The moment those flying serpents were struck by Mo Han’s Holy Sword of Light, their bodies violently folded over at the point of impact, executing a complete one-hundred-and-eighty-degree reversal before crashing heavily to the ground. Although the Holy Sword of Light hadn't cleaved them in two, they had clearly lost all mobility, lying still and unmoving, it was impossible to tell if they were dead or merely incapacitated.

Yet, Mo Han paid them no mind. He understood well that even if these flying serpents weren't dead, they certainly couldn't pose a threat to him anytime soon. However, the few serpents to his right seized this precious opportunity to break free from the control of Mo Han’s Gravity Spell and quickly vanished into the woods.

Just then, the clear cries of Da Hong and Xiao Hong echoed from the sky. It was clear that even under the assault of several flying serpents, Da Hong and Xiao Hong maintained a firm upper hand. The serpents’ attacks posed little real threat to the two Fire Larks, and their speed was demonstrably a notch faster than the snakes.

Constantly, green flying serpents were sent flying by Da Hong and Xiao Hong, but these creatures were fiercely resilient. Their natural defenses were astonishing; after being knocked away, they would pause only briefly before surging back towards the Fire Larks, seemingly uninjured. This was evidenced by the fact that even a strike from Mo Han’s Holy Sword of Light hadn't been immediately fatal. Their defense capabilities were not far behind those of Da Hong and Xiao Hong.

It was only their offensive power that was noticeably inferior to the two Fire Larks.

Even when one or two serpents managed to strike Da Hong or Xiao Hong, it only caused the two Fire Larks to retreat slightly before they immediately counter-attacked with even greater speed, slamming back into the serpents. However, the sheer number of these serpents was considerable, meaning that although Da Hong and Xiao Hong held the advantage, routing them entirely would not be a quick endeavor.

As for Mo Han, his initial swift strike injuring three serpents made the others extremely wary of his effective methods. They dared not press too close, instead circling Mo Han and his companion incessantly, searching for an opening for a sneak attack. Since the Gravity Spell was quite demanding on his magic reserves, Mo Han couldn't maintain it indefinitely. These serpents were simply waiting for the moment his magic ran dry.

Dozens of flying serpents soon arranged themselves around Mo Han and his party. Seeing this, Mo Han couldn't help but feel troubled. His previous success in injuring three serpents was entirely due to the element of surprise, catching them completely off guard.

But precisely because of that initial success, the serpents had become highly alert. The few serpents that had been attacking Mo Han and his group were soon joined by over a dozen more green flashes darting out from the dense fog after Mo Han wounded three of them, tightly enveloping the duo. No one knew how many flying serpents lurked within the mist.

Thus, Mo Han dared not deactivate the Gravity Spell. Once the protection vanished, it was likely that these dozens of serpents would instantly charge forward in a frenzy. These serpents were already fast; if they attacked simultaneously, even if Mo Han could evade them, he couldn't afford to ignore Bai Ling’s safety. Bai Ling was a mage, and close combat was her weakness; she certainly wouldn't be able to dodge a coordinated assault from the serpents.

Mo Han had initially intended to briefly drop the Gravity Spell and then immediately recast it to deliver a crushing blow when the serpents were unprepared. But at this close range, there was simply no time to execute a second casting. His previous success relied on the serpents being careless and Mo Han having the spell pre-prepared, but now that opportunity was gone.

Mo Han was certain that the moment his Gravity Spell faded, the serpents would reach him and Bai Ling in under two seconds. With such a brief window, virtually no magic—unless it was an instant cast from a God of Magic—could be brought to bear.

Furthermore, Mo Han noticed that each serpent bared two sharp fangs, and he couldn't be sure if they were venomous. If they carried potent venom, given their presumed level, that poison would undoubtedly be formidable. Even with their high power, neither Mo Han nor Bai Ling dared risk a single bite. For a moment, the situation became a tense stalemate.

However, since reaching the mid-tier of Arch-Mage, Mo Han’s magical power had increased significantly. Therefore, even though the Gravity Spell was draining, maintaining it for half a day was not an insurmountable issue for him. Yet, even after half a day, Mo Han still had no apparent way to drive the serpents off. Flight was as natural to these serpents as walking was to humans; maintaining an aerial presence for half a day would likely have no effect on them whatsoever.

