Seeing its attack fail, the Ice Python's pupils widened, and two beams of bone-chilling light shot out.
"Ice Soul Spirit-Severing Light!"
"Quick, activate the Six-Harmony Divine Shield Formation!"
Elian shouted, and the treasure boat immediately unfolded a protective barrier, blocking the Ice Soul Spirit-Severing Light.
This innate ability of the Ice Python directly targeted the soul. Cultivators struck by it would suffer severe soul injuries, often leading to death. Even Purple Mansion cultivators were not immune to its devastating effects.
Fortunately, Chen Nianchuan and the others reacted swiftly, activating the defensive formation on the treasure boat to fend off the deadly ability.
The group wasn't content to remain on the defensive. Elian immediately summoned the Fiery Void Sword and slashed toward the Ice Python, forcing it to counter with its seven Ice Spirit Swords in an endless entanglement.
On the other side, the patriarch activated the Crimson-Gold Three-Treasure Flag again, unleashing the associated ability, the Crimson-Gold Spirit-Severing Sword Aura.
This ability, derived from a mutated innate talent of the demon clan, was unleashed with the patriarch's cultivation and the formation's power, manifesting as a crimson-gold sword aura that rivaled the full-strength strike of a Purple Mansion cultivator.
The Ice Python's eyes narrowed. Without a third-tier magical treasure to block it, the beast could only counter with its inner core.
A deafening explosion followed as the demonic core clashed with the Crimson-Gold Sword Aura, tearing massive fissures hundreds of feet long into the earth.
After the strike, the demonic core's glow dimmed by about 20%, clearly showing signs of damage.
The Ice Python quickly swallowed its core back into its body but dared not recklessly deploy it again.
Its gaze shifted, and it unleashed the Ice Soul Spirit-Severing Light once more. Knowing it couldn't breach the treasure boat's defenses, the beast redirected its attack toward the patriarch.
The patriarch smirked coldly and activated the Crimson-Gold Three-Treasure Flag, summoning its third ability: the Diamond Glass Barrier.
A golden-glazed shield enveloped the patriarch, effectively nullifying the Ice Python's soul-damaging attack.
Although formidable, the Ice Python was only an early-stage Purple Mansion beast. Without a suitable magical treasure, it had expended over 30% of its energy after repeatedly using its innate abilities, core, and spells.
Realizing it couldn't gain the upper hand, the Ice Python roared, summoning a dozen second-tier beasts to reinforce it on the battlefield.
Fortunately, the Foundation Establishment cultivators on the treasure boat were no pushovers. They launched their own magical weapons to intercept the incoming beasts.
Chen Nianchuan and the Chen family cultivators activated the Fiery Sun Divine Flame Formation, unleashing the Fiery Heart-Piercing Spike to instantly kill a mid-tier second-grade beast.
Taking advantage of the situation, Elian and the elder attacked the Ice Python relentlessly with magical weapons and abilities.
The Ice Python proved its resilience. Despite being bombarded with attacks such as the Heavenly Flame Sword Art and other high-tier magical weapons, it managed to counter with a variety of spells.
Eventually, it activated a defensive ability called the Ice Mystical Armor Shield, forming an ice barrier that withstood all their efforts. Even the Fiery Void Sword struggled to break through.
Unable to breach its defenses, Elian made a bold move. Gritting his teeth, he swallowed a Explosive Essence Pill.
At the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, the pill boosted his spiritual energy by 50%. Though less effective now that he was in the late stage, it still granted him a 30% increase in spiritual energy.
Elian's energy now rivaled that of the Patriarch. The additional boost pushed his power to a new level.
Summoning the Fiery Void Sword, Elian unleashed nine consecutive strikes in an instant, finally cracking the Ice Mystical Armor Shield.
"A perfect opportunity!"
The patriarch's eyes gleamed as he activated the seven Crimson-Gold Formation Flags, unleashing a brilliant crimson-gold sword aura that slashed through the opening.
The precise timing allowed the attack to pierce through the Ice Python's defenses, leaving a massive wound on its body.
"Hiss—!"
The heavily injured Ice Python let out a pained roar, unable to maintain its defensive abilities. Enraged and terrified, it turned to flee.
Elian's eyes narrowed, and almost instinctively, he activated the Metal Element Divine Lightning.
With a deafening crack, a thunderbolt descended from the heavens, precisely striking the Ice Python's critical point as if preordained.
The beast, already severely depleted of mana and gravely wounded, faltered as the lightning paralyzed it momentarily.
Elian seized the chance, channeling his sword aura into a blue blade that descended, decapitating the Ice Python in a single blow.
With the enemy slain, Elian and the patriarch finally exhaled in relief. Despite their success, the battle had drained over half their spiritual energy.
They quickly consumed recovery pills and turned their focus to the Green Flame Fox.
The fox, seeing the two approach, showed fear. Already struggling against Xu Daoyuan, it was no match for two more powerful allies.
Panicking, the fox activated a third-tier magical treasure, the Green Spirit Pearl, against Xu Daoyuan before attempting to flee.
But Xu Daoyuan wasn't about to let it escape. Summoning his life-bound Void Refining Earth Cauldron, he trapped the Green Spirit Pearl with the Refining Void Divine Flame, then sent a third-tier flying sword after the fox.
Faced with the sword and its restrained treasure, the Green Flame Fox had no choice but to unleash its life-bound ability, Green Flame Foxfire, to block the sword as it fled.
Annoyed, Xu Daoyuan furrowed his brows and summoned Earth Element Divine Lightning.
However, the fox displayed extraordinary cunning. In a flash, it split into three green fox shadows, each fleeing in a different direction.
"Shadow Mirage Fox Step? The famed escape technique of the Green Flame Fox clan?"
"Hmph—"
Xu Daoyuan sneered coldly, his eyes narrowing with determination.
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D