Chapter 1176 - 581: White-Hot (Part 2)

The screams came to an abrupt halt, and a mangled corpse fell.

The shadowy adventurer died on the spot.

Of course, that wasn’t all; the energy radiance of the [Slow Technique] practically fell simultaneously on the six targets locked by Uek.

However, compared to the perfect adaptation of the shadowy adventurer, the other adventurers reacted with various differences.

Due to her combat style and Battle Skill abilities distancing her from teammates, Lorin couldn’t pass the check, thus affected by the [Slow Technique], slowing her actions and thoughts. But it didn’t affect her ongoing [Scorching Temperature Domain], causing the Elite Fishman Guards trying to attack her to suffer heavy burn damage upon approaching, weakening their attack strength to some extent amid the pain.

In the end, she only sustained some moderate injuries, gulped down two Healing Potions, and everything was fine.

Iron Grid and Sefeng, the former with a strong physique and astonishing Defense Ability, and the latter fighting alongside teammates, received swift support from team members after being affected by spell control, neither suffered serious injuries.

As for Striped Catman Sasha, although it gave the Barbarian Aken beside her two additional wounds on his back, he endured the effects of the [Slow Technique] under his cover.

From Xia Nan’s perspective, it was an experience he had never felt before.

First, above all, it must be made clear.

The [Gaze into the Abyss] specialty, obtained from the Evil Secret Realm and having helped him numerous times during his adventures, primarily targets the defensive area of "Spiritual Control Magic," including but not limited to Charm, Fear, Hypnosis, etc.

Only when a spell hitting Xia Nan meets this condition can the specialty’s inherent resistance buff and rebound effect be triggered.

With this as a premise, although the [Human Immobilization Spell] essentially paralyzes the target’s body with clear mind but unable to move, its essence is still about interfering with the target’s mind via magic to control their behavior.

Belongs to the category of "Spiritual Control" spells.

It has no substantial difference from spells like [Charm Human] or [Dominate Humans].

But the [Slow Technique] is different.

From a spell category perspective, unlike the "Enchantment and Control System" [Human Immobilization Spell], [Slow Technique] belongs to the major category of "Transformation System."

Its core essence is to influence the flow speed of time on the target, thus achieving control effects.

Under such circumstances, when that pale pink Magic Radiance precisely strikes the swiftly moving Xia Nan,

The [Gaze into the Abyss] specialty, designed as a preventive defense, was bypassed, directly entering the immunity check process.

If immunity succeeds, there’s no need to elaborate; but if it fails, he’ll be affected by the spell for a short duration until the next check.

Hmm... it’s worth mentioning that the key Attribute for [Slow Technique] immunity check is "Perception."

As Xia Nan, having boosted [Heavy Tide] to Level 5 Full Level, has reached an extreme "13" points in Perception Attribute,

Facing the Third Circle Magic released by Uek, who is not an Extraordinary Level Spellcaster,

Passing the check wasn’t deemed particularly difficult.

"Boom!"

The pale pink Magic Radiance shattered instantly.

Nevertheless, during the immunity check process, Xia Nan, initially moving at high speed, suddenly halted for half a second.

Fast-paced battles change in the blink of an eye.

Within the span of a rushed breath, the Elite Fishman Guards previously bypassed by him caught up, their sharp fish spears directly stabbing his back.

With sharp perception, Xia Nan instinctively turned, his straight sword swinging upward in motion, the blade caught in the spear’s gaps, emitting sparks in fierce collision.

Undaunted in confrontation, his arm muscles swelled as he exerted force, using the Battle Skill technique of [Vortex Slash], in a gripping posture, wedged the fork blade forcefully to swing his sword, causing the fish spear descending vertically to veer sideways, colliding with subsequent fork blade weapons falling one after another

While accompanying it with a boosted [Heavy Tide].

The air twisted, Fishmen were cleaved, flinging topsy-turvy.

Especially those with already unstable standing postures, fell to the ground sprawling like drunkards, entering a state of imbalance.

Knowing the original Charge attack has been detected, Xia Nan no longer avoids confrontation.

His [Ash Fall] straight sword carved arcs in the air, turning the pursuing Sha Hua Fishman Guards into headless corpses.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the coast.

After casting the spell, the Fishman Priest, Uek, carefully observed the reactions of the targeted adventurers to assess their Combat Ability.

Naturally, he witnessed the entire process following the spell’s effects.

The good news was, the [Slow Technique]’s release effect met expectations.

Fully aware of the Fishmen’s strength and this spell’s potential role.

Uek certainly didn’t expect to single-handedly eliminate all six professional adventurers with just one spell.

Even the shadowy adventurer’s death was an unexpected gain.

Its true intention was to briefly hinder and impact these key adventurers’ actions, altering the overall battlefield, and buying time to prepare the sacrificial ceremony.

Proven effective.

The actual performance of the [Slow Technique], although only causing some minor injuries to key figures like Lorin, triggered a chain effect that momentarily halted the previously adventurer-favored situation on the coast, even subtly swinging back toward the Fishmen’s favor.

The only bad news.

The ordinary wanderer initially deemed as attempting to sneak attack him, the black-haired adventurer enveloped in a Black Wolf Illusion.

His Combat Ability far surpassed Uek’s expectations.

Uek didn’t believe just any random person could withstand the [Slow Technique]’s effects, and subdue multiple Elite Guards within a few rounds.

A gleam of contemplation flashed in the Fishman’s dirty white-cast eyes as he further assessed Xia Nan’s combat power and resistance.

"Speed is exceptional, Strength is above average, equipped finely, likely possessing multiple Enchanted Equipment."

"Has corresponding resistance to Spiritual Control Magic, hmm... perception ability should be quite high."

Based on the information Uek observed, internally he felt a rare sense of difficulty.

If this young-looking black-haired adventurer truly got close, even he... had to admit, the danger was indeed significant.

Intuitively elevating Xia Nan’s threat level to the highest on the field.

Uek estimated the time required for the ceremony to complete.

Meanwhile, the Mage’s Hand he controlled dragged the corpse of "Algae Scale" Dodd near the pit.

"Boom rumble!"

Sands sprayed as the entire coast shook violently like an earthquake.

The surface of the towering Coral Altar, azure patterns lit up one by one, an indistinct and hazy glow enveloping the gruesome pile of corpses nearby.

Using abundant flesh and blood from numerous corpses, including high-level professionals like "Algae Scale" Dodd, as offerings.

The Sha Hua Fishman’s Sacrificial Ceremony was nearing completion.

Sharp perception detected changing Magic Particles in the air, with a heavy stroke, Xia Nan repelled a Fishman Commander trying to intercept while his speed dragged.

He abruptly turned, gazing ahead.

His sight swept back and forth over the altar, Fishman Priest, and Dodd’s corpse.

His brain raced, pondering the situation.

Due to the Fishman Priest’s delaying, although no one explicitly informed him about the ceremony’s progress, it was clear that completion was imminent.

What should he do?

Continue assaulting the priest, executing the beheading plan, or switch targets, attempting to halt the ceremony?

In an instant of reflection, Xia Nan had formed a vague plan in mind.

Yet before having the chance to translate thoughts into action,

Having drawn significant attention due to his remarkable performance, dazzling Magic Radiance from Uek’s Bone White Staff, was already descending on Xia Nan’s position.