Stuck in a Chinese novel

Although it didn't do anything against the powerful grip on her neck, it still helped her from burning.

"She has some sort of artifact around her neck. It's protecting her from general attacks." The mage said.

"Then we don't need general attacks." The Qi user said and began to harden his grip around Xia Lu's neck to asphyxiate her.

Boom!

In the distance, a loud noise was heard that distracted both of the men. When they turned to look in the direction, a series of explosions occurred in the distance. They weren't explosions though. It just looked like someone was breaking through everything in the way.

[Mana shield!]

The mage hurriedly cast the spell when he figured where that chain was heading and soon enough…

Slam!!!

The entire house went down by whatever rammed into the house, or more specifically, targeted the room of Xia Lu.

"Ugh!" The mage stood up, having difficulty in his movements because he had taken quite a hit just now. Almost half of his mana was gone trying to protect himself and his partner from that attack.

But the worst part that he couldn't get over was that he wasn't even the target.

Extensive heat.

Heat he had never felt before could be felt from one side of the rubble. When he turned in that direction, a man was standing with a girl in his arms. The Qi emitting from him was hot enough to warm them who were standing quite a distance away.

Wei Jun turned to look at him, his eyes bloodshot, a certain look in them that the mage, who had murdered hundreds hadn't ever seen before.

The look of someone who had killed thousands.

[Fireball]

He hurriedly chanted a lengthy spell and executed the skill with that spell.

[Host, dodge]

Wei Jun, although taken by rage, heeded the system's advice and jumped out of the way of the bullet-like fast-moving baseball-sized fireball.

As Wei Jun dodged that and ran to the open area of the house, he saw the explosion that occurred due to the [Fireball].

'Why ask me to dodge it?' Wei Jun asked. He found it weird since Wei Jun was sure he could deal with that amount of heat and he could easily protect Xia Lu with his Qi.

He was sure that that amount of fire wouldn't damage his Qi barrier.

[Why do you think mages have managed to keep on par with cultivators if the Qi barrier cannot be pierced?]

Wei Jun moved a little more back and then had an enlightenment.

'Mana.'

[Exactly]

[Normal skill execution doesn't contain anything but fire]

[But when dealing with a cultivator, mages add a little mana to the skill as well]

[Qi cannot stop mana]

[Mana penetrates the barrier and then the body and targets the heart]

'Then why not just attack with mana and not waste mana on a skill?' Wei Jun questioned because he saw both of his opponents making their way out of the mansion, although wary, they were making their way toward him.

[Because mana needs a medium to travel]

[And a pure mana ball costs way too much mana]

[It is better to add a little of it to a skill such as fireball or water wave]

'Why only a little?' Wei Jun asked again while he thought about what to do about Xia Lu. She was unconscious due to Wei Jun pressing her acupoints. Also, there were red marks on her neck but she wasn't injured in any way other than that.

[So the skill doesn't become unstable and collapse on its own]

[If he had added too much mana to the fireball, it would have exploded right then and there]

[Think of it like evening the scales, host]

Wei Jun couldn't think of a way to keep Xia Lu safe while also fighting the two of them. He knew that these two were strong, so there was no doubt that the fight ahead would be very difficult.

Xia Lu would easily get caught up in it or that the two of them could use her as a target to make the fight in their favor.

Wei Jun sighed and said, "This is about you and me, no need to get her involved."

Bernard, the mage looked at Wei Jun and after exchanging glances with his partner, he said, "No deal."

As much as wrong it was, it was an advantage none of them were willing to let go to waste so even if it went against fighting ethics, the number one rule of survival took priority over everything else.

Wei Jun sighed and said, "Very well then."

Wei Jun put her down near a tree and stood up.

[Divine shield of Hela]

[Tier: S]

[Type: Consumable]

[Effect: Cast a shield spell around a specific target]

[Limitations:

Can be used only once

Effects disappear after ten minutes

Limited to only one person]

[Cost: 100,000 coins]

For an S tier item and only a one-time consumable at that, it was quite a bit expensive but Wei Jun didn't hesitate because that was the only best shield available in the shop.

