Although Peng Liang was startled, he didn't falter, swiftly maneuvering to retrieve Xiaofeng from the chaos.
"Let me handle this," said Bai Tingting, the team's only healing mage.
As Xiaofeng, bloodied and broken beneath the knees, was laid on the ground, Bai Tingting wasted no time. She completed her healing star track with precision, and a soft, light-green liquid flowed from her fingers, seeping gently into Xiaofeng's wounds.
Ye Chenfeng glanced briefly at Xiaofeng's return but didn't linger; his focus was already on the ongoing battle.
"Zheng Bingxiao, recall your summoned beast," Zhao Manyan urged.
Without hesitation, Zheng Bingxiao withdrew his battered Rock Demon. As he did, a thick mist began forming around them, heralding the unleashing of Zhao Manyan's intermediate-level water magic. A torrent of roaring waves surged forward like a dam bursting, crashing through the tunnel with relentless force.
Yet, it wasn't enough. Another wave of cave demon slaves surged from the front.
"Damn it, they're coming again!"
"Everyone, stay behind me! I'll take the lead!" Ye Chenfeng commanded, stepping to the front.
Fierce Fist!
Ye Chenfeng's voice boomed as fiery magic energy coalesced around his wrist. A blazing fist ignited, casting an intense red glow across the tunnel. The monstrous creatures hiding in the side caves had no chance to escape, disintegrating into black ash under the overwhelming heat. Screams echoed as the fiery blast punched through the tunnel, obliterating everything within a hundred meters. The sheer power of the attack left behind nothing but floating remnants of souls.
But the respite was fleeting. Despite clearing the path ahead, small side caves continued spewing fresh waves of demons. The creatures, relentless and desperate, trampled over their fallen brethren to push forward, their grotesque bodies piling up in the chaos.
"Disgusting," Ye Chenfeng muttered, catching glimpses of the grotesque scenes in vivid detail—a side effect of his enhanced perception as a high-level mage. Gritting his teeth, he summoned another fiery punch, obliterating the charging wave and scattering their lingering souls.
"Damn, that's fast!" one of the supporting mages cursed, struggling to keep up with Ye Chenfeng's rapid spellcasting.
Intermediate-level magic typically required a star chant of 49 stars, taking most mages 3 to 6 seconds to complete. Even elite mages from the Imperial and Magic Capitals could reduce it to about five seconds. Mo Fan, having reached the third level of intermediate magic, managed his spells in roughly four seconds, while Mu Ningxue, with her early awakening, often achieved intermediate magic in just two to three seconds.
Yet, Ye Chenfeng was casting in under one second, a feat that left even seasoned mages like Zhao Mingyue astounded.
"The front is clear! Let's move!" Ye Chenfeng called, gathering the scattered souls into himself as he pushed forward. His immense power and spirit seed enhancements made him nearly untouchable by these servant-level demons.
As the group advanced, demons continued pouring from side passages, clawing desperately at the walls in an attempt to block their escape. The tide of creatures showed no fear of Ye Chenfeng's devastating attacks, their sheer numbers driving them to charge recklessly.
Fortunately, with Mo Fan, a blast mage, beside him, the two combined their magic to suppress the chaos. Ye Chenfeng cleared the path ahead, while Mo Fan collapsed side tunnels and provided occasional support. Together, they pushed the battle line a hundred meters forward, a remarkable feat given the relentless onslaught.
Meanwhile, the rear team of fifteen intermediate mages held their ground admirably. Though they couldn't match Ye Chenfeng's casting speed, their coordinated efforts were highly effective. Fire, Thunder Seal, and Ice Vine spells illuminated the battlefield, disorienting the cave demon slaves and slowing their advance. The team's strategic use of ground waves and intermediate magic created a controlled, steady retreat, conserving mana without sacrificing offensive power.
However, the urgency of the situation overshadowed any debate about tactics. If they failed to break through, conserving magic would be meaningless.
With momentum on their side, Ye Chenfeng decided to unleash his strongest ice magic.
"Ice Lock!" he roared.
In an instant, the cave was consumed by a freezing aura. Chains of biting frost erupted in all directions, whipping through the air like venomous snakes. The chains tore into the cave demon slaves, their icy thorns ripping flesh and leaving gory gaps that bled profusely.
Ye Chenfeng's ice magic was merciless. Each strike from the frost chains left demons collapsing in pools of blood, their broken bodies piling up in grotesque heaps. The sheer brutality shattered the morale of the remaining creatures. Fear spread among the slaves, and they abandoned their violent advance, retreating frantically into the surrounding caves.
"Now's our chance! Everyone, follow me!" Ye Chenfeng called, sprinting forward.
As they moved, the team glanced at the carnage behind them in disbelief. The destruction wrought by Ye Chenfeng and Mo Fan far exceeded what the rear team of fifteen mages could achieve. Their combined power was overwhelming, turning what seemed like an unwinnable battle into a narrow escape.