer your sincere thanks.”

Saki bowed deeply to Liujue.

“Thank you for your timely assistance in saving Yalin. Our Ravenster family will never forget this kindness!”

Yalin stroked his chin, seemingly piecing together the full story. He surmised that Saki must have seen him with Will on the road, growing anxious. Coincidentally, Liujue had passed by, and having tracked him yesterday, she knew of Saki’s connection to him. As for why she was in the forest, Saki must have anticipated where Will would make his move and informed her. No wonder Yalin hadn’t detected Liujue’s presence the entire way.

“Huh? I… I didn’t do anything…”

Liujue waved her hands frantically, casting a pleading glance at Yalin. Yalin, however, feigned ignorance, lowering his head to offer a bow in return.

“Thank you, Liujue. If not for you, I might have perished back there.”

Liujue’s eyes widened, and she froze in place, momentarily speechless.

“By the way, Young Master, what about Will and his group?”

Saki vigilantly scanned his surroundings, but found no one he sought.

“No need to worry,” Yalin said with a smile. “Uncle Will has already left the town.”

“Miss Liujue is a classmate of mine, and her family holds significant influence in Lan. She merely exchanged a few words with Uncle Will, and he swore never to return here.”

“I see… Well, Miss Liujue is a Dragonkin. Given that, it’s not so surprising…”

“Alright, I have something to discuss with Miss Liujue. I’ll find you later.”

Yalin firmly grasped Liujue’s wrist.

“Come, let’s go to my place for a bit?”