Arrow Protection

Of all professions, low-ranking spellcasters feared assassins and archers the most. An assassin's stealth and explosive bursts of power could deal fatal damage to a spellcaster before they could react. Thus, spellcasters had developed many spells to counter assassins, such as Mental Revelation and True Sight, which could expose an assassin's stealth even at lower levels.

But low-ranking spellcasters had no particularly good way to deal with archers. Even if their powerful mental strength allowed them to spot an archer from afar, they could not guard against hidden arrows from every direction. Without guards to protect them, frail low-ranking spellcasters found it difficult to evade them.

Jialan was no exception. Without using scrolls, his only defensive methods were the Ice Mirror Technique built into his staff, Elemental Shield, and Frost Shield.

The Ice Mirror Technique built into his staff could be cast instantly, but only once. After that, it needed recharging and could not be used again for twenty-four hours. Elemental Shield, an apprentice-level spell, took only one or two seconds to cast, but it was only somewhat useful against elemental damage. Against physical attacks like arrows, it shattered in a single hit and was completely useless.

Frost Shield, though a Tier 1 Spell with formidable defense, took low-ranking spellcasters at least seven or eight seconds to cast. By the time they finished, they would already have been riddled with arrows like a honeycomb.

Spellcasters could become the strongest profession on the continent, so naturally they were not helpless against archers. Arrow Protection was a spell designed specifically to counter them.

This spell used elemental energy to form a special spell structure, creating an invisible barrier around the spellcaster that could block or deflect flying arrows and other projectiles. Most importantly, like Mental Revelation, it could be bestowed upon the spellcaster. Depending on the user's ability, it could effectively withstand several attacks before shattering, after which it could be applied again. It was absolutely a life-saving divine skill.

Unfortunately, not only was the spell structure extremely complicated, but it was also very expensive. Jialan simply could not afford it. Now that he had a chance to obtain it, his heart could not help but race.

"These assassination attempts were also tests for you. Even spellcasters cannot simply join us whenever they please," Shadow continued.

Jialan suddenly understood. He had long suspected Shadow's true strength. In these recent battles, Shadow had acted nothing like an archer on the verge of advancing to a higher rank. So he had been loafing around all along, letting Jialan end up in such a miserable state. Jialan gritted his teeth in irritation.

"I can join the team, but I need the spell structure for Arrow Protection immediately. Otherwise..." Jialan's eyes suddenly widened as Shadow took a scroll from his robes and tossed it to him. Jialan caught it clumsily, his face full of disbelief...

A biting wind swept over the treetops, stirring up snow that filled the sky. Jialan raised his staff and chanted an incantation. A pale blue curtain of light unfolded before him. Yet it lasted less than three seconds before shattering, and the ice shards stung his face painfully.

"I'm still not proficient enough with Arrow Protection." Jialan sighed and wiped the melted snow from his face. During this time, aside from traveling, he had spent every spare moment practicing the spell. Yet he had never been able to maintain it for more than five seconds. By the standard, he needed to sustain it for at least thirty seconds before he could be considered initiated.

The snowstorm grew stronger, forcing Jialan and Shadow to stop. Beneath a massive ancient tree, they found a sheltered spot that appeared to have once been a temporary camp for adventurers. Some firewood was still left behind.

After lighting a campfire, Jialan sat cross-legged and began recalling the essentials of Arrow Protection's spell structure. First, he needed to construct the basic framework. Jialan extended his right hand, his index finger tracing an arc through the air. Blue points of light gathered into lines with his movements, outlining a hexagram in the air. This was the foundational framework of the defensive spell, and also the simplest part.

"Next are the energy circuits..." He steadied himself as more points of light were drawn in, forming vortex-like energy nodes at each point of the hexagram. This step was critical. If the energy circuits were constructed improperly, the entire spell would collapse.

He took a deep breath and sensed the flow of the surrounding air. Wind and snow howled through the treetops, every snowflake following its own unique path. Gradually, he seemed able to "see" those paths, like countless fine threads woven through the air.

"Now!" Jialan abruptly opened his eyes, his staff drawing a graceful arc through the air. The pale blue curtain of light unfolded once more. This time, fine ripples spread across its surface like ripples on water.

A snowflake struck the light curtain. Instead of passing through as usual, it was gently bounced away. Jialan's heartbeat quickened. He could feel that this curtain was more stable than any before it.

Five seconds, six seconds, seven seconds... The light curtain remained firm. Fine beads of sweat formed on Jialan's forehead, but he did not dare relax in the slightest. Twenty seconds! The curtain finally began to waver, but Jialan clenched his teeth and continued supplying mana.

Thirty seconds! The light curtain finally shattered, but delight appeared on Jialan's face. "So the key to Arrow Protection isn't the amount of mana, but sensing and controlling the airflow..."

At last, he had gotten the hang of it.

Another seven or eight days passed. That day, Shadow, who was leading the way, suddenly stopped. He put his fingers into his mouth, drew a deep breath, and let out a crisp, long whistle. The whistle pierced the silent forest and echoed among the treetops, as though awakening the slumbering earth.

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

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

The squirrel nimbly bounded through the deep snow and quickly approached Shadow's feet. It raised its head, gave Jialan a wary glance, then gently sniffed Shadow's boots. With a leap, it landed on his shoulder, its tail lightly brushing his cheek as though greeting him.

A faint smile appeared on Shadow's handsome, expressionless face. He reached out and gently stroked the squirrel's head. "Qiuqiu, take me to the captain."

The squirrel seemed to understand him. It gave a soft squeak, warily scanned its surroundings, then nimbly jumped down from his shoulder and landed in the snow. Its fluffy tail stood high like a little flag. It darted ahead, leaving a string of tiny tracks in the snow with its small paws, while the two men followed close behind with light, steady steps.