"Well, I didn't expect these serpents to be so cunning. It seems they are deliberately trying to wear me down," Mo Han remarked with slight exasperation to Bai Ling beside him.

Bai Ling’s brow furrowed upon seeing the situation, but then a moment later, she seemed to have an idea and smiled, saying, "I think I have a way to deal with these flying serpents."

Hearing this, Bai Ling leaned in close to Mo Han’s ear and whispered her plan. Given the high level of these serpents, they clearly possessed considerable intelligence; who knew if they could understand human speech? Thus, Bai Ling had to speak softly into Mo Han’s ear about her strategy.

As he listened, Mo Han’s eyes lit up. Whether intentionally or not, he quickly exclaimed with a smile, "How could I not think of that? My Bai Ling is truly the smartest. Heh heh, this time we must make these little snakes pay dearly to justify ourselves."

Hearing Mo Han refer to her as "my Bai Ling," Bai Ling’s expression momentarily became somewhat unnatural, showing a flicker of shyness, but she immediately regained her composure, acting as if she hadn't heard him. She knew protesting would be a waste of breath. Letting it go, she stated calmly, "When I shout ‘Begin,’ you withdraw your Gravity Spell, and then use the chance to strike and drive them back."

Seeing that Bai Ling didn't refute his words, Mo Han chuckled heartily. He readily agreed to Bai Ling's proposal.

Then, Mo Han’s expression grew serious again. He gripped the Holy Sword of Light tightly in his hand, regulated his breathing, nodded to Bai Ling, and slowly said, "I am ready. I'm waiting for you."

Upon hearing this, Bai Ling began to chant softly. After a few moments, she suddenly shouted, "Begin!"

Hearing Bai Ling’s command, Mo Han unhesitatingly retracted the Gravity Spell that surrounded them; the earthy yellow light instantly vanished. Seeing this, the green flying serpents, just as Mo Han and Bai Ling had predicted, charged towards where Mo Han and Bai Ling stood from different angles without hesitation. Instantly, the duo was enveloped by these green serpents.

The serpents closed the distance in an instant, and Mo Han could clearly see the sinister glint reflecting off the two sharp fangs in their mouths.

Simultaneously, Bai Ling, who had remained silent, softly uttered, "Gravity Spell."

A burst of yellow light, far more intense than before, erupted from Bai Ling's body, instantly passing through her and Mo Han before radiating outwards, enveloping every serpent that had rushed close to them. Bai Ling’s inherent strength was already a cut above Mo Han's, and under her command, the Gravity Spell unleashed immense power. The serpents didn't even have time to react before their bodies were instantly paralyzed by Bai Ling's spell and began plummeting toward the ground.

At the same time, Mo Han let out a short shout, and dozens of white lights flared up simultaneously, shooting rapidly outwards, precisely striking the now defenseless serpents. Following a series of pū pū sounds, all the serpents that had been besieging Mo Han and Bai Ling were struck by the attacks conjured by Mo Han’s Holy Sword of Light and flung away. Within the dense fog, agonizing shrieks erupted, clearly indicating that the serpents had been severely wounded.

The green flying serpents that had been entangled with Da Hong and Xiao Hong saw the bravery displayed by Mo Han and Bai Ling. With a hiss, they abandoned their fight with the Fire Larks and fled back into the dense fog. However, Da Hong and Xiao Hong were already enraged by the constant fighting and were not about to let them escape so easily.

Immediately, the two Fire Larks transformed into twin streaks of red light, pursuing the fleeing green serpents. Several unlucky serpents were hit by the Fire Larks' attacks and crashed pitifully to the ground. Before they could recover, the next volley of attacks from Da Hong and Xiao Hong arrived.

The two Fire Larks cried out simultaneously, and several massive fireballs materialized before them. Under their control, they seized this rare chance and violently bombarded the few serpents that hadn't yet recovered from the previous blows, each fireball accurately hitting a single serpent. With several thunderous explosions, the fireballs slammed into the serpents, driving their bodies deep into the earth. A wave of scorching air rushed toward Mo Han and his companion, testament to the astonishing temperature of the fireballs.

When the fireballs dissipated, Mo Han and Bai Ling looked over. It seemed the serpents’ magical defense was not nearly as terrifying as their physical resistance. The few unfortunate serpents were left barely alive, burned almost to death by the high-intensity fireballs launched by Da Hong and the others. Their originally emerald bodies were scorched black in patches by the intense heat. The serpents writhed painfully in the craters they created, emitting piercing cries.

