The large man who had just emerged from the ground and the yellow-robed cultivator from before were the duo that had been chasing Han Li from behind.
After catching up, they feared he would travel far again. After a brief recovery of their magical power, they immediately crept closer, planning this sneak attack.
Right now, Han Li felt a burning pain in his wounded thigh. It seemed his recent exertions had worsened the injury there.
But now wasn't the time to worry about such things! Because the large man who had been hiding underground had drawn a long saber wreathed in black energy from his back and was lunging at Han Li with vicious intent.
Han Li assessed his opponent's form. Although the man was fast, his movements were stiff—clearly relying solely on a spell's enhancement. Han Li felt a bit more at ease. When it came to sheer agility and uncanny movement, he knew this opponent couldn't hold a candle to him!
With that thought, Han Li ignored the charging large man and focused on the yellow-robed cultivator instead. The man had taken out a blue-black gourd and was pointing its opening directly at Han Li, seemingly preparing another spell.
"Where do you think you're looking? Go to hell!"
The large man had closed the distance, a brilliant yellow light flaring from his body. He raised the eerie saber and chopped down at Han Li with fierce force.
Han Li snorted, his body flickering, instantly stepping out of the saber's path.
"You're fooled, brat!" The large man suddenly roared with laughter.
The black light on the long saber in his hand flashed, transforming into a lengthy black cord. Like a giant serpent, it followed Han Li's movements, coiling around him, seeming determined not to stop until he was ensnared!
Han Li was startled. His form immediately became blurred and unpredictable, shifting left, right, forward, and backward in rapid succession, as if several Han Liss were circling the large man simultaneously.
The man was initially alarmed by this sight, but then, relying on the "Earth Armor Technique" protecting his entire body, he dismissed it. Instead, he continued to drive the stretchable black cord, desperately chasing Han Li's true form.
*Thump-thump! Thump-thump!* Han Li streaked past the large man. In that instant, he fired two fireballs he had been holding in his hands, striking the man's body in quick succession. The yellow light around the man flickered violently but, unfortunately, immediately stabilized.
"My protective technique is beyond such trivial Fire Bullet Techniques!" The large man sneered arrogantly, his fingers forming seals even faster, driving the black cord without any letup.
Han Li was getting anxious. Although the black cord was slightly slower than him and couldn't catch him, he also couldn't slow his movements for even a moment, or he would surely be ensnared. He didn't know exactly what this black cord artifact was—it was incredibly troublesome! He couldn't afford to let it wrap around him!
Amid his haste, he stole a glance at the yellow-robed cultivator. The man's expression was solemn, and the gourd artifact in his hands had begun to emit a faint blue light from its mouth. Something was about to emerge from it.
"This won't do! If this goes on, I'm done for! I have to take a risk!" Han Li thought to himself as the situation grew critical.
Thus, while moving at high speed, Han Li took out the Vajra Talisman he had obtained from Gold Light Shangren. This was also a type of talisman technique, and Han Li had long since learned its incantation from the monk Kusang. Now, it finally came in handy.
Han Li softly chanted a few lines of the incantation. Since he was in rapid motion, his voice sounded somewhat muffled, but the golden characters on the talisman began to glow. Once they were fully illuminated, Han Li slapped the talisman hard against his own body. Instantly, a brilliant golden light erupted around him, and a golden shield abruptly materialized. However, his speed also slowed drastically, and the pursuing black cord caught him squarely.
Using the Vajra Talisman would slow his movements—Han Li had tested it before and knew this well. Seeing the black cord wrap around him several times, only to be completely repelled by the golden light, his panic subsided. He had gambled correctly; the golden shield could indeed block the opponent's artifact attack.
But the large man let out a low growl, took a massive stride forward, clenched both fists, and charged again. The yellow light on his fists was blindingly intense, almost solid, as if he had activated yet another powerful technique.
Having learned his lesson from before, Han Li wouldn't let the large man close in again. He suddenly crouched, placing both hands flat on the ground. Then, a series of low murmured spells issued from his mouth, and a faint yellow glow began to emanate from his palms as well.
The large man was slightly alarmed and tried to stop, but it was too late. The ground beneath his feet instantly turned into soft, flowing quicksand. His legs sank deep into it, down to his upper thighs, leaving him flailing about in a panic.