"Zhen Mi's our only ranged hitter," Zhou Yan recalls, then hesitates. "Those piranhas spray poison—can you handle it?"
"No sweat," she replies, brimming with confidence. "My sleep spell will knock them out—then we strike."
"Perfect!" Zhou Yan's yet to see her in action, eager for the show.
Si Teng steps up. "Lord, we vines resist piranha poison naturally—no need to worry." Plant-born, they shrug off such toxins.
"Alright, follow my lead," Zhou Yan commands. "Zhen Mi casts first—then we all hit the piranhas hard."
"Yes!" they chorus.
Zhen Mi advances, Holy Spirit Staff raised. A pulse of spiritual force blankets the piranhas, stilling their thrashing—eyes glazed, asleep.
"Now—go!" Zhou Yan shouts.
Zhang San charges, spear thrusting. "Siblings, with me!" Si Teng roars, Demon Sword flashing as she dives in. Diao Chan outpaces them—lotus-like shadows trail her. A single sword stroke cleaves a piranha in two.
[Killed level 10 elite piranha. +30 soul coins.]
Among the swarm, Diao Chan dances—each slash a death, speed and power unmatched. Piranhas pile up, chests littering the ground. Zhen Mi presses forward, her mental assault lulling more into slumber. The spell's range devastates—like foes baring their necks for the blade. Zhou Yan shudders at her as an enemy.
With Si Teng's crew, kills surge. Each elite nets dozens of soul coins—Zhou Yan's thrilled. He spots a drop beside a chest:
[Item: Piranha Poison Powder]
[Quality: E]
[Introduction: Potent toxin with versatile uses.]
Ideas spark: coat weapons for poison strikes, dose big monsters, or refine into toxic elixirs. He pockets it.
Piranhas swarm this zone—without Zhen Mi's magic, they'd be trouble. "Lord, big one over there," she says, pointing.
He squints:
[Monster: Piranha Lord]
[Quality: Leader]
[Level: 11]
[Special: Poison Powder, Poison Stinger, Poison Vines]
[Introduction: Bristling with venomous thorns—don't get eaten.]
"Level 11," Zhou Yan mutters. Their first above 10—tricky. "Zhen Mi, can your sleep spell lock it down?"
"It'll confuse it, but no guarantee it stays out," she warns. "We need a killing blow."
"Easy," he says. "I'll boost you and Chan'er—together, you'll crush it."
[Soul Coins -700. Hero Diao Chan rises from level 6 to 7.]
[Soul Coins -800. Hero Diao Chan rises from level 7 to 8.]
[Soul Coins -900. Hero Diao Chan rises from level 8 to 9.]
[Soul Coins -700. Hero Zhen Mi rises from level 6 to 7.]
[Soul Coins -800. Hero Zhen Mi rises from level 7 to 8.]
[Soul Coins -900. Hero Zhen Mi rises from level 8 to 9.]
Both hit level 9—his 6,500 soul coins dwindle, but their RRR-tier stats ensure victory. "Chan'er, sync with Zhen Mi to take the lord. Others, clear its minions," he orders.
"Yes!"
They swarm the lord's escorts, carving through piranhas. The lord stirs but holds back, waiting. Zhen Mi unleashes her spell—vines droop, the beast slumps, lost in illusion.
"Now!" Zhou Yan calls.
Diao Chan blurs into wind, lotus shadows blooming. Her sword arcs, lotus light flaring, slicing the lord's weak point clean through.
[Killed level 11 piranha lord. +440 soul coins, +440 spirit coins, basic building chest.]
"Flawless!" Zhou Yan cheers. Their synergy—Zhen Mi's lockdown, Diao Chan's precision—felled it instantly. He overplanned; Diao Chan alone could've managed.
"Lords drop building chests," he muses, grinning. "More, please." Wishful thinking—other lords cower from fog, let alone leaders. His zone's soft—mobs only. Some face level 50s, cliffs with fliers, or sea monster swarms. Trial rules shield them—only scripted assaults hit, others ignore.