Chapter 1231: YUNYUE VS CELESTIALS (XV)
Chapter 1231: YUNYUE VS CELESTIALS (XV)
SHEN JI YUN whipped around the corner, charging into the same narrow opening Azrael had escaped through moments before. Just ahead, the other was flying low, his body skimming inches above the ground as he sped forward. Determined not to lose him, Shen Ji Yun pushed himself harder.
Then his foot landed on something that gave a soft click beneath his weight.
A split second later, an explosion tore through the ground behind him, shaking the entire passage. The force sent a shockwave up his legs. Before he could react, another blast went off farther ahead. The noise was deafening. Dust and debris filled the air as the walls began to tremble.
In an instant, the passage gave way.
Massive chunks of stalactatites broke loose and came crashing down. The ceiling collapsed, and the ground split in places. Dirt, rocks, and dust poured down like a wave, sealing both ends of the passage.
When the rumbling finally stopped, everything was silent.
He turned back, then looked ahead. There was no way out.
He was trapped.
For a while, at least.
Shen Ji Yun studied the pile of stones blocking his path in both directions, his expression tight with frustration. He stood trapped in the middle of the collapsed passage, with debris sealing him off from either exit. Using his skills to blast through might seem like the quick solution, but he knew better - the unstable rubble could collapse further, potentially burying him deeper or making the situation even worse. That would just cost him more precious time in the long run.
But even if he cleared the debris the old-fashioned way, it would still take at least ten minutes to dig himself out. Ten minutes he absolutely couldn't afford to lose.
Shen Ji Yun's eyes narrowed. Maybe this was Azrael's plan all along—to trap him here while going after Luo Yan.
Luo Yan had warned him Azrael was smart. He really should have listened to that warning. Now here he was, stuck in this collapsed passage while Azrael was undoubtedly heading straight for Luo Yan, probably already setting up his attack.
He took a deep breath. Overthinking things now would just waste more time. So, as he began clearing the rubble, he quickly sent Luo Yan a message.
***
Luo Yan froze at the sound of a distant explosion. The blast seemed to come from near the passage where Azrael had disappeared earlier. A thought struck him—had Azrael and Shen Ji Yun crossed paths? Were they fighting now?
The moment that thought crossed his mind, a message popped up in their team channel.
YUN: [Yan Yan, I've fallen into Azrael's trap and can't get out of where I am right now. Don't do anything reckless. I'll try to break free as fast as possible. So don't try to take him on alone. Just like you said—he's cunning. He's definitely got more tricks prepared. Be careful. I'll get to you as soon as I can.]
He'd already guessed something like this might've happened when he heard the explosion. What really surprised him was how Azrael had managed to set up a trap so quickly—not just set it up, but make it work perfectly. This just proved once again how smart the other was.
Luo Yan read Shen Ji Yun's message again. He knew he was right. But judging by Azrael's actions, the guy was definitely coming for him next. If Azrael just wanted to hide until the match ended, there'd be no reason to trap Shen Ji Yun. The only explanation? He didn't want Shen Ji Yun interfering when he went after Luo Yan.
Targeting him made sense—he was the target, after all. But since Azrael didn't know that, Luo Yan guessed the other had another reason for coming after him. Azrael probably thought he was weaker than Shen Ji Yun.
Strength-wise? Sure, that was true. But Azrael, of all people, should've known better. This was the same guy who fought with tricks and traps, who outsmarted opponents instead of overpowering them. If anyone understood that battles weren't just about strength, it should've been him.
Even if he tried to hide until Shen Ji Yun got free, Luo Yan doubted Azrael would just let that happen.
Instead of slipping into the shadow world—which would only waste the time he could use [Shadow Walk]—he chose to move openly. As he traveled, he put himself in Azrael's shoes. How would he handle this situation if their roles were reversed? He came up with several possibilities, turning each one over in his mind. Then, for every approach he imagined, he worked out how to counter it.
He had barely taken ten steps when a streak of light split the air in front of him. He jerked back as the arrow struck the ground at his feet, the impact scorching a black mark into the stone. Before the glare faded, another shot came—this one aimed just ahead and to his right, forcing him to pivot left.
He turned to push forward, but a third arrow hissed past, so close it singed his hair. The heat made him flinch backward—right as a fourth shot exploded against the ceiling ahead, sending rubble crashing down to block his path.
Now retreat was his only option. He backed away, daggers raised, but the arrows kept coming—not at him, but at the spaces around him, tightening his route like a noose. Step by step, they drove him toward a recess in the cavern wall: a broad, bowl-shaped depression with high sides and only one way in—the same way he was being forced to enter.
The moment his heels touched the back wall, the arrows stopped. Ahead, at the mouth of the enclosure, Azrael finally stepped into view, another light-arrow already drawn.
Azrael raised his bow, the glowing arrow aimed high above them. With a sharp twang, he released it—the projectile streaked upward and struck the stalactites hanging from the ceiling.
The impact shattered them instantly. Chunks of broken rock rained down, but worse—the stalactites had been the only source of light in the area. As they crumbled, darkness swallowed the space.
Then, from where Azrael had been standing just seconds before, an explosion erupted. The blast sent a wave of force through the cavern, kicking up dust and debris. Between the falling rocks and the sudden detonation, Luo Yan couldn't see anything.
The entire area was plunged into complete darkness.