The lizard lashed out at Guang An Yong Zui with savage ferocity. Despite Guang An Yong Zui's formidable defenses, he was starting to buckle under the onslaught.
Hiss! The lizard flicked its scarlet tongue, spewing a cloud of green poison mist, engulfing an area of roughly two yards in every direction.
–30, –30, damage values popped up above Guang An Yong Zui's head.
Each attack from the lizard inflicted 80 points of damage on Guang An Yong Zui, who was quickly reaching his limit.
"Shi Yan, dispel it quickly!"
Shi Yan, the priest in Guang An Yong Zui's group, swiftly cast a dispel skill. A pillar of pure white light descended, dissolving into the poison mist, thinning it considerably.
With only 160 health remaining, Guang An Yong Zui saw the lizard lunging at him and quickly raised his sword to block, but the lizard still managed to sink its teeth into him.
–76.
Guang An Yong Zui used Hamstring, immediately slowing the lizard's movements. He quickly retreated.
The elemental mage, having just completed his incantation, unleashed Frost Nova, coating the lizard's surface with a layer of shimmering frost, halting its advance.
This was the elemental mage's ice-type freeze effect.
Shi Yan hastily cast a heal on Guang An Yong Zui, while Guang An Yong Zui also downed a potion of Lesser Slow Healing, gradually restoring his health.
Guang An Yong Zui was concentrating intensely, knowing that Nie Yan couldn't be far away. If Nie Yan came out to cause trouble, the outcome would be uncertain.
His health was only about three-quarters restored when the lizard lunged again.
Sub-elites were so difficult to deal with. Guang An Yong Zui, wearing a full set of +2 Death Ceremony equipment, was still losing health so quickly. A team with poorer gear would likely have already been wiped out.
Thanks to Guang An Yong Zui and the others' attrition tactics, the lizard's health was still around 70%.
"Tang Guo, have you found him yet?"
"No, the guy is hiding somewhere."
"Everyone, be careful. Su Yan, save a skill!"
"Understood." The holy magic user Su Yan replied. Having cooperated with Guang An Yong Zui for so long, she understood his instructions even with such a simple reminder.
Guang An Yong Zui and the others were discussing something, and Nie Yan understood it was probably about him. But with ten years of thief experience, he wasn't going to be caught easily.
"They're pretty strong, they might actually wear down the lizard to death," Nie Yan thought, looking at the still-ferocious lizard. As a Level 7 sub-elite, the lizard would drop some decent loot.
Nie Yan would hold off on acting against Guang An Yong Zui and the others for the moment. It wouldn't be too late to strike after they'd worn each other down a little more.
Guang An Yong Zui's greatsword hacked at the lizard again and again, inflicting massive damage.
"How much mana do you have left?" Guang An Yong Zui asked in the team chat, his voice low.
"67%."
"78%."
"32%," the elemental mage replied, glancing at Guang An Yong Zui, fearing he would be angry.
"What happened?" Guang An Yong Zui frowned.
"We started the fight before my mana was fully recovered, and then I used a few high-damage spells."
"Okay, conserve your mana." Guang An Yong Zui said, not dwelling on it after hearing the elemental mage's explanation.
The elemental mage switched to Ice Arrow, which consumed the least mana. After a while, his mana was still depleted. He downed a mana potion, restoring his mana back to 67%.
Under the sustained magical assault, the lizard's health was reduced to just 20%.
With the lizard at just over 200 health, Guang An Yong Zui and the others were on the edge of their seats.
The lizard's skin developed an odd, reddish tinge, and it emitted a hissing growl. Suddenly, a patch of muddy ground appeared beneath Guang An Yong Zui's feet.
Guang An Yong Zui was shocked. He suddenly realized that his feet were stuck in the mud, and he couldn't pull them out.
The lizard lunged at him. Guang An Yong Zui quickly unleashed Whirlwind, knocking the lizard back a few steps.
Seeing Guang An Yong Zui trapped, Tang Guo suddenly realized something. He shouted anxiously in the team chat, "Shi Yan, Illuminate!"
Hearing Tang Guo's words, the priest Shi Yan didn't dare to delay. He raised his hand, and a ball of white light flew into the sky, emitting a blinding radiance. The snow-white light poured down on the ground like mercury.
In the white light, about five yards behind the priest, the shadows flickered, vaguely revealing the outline of a figure. A dagger was aimed straight at the back of the priest's head.
"It's him!" Tang Guo brandished his dagger and rushed toward Nie Yan.
With a clang, the two daggers collided.
Nie Yan had finally found an opportunity, and had silently snuck behind the priest. He hadn't expected to be discovered by Tang Guo, who had blocked his attack.
Nie Yan had originally wanted to find an opportunity to kill the priest named Shi Yan. With the priest dead, Guang An Yong Zui would surely be killed by the lizard, achieving two kills with one stone.
He just hadn't expected his flawless stealth to be seen through.
This was his first failed ambush since his rebirth!
With Nie Yan blocked by Tang Guo, the priest had already run away. There was no point in continuing the assault. He activated Haste and quickly retreated.
With a bang, a bolt of lightning struck from the sky, but Nie Yan managed to dodge it in time.
Immediately afterward, a beam of light struck Nie Yan, but it didn't inflict any damage.
Target hit. The holy magic user Su Yan smiled slightly in the distance, thinking, "Let's see if you dare to stealth again."
A faint white light appeared above Nie Yan's head. Wherever Nie Yan moved, the light would accurately show his location.
Nie Yan was shocked when he realized he'd been marked with the Light Mark. He quickly retreated.
Tang Guo chased after Nie Yan, but his speed was far inferior. Nie Yan was too fast after using Haste, and he couldn't keep up, quickly falling behind.
These players were too strong, it seemed he wouldn't be able to gain any advantage. Nie Yan could only give up, and ran outwards, preparing to disengage from the battle.
"Tang Guo, how did you find him?" Shi Yan was feeling a lingering sense of relief. In fact, Nie Yan had been very close to him. If it had been a moment later, not only would he have been in danger, but Guang An Yong Zui would likely have died.
"My perception isn't that high. I was wondering why that guy hadn't attacked yet. Logically speaking, there were several good opportunities to strike earlier. I put myself in the thief's shoes and thought about when would be the best time to attack. Seeing Guang An Yong Zui trapped in the mud, I guessed that he might make a move, so I asked you to cast Illuminate. I didn't expect to actually find him," Tang Guo said. If it had been a moment later, Shi Yan would probably have been dead. Nie Yan's stealth was virtually flawless. His discovery of Nie Yan had been largely a matter of luck.
Tang Guo looked into the forest. Nie Yan had already disappeared into the distant bushes.
The Light Mark lasted for two minutes. Within these two minutes, if Nie Yan approached this area, they would be able to discover him immediately, so they didn't need to worry about Nie Yan's ambush.