But she couldn''t just give up here. She and her sister were the only ones remaining on their team. If she was eliminated as well, then her sister would bepletely alone. But she was out of option right now.


    Unless she stopped using the skill that prevented shadows from appearing on the river surface. But if she did that, her sister would be at a disadvantage because she was certain the elf and his pet fox were fighting her sister right now.


    As she hesitated about what to do, a message appeared in the team channel, as if her sister had read her thoughts.


    Nereid: [Xiao Yi, it''s alright to deactivate the skill now. I can take care of my end here. I know this is too much to ask, but can you keep YUN busy until the time limit?]


    When Zhu Jingyi read the first part, she nned to refuse. But after reading the second part, she changed her mind. If she could keep Yun busy, it would give her sister the time she needed.


    Right now, there''s no one on team Yunyue who could rival her sister aside from YUN. So, if Zhu Jingyi could just hold off YUN here until the time limit, their team would win.


    With that resolved in mind, she once againunched a series of water bolts toward YUN. Then she quickly followed up with another skill, creating a swirling vortex of water that surged toward him. The powerful current caught YUN''s attention, forcing him to focus on defending.


    Taking advantage of the distraction, Zhu Jingyi stopped the skill preventing shadows from appearing on the river surface. As YUN dodged and deflected the vortex, she reached into her inventory and quickly pulled out an MP potion. She uncorked it and drank, feeling the refreshing energy refill her nearly empty MP bar.


    The vortex continued to swirl around YUN, buying her precious seconds. With her MP replenished, Zhu Jingyi prepared for the next move, ready to keep YUN upied and give her sister the time she needed.


    Even if she ended up as the other''s punching bag, it was fine. As long as she could help her sister, that was all that mattered.


    -----


    When Luo Yan saw the sky slowly clearing up, he immediately prepared to use his [Shadow Walk] skill. But as he waited for the right moment, he noticed Nereid''s expression. It was as serene as ever, as if she wasn''t concerned, even if he managed to use [Shadow Walk].


    It could only be because of either of these two things: she knew the skill would be deactivated, so it didn''t surprise her, or it didn''t matter to her whether it was active or not.


    Either way, it wouldn''t be good for them. Because if it''s the former, there''s a high possibility that the Mage who was responsible for the skill purposely deactivated it, and not because Shen Ji Yun had defeated her. Which could lead to thetter.


    There''s a chance Nereid told the Mage to deactivate it. Maybe even to tell the other to hold Shen Ji Yun for as long as she could. Meaning Nereid was going for a game of attrition, nning to wait it out until the time limit.


    Luo Yan absolutely couldn''t let that happen.


    He spoke to Eclipse telepathically. [Eclipse,e closer to me, but make it look idental.]


    Although Eclipse seemed confused by the request, he still sent an affirmative reply. They moved in apparent disarray, making it seem like they were just dodging and weaving through the attacks of the monsters. Luo Yan sidestepped a lunging monster, shing at its side, while Eclipse leaped from one rock to another, his ws raking a monster that got too close.


    Luo Yan pretended to be driven back by a particrly aggressive monster, edging closer to Eclipse''s position. At the same time, Eclipse made a show of avoiding a cluster of attackers, his movements bringing him nearer to Luo Yan. Their actions appeared chaotic, but they were carefully coordinated.


    As they got closer, a monster leaped at Luo Yan, but Eclipse intercepted it with a swift strike, knocking it away. Luo Yan, in turn, parried another attacker lunging at Eclipse. Inch by inch, they drew closer until they were just a few steps away from one another.


    [Take one of my daggers,] Luo Yan said to Eclipse telepathically. [If you have the chance, make sure to nick her.]


    As they continued to fend off the monsters, Luo Yan subtly loosened his grip on one of his daggers. He maneuvered closer to Eclipse, sidestepping an attacking monster. In the chaos, he extended his hand, and Eclipse, maintaining his agile movements on the rocks, deftly grabbed the dagger without breaking his stride.


    To any observer, the two just happened to bypass each other while being attacked by monsters.


    And that''s exactly how it looked to Zhu Lian''s eyes.


    Just like what Luo Yan thought, Zhu Lian was indeed nning to make this a game of attrition. If she could protect this green line until the time limit was over, then it would be team Siren''s win.


    Zhu Lian nced at Noctis and his pet fox. She knew that as soon as shadows appeared on the river''s surface, Noctis wouldn''t pass up the opportunity to use his favorite skill and go directly into the shadows.


    She continued to y the harp, the music it produced became more intense. And as it did, the surrounding monsters became even more agitated. Attacking both Noctis and the fox more violently.


    Zhu Lian kept her eyes fixed on the two. As the skypletely cleared, shadows began to appear on the river''s surface. And so, she saw the exact moment Noctis dived into the shadows at the first opportunity.