Meanwhile, on the other side...
Ma Lie and Zhu Chixia rode the Mantis People along the mouth of the White River Yangtze, sweeping the area in a grid. As their search circles widened, each circuit took longer.
Nameless, however, was traveling downstream. Though his search covered less ground across the river, he had gone far beyond them in distance.
Just then, the Mantis People encountered another squad of their kind. The moment the two groups met, the newcomers attacked the Mantis People under Nameless's control.
"Oh no. These Mantis People must belong to Gu Yue."
When one of their Mantis People was cleaved in half, Ma Lie's heart lurched. He hurriedly ordered the others to fight back.
The difference in strength between the two sides was obvious.
The Mantis People under Nameless's control had all been enhanced. Aside from the one killed when they were caught off guard, Nameless's side held the advantage.
But there were too many enemies.
Even with three enemy Mantis People falling for every one of theirs, more and more of Nameless's Mantis People died as the battle dragged on.
"I'm afraid we can't save these Mantis People," Ma Lie said. "We have to move."
"But at our speed alone..." Zhu Chixia said, panic on his face.
"We have no choice," Ma Lie said firmly. "Stay, and we die. Move, and we have a sliver of hope. Do you want to die or live?"
He grabbed Zhu Chixia. "I'll count to three, then we jump together. The enemy's focused on the Mantis People right now. This is our only chance to get away."
"Three!" he shouted, and jumped, dragging Zhu Chixia with him.
Zhu Chixia hadn't expected Ma Lie to skip "one" and "two" entirely. Caught off guard, he plunged toward the ground without even time