Shen Jingqi struggled hard, attempting to shake off the shackles of the excruciating pain. A fierce will to survive surged within him, a longing for life, and a persistence for victory. He clenched his hands tightly, his nails digging deeply into his palms, with blood oozing through his fingers.
"Jingqi! You have to hold on!" Li Baiyu's voice echoed once again in Shen Jingqi's ear, laden with an unhideable urgency and fear.
Renault also gritted his teeth, tears glittering in his eyes, his hands clenching into fists, his knuckles turning white from the effort. The two of them stood to the side, watching Shen Jingqi struggle in agony, feeling utterly helpless.
Shen Jingqi lay on the ground, his body curled up into a ball from the severe pain. His face was as pale as paper, his forehead covered in fine beads of sweat, the perspiration trickling down his cheeks, wetting the ground beneath him. He struggled hard, trying to free himself from the ever-present pain, every breath feeling as though it used up all his strength.
"I can't die... I can't..." Shen Jingqi cried out frantically in his heart. A fierce will to survive surged within him, a longing for life, and a persistence for victory.
"Jingqi, think of something! You must have a way!" Li Baiyu's voice was choked with tears; he squatted down, wanting to touch Shen Jingqi, yet fearing that his actions might exacerbate his pain.
Shen Jingqi's consciousness gradually blurred amidst the agony, yet he still fought to stay awake. He recalled everything he had learned, trying to find a way to escape this plight. However, every attempt felt like hitting an invisible wall, making him feel utterly hopeless.
At that moment, a sudden inspiration surged into Shen Jingqi's mind.
He suddenly remembered seeing an account in a textbook during his training as a psychiatrist.
It recorded a secret art capable of resisting a Spiritual Attack. It required a firm will as support, but at this moment he had no other choice.
"Heart... Spirit..." Shen Jingqi silently recited, trying to recall the specifics from the ancient book. Images flashed through his mind, scenes he had seen while reading the ancient book. Those words became clear at this moment.
"Use the heart as a guide, and the mind as a blade, sever all shackles..."
Shen Jingqi muttered to himself, his voice weak but filled with power. He began to follow the method in the ancient book, mobilizing his own Spiritual Power.
However, the process was not easy. Shen Jingqi felt his Spiritual Power was like a knotted mess, impossible to concentrate. Every attempt brought a severe headache, like countless needles stabbing his brain.
"No... no..." Shen Jingqi gritted his teeth, his clothes soaked with sweat. His body trembled in pain, yet he did not give up. He knew this was his only hope, his only chance to survive.
"Jingqi, hold on! You can do it!" Renault's voice rang in his ears, full of encouragement and anticipation.
Hearing Renault's voice, a warm current surged in Shen Jingqi's heart. He took a deep breath, attempting once again to concentrate his Spiritual Power. This time, he finally felt something different. He sensed his Spiritual Power beginning to concentrate, forming a faint force.
"Now's the time!" Shen Jingqi shouted in his heart, suddenly exerting force, converting the gathered Spiritual Power into an invisible blade, slashing towards the Spiritual Power binding him.
A wave of intense pain struck, and Shen Jingqi felt as if his brain was being torn apart. But he didn't give up, he gritted his teeth, persevering.
At last, a thread of the Spiritual Power binding him was severed. Shen Jingqi finally felt a moment of respite. He took the opportunity to intensify the output of his Spiritual Power, continuing to cut through the binds.
"Just a little more... just a little more..." Shen Jingqi silently repeated to himself, his Spiritual Power nearing exhaustion, yet he persevered.
Every cut relieved him momentarily, but soon the Spiritual Power binding him would gather again. He felt trapped in an endless cycle, each effort only gaining a brief respite.
"I can't give up... I can't give up..." Shen Jingqi continually encouraged himself. He knew he had to keep going, or he'd be forever bound by this Spiritual Power.
Finally, through Shen Jingqi's relentless effort, the Spiritual Power binding him was completely severed. He felt as though he awoke from a nightmare; though his body remained weak, he experienced an unprecedented ease in spirit.
"I... survived..." Shen Jingqi lay on the ground, gasping for breath, staring at the blue sky overhead.
Li Baiyu and Renault quickly gathered around, helping Shen Jingqi up from the ground.
"Jingqi, how do you feel?" Li Baiyu's voice was full of concern.
Shen Jingqi weakly nodded, his hands still stained with blood, a mark left from self-harming to stay awake.
"I... need to rest..." Shen Jingqi's voice was low and hoarse.
Renault and Li Baiyu supported Shen Jingqi to a nearby chair, looking at his pale face.
"Jingqi, rest well first, leave the rest to us." Renault's voice was firm.
"I will pull myself together..." Shen Jingqi silently vowed in his heart.
With Li Baiyu and Renault's careful care, Shen Jingqi began trying to recall the details of the mantras from the book. His thoughts gradually cleared, but his body remained weak.
"Use the heart as a guide, and the mind as a blade..." Shen Jingqi silently recited the mantra from the ancient book. He felt his Spiritual Power slowly recovering, yet still fragile.
Every memory brought a headache, but he knew he had to persist, or all would be lost.
"I can't give up..." Shen Jingqi gritted his teeth, his body trembling. He felt his physical strength nearing its limit.
Renault and Li Baiyu waited anxiously beside him, their eyes filled with worry.
Shen Jingqi tried once again to mobilize his Spiritual Power; this time, he felt his Spiritual Power finally stabilize and accumulate.
"Now's the time!" Shen Jingqi exerted force, converting his Spiritual Power into a blade, cutting through the final bind.
He had finally escaped the Spiritual Attack.
"I did it..." A smile appeared on Shen Jingqi's pale face.
Looking at his hands, though scarred and battered, they were filled with power. He knew he had finally survived.
"Thank you..." Shen Jingqi's voice was filled with gratitude. He looked at his two dear friends beside him, his heart full of warmth.
Renault and Li Baiyu stayed by his side, their eyes glistening with tears, but more so with relief. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ N0velFire.ɴet
"We were always waiting for you." Renault's voice was choked with emotion.