"Someone's following us. Stay alert."
A message transmitted through Mind Element Magic reached Mu Ningxue and Mo Fan's minds. Both paused briefly, then acted as if nothing had happened.
"Sound String: Probe!"
Su Miu silently cast Sound Element Magic, sending a ring of sound waves outward. He detected five people approaching, all at the intermediate level: three at Intermediate Level Two, one at Intermediate Level 3, and one at intermediate level one.
"Five of them, all Intermediate Mages. One behind the tree on the left, one behind the rock garden, and one hiding in the shadows a short distance ahead to the right. The other two are following us from behind."
He continued communicating with the pair through Mind Element Magic. Both readied their spells for battle. A moment later, a Giant Shadow Nail shot toward Su Miu's shadow.
"Thunder Seal: Rage Strike!"
He casually flung out Thunder Light, shattering the Giant Shadow Nail, then pointed at the sky. Dark clouds began to gather.
"Mystic Lightning, Thunderbolt: Yaksha!"
A level-two Thunderbolt crashed down. Five bolts of Azure Thunderlight struck the five attackers with pinpoint accuracy. Two immediately lost the ability to fight back. The remaining three had Defensive Magic Equipment or Armor Magic Equipment protecting them, and their equipment was of fairly high quality.
Even so, they took heavy damage, their magic equipment shattered by the lightning. Without their defensive spells, they would have lost the ability to fight back as well.
"How is he this strong?! Retreat!"
The three tried to flee, but Mu Ningxue made her move. She instantly unleashed Ice Lock, binding two of them. Mo Fan summoned his Ghost Wolf Beast to block the last one's escape, then followed up with a Thunder Seal to paralyze him.
"Wait, wait, wait! Great Demon King-uh, no! Su Miu,