According to the system, it could block anything, even an attack from the highest-level spell or Qi users.

Considering that, it was an amazing item. Read exclusive content at mvl

Wei Jun was just buying time while the system bought the shield. He didn't really expect that Bernard and the other one would be honorable enough to forget about the innocent bystander who was obviously a crucial weakness of Wei Jun.

Wei Jun then stood up and said, "Well, I gave you a chance at mercy and you blew it. Had you agreed, I really would have let you live."

[No you wouldn't have]

'No, I wouldn't have.'

"Like we'd believe that." The Qi user said.

[They're good]

'They're good.'

"And you're right to do so." Wei Jun said.

[Skill Qi armament Lv3 has been activated]

[Skill Qi empowerment Lv3 has been activated]

Wei Jun felt full of power as both of the skills were activated at once. Although he wasn't at a limit of both skills since he removed two level blockages at once, he was sure he would be soon.

As power began to flow through his body, his mind began to perceive everything at a very slow speed.

[Qi manifestation realm]

[Strength: 121]

[Agility: 109]

[Stamina: 128]

[Qi: 201]

'His empowerment is quite low compared to his Qi amount.' Wei Jun remarked.

[Probably because the technique he practices is low-level]

Wei Jun nodded to the system's remark and then turned to look at the mana user who was eating something.

[Herbs to replenish mana]

[Mana runs out quickly if used in big spells and unlike Qi users who just run out of Qi, mana users feel weak as their mana goes down]

[Mana after all merges with the heart]

[Many functions are related to the heart and low mana puts a strain on the heart]

'So I have to get him to use his mana but also make sure he cannot replenish it.' Wei Jun said.

[Exactly]

[You just have to make sure he doesn't eat anything]

[The density of mana in this Qi-infested area would be very, very low so there are almost 0% chances of him replenishing his mana naturally]

Wei Jun nodded at the helpful information provided by the system.

[4th circle mana user]

[Strength: 19]

[Agility: 20]

[Stamina: 17]

[Mana: 407]

Wei Jun couldn't help but sigh when he saw the stat composition of his opponents. The strategy of both of them was clear.

The Qi user would be the shield or a tank in gaming terms and the mana user would be the main attack source.

But just because Wei Jun knew the composition of the attack pattern and everything else, he wasn't sure he would be able to win so easily.

His opponents were well versed in combat and they were used to their power unlike him who had just obtained that new power.

Not to mention that their teamwork was well practiced.

Keeping all these points in mind, Wei Jun knew the next battle would be very hard.

Short, but hard.

[Wei Jun Ruan

Level: 62

HP: 71\\71

QP: 780\\780

Death Qi: 196\\196

Cultivation realm: Qi empowerment realm]

[Strength: 105 (+30)]

[Agility: 134 (+30)]

[Stamina: 134 (+30)]

[Defense: 115 (+30)]

[Qi: 136]

[Charm: 51]

[Luck: 29]

Wei Jun took a look at his own stats before engaging his opponents. They too, waited for Wei Jun to make a move so they could counter.

Simply stats-wise, Wei Jun was sure he would be the winner, however, many factors were still involved and he wasn't very confident in winning so easily.

So, he needed an element of surprise.

And that surprise was none other than Xia Lu. More importantly, the bracelet on her hand.

Wei Jun jumped at the mana user which both of his opponents expected. The Qi user hurriedly moved and got between Wei Jun and the mage.

As they both collided, the Qi user clearly felt the power difference but it wasn't much. The Qi user could hold himself against Wei Jun with his friend's support.

But, his friend had other intentions. Well, both of them did.

The mage pointed his hand at Xia Lu and cast another fire-attributed spell.

They expected Wei Jun to be rattled and make a mistake however, they were taken aback when instead of backing down, Wei Jun pushed ahead.

And soon, they understood why.