As Jack entered my attack range, the Death Breath was poised to strike when a petrifying magical missile, accompanied by a piercing scream, shot into the sky. It was Sun Yan, terrified and launching fireworks in her panic. Damn it, even if one were to accidentally discharge a weapon, it should be aimed at the enemy! Truly, a case of incompetence leading to disaster.
Jack caught sight of Sun Yan and paused momentarily. Although the atmosphere was disrupted, the Death Breath transformed into two serpentine dragons, descending from the treetop with a flash of lightning. As long as I eliminated Jack, the Cataclysm Knights would be of no concern to me.
Awakened by Sun Yan's petrifying missile, Jack reacted even faster than I had anticipated. He merely lowered his head, and the enormous round shield on his back emitted a blinding flash. The Death Breath struck the shield, yet failed to penetrate even slightly. In that instant, I was momentarily blinded, unable to adjust my strategy for a second attack, allowing Jack's demon steed to charge past the tree.
Next, the recoil from Jack's shield sent me leaping into the air. Shaking my head, my vision finally cleared a bit, only to see two sharp lances aimed at my abdomen. With a swift motion of the Death Breath, I easily deflected the lances. Using the momentum, I landed on the back of one of the Cataclysm Knights' mounts and delivered a knee strike, sending the knight tumbling off. The other assailant, less fortunate than his comrade, fell victim to the Death Breath, which effortlessly claimed his soul fire, leaving him powerless and collapsing beneath his demon steed.
This series of attacks was executed with precision, allowing me to adjust for the next wave against Jack. As I forcefully leaped from the demon steed, I caught sight of Jack passing through a point where Zhang Bo lay in ambush. The unfortunate lawyer, completely clueless about combat, scrambled to his feet in a panic.
With a roar, he transformed into a fiery red werewolf, but he had no chance to launch any attack. Jack's hair instantly turned snow white, and claws sprouted from his hands. With a mere flick, Zhang Bo was sent flying more than ten paces, lifeless before he even landed.
"Werewolf transformation! Did Jack obtain a werewolf transformation card?" My thoughts raced, yet they did not hinder my speed of attack. Jack, transformed, moved with a newfound agility, springing into the air with a knee bend and clashing his claws against my Death Breath. Although I held the advantage of a proactive attack with optimal angles and strategy, it was still a stalemate against Jack.
As I landed, the Cataclysm Knights had already initiated their charge, and I found myself surrounded upon descent. However, such a minor skirmish did not faze me. With a twist of my dual swords, I harvested three soul fires and commandeered a demon steed, though I could not launch another strong assault.
Taking advantage of the brief respite, Jack recognized me and exclaimed with delight, "Ah, it's Wang Lin! We are old friends; why such hostility?"
The werewolf Jack spoke, yet his actions contradicted his words. While welcoming me, his claws gripped tightly, unleashing a vacuum wave that tore through the air with such ferocity that it startled me.
This guy, who was once inept in combat, had transformed into a formidable opponent. The vacuum wave was a technique that, to an unrefined warrior, appeared astoundingly sharp and miraculous; yet to me, it was a trivial matter. Destroying it would be effortless. If I faced Jack alone, I was confident I could easily send him flying. However, the Cataclysm Knights were a nuisance, fearlessly charging at me, devoid of any real combat technique but causing considerable trouble.
The battle commenced with rapid exchanges; after about seventeen or eighteen exchanges, Wang Zhong and Li Mingda finally joined the fray. Tang Lei, upon witnessing Zhang Bo's swift demise, cowered in his hiding place, refusing to emerge.
Sun Yan haphazardly launched a few magical missiles, indiscriminately targeting both friend and foe, contributing little to the battlefield. Conversely, Wang Lili and Gu Lengzhai remained relatively composed, managing to exert some control over the enemy forces.
"Jack, you seem to be stagnating. It appears the fifth stage task is beyond your reach, considering how many I've already dispatched!"
Throughout the battle, my hands were never idle. The Death Breath continuously harvested soul fires, as I deliberately targeted the Cataclysm Knights with warrior identities.
Jack's smile remained unwavering as he retaliated with a sweep of his hand, unleashing five vacuum waves that tore through the atmosphere. Huang Shengqiu, who had been stumbling in an attempt to hide, was instantly dismembered. Jack taunted, "You're no different; our duel will lead to their complete annihilation!"
"Doesn't matter; if I die ten, you die fifty, we'll call it even."
Upon hearing my brazen words, Jack's expression faltered. The notion of an even exchange between ten and fifty was preposterous. He let out a long howl, issuing a retreat command. The Cataclysm Knights halted their charge, swiftly withdrawing from the battle.
I yearned to capture more Cataclysm Knights, especially those with warrior identities, as they were invaluable resources. Yet, Jack clung to me tenaciously, and lacking long-range attack capabilities, I could only lament my situation. "If only I could wield magic or the Exorcism Blade, none of these Cataclysm Knights would escape."
Since I could not detain Jack's minions, capturing him would be even more advantageous.
With those troublesome knights out of the way, although Jack surpassed me in strength and speed, his combat experience and skill fell short of mine. The swordsmanship I honed on Skull Island kept him firmly at a disadvantage. Despite his attempts to strike at me, he found no openings.
Suddenly, Jack let out a long howl, releasing a flurry of small seeds with a flourish. "Wang Lin, you are more exceptional than I imagined. Consider this a small gift; I hope you don't mind!"
Uncertain of his intentions, I entwined my dual swords, preparing to deflect the seeds. Suddenly, an intense heat radiated from my blades, and the Death Breath, which absorbs all life force, emitted a mournful wail.
A thunderous crack erupted from the sword tip, revealing that the seeds Jack released possessed explosive properties. Fortunately, the Phantom Flame Sword had the ability to phase its body. In that instant, I hurled my dual swords, transforming into a ghostly figure and retreating. A series of thunderous explosions ensued until I had distanced myself over a hundred meters, regaining my form, while my ears rang with a persistent buzzing.
My quick reflexes spared me from injury, yet I was drenched in cold sweat.