A single spirit beast’s soul shadow could do little on its own, but as all the shadows fused together, they grew stronger and stronger until just one shadow remained, corroding the opponent’s scales and flesh. Although the shadow took a long time to even corrode a small portion of the snake, these shadows were completely unaffected by anything the snake had done so far.
Just as Yan Xiaobao was about to launch his second blue fireball, a direct and perilous sensation surged through him, forcing him to retreat once more, leaping out of the snake’s range.
It proved to be the right decision. Shortly after, a golden flash engulfed the area, followed by a blood-curdling scream emanating from the side where the terrain expert was located, and then came the tremors that rippled through the ground.
Screams rang out for only a few moments before everything fell into an eerie silence. Yan Xiaobao gritted his teeth and cast a glance at the place where Zhou Long was supposed to be fighting the snake. So far, Yan Xiaobao had received little help from any of the groups dispatched by the Dragon Army.
Realizing they couldn’t count on assistance from any team, he desperately searched within his Dantian Cave for the Phoenix, but the Phoenix completely ignored him. No matter how much Yan Xiaobao tried to reach out to Lan Feng, the bird merely sat there with its eyes shut, emitting a golden radiance from within him.
Looking at Deng Wu, Yan Xiaobao noticed an ugly expression spreading across his face. The moment this once-handsome boy caught Yan Xiaobao’s gaze, he shook his head. He too was unable to contact Little Dragon. It was as if both Divine Beasts had entered a trance-like state, unable to be roused or aware of anything happening around them.
As Xu Yue raised his hand, summoning the black blood and Qi dagger, he gazed at the snake, contemplating their best option for survival.
Seeing Yan Xiaobao draw his weapon, he was no longer alone. Behind him, Sha Yun stood with her halberd strapped to her back, Wang Julong holding her crimson staff, Deng Wu brandishing his sword, and the two experts from the Kings wielding their own weapons. Witnessing the determination in everyone’s eyes, Yan Xiaobao nodded toward them. There was only one way to slay the snake, and that was by destroying the beast from within; its scales were simply too strong!
A faint bitter smile appeared on Yan Xiaobao’s face as he saw everyone prepared to follow him, yet he still waved them off.
"I need you to cover my retreat," he shouted loudly, partially out of strategy but also due to concern. Yan Xiaobao knew that if they followed him into danger, he wouldn’t be able to focus all his efforts on frightening the beast. Instead, he’d be preoccupied with the safety of his friends.
Although Yan Xiaobao had confidence in himself, he wasn’t entirely sure if his risky plan would work. Even so, it was worth attempting. He could smell the scent of fresh blood and charred flesh lingering in the air.
The scent originated from the Horned Snake, as blue flames spread across its body. Unlike ordinary flames, these would continue to burn as long as the natural essence of heaven and earth existed where they ignited, or until the cultivator who created them ceased them. These were among the most dangerous flames one could encounter, outmatching even elemental flames. Elemental flames required five cultivators to create and constant surges of spiritual energy, infused with the elemental affinity of the cultivator controlling them.
The snake’s side, the one scorched by Yan Xiaobao, was exposed to him. On that side, where its scales and flesh had been completely erased, its eyes had vanished entirely. Portions of it had been consumed by the beast’s soul shadow, while the rest was obliterated by the blue flames.
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