At that moment, Mo Han heard the distinct sound produced by rushing air displaced by a weapon behind him. He knew it had to be the Nether Clan warrior making a move—surely, the warrior had taken advantage of the dense fog to circle around and launch an ambush. Yet, evading now with his Feixiang Shu (Flying Technique) was too late. His only recourse was to pour his magic into the Holy Light Barrier, strengthening its capacity to withstand the Nether Warrior’s full-force strike.

The warrior’s battle aura struck the Holy Light Barrier with pinpoint accuracy. With a dull thud, the entire barrier shook violently, testament to the strike's ferocity. This full-power blow from the Nether Warrior possessed strength nearing that of a Sword Saint. While it didn't shatter the barrier, it drained the Holy Light Barrier’s energy almost entirely, leaving it dim and weak.

The Nether Warrior was also sent flying back by the barrier's rebound energy. However, since the barrier had expended most of its power absorbing the full strike, the repulsive force was significantly diminished. The warrior merely grunted once, taking a few involuntary steps back upon landing, though he appeared largely unharmed. Once steady, the warrior immediately launched himself back toward Mo Han.

Just then, the Nether Mage’s next round of magical assault was ready. The mage began chanting, “Endless darkness from the very depths of hell… engulf the light… I swear upon my blood… grant the enemy wounds equal to my own resentment! — Mingmie Zhi Jian (Nether Annihilation Sword).” As the mage finished the incantation, a magic sword composed entirely of black mist instantaneously formed and shot toward Mo Han at tremendous speed. A faint crimson glow could be discerned within the black blade, casting an eerie, chilling light across its entire length.

The tacit coordination between the two Nether Clan members plunged Mo Han into a dire situation of being assailed from both front and back. The warrior’s battle aura struck from behind, while the mage’s dark magic assaulted him head-on. Mo Han knew that his already damaged Holy Light Barrier could not withstand both attacks simultaneously. It was already too late to channel more magical energy into the barrier to reinforce it.

Mo Han inwardly cursed his momentary carelessness and underestimation of his foe. Had he gone all-out from the beginning, this predicament would never have arisen. He simply hadn't anticipated that after the Nether Clan used their evil magic to forcibly enhance their strength temporarily, the difference would be so staggering—a multi-fold increase. If he hadn't witnessed it firsthand, he never would have believed it. In human magic, while there were spells to temporarily boost one's own power, they could, at most, only enhance a portion of one’s innate strength, never exceeding double the original power. This was why Mo Han was caught off guard and thrown into peril.

At that precise moment, both Nether Clan attacks struck the Holy Light Barrier almost simultaneously. After a brilliant flash, the barrier vanished without a trace. However, both assaults continued unabated toward Mo Han. Just then, a vibrant emerald-green light suddenly erupted from Mo Han’s body, immediately intercepting the two immensely powerful attacks. As the attacks neared him, the light barrier’s sheer power repelled them, halting any further advance until they simply dissipated.

This emerald barrier was the Elven Artifact, the ‘Blessing of the Elven Goddess,’ bestowed upon Mo Han by the Elven Queen—an artifact capable of resisting even Forbidden Spells. Against attacks that fell short of that power, resistance was naturally effortless. The faces of the two Nether Clan members changed drastically, and they simultaneously cried out, “The Blessing of the Elven Goddess!” Since the Nether Clan intended to strike at the Elven Forest, they had naturally familiarized themselves with everything related to it, including the Elven Artifact, the ‘Blessing of the Elven Goddess.’

Mo Han heard this and spoke calmly, “You seem to know quite a bit. Now that you’ve finished your attack, I suppose it’s my turn?”

As his words faded, Mo Han, still enveloped within the green light curtain, began to chant slowly. The two Nether Clan members exchanged a glance. The warrior nodded, and an intense aura of darkness once again erupted from his body as he began to gather his battle aura for another assault on Mo Han. The Nether Mage, however, turned and cast Feixiang Shu on himself, flying away in the opposite direction.

Seeing this, Mo Han let out a cold laugh. “Do you think you have a chance to escape?” As he spoke, Mo Han softly recited, “Spirits of the Wind within the atmosphere, mete out punishment upon the blasphemer whose words are vain and disrespectful to the divine — Jingmo Zhi Shu (Spell of Silence)!” Mo Han was employing the ‘Spell of Silence,’ a technique only accessible to mages who had reached the rank of Arch-Magus.

This spell was somewhat akin to the Sword Saint’s Domain, temporarily isolating a small area from magical elements, preventing any mage within the ‘Spell of Silence’ range from casting spells. However, the caster’s strength must be superior to the target’s for it to be effective, and it only lasts for a short duration before the magical elements in that area return to normal. Thus, it was not as versatile as the Arch-Magus’s magical domain.

Despite its brief duration, it was perfectly suited for dealing with the escaping Nether Mage at that moment. The mage, suspended in the air, suddenly felt his connection to the wind elements severed. His Flying Technique was forcibly canceled, and he let out a startled cry as his body uncontrollably plummeted from the sky.

The time between the Nether Mage turning to flee and Mo Han casting the ‘Spell of Silence’ was a matter of mere heartbeats. The Nether Warrior could not have anticipated Mo Han’s casting speed. Seeing his companion falling, he was greatly alarmed and immediately leaped to try and catch the mage. But as soon as he moved, he heard Mo Han’s cold laugh: “Fireball!” It was the most basic spell a mage learns. Immediately, several thick fireballs hurtled toward him. The Nether Warrior was shocked; he hadn't seen Mo Han chant any incantation, yet the fireballs simply appeared—utterly beyond his expectations.