Da Hong and Xiao Hong chirped proudly at their success. But just then, a streak of golden light flashed out from the vicinity of Bai Ling, moving infinitely faster than the previous flying serpents, and shot towards Da Hong and Xiao Hong, who were still airborne.

Mo Han and Bai Ling were greatly alarmed and shouted urgently, "Be careful!"

Da Hong and Xiao Hong clearly sensed the danger, but the golden light was too fast. Even the Fire Larks, famed for their speed as sacred beasts, were outmatched. The golden light seemed to materialize from the white mist only to instantly appear beside Da Hong and Xiao Hong. Seeing no way to dodge, a ring of red light immediately enveloped the two Fire Larks—their most trusted defensive measure.

However, the golden light seemed entirely dismissive of this defense, maintaining its speed as it slammed into the Fire Larks. With two loud peng peng impacts, the two Fire Larks were blasted far away, crying out mournfully from the sheer kinetic force of the impact.

The golden light prepared to give chase, but suddenly felt a surge of incredibly powerful fighting energy directed at its rear—it was Mo Han, who, seeing Da Hong and Xiao Hong attacked, ignored everything else and swung his Holy Sword of Light toward the attacker.

The golden light immediately abandoned the pursuit of the Fire Larks and abruptly turned, charging directly toward Mo Han’s fighting energy. Mo Han was inwardly delighted. The power of the Holy Sword of Light was no mere boast; even the Dragon race held it in awe. For this golden creature to charge head-on, wasn't it essentially courting disaster? With this thought, Mo Han did not hesitate, shouting loudly.

His fighting energy flooded the blade, causing the Holy Sword of Light to emit a dazzling radiance. It sped even faster towards the golden light, aiming to inflict a grievous wound in a single strike. These events occurred in an instant; it seemed impossible for the golden light to dodge now, given the short range. Yet, the golden light showed no intention of evasion. Instead, it accelerated even more fiercely toward Mo Han.

Mo Han felt a surge of surprise in his eyes. Was this monster seeking death? But at that moment, something bizarre happened. Mo Han’s white fighting energy struck the golden light without any discernible effect. Mo Han felt as if he had struck empty air. His energy cleanly passed through the center of the golden light without making contact, just like passing through air, as the light rushed toward Mo Han.

Mo Han cried out in alarm. He wanted to withdraw and dodge, but at such close range, even his Sword Saint level prowess wasn't fast enough. Mo Han gritted his teeth and instantly channeled all his remaining fighting energy to his front. Just as a thin veil of white light appeared before Mo Han's body, the golden radiance struck his chest precisely.

The protective fighting energy Mo Han frantically erected in haste was utterly incapable of withstanding the golden light’s attack. The white energy only slightly impeded the gold for a moment before shattering. The golden light, its force undiminished, slammed into Mo Han's chest. With a peng sound, Mo Han’s entire body was flung backward by the impact. While airborne, Mo Han felt as if a thousand-pound weight had crushed his sternum; his ribs seemed on the verge of breaking from that single blow. A bitter taste flooded his throat, and he involuntarily spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Mo Han!"

Bai Ling, on the ground, saw everything but was too far away to intervene. She could only cry out mournfully as Mo Han was hurled through the air, leaving a spray of blood behind him. Bai Ling felt her heart plummet to the very bottom. At that moment, the golden light, having secured its initial hit, surged toward Mo Han's vulnerable, airborne form.

Mo Han, still suspended in the air, had no means to evade this follow-up attack. Just then, a white light flashed, and a white, ethereal magic barrier instantly manifested around Mo Han. Then, a massive ice spear, shimmering with dazzling light, shot forth toward the golden light.

The golden light seemed highly wary of Bai Ling's magic. Seeing the ice spear, it could only swiftly change direction, veering aside. This maneuver meant it could no longer pursue the injured Mo Han. Mo Han, now suspended, regained his focus, urgently channeling the fighting energy within him to control his descent back toward the ground.

"Mo Han, how are you? Are the injuries severe?" As soon as he touched the ground, Bai Ling rushed over anxiously, looking at Mo Han with deep concern as she asked.

Mo Han, his face pale, managed a weak smile and replied, "I'm fine, damn it. What the hell was that gold light? So bizarre; fighting energy seemed to have no effect on it. It nearly finished me off."