Desperate Escape in Peril!

Mu Nu Jiao had already reached the Intermediate level in both elements upon entering university—that alone spoke to her talent.

At the same time, she was nothing like those idle scions of noble families who coasted by.

Almost the moment the tree roots shot toward her, a circular Shield Magic Tool suddenly materialized in her hand.

With a bang, the round shield blocked the roots, and Mu Nu Jiao narrowly escaped disaster.

Song Jie watched this unfold; he had just thought he might have to play the hero saving the damsel.

But he quickly realized Mu Nu Jiao was no fragile, delicate girl.

"Watch out!" Mu Nu Jiao shouted at Song Jie.

Song Jie frowned, as he had been staying alert to his surroundings, but his momentary distraction had let the roots lock onto him.

"Number six, huh?" Song Jie grumbled inwardly as he completed his Star Track.

Radiance!

Great Burst!!

A flash of golden light shot from Song Jie's palm, exploding violently among the tree roots before him.

The gold light flickered and vanished, but the roots were blasted apart, scattering like dismembered limbs.

Seeing this, Mu Nu Jiao confirmed that what Mu Lei had told her was true.

No one around them noticed Song Jie's move, as they were all too busy dealing with their own troubles.

Song Jie watched the roots creep forward again and, without hesitation, unleashed another few Great Bursts at the ones in front.

They couldn't let them get close, or everyone would be in trouble.

Mu Nu Jiao saw the situation turning dire and turned to the middle-aged man. "Uncle Jin, at this rate, they won't hold out much longer, and we'll be surrounded."

Uncle Jin looked back at the hunters behind him. There had been over thirty before; now only twenty-something remained.

He hesitated for a moment, then barked, "Listen up, everyone! I'll clear a path ahead—follow me and charge out!"

The group was in a sorry state, but at his words, their spirits lifted.

Most of them were Novice Mages, and those with real offensive power were few and far between.

If this dragged on, they wouldn't last, and eventually, the roots would kill them all.

Song Jie saw that this High-level Mage was about to make his move and suppressed his own urge to act.

Then!

Uncle Jin stared ahead, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. In a brief moment, a constellation materialized around him!

This was a constellation belonging to a High-level Mage!!

Mu Nu Jiao and Mu Lei watched from behind, their eyes filled with longing for the High-level realm!

"Heavenly Flame Funeral!"

"Flame Rain!!"

A massive, scorching fireball slowly rose into the air, its size still growing!

With a thunderous boom, the fireball exploded, and flames poured down like a torrential rain, falling from midair like meteors.

The path ahead was instantly swallowed by fire, and the tree roots turned to ash the moment they touched the flames.

A wave of heat blasted toward them, the temperature around them spiking sharply, drenching them in sweat.

"Wind Mage, clear the way!" Uncle Jin barked. A Wind Mage completed his Star Track!

"Wind Track!"

"Floating Shadow!!"

He dashed forward, and a strong gale swept the flames aside to both sides.

"Everyone, follow!" Uncle Jin roared, taking the lead behind the Wind Mage.

The others snapped to attention and followed Uncle Jin, desperate to escape this place.

They ran through the sea of fire, coughing but not daring to stop.

"Fire Mages up front, keep clearing!"

As Uncle Jin's command rang out, the Fire Mage unleashed another fire spell, reducing the roots blocking their way to ash.

Now, only the roots ahead stood in their path; those chasing from behind had all been burned away in the inferno.

"Wind Disc!"

"Tornado!!"

The Intermediate Wind Mage controlled a spiraling tornado, whipping the flames forward as it swept along.

The group kept passing the baton, and as they neared the end, joy began to spread across their faces!

"We're almost there!"

Most of the crowd was in tatters, flushed red from the heat, some with their clothes singed.

"Damn it! The roots are getting thicker! This thing has no intention of letting us out!" someone shouted, watching the endless surge of roots.

Uncle Jin had already released two high-level spells, but with so many roots flooding in now, even a high-level spell might be dangerous.

"Uncle Jin!"

Mu Lei glanced at Uncle Jin, the backbone of their team, waiting for his command.

Uncle Jin didn't hesitate. He completed another high-level star chart, a brilliant constellation emerging as the fire-element high-level spell once again dyed the sky red.

Flames dotted the air, and the ground instantly turned into a sea of fire, but the sharp roots charged like doomed champions, throwing themselves into the flames!

"Now's our chance! Follow me and break out!" Uncle Jin looked at Mu Nu Jiao and Mu Lei, then signaled them to follow.

The others swarmed forward, desperate to avoid dying here, and rushed ahead.

But the roots went berserk, charging straight at them without regard.

Though the fire raged, some roots still broke through the sea of flames, stabbing toward the fleeing people.

Rip!

A man running at full speed was pierced through the body and dragged into the fire by a root.

Everyone knew he was done for. Fear surged in their hearts, and they sped up even more.

"The end is up ahead!" someone exclaimed.

Though it was only a few kilometers away, they had already lost over a dozen people.

Song Jie could sense the danger outside. How long had they even been out here? And so many were already dead.

Most had taken this Bounty Mission thinking they'd make a fortune, never expecting to end up buried here.

Song Jie kept unleashing Great Burst on both sides, buying them all a chance to survive.

But!

The demon controlling these roots seemed to be launching an all-out assault. Countless roots surged forward without regard for cost.

In an instant, another person was pierced by a sharp root and dragged into the flames.

"The end is just ahead! Let's move faster!" Mu Lei said.

Mu Nu Jiao nodded.

Suddenly!

A massive root, formed from dozens of arm-thick roots twisted together like a braid, slammed down horizontally, blocking their path.

Their way forward was cut off by this giant root, forcing them to stop.

"Fierce Fist!"

"Nine Palaces!!"

Uncle Jin didn't hesitate. His star chart came to hand as he leaped into the air and punched straight at the giant root.

Nine pillars of flame shot up, fire spreading everywhere as a wave of heat blasted outward.

The giant root was shattered in an instant, creating a gap ahead!

Seeing this, those desperate to live rushed toward the opening.

Mu Nu Jiao tried to move, but someone slammed into her from the side, knocking her to the ground.

Mu Lei was looking for Mu Nu Jiao, but the crowd pushed and jostled him, shoving him away.

Just then, two more massive roots lashed out, trying to seal them in again!

Song Jie, sprinting toward the gap, grabbed Mu Nu Jiao and pulled her up, dragging her along as he ran for the exit!