Two days later.
At the request of the Magic Association, Zhou Haoyu led the National Institute team into the designated Twentieth District.
"I really don't get what the instructors are thinking. The Tide is so dangerous, and they still want us to participate."
As soon as they entered the Twentieth District, Zhao Manyan started complaining.
During the Tide, the density of sea monsters in Sea Battle City was comparable to the undead catastrophe of the Ancient Capital.
If a Monarch-level sea monster appeared, the level of danger would be no less than the Ancient Capital calamity.
But for now, such a possibility seemed unlikely. If a Monarch-level sea monster were truly to show up, the Magic Association would definitely issue an advance warning.
Unless a powerful Monarch managed to evade detection—in which case it would unquestionably be a disaster.
Of course, that was only true for others.
For Zhou Haoyu, if a true life-or-death crisis appeared, at worst he would don the Ancient King Armor and transform into the Ancient King himself.
In the presence of an Undead Emperor, anything below Supreme Monarch could be slain with a flick of the wrist. Even an Invincible Monarch would only require some effort.
Standing on the edge of a high-rise rooftop, Zhou Haoyu looked back at the others and said, "For this monster-hunting action, just do your best. Leave the rest to me."
During the Tide, even High-level mages could only barely protect themselves, while Mid-level mages could perish at the slightest mistake.
"Yes, Captain!"
The dozen or so present responded in unison. Compared to the so-called training mission, their lives were far more important.
Zhou Haoyu took out his phone and quickly glanced at the time. "Everyone, get ready. The Tide is about to arrive."
At the same time, hunters stationed on other rooftops were also preparing for battle.
Suddenly, colossal waves—dozens of meters tall—rose directly from the sea.
It was the monster tide, stirred up by countless sea demons chanting. The rolling waves easily surged over the low seawalls at the forefront.
Everyone raised their heads, as if the heavens had birthed a massive blue-and-white tongue, seeking to roll the entire city into the sea's belly!
"Baka! Why is this Tide so massive this time?!"
A middle-aged hunter cursed aloud.
All the mages participating in the district hunt broke out in a cold sweat at the sight.
If that massive wave came crashing down, half of Sea Battle City would likely be destroyed outright.
Buzz—buzz—!!!!
As the waves slammed onto the ground and buildings, the thunderous rumble nearly burst their eardrums.
Seawater gushed into the city, carrying with it shattered pieces of collapsed structures.
Districts numbered sixteen and beyond hadn't even begun fighting yet, but their buildings had already suffered devastating damage.
In the blink of an eye, the outer districts were more than half submerged, transformed into an endless ocean.
Fortunately, the building beneath their feet had been specially reinforced, just barely withstanding the impact of the first Tide surge.
"Now the ground below has turned into a vast ocean. The area we can maneuver in has been reduced a lot," Ai Jiangtu said.
Meanwhile, surging torrents continued to rampage through the streets, battering houses until they swayed violently.
"This is indeed troublesome. If we get pulled into the seawater, we'll be swarmed by sea monsters," Nan Jue said solemnly.
In the water, sea monsters' combat power increased two- or even threefold. It was best to avoid underwater combat entirely.
"Oooh—waa~~ oooh—waa~~"
Just then, the sound of a baby's cries came from below, carrying with it fear and helplessness amidst the approaching disaster.
"Damn it, which family's child got swept into the waves?!"
"I'll go save them."
No sooner had those words left her lips, Nan Rongni leapt toward the adjacent building.
Zhou Haoyu's eyes narrowed, the corner of his mouth slightly lifting.
Since she had made her choice, he wouldn't be showing mercy.
It wasn't long before Nan Rongni reached the spot near the child.
"Nan Rongni, don't get close!!!"
Hearing Jiang Yu's shout, Nan Rongni was just about to use her Vines to pull herself back onto the rooftop, but the Weeping White Demon had already locked onto her.
A sharp, spear-like tentacle shot forward like lightning, instantly piercing through Nan Rongni's calf.
The tentacle skewered her leg and pinned her to the wall of the building, blood gushing wildly.
"It still won't unlock."
Zhou Haoyu noticed that the treasure chest above Nan Rongni's head still couldn't be opened, and a flash of doubt crossed his mind.
Could it be this didn't count as seriously injured yet?
Zhou Haoyu made a grabbing motion at the Weeping White Demon, seizing it mid-air before crushing it to pieces.
Seeing their captain act, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, he reacted in time.
What they didn't notice was that the silver brilliance in Zhou Haoyu's eyes had never faded.
With his spiritual perception spread, Zhou Haoyu quickly located a few suitable Warrior-level sea monsters, manipulating them to attack Nan Rongni.
Though the Weeping White Demon was destroyed, Nan Rongni's leg was still pinned by the tentacle against the wall, leaving her unable to move.
At that moment, Guan Yu rushed down from above, landing beside Nan Rongni.
"I'll cut off this tentacle. You pull it out yourself," Guan Yu said.
Nan Rongni gritted her teeth and nodded, her face already pale as paper.
Just as Guan Yu was about to sever the tentacle with his armguard, a shadow beneath the waves darted swiftly toward them.
The next instant, a four-meter-tall dark sea monster burst out of the water, lunging straight at Guan Yu.
Guan Yu's face changed. With no time to cut the tentacle, he swung his armguard backhand, blocking the strike.
"Mere ordinary Warrior, and you dare ambush me?"
Guan Yu snorted coldly, immediately engaging in battle with the dark sea monster.
But it didn't end there. Two more Warrior-level sea monsters leapt out of the water, instantly surrounding him.
Facing three Great Warriors at once, Guan Yu was forced onto the defensive, relying on Wind Track just to cope.
Seeing this, regret welled up in Nan Rongni's heart.
If only she hadn't acted rashly.
Just then, another Weeping White Demon broke the surface, its familiar tentacle stabbing toward Nan Rongni once again.
This time its target wasn't her leg—it was her abdomen!
Fear flickered in Nan Rongni's eyes. She tried to dodge, but the tentacle already pinning her held her firmly in place.
The sudden change left Ai Jiangtu and the others unprepared. By the time they readied their spells, it was already too late.
Nan Rongni's beautiful eyes filled with terror and regret. A sharp pain was already stabbing at her abdomen.
Just when she thought her life was about to end, Zhou Haoyu appeared in time, using Telekinesis to halt the tentacle's advance.
[Unlock condition: Fulfilled.]
[Unlocking…]
[Reward obtained: Resurrection Divine Spell (one-time use).]
The silver brilliance in Zhou Haoyu's eyes flared even brighter, and the Weeping White Demon's body exploded in the next instant.
Blood splattered across Nan Rongni's face as she stared blankly at Zhou Haoyu's back.
Zhou Haoyu had been watching her all along. If Nan Rongni died, the treasure chest would vanish.
Besides, if a teammate fell, as captain he would bear responsibility—at least to some degree.
...
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