Chapter 1188 - 586: Flame!_3

A fireball exuding a deadly aura of destruction was silently suspended in the air above, flames surging as the fireball rapidly grew in size.

— 3rd Ring·Plastic Energy System·Fireball Technique!

Xia Nan had once felt the power of this renowned spell up close during his adventures.

He clearly knew in his heart that with his current physical state and the 25% flame resistance of the Abyssal Stream armor, it’s nearly impossible to withstand such a spell head-on.

If struck, he could only resort to his last card.

But the Second Stage is limited in time, and there is a stronger enemy on the field besides the Priest that needs urgent attention.

Xia Nan could not afford to waste this card here.

Therefore...

His gaze turned to the two four-armed elite guards roaring as they blocked the Fishman Priest.

Judging by their aggressive stance, it was obvious they wouldn’t let him pass easily.

Thinking quickly.

Without any hesitation, Xia Nan charged forward again towards the Priest.

His pitch-black eyes, however, did not focus on the Fishman Guards in front.

Instead, he fixated on the floating fireball above, the Fishman’s hands tightly gripping the magic wand.

The raging orange flames reflected in his pupils, his brows furrowed, as if sensing something.

"Closer, closer..."

He personally watched that black-haired adventurer withstand his spell and slay two fishmen.

Despite being born and raised in the Sha Hua Fishman community with inherent disdain and hatred for other races, Uek couldn’t help but feel a twinge of admiration amidst his astonishment.

So young, so powerful, so wise—such qualities were rare even among all the adventurers he had seen in his lifetime.

Pity...no, not pity.

From the perspective of the Sha Hua Fishmen, to extinguish such a young adventurer with a promising future here was pure joy.

With the speed Xia Nan displayed, Uek did not believe the adventurer could cover the distance in those few seconds while the spell was forming, bypass two elite fishmen, and reach him.

As for possible long-range attacks like destroying the altar, he was already prepared with countermeasures; whether it was a longsword or fish spear, none could reach close.

Only...

At that moment, the adventurer’s sudden action interrupted Uek’s thoughts.

He saw Xia Nan stop abruptly just as he was about to reach the elite fishmen.

His body crouched, stabbed the straight sword into the ground, and overlapped it with the arm shield, forming the most classic defensive stance.

"Trying to block the impact of the Fireball Technique this way?"

"But if the Burning Hand could leave a visible scorch on his body earlier, then..."

Confusion spread in Uek’s mind, yet the charging of the Fireball Technique above had reached its final phase.

Uek instinctively focused his attention, pouring the last bit of magic needed into the magic model while locking on the half-crouched black-haired adventurer ahead with spiritual power.

It was at the very moment the spell was about to form.

Suddenly, an invisible force from nowhere, like a Mage’s Hand with no visible shape and devoid of magic particles, pushed hard on the arm holding his staff, breaking the infusion of magic.

The sudden assault made Uek, at the critical juncture of casting the spell, tense and instinctively try to adjust the magic model urgently.

Only to be struck with that same invisible force on the forehead, causing his entire body to lean back, staggering, nearly falling.

This force wasn’t very strong, incapable of causing material harm.

But it perfectly interrupted the Fireball Technique just as it was about to be cast.

Breaking Uek’s casting.

No one knew the expression on the face of the weathered and elderly priest at that moment.

Because at the instant he nearly fell, the fiery fireball resembling a mini-sun had already descended from above.

"Boom!!!"

Fierce heat waves accompanied by fiery currents rushed outward.

The terrifying high temperature nearly crystallized the sandy soil on the ground, instantly charring the two unprepared Fishman Guards ahead.

Fortuitously, Uek seemed to possess some kind of one-time defensive tool, even when directly facing the spell’s backlash at close range, he relied on the half-transparent protective shield appearing on his body surface to block the flame’s burn, which was why he hadn’t worried about Xia Nan’s long-range attack.

But unfortunately, having narrowly escaped death from the Fireball Technique’s impact, not even having the time to strategize a rethink,

the grey-black straight sword, hot and emitting scorching air, had already pierced through his chest amidst the wolf’s howl.