Chapter 714: Don't Chase a Poisoner
When Ice Old Demon's body exploded into a mist of blood.
The remaining seven attackers were utterly stunned.
Even Ansely, held in Ling Zhan's arms, widened her beautiful eyes in disbelief at the scene before her.
Dead!
The 145-level Ice Old Demon was just dead like that!
This...
"So, as I said, you're already doomed. Do I still need to keep running?"
At this moment, Ling Zhan's icy voice slowly echoed.
Hearing this, the seven attackers' faces turned deathly pale!
Among the eight attackers, Ice Old Demon was considered the strongest.
Yet unexpectedly, the strongest among them was also the first to die.
Moreover, he died so inexplicably and shockingly.
These people had roamed the Holy Continent for years and survived precisely because they weren't fools; rather, they were adept at reading the situation.
The moment Ice Old Demon's body exploded into blood mist, they realized that this 105-level non-specialist before them was a terrifying opponent they couldn't afford to provoke!
Since they couldn't afford to fight…
What else could they do but run?
These were all seasoned individuals who had served organizations like the Ten Thousand Beasts Alliance and Demon Dragon Palace.
But who among them truly wanted to risk their lives for these organizations?
Their own survival was the priority.
"Run!!"
At the fiery shout of the Flame Archmage, the seven figures didn't hesitate and scattered, fleeing in different directions!
Their escape speed was astonishing, with each one displaying unique methods that piqued Ling Zhan's interest.
The Flame Archmage transformed into a blazing inferno, blending into the forest below.
The vegetation, long corroded by the toxic mist of the Dark Venom Mountain Range, ignited under the order-infused flames, spreading rapidly like a wildfire.
Hidden within this boundless blaze, the Flame Archmage was nearly impossible to track.
Meanwhile, a Beastmaster from the Ten Thousand Beasts Alliance summoned an exceptionally swift bird.
The bird's wings carried it like lightning, moving at near light-speed. In the blink of an eye, it vanished from sight.
Watching the figures flee in all directions, Ling Zhan released Ansely from his arms.
Unexpectedly, Ansely, seemingly oblivious to the gesture, still clung tightly to Ling Zhan's body with her slender arms, refusing to let go.
Ling Zhan calmly said, "The danger has passed."
Hearing this, Ansely raised her delicate face, meeting Ling Zhan's still-cold gaze. Her ears flushed red as she hastily released her hold.
To ease the awkwardness, Ansely tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and softly asked, "Aren't you going to chase them?"
Ling Zhan shook his head slightly, saying, "No need. They're already dead."
During his five teleports earlier, as his pursuers followed closely, Ling Zhan had taken advantage of the opportunity.
With each successful teleport, watching them trail behind, he had cast two simple skills.
'Invisible Poison Trail.'
'Invisible Poison Spore.'
[Invisible Poison Trail (SS)]: A Poisoner's basic skill. Upon activation, it releases colorless and odorless poison along the path. When inhaled by a target, the poison condenses into a toxic bomb within the target's body, which the caster can detonate at will to inflict massive damage.
[Invisible Poison Spore (SS)]: A Poisoner's basic skill. Releases invisible and odorless spores. Once inhaled, the spores take root in the target's body, absorbing nutrients and growing into toxic spore bombs, which the caster can detonate to deal significant damage.
In the professional circle, there's a saying:
"Don't ever chase a Poisoner."
Because when you chase a Poisoner, you may unknowingly be poisoned.
Early-stage Poisoners are slow at killing monsters due to their skills needing time to build stacks before inflicting meaningful damage.
But under the enhancement of Ling Zhan's SS-level innate talent, 'Almighty,' these two basic skills became lethal enough to kill even the 145-level Ice Old Demon with just a trace of poison.
The key was that once the poison and spores entered the body, they didn't activate immediately, making it impossible to detect.
Ice Old Demon's sudden explosion into blood mist was simply Ling Zhan detonating the toxic bombs within his body.
As for the remaining seven fleeing attackers…
Heh!
If even Ice Old Demon had inhaled a significant amount of poison and spores, how could the others escape unscathed?
Moreover, being SS-level toxins and spores, they could only be cleansed by a Priest's order-level purification skills.
But among the seven attackers, there wasn't a single support Professional—all were damage-dealers.
After all…
They were only tasked with assassinating a mere 105-level non-specialist. Why would they bring a support role?
Naturally, they had all come as damage-dealers, aiming to end things quickly.
So…
Even if the fleeing attackers realized something was amiss within their bodies, they could do nothing but endure their demise.
Additionally…
Ling Zhan had also cast the universal skill 'Marking Spell.'
[Marking Spell (SS)]: Allows the user to mark a target, tracking their movements and actions within a vast range.
At SS-level, the "vast range" meant thousands of miles. As long as the target was marked, Ling Zhan could monitor their every move.
If it were only F-level, the range would be limited to 500 meters.
Thus, the seven attackers' escape routes were fully visible to Ling Zhan.
He could even track their life statuses.
Ice Old Demon's body had been reduced to blood mist, but his original spirit remained.
However, an original spirit moves slowly, like a ghostly wisp. Fleeing was nearly impossible, as it couldn't use mobility skills or benefit from its prior attributes.
Knowing escape was futile, Ice Old Demon stayed in place, waiting hopelessly.
His once-lecherous old face now bore an expression of utter despair.
He couldn't comprehend…
He truly couldn't understand…
How had he died so suddenly? And why was this 105-level non-specialist so terrifyingly powerful?
Ling Zhan had killed him, surpassing a 40-level gap in a single blow!