Chapter 1189 - 587: Seriously Wounded

At this moment, Xia Nan’s physical condition was poor.

From the coast upon returning from the Secret Realm, to Stodd Island’s harbor, to the current altar ruins.

One battle followed another, leaving no time to fully recover stamina.

Especially after tracking the path of the pursuer "Algae Scale" Dodd to this remote shore, the high-intensity, fast-paced combat never ceased.

Even with Xia Nan’s level of constitution attributes, using [Teeth Hunting], [Vortex Slash] and [Heavy Tide] in such high-intensity succession inevitably led to exhaustion and muscle soreness.

Not to mention that midway, he had to rely purely on physical endurance and equipment defense to withstand spells from multiple Fishman Priests. Despite consuming a bottle of "Good Healing Potion" and the "Spring Vein Purification" from [Tear of Spring Breath], he was still covered in wounds.

But... he couldn’t stop.

Xia Nan clearly knew that if he slowed his assault and gave these experienced fishman priests time to adapt and think, they would quickly devise countermeasures to neutralize his mobility and agility.

In fact, towards the latter stages of battle, the remaining Fishman Priests had gradually discerned his combat style and strengths, mostly using magic control spells.

However, there were not many Fishman Mage Team members left alive in the sea, preventing them from forming strong spell collaborations, allowing Xia Nan to take them down one by one.

As for the last aged Fishman Priest, who seemed to be the commander conducting the sacrificial ceremony...

No need to elaborate much on the battle process.

It’s simply that Xia Nan did not waste the valuable opportunity his teammates secured for him.

Even though his skin, outside the armor protection, was scorched, and his legs covered in fine wounds from thorny barbs, including severe damage to the [Bone Binding Iron Leg] leg guards due to limited arm shield protection under the [Fireball Technique] impact.

In the end, he managed to use [Gravity Control], timing it well to forcibly interrupt the enemy’s spellcasting, gaining a chance for a close-range kill.

Under normal circumstances, after such intensity and cost, the battle should conclude perfectly after the enemy commander’s death, transitioning to a joyful ending tallying the spoils.

Yet now, evidently, the truly difficult battle was just beginning.

"Huff... huff..."

Breathing heavily, the residual heat from the [Fireball Technique] made the surrounding air slightly distorted.

Retrieving the straight sword embedded in the enemy’s chest, casually striking again to completely kill the Priest Uek, letting its corpse fall to the ground with the momentum.

Xia Nan looked ahead, meeting eyes with the Blood Skin Shark Beast that turned its gaze upon hearing the commotion.

No need for harsh words; there was no stage for mutual curses.

At this point, both sides understood well in their hearts.

Either the adventurer or the fishmen, only one would stand alive in the end.

Nobody would bother with arguing over a dead body, seeking verbal advantage.

"Awooo——"

"Roar!!!"

The wolf howl and the shark beast’s roar almost simultaneously sounded.

With a swing of its arm, it forced back several adventurers attempting to continue entangling it, dragging the heavy anchor towards the Gloomy Black Wolf pouncing in its direction.

It seemed to use a special combat technique; one could notice the anchor being dragged by the shark beast on the ground, although affecting its sprint speed to some extent, but leaving increasingly deep marks on the sandy soil, gradually emitting an unstoppable, heavy aura.

As if the vessel it towed was a massive ship forged of steel.

The distance between them rapidly closed amidst the piercing sound.

Sensing the black wolf entering its attack range, the shark beast completed its anchor dragging and power accumulation.

The already robust right arm suddenly swelled and exerted strength, tightly gripping the end of the anchor handle, in a posture that even strained its own strength, face ferociously contorted, lifting and swinging the fully-charged anchor, sweeping a crescent moon through the air.

Such a strike, with its immense power, seemed to crush even the air with the anchor’s spectral form, producing a nightmarish, terrifying howl.

Unquestionably, if hit directly, even a dwarf shield warrior, wielding a heavy shield and focused on defense, might immediately return to their father god’s embrace.

Of course, from another perspective, even though the shark beast charged for a long time, consuming a lot of stamina, for this one strike.

If it missed, all its preparations and efforts became void.

Xia Nan certainly wouldn’t foolishly charge directly into it.

Having been punched by the shark beast into the sea earlier, he clearly knew the explosive strength and bursting power this Blood Skin Shark Beast, summoned by the sacrificial ceremony, possessed.

And his extremely sharp perception ability also made him notice early on the heavy anchor being towed behind the opponent, fast gathering strength and momentum with its body sprint.

The potentially threatening Fishman Mage Team had been completely wiped out, allowing Xia Nan to maintain high focus, through perception enhancement, almost preemptively, recognizing the opponent’s imminent power move from the movement changes of the shark beast’s waist and arm bones and muscles.

And in the brief flash of thought, he controlled his body to make the most timely response.

"Awoo!"

Enveloped in dark powerful qi, exuding the residual hot breath of the black wolf, as it entered the shark beast’s attack range in an instant, not only did it not stop abruptly as imagined, but accelerated once again.