The three arrows flew, directly transforming into streams of light.
Boom, boom, boom!
Explosive roars sounded, and large barriers appeared around them.
Bai Ye believed that if the area hadn't been equipped with formations, defensive barriers would have appeared upon being attacked, and that arrow could have destroyed a house.
Bai Ye and Li Jiayi quickly darted into an alleyway.
The best way to deal with arrows was to flee towards areas with more obstacles.
In a sense, this was the same strategy as dealing with sniper rifles.
Why did the firearms used in urban counter-terrorism sniping have shorter effective ranges but higher accuracy requirements?
It was simple: obstacles.
The numerous buildings acted as obstacles, making it difficult for snipers to find suitable vantage points. The farther the distance and the more tall buildings, the harder it was to find them. Compared to distance, higher accuracy allowed for a better chance of a kill when an opportunity arose.
Arrows were similar. Therefore, Lord Huode aimed again. Unable to find an opportunity, he simply put away his bow, leaped onto a nearby rooftop, drew his sword, and pursued the two.
Li Jiayi glanced back and said, "This guy is too fast, we can't escape. Let's fight."
Bai Ye replied, "I think running is better."
Li Jiayi retorted, "Are you blind? The distance is closing, don't you see? If we fly, he can use his bow again."
Bai Ye said, "I can transform into lightning and teleport, I'm very fast."
Li Jiayi rolled his eyes, "Your lightning teleportation move isn't that great either. Even Giant Spirit God could block it, so Lord Huode certainly can."
Bai Ye said, "I didn't say I could run faster than Lord Huode."
Li Jiayi looked confused, "Huh?"
Bai Ye said, "It's enough if I run faster than you."
Zzzt!
Bai Ye's body rapidly elementalized, turning into an electric current and disappearing swiftly.
Li Jiayi stared blankly for half a second, then cursed, "Holy crap!"
Li Jiayi felt like cursing Bai Ye's entire ancestry. He came to save you, and you're abandoning him to run?
Zzzt!
As soon as Li Jiayi finished cursing, another flash of electricity appeared before him. A current landed in front of Li Jiayi, and then Bai Ye reappeared.
Li Jiayi was stunned, then felt a surge of emotion, as if tears were about to well up. Had his conscience kicked in?
Indeed, everyone ultimately had some goodness in their hearts.
Bai Ye, however, looked solemn and said to Li Jiayi, "Something's wrong."
Li Jiayi asked, "What's the situation?"
Bai Ye said, "There are two Lord Huodes."
Li Jiayi froze, "What?"
Bai Ye said, "See for yourself."
Li Jiayi looked up ahead, his expression becoming even more bewildered.
Under the cover of night, someone was pacing towards them. Their attire and appearance were identical to Lord Huode.
This was another Lord Huode!
At the same time, Lord Huode caught up to Bai Ye and Li Jiayi, and looking at his other self, his brow furrowed instantly.
Lord Huode said sternly, "Are you the ghost rumored in the city recently?"
The other Lord Huode, who had suddenly appeared, didn't waste words. He directly raised his bow and shot an arrow forward.
Bai Ye and Li Jiayi tried to dodge, but quickly realized the arrow wasn't aimed at them. It was flying straight ahead, towards Lord Huode.
Lord Huode let out a low growl, leaped forward, instantly drew his bow, and met the arrow with another arrow.
Boom!
The two arrows collided in mid-air, emitting a deafening roar and exploding.
Amidst the thunderous noise, the sky was illuminated by a vast expanse of light, casting its glow in all directions.
Bai Ye and Li Jiayi were both astonished. Two Lord Huodes were one thing, but why were they fighting?
However, the two quickly exchanged glances.
An opportunity!
Although they didn't understand what was happening, this was clearly a chance to make a quick getaway. They decisively turned and fled.
Lord Huode wanted to pursue, but the other Lord Huode took down his fire gourd, raised it forward, and a large amount of flames appeared, surging ahead.
Seeing this, Lord Huode also summoned his own treasure gourd, and a wisp of flame sprayed from its opening.
The two flames met in the air, illuminating the surroundings brightly, burning fiercely and pushing against each other.
Lord Huode's gaze turned grim, his expression growing increasingly serious.
The Lord Huode in front of him was truly identical to him, not just in appearance and attire, but even their magical treasures were incredibly similar.
The power of the colliding flames was indistinguishable, clearly indicating that the quality of the magical treasures in their hands was comparable.
As for the other party's origin...
Lord Huode had heard some rumors, whispers in the city recently, akin to urban legends.
Some people said they saw their own double walking on the street.
Some said they had just parted ways with their companions, only to see them again less than five minutes later, with the two walking in opposite directions and ignoring each other when greeted.
In short, many people claimed that another version of themselves had appeared in the city.
However, Giant Spirit God and the celestial soldiers had investigated for days but found nothing.
Moreover, assuming an "other self" truly existed, no malicious incidents had occurred. The other party neither burned, killed, looted, nor caused destruction, nor did they impersonate their original selves to act recklessly.
Therefore, while the matter couldn't be entirely dismissed, people weren't overly concerned.
Lord Huode had thought the same way before, but now it was different.
Lord Huode asked, "Who exactly are you? Why can you impersonate me?"
The other party ignored Lord Huode, drew his sword, and slashed forward.
The sword light cut through the air, a beam of sword energy appearing and slicing towards Lord Huode's direction. Lord Huode could only defend.
With a clang, Lord Huode drew his sword.
Meanwhile, Bai Ye and Li Jiayi had already crossed the street.
Li Jiayi pondered, "Why don't we try to break out of the island? Giant Spirit God might not bother with this matter anymore, after all, Lord Huode has taken action, and Lord Huode is currently occupied."
Bai Ye shrugged, "That works too."
But just then, over a dozen dark figures suddenly appeared on the rooftops, surrounding Bai Ye and Li Jiayi.
What's going on?
The two felt a tightening in their chests, sensing trouble.
Although Lord Huode was held up, he had subordinates.
However, when the dozen figures appeared, Bai Ye and Li Jiayi were both stunned. They were a group of monkeys.
Li Jiayi exclaimed, "Monkey King's subordinates? Why is he involved in this matter?"
Before Li Jiayi could think further, the monkeys leaped from the rooftops, encircling the two.
...