CHAPTER 423: CHAPTER 248: LIGHT OF THE OCEAN, AGURU

Leng Xinlan and the others had just charged into the dark tunnel when they immediately felt the dark energy washing over their bodies. It not only slightly suppressed their internal Star Power but also impacted their Talent Energy to varying degrees.

Abra and the other Drue Star People didn’t fare much better; their transformed Monster forms were far from their peak strength.

Xiong Da and Xiong Er, as members of the Giant God Race, had bodies as tough as Monsters, but even they couldn’t withstand the constant battering of dark energy. Their running speed slowed by several notches compared to usual.

And this was just the outer area of the Dark Volcano—already, the dark energy was enough to threaten Unbreakable Realm Five-star-level individuals.

If they ventured deeper into the Dark Volcano, survival would be impossible for any of them.

Xiong Er glanced nervously at the dark energy behind them and turned to ask Leng Xinlan, who was flying ahead with her Alloy Longsword.

"Miss Leng, what exactly did you mean earlier when you said we’d dig a tunnel from here?"

As Xiong Er ran, he asked the question. Abra and the other transformed Monsters instinctively looked toward Leng Xinlan as well.

Standing on the Alloy Longsword, Leng Xinlan’s delicate features had regained their composure.

She cast a glance at the Earth Boring Giant Armored Beast trailing behind Abra, her eyes thoughtful. "Abra, your companion should be able to burrow underground and avoid the attacks of the dark Monsters for a short time, correct?"

Abra nodded. "Indeed, when Lao Si transforms into the Earth Boring Giant Armored Beast, he can move freely through the earth. If it weren’t for us holding him back, Lao Si could easily hide underground on his own to escape the attacks of the dark Monsters..."

Halfway through his sentence, Abra paused and asked, "Miss Leng, are you suggesting that Lao Si dig a tunnel from here, leading directly to the surface near the Dark Volcano?"

At that moment, the Earth Boring Giant Armored Beast abruptly raised its head and said, "Captain, I can’t do it! My digging speed is too slow, and the noise I make is too loud. There’s no way to shake off these dark Monsters."

Leng Xinlan waved her hand dismissively. "I’m aware of that, and besides, digging a tunnel that leads to the surface from here would take far too much time—it’s not our first option."

"Then what do you mean?" the group questioned, confused.

Leng Xinlan looked around at the many interconnected dark tunnels and pointed upward.

The transformed Dragon Beast Abra suddenly had an epiphany, his large coppery eyes shining with excitement.

"Miss Leng, are you suggesting that collapsing the tunnel could help us escape from the dark Monsters chasing us?"

Leng Xinlan shook her head. "These tunnels are intricately connected. Even if we collapse one section, the dark Monsters would quickly find another route to catch up with us. And we can’t afford to linger here for long; if we do, we’re bound to transform into one of them ourselves."

"Then what are you suggesting?" Abra and the others were stumped again.

"Collapse the tunnels!" Leng Xinlan said with a smirk.

Abra: "..."

This is nuts!

You said collapsing the tunnels wouldn’t work, and now you’re saying to collapse the tunnels?

Leng Xinlan elaborated, "While collapsing the tunnels won’t help us evade the pursuit, it could buy Lao Si some time and mask the noise he’ll make while digging the tunnel.

Of course, we’ll need to continue attracting the dark Monsters’ attention. Once Lao Si finishes excavating the tunnel, we’ll be able to escape through it."

"But Miss Leng, with my digging speed, you might not live long enough for me to complete the tunnel." Lao Si stated plainly.

Leng Xinlan turned her gaze to the growing commotion behind them, her tone unwavering.

"You don’t need to dig all the way to the surface; you simply need to dig back to the place where we fought earlier—the volcano’s mouth.

I imagine most of the dark creatures have left that area to chase us, leaving only a few stragglers behind. Escaping from the volcano’s mouth should be relatively easy."

Xiong Er raised his hand and voiced his doubt, "Miss Leng, even if the tunnel is completed, if no one stays behind to continue luring the dark creatures, we won’t have enough time to enter the tunnel and escape."

Leng Xinlan took a deep breath, her expression solemn.

"I’ve already thought of that. Don’t worry; I’ll stay behind as the rearguard."

This declaration stunned the group.

"No way, Lord Leng! Let us do it instead..."

"Exactly, Lord Leng, you can’t risk yourself..."

Although they voiced objections, it was clear no one made any genuine effort to insist otherwise.

If someone was willing to stay back as the rearguard, a token protest was sufficient—there was no need to actually step forward and volunteer.

"I’ve got this under control; shut your mouths." Leng Xinlan was done wasting words.

If the mission failed, it would be one thing, but if anyone died, the aftermath would be a headache she didn’t want to deal with.

Were it not for such considerations, she would’ve already stormed through the siege herself rather than being stuck in this dreaded place.

Besides, she truly had confidence in her plan.

Before she could give out orders, Xiong Er raised his hand again.

"Miss Leng, if you’re staying as the rearguard, it seems like we wouldn’t even need to dig a tunnel. With these complex corridors, can’t we simply lead the dark Monsters on a chase around a few twists and turns until we break out?"

When the group heard this, they began to think he might have a point.

Leng Xinlan rolled her eyes. "You just said these tunnels are complex. We don’t know anything about this place. Are you sure that after zigzagging a bit, we’ll definitely find a way out?"

Abra chimed in, "Miss Leng makes a valid point. If we get lost, we’ll end up trapped here, and our fate will inevitably be to transform into dark creatures ourselves.

But if we use the tunnel, as long as the dark Monsters don’t witness us vanishing into it, they’ll likely keep searching this area and won’t think of heading back to the place where we were fighting."

"But what if they..."

Xiong Er still had concerns but was promptly smacked on the back of the head by Xiong Da.

"Stop spouting nonsense! The dark creatures are already after us; shut up!" Xiong Da, who had remained silent until now, snapped angrily.

Seeing this, Leng Xinlan suddenly felt a bit more relaxed.

This nitpicker finally had someone to put him in his place.

"Alright, everyone, get ready."