He wasn't stupid. He had noticed something—when he took a hit, his body absorbed scattered ether three times more efficiently than when he dodged.
The blade met the armored fist.
The shock traveled from his arm to his shoulder and then into his spine, hurting so badly he nearly ground his teeth to pieces.
But at the same time, a huge surge of fifth-tier ether poured into the sword through the point of contact, then was drawn from the blade into his body by the Sword Spirit Root.
His meridians swelled another notch.
Something deep inside his body was coming loose.
Like a wall already riddled with cracks—just a few more blows would punch straight through it.
"Su Li! Your shoulder is bleeding!" Saina's voice came from his right.
"I know! Deal with your bald guy first!"
Saina stamped her foot in agitation, shattering two more floor tiles.
On the steps, Elena's battle with old Gran had already entered its final stage.
Most of Gran's spear shaft had been frozen by ice ether. Lightning could only flicker out from the short section near the spearhead.
The old man's breathing had become ragged, and Elena precisely stabbed him every time he paused to draw breath.
Elena's fighting style was viciously underhanded. She had no interest in a single thrust to the throat. Instead, she repeatedly stabbed the old man's wrists, elbows, and shoulder joints, pouring ice ether into every wound and freezing the muscles and fascia around his joints stiff.
Gran's right arm could no longer rise. He could only grip the spear one-handed with his left, cutting his attack range in half.
Elena stabbed again.
The sword tip slashed across Gran's left ribs, and ice ether seeped inward through the wound.
The old man gave a muffled grunt, and