Furthermore, the fireballs Mo Han launched were clearly far more potent than the elementary version of the spell. The Nether Warrior was not confident he could deflect Mo Han’s magic with his weapon alone. Mo Han had already surprised him too many times; who knew if this ‘Fireball’ held some hidden trick? He could only turn and swing his weapon at the incoming fireballs, shattering them one by one.

However, the delay caused by Mo Han meant the Warrior was too late to save his companion. Upon hitting the ground, the Nether Mage landed with a heavy thud, followed by the sound of pig-like screams and groans. He was writhing on the ground, clearly not dead, but severely wounded. This was within Mo Han’s expectation; since he needed them to lead him to Anna, he naturally wouldn't let the mage die easily, merely intending to inflict some suffering.

The Nether Warrior also realized he was no match for Mo Han under any circumstances. His eyes darted, and he subtly reached into his robes, seemingly trying to pull something out. Mo Han saw the movement and understood the intent immediately, remarking with a cold smile, “Don’t think that just because you use the Youming Jiejie (Netherworld Barrier), I have no recourse against you. Even if you deploy the Netherworld Barrier, I will still find a way to capture you.”

Hearing this, the Nether Warrior scoffed, mocking, “While I admit your strength ranks among the top masters of humanity, for a mere mage like you to think you can break the Netherworld Barrier is nothing but a dream. Do you think the barrier, forged personally by the Nether King, is so easily shattered? No matter how strong you are, you won’t succeed.”

Mo Han, showing no anger, slowly replied, “Is that so? Then how do you think your companion back in the Dragon Empire died? Wasn’t he also casting the Netherworld Barrier? And what was the result? I believe you all know.”

At Mo Han’s retort, the Nether Warrior’s face darkened. He angrily spat out, “So, you were the one who killed Jerifur? But how could a mere mage like you possibly break the Netherworld Barrier?”

“Is that so? Then how do you think your comrade perished? If you don't believe me, feel free to try casting it now; I won't stop you,” Mo Han smiled confidently.

The Nether Warrior, Aden, seeing Mo Han look so assured, seemingly unconcerned about the deployment of the Netherworld Barrier, hesitated. Could this human mage truly possess a method to shatter the Netherworld Barrier? It was hard to believe, yet the strength Mo Han had already displayed compelled him to consider it. Mo Han had provided too many surprises, causing Aden to harbor the first sliver of doubt about the supposedly impenetrable Netherworld Barrier. Had human strength truly reached a level that could no longer be dismissed?

Previously, the beast-race prophet, impersonated by Lamo De, had been exposed by a young man named Mo Han in the Dragon Empire, causing the Nether Clan's nearly successful plan to fail completely. Lamo De was captured by the Holy See and his fate remained unknown. Afterward, Jerifur, while gathering intelligence in the Dragon Empire, was killed without explanation; the only known detail was that his Netherworld Barrier had been broken—a fact that shocked the Nether Generals and Aden himself. Subsequently, the Nether General was wounded by a mysterious young man. Though it was a sneak attack, those capable of ambushing a Nether General on the Dragon Continent were exceedingly rare. This series of events significantly delayed the Nether Clan’s plans, forcing them to turn their attention to the Elven Clan: kidnapping the Elven Princess to compel the elves to wage war on humans, thereby exhausting human strength.

However, none of their schemes had materialized. Although the Elven Clan outwardly agreed to their demands and adopted a posture of aggression, fearing a trick, the Nether General ordered Aden and Terrila to come and investigate personally. Unexpectedly, they encountered this exceptionally powerful human Arch-Magus, causing Aden to feel his confidence in the Nether Clan's eventual conquest of the human continent waver slightly for the first time.

Just then, Mo Han’s cold voice cut through the air: “Where have you taken the Elven Princess? Will you tell me willingly, or must I use force? I assure you I have methods to make you talk, but don’t say I didn’t warn you—if I have to force it, you know the consequences.” Mo Han stared coldly at Aden, expecting resistance. Just as he was about to act, Aden suddenly spoke up: “So, you only want to know the whereabouts of the Elven Princess? Fine. If you dare follow me, I will take you there. I only worry you lack the strength to save her.”

Hearing Aden’s response, Mo Han paused. The agreement was too swift. Could there be a plot? Yet, the ultimate goal of capturing them was to have them lead him to Anna. Since the other party agreed, Mo Han had no reason to refuse. Moreover, Mo Han was confident that under his watch, Aden wouldn’t be able to pull any significant tricks. If they tried anything nefarious, Mo Han felt certain he could subdue the already injured pair.

With this thought, Mo Han nodded. “Alright, I will go with you. But you had better not try any tricks; they will be useless, and you will only suffer for it. Understood? Lead the way.”

Upon hearing Mo Han’s agreement, Aden let out a cold laugh and stopped speaking. He turned, helped the injured Nether Mage, Terrila, up, and began walking forward. Mo Han followed them at a steady pace, and the group slowly left the confines of the Elven Forest, heading toward the distance.

Not long after Mo Han departed, large numbers of Elven warriors and mages arrived at the recent battlefield, escorting the Elven Queen. The Queen halted in the center of the scorched area, closed her eyes to sense the residual energies, and murmured to herself, “It seems it happened here. There must have been an intense battle between someone and the Nether Clan. I can clearly sense the lingering magical fluctuations in the air, along with the unique dark essence of Nether magic.”