Just as Jie Jian paused to think, Mahito's next attack came at him and Nanami.
A massive hand of mud, like a mountain, came crashing down on where they stood.
With no time to think, they could only retreat first.
Jie Jian grabbed Nanami by the arm, pushed off the ground, and leaped into the air an instant before the mud hand slammed down, landing on the other side of the street.
Nanami steadied himself and nodded to Jie Jian in thanks.
Before they could catch their breath, Mahito's laughter came from below again.
"Pretty quick runners! But how long can you keep running?"
The mud writhed again, spreading toward them like a living swamp.
Jie Jian glanced around at the surrounding streets.
Mahito's mud was spreading in every direction, seemingly trying to encircle and trap them.
"Split up!"
Jie Jian said curtly, taking off toward the other side first.
Nanami nodded and ran in the opposite direction as well.
The mud spread through the streets like a living creature, swallowing everything it touched.
Jie Jian moved swiftly through the streets, keeping his distance from the ever-expanding sludge.
"What's wrong? Weren't you so good at fighting just now?"
Mahito's voice surged from behind him.
"Why are you only running now? Where's that strength you're so proud of? Show it to me!"
Several thick tentacles suddenly rose from the mud's surface and lashed at Jie Jian like enormous whips.
Jie Jian frowned, weaving between the tentacles to evade them.
Playful Cloud spun in his hand, smashing a tentacle that had closed in on his face to pieces.
But just as before, the scattered droplets of mud regrouped in midair, fell back into the main mass, and became part of Mahito once more.
This can't go on.
Jie Jian calculated rapidly.
His