Jielusi's Choice

On the other side of the dungeon, in a better-equipped cell, the patterns on the restraint rings around the necks of dozens of prisoners lit up simultaneously, and the runes that had been suppressing their power were rapidly dissipating.

Laswage pointed at Yise and the others. "The temple will reward you according to your merits in eliminating these heretics! Those who perform exceptionally well will be immediately released from their punishments!"

The surrounding jailers rushed to open the cell doors. These prisoners were all members of the Temple of Light, who had committed crimes such as robbery, rape, and murder.

The Temple of Light forbids secular law enforcement agencies from punishing clergy. Due to the Church's immense power, most countries and organizations have no choice but to comply.

Ultimately, those with connections were acquitted through various pretexts. The rest remained imprisoned here, a testament to the "fairness" of the Temple of Light.

The prisoners touched the gradually weakening restraint rings around their necks with suspicion and uncertainty. Some tentatively gathered Magic Power and actually managed to ignite a flame in their palms.

Laswage's roar echoed through the cold stone walls of the cell, "Get up! Anyone who dares to disobey orders will be branded a heretic and never allowed to leave this place!"

Some hesitated, but a significant number picked up the scattered weapons and slowly approached Yise and the others.

These prisoners are in far better condition than the necromancers; they are not only exempt from hard labor but also retain basic decency. Many of them, once released from their constraints, immediately demonstrate considerable combat prowess!

"Keep this Watcher girl alive!" Laswage grinned as he added another demand.

Yise's heart sank. Although these prisoners were individually far weaker than her, their sheer numbers posed a significant threat. If their stamina and Dou Qi were depleted, they would be vulnerable to the watchful Laswage.

Yise swiftly pulled out a crystal and activated it on his fingertip. "Eternal Echo!"

[Mom, the guards have unleashed the prisoners, and we can't control them!]

As the crystal chip turned to dust, information ripples spread out, reflecting back and forth in the complex dungeon, and soon emerged from the dungeon, merging into the outside wind.

Deep underground, wireless communication and wind magic were severely hampered. However, the special method of communication between Yise and his mother Katharine, remained unaffected.

Katharine quickly replied: [Hang in there a little longer, reinforcements are on their way!]

****

On the ground battlefield of Divine Might Prison, the sounds of swords clashing with magic were incessant.

Katharine's spellbook floated before her, its pages moving without wind, emitting a soft blue light. Before her, Warden Sabina's warhammer priest armor was shattered, blood seeping from the dent in her breastplate, and she knelt on one knee, panting heavily.

She currently has the upper hand, but this is mainly due to her familiarity with Sabina's fighting style. Moreover, killing this Warhammer Priest will not be an easy task.

Sabina's strength was far greater than expected. Although her technique remained unchanged, her power and Dou Qi had improved significantly, as if she had undergone some kind of special transformation.

In particular, she is as cunning as ever. Her seemingly miserable appearance of impending defeat is only 40% genuine, with the other 60% being an act.

Katharine took a deep breath. The more crucial the moment, the less she could afford to panic. If she were to succumb to her emotions and become hasty, she might give her opponent a chance to turn the tables!

When the distress call from "Eternal Echo" arrived, her expression remained unchanged as she quickly replied, flicking away the crystal that had turned to dust. Katharine rapidly surveyed the entire battlefield. Although her side held the advantage, there were very few people capable of leading the support for the dungeon.

Katharine's gaze finally settled on the other side of the battlefield, on the trio locked in combat with Headmaster Javier.

[What is it, my lady?] Jielusi keenly noticed Katharine's gaze.

[Yise's in trouble.] Katharine made a decision: [You go support her! Let Ge'enda'er and Silver Mask hold off Javier for now!]

Jielusi immediately understood the gravity of the situation and grasped Katharine's tactical intentions—sending her, the healer, was to compensate for Yise's lack of stamina when facing a group of enemies and to stabilize the situation on the dungeon battlefield.

"Ge'enda'er, Silver Mask!" Jielusi suddenly shouted, "You go help Yise, leave this to me!"

Realizing something had happened in the dungeon, the two didn't hesitate. Ge'enda'er punched Javier away and turned to run towards the dungeon entrance.

Silver Mask moved even faster, taking care of any guards he encountered along the way, and gathering several Star Sand members to go together.

****

Jielusi descended from mid-air, steadily blocking their path as she stared directly at Javier with a resolute look in her icy gaze.

[Jielusi!] Katharine was surprised to find that Jielusi had changed her plans. [Are you planning to use Shadow Form?]

[I know.] Jielusi pressed her slender fingers against the magic collar around her neck, beginning to gather all her Magic Power to fiercely fight against the seal on the collar.

[But...]

[I will try my best... not to completely lose control!] Her voice trembled with pain.

The sealed Magic Power coiled within the girl's body, and the pain of forcibly expelling it contorted Jielusi's delicate face. She tilted her head back and couldn't help but let out a painful cry, "Ah--!"

Javier was not about to miss this opportunity. He lunged forward with all his might, the tip of his Sky Punishment Staff crackling with blinding lightning.

"Lightning Pierce!"

The violent lightning magic struck Jielusi directly, the explosive energy kicking up clouds of dust. When the dust settled, Javier's staff was seen piercing Jielusi's left shoulder.

Despite the excruciating pain, Jielusi braced her left hand against Javier's staff, managing to deflect it from her vital chest.

Blood gushed from the wound like a fountain, quickly staining her pristine white healer's robe, spreading out in shocking bloodstains on the fabric.

The sealing ring around her neck had been torn off. The girl's eyes were dull and lifeless, and her right hand was tightly gripping Javier's neck!

Javier released his staff and tried to pry the hand that was gripping his throat off, desperately trying to break free.

Jielusi and dark Magic Power immediately invaded through her hand. Once these two types of Magic Power are simply activated, they become extremely volatile, constantly corrupting Javier and making it impossible for him to exert his full strength.

"... You!" Javier managed to squeeze out the words, "This... it's a lose-lose situation!"

Indeed, Jielusi was in equally bad shape. The raging Magic Power was also clashing chaotically within her, with the forces of light and darkness tearing at each other, causing damage that might even be more severe than Javier had suffered.

If she hadn't been choking him, numbing his throat and preventing Javier from using high-level spells that required incantations, he probably would have broken free long ago!

"Teacher, you failed your spellcasting test!" Jielusi said expressionlessly, her long pink hair dancing wildly in the Magic Power storm like burning flames.