Arrow Protection

A low-level Spellcaster's two most feared professions are Assassin and Archer. Assassins, with their stealth and burst damage, can inflict fatal damage on a Spellcaster caught off guard. Therefore, Spellcasters have developed many spells targeting Assassins, such as "Mental Revelation" and "True Sight," which can reveal an Assassin's stealth even at low levels.

However, for Archers, low-level Spellcasters have few effective countermeasures. Even if Spellcasters can detect Archers from afar with their powerful mental energy, they struggle to dodge the endless barrage of arrows without the protection of guards. Frail, low-level Spellcasters find it difficult to evade them.

For Jialan, without using Scrolls, his current defensive options, besides the Ice Mirror Technique inherent to his Staff, are only Elemental Shield and Frost Shield.

Although the Staff's inherent Ice Mirror Technique can be cast instantly, it can only be used once. After use, it requires a recharge, and it cannot be used again for twenty-four hours. Elemental Shield, an apprentice-level spell, takes only one to two seconds to cast. While it's somewhat effective against elemental damage, it shatters with a single hit from physical damage like arrows, rendering it useless.

Frost Shield, a Tier 1 Spell, has high defensive power. However, it takes at least seven to eight seconds for low-level Spellcasters to cast. By the time a Spellcaster finishes casting, they would have already been riddled with arrows like a beehive.

Spellcasters can become the strongest profession on the continent, and they are certainly not helpless against Archers. "Arrow Protection" is a spell specifically designed to counter Archers.

This spell uses elemental energy to form a special magical structure, creating an invisible barrier around the Spellcaster that can block or deflect incoming projectiles like arrows. Most importantly, like spells such as "Mental Revelation," it can be cast on the Spellcaster and, depending on their ability, can effectively resist damage multiple times. If it shatters, it can be cast again, making it an absolute life-saving skill.

Unfortunately, not only is this spell's structure very complex, but its price is also extremely expensive, making it unaffordable for Jialan. Now that he has the opportunity to obtain this spell, his heart cannot help but race.

"These assassination attempts were also a test for you. Not just anyone can join us, even as a Spellcaster," Shadow continued.

Jialan suddenly understood. He had long suspected Shadow's true strength. In these past few fights, Shadow hadn't acted like an Archer on the verge of advancing to a higher rank at all; he had been holding back the entire time. Jialan gritted his teeth in anger at how badly he had been beaten.

"I'll join your team if you give me the 'Arrow Protection' spell structure immediately. Otherwise..." Jialan said, his eyes suddenly widening. He saw Shadow pull a Scroll from his bosom and toss it towards him. Jialan fumbled to catch it, his face filled with disbelief...

A biting cold wind swept through the treetops, stirring up a flurry of snow. Jialan raised his Staff and chanted an incantation, a faint blue light screen unfolding before him. However, this light screen only lasted for less than three seconds before shattering, sending ice shards stinging against his face.

"I'm still not proficient enough with Arrow Protection," Jialan sighed, wiping the snow from his face. During this time, apart from traveling, he had spent all his other time practicing this spell, but he still couldn't maintain it for more than five seconds. According to the standard, it's considered beginner level only if it can be maintained for at least thirty seconds.

The wind and snow grew stronger, forcing Jialan and the other person to stop. They found a sheltered spot beneath a giant ancient tree, which seemed to have been a temporary shelter for adventurers, with some firewood still remaining.

After lighting a bonfire, Jialan sat down cross-legged and began to recall the key points of the Arrow Protection spell structure. First, he needed to construct the basic structure. Jialan extended his right hand, drawing an arc in the air with his index finger. Blue light points gathered along his movement, forming a line and outlining a hexagram in the air. This was the basic framework of the protective spell, and also the simplest part.

"Next is the energy circuit..." He steadied himself, and more light points were drawn in, forming vortex-like energy nodes at each corner of the hexagram. This step was crucial; if the energy circuit was not constructed properly, the entire spell would collapse.

He took a deep breath, sensing the flow of the surrounding air. The wind and snow howled through the treetops, each snowflake carrying a unique trajectory. Gradually, he seemed to be able to "see" these trajectories, like countless tiny threads weaving through the air.

"Now!" Jialan's eyes snapped open, and his Staff drew a graceful arc in the air. The faint blue light screen unfolded again. This time, fine ripples appeared on the light screen, like ripples on the surface of water.

A snowflake struck the light screen but, instead of penetrating as usual, it was gently repelled. Jialan's heart quickened; he could feel that this light screen was more stable than any before.

Five seconds, six seconds, seven seconds... The light screen remained steady. Fine beads of sweat broke out on Jialan's forehead, but he dared not relax in the slightest. Twenty seconds! The light screen finally began to waver, but Jialan gritted his teeth and continued to output Mana.

Thirty seconds! The light screen finally shattered, but a look of joy appeared on Jialan's face. "So, the key to Arrow Protection isn't the amount of Mana, but the perception and control of airflow..."

He had finally reached beginner level.

Another seven or eight days passed. This day, Shadow, who was leading the way, suddenly stopped. He put his finger in his mouth, took a deep breath, and let out a clear, long whistle. The whistle pierced the silent forest, echoing through the treetops, as if awakening the slumbering earth.

A moment later, a faint rustling sound came from the snowy ground in the distance.

A small squirrel poked its head out from behind a tree. Its fur was a dark brown, its tail was fluffy like a small umbrella, and its eyes were as black and shiny as gemstones.

The squirrel leaped nimbly through the thick snow and quickly approached Shadow's feet. It raised its head, first glancing warily at Jialan, then gently sniffing Shadow's boots. It sprang up and leaped onto his shoulder, its tail lightly brushing his cheek as if in greeting.

A hint of a smile appeared on Shadow's handsome, stoic face. He reached out and gently stroked the squirrel's head, saying in a low voice, "Qiuqiu, take me to the captain."

The squirrel seemed to understand his words, letting out a soft "squeak." It scanned its surroundings vigilantly before nimbly jumping off his shoulder and landing on the snow. Its fluffy tail stood high like a small flag. It quickly darted forward, its small paws leaving a trail of tiny footprints in the snow. The two followed closely behind, their steps light and steady.