In this situation, I couldn't afford to worry about anything else and focused all my energy on facing the barrage of arrows.
I continuously dodged, my eyes scanning my surroundings.
The Shepherd's Might, when covering my body, while consuming a certain amount of it, allowed me to predict the trajectory of some arrows beforehand...
When only half an incense stick's worth of time remained, I was hit again.
My expression turned grim.
At this rate, I wouldn't be able to last much longer.
Fortunately, I had figured some things out.
My body's reflexes and speed had also increased significantly.
When faced with a life-or-death crisis, people often tap into more of their potential.
If one can adapt to this state of unleashed potential, they can achieve a significant improvement.
This is precisely what was happening to me now.
After enduring such a terrifying volley of shots, I already felt much faster than before.
Furthermore, both my reaction speed and my danger precognition had been enhanced.
If someone who hadn't cultivated were here, I doubted they could dodge even a single arrow.
But even now, I was acutely aware that my reaction capabilities and my speed had not yet reached a truly impressive level.
There was still so much room for improvement.
As these thoughts crossed my mind, I was struck again.
"Switch!" Shen Zhi called out loudly. She had already put on her armor and, after drinking some Water of Life, her condition had recovered.
"Okay!" I replied, retreating to a safe spot to take cover. My gaze shifted aside.
There, only the last piece of armor remained.
If we failed this time, I wasn't sure what I would face, but one thing was certain: I would absolutely not be able to obtain what Elder Yu had left behind.
Moreover, from what I'd seen before, it would be impossible to enter this place a second time. The gate was already blocked, with no mechanisms in sight.
If we couldn't pass, leaving would be an extremely difficult task.
I took a sip of the Water of Life, then quickly began to recover my energy.
My mind ceaselessly replayed everything that had happened, the physical responses from the previous combat, the current level of danger precognition...
Each of these held immense significance for me.
I also knew very clearly that once I managed to climb out of this place, I would undoubtedly reach a new level.
But the immediate priority was to escape this place.
The Water of Life was excellent for recovery, and using Shepherd's Might to sense danger, despite its high consumption, was also invaluable.
Therefore, to conserve Shepherd's Might, I could only minimize my body's movements when I was moving or dodging.
This way, I could preserve a significant amount of my Shepherd's Might.
Shen Zhi had never encountered anything like this before, and the previous times she had been hit had left a lingering shadow in her heart.
Consequently, her dodges this time were exceptionally hurried.
If it weren't for helping me recover, she wouldn't have gone...
But to buy me time to recover, she grit her teeth and went forward.
Unfortunately, she didn't last long.
The first arrow struck her, causing her to spit out a mouthful of blood. Pain made her movements sluggish.
Just as she was about to push herself up again, the second arrow landed...
"Come here!" I roared.
Shen Zhi, with all her might, lunged towards me. I made space for her and placed the Water of Life down, "Drink some quickly!"
With that, I donned the armor and charged out.
"Lu Ge... I'm sorry... I'm holding you back..." Shen Zhi's voice was filled with apology.
If she hadn't come in with me, I could have rested properly here and had five chances.
But because she entered this place, not only could I not rest, but it also cost us two precious opportunities.
This situation made her feel extremely distressed.
"Holding me back? What are you talking about?" I said with a smile. "Don't think too much about it. This is a test for me, and for me, it's an opportunity to unleash my potential!"
"Lu Ge..." Shen Zhi began.
"Stop talking. Rest quietly, I need to concentrate!" I said.
I took a mouthful of the Water of Life, then began to move, sprinting towards the distance.
This time, I could clearly feel my steps were much lighter, and I hadn't consciously expended Shepherd's Might to move my body.
As long as I could dodge, there was no need to be excessively fast.
I relied on my body's natural reactions. As long as the danger was within my perception range, I could react instantly.
Although several arrows grazed past me, fortunately, none landed on me.
It looked perilous, but for me, it brought a greater sense of security!