"Qin Tian, use Root Strangulation with the War Treant to bind the Trial Puppet!"
Qin Tian was considered one of the top geniuses in Kyoto.
As soon as Gu Xing's order was given, Qin Tian immediately commanded the War Treant to attack.
"War Treant, release the Ironwood Barrier to enhance the roots' strength! Then use Root Strangulation to entangle, target the puppet's limbs!"
The War Treant's dark, thick roots burst forth like giant pythons, wrapping tightly around the Trial Puppet's limbs the moment it coagulated into form.
The metallic sheen of the roots layered over each other, sealing the puppet tightly.
While Qin Tian acted, Gu Xing was not idle either.
Almost simultaneously, Liu Li's body ignited with crimson flames, fully activating the Blazing Angel Form.
She transformed into a streak of fire shooting straight at the puppet, distorting the air in her wake.
Gu Xing turned to Ying Bing, "Ying Bing, have the Ice Phoenix release the Frost Storm! Freeze its joints!"
"Understood!"
The Profound Frost Ice Phoenix let out a clear cry, taking off from Ying Bing's shoulder.
As its wings spread, its form rapidly expanded, swiftly restoring its over two-meter tall true form.
With a flap of its wings, an icy current surged toward the puppet, freezing over thick ice crystals on the joint areas ensnared by the roots.
Gu Xing's gaze remained fixed on Liu Li.
This was the only method he could think of to defeat this Trial Puppet.
If this Trial Puppet managed to activate its Stable Barrier, increasing its defense further,
their chances of defeating this Trial Puppet would be slim.
Thus, they had to eliminate it before it could react.
"Judgment!"
As Liu Li advanced, her momentum surged, and the Blazing Angel's Wings trailed behind her like radiant fire.
As she closed in on the puppet, the flames around her burned as dazzlingly as the rising sun.
Seeing this, Qin Tian and Ying Bing's eyes flashed with joy.
They could clearly sense that Liu Li's pressure was on par with the Trial Puppet.
As long as their control didn't falter...
they would definitely pass this trial!
However—
Gu Xing's expression grew solemn.
His gaze was locked on the Trial Puppet, a tide of unease surging within him.
Too easy!
Everything was proceeding too smoothly!
According to his expectations, the probability that Qin Tian and Ying Bing could successfully control the Trial Puppet was less than thirty percent, but in reality...
they had effortlessly restrained it!
Something was wrong!
As the red glow in the Trial Puppet's eyes intensified, Gu Xing's heart clenched, a strong sense of crisis enveloping him.
"Liu Li, retreat immediately!"
Hearing Gu Xing's shout, Liu Li, though puzzled, followed her master's order without hesitation.
She swiftly retracted the Blazing Angel's Wings and retreated rapidly!
"Boom——!"
Almost instantly—
The War Treant's roots shattered!
The Profound Frost Ice Phoenix's ice instantly melted!
The Trial Puppet clasped its fists together, slamming them down on the ground like a meteor.
"Realm-Breaking Hammer!"
"Boom—!"
A violent shockwave erupted, causing the ground to fissure and rocks to scatter!
Liu Li narrowly avoided the attack, the edge of the Blazing Angel's Wings grazed by the aftermath, the searing flames flickering violently.
In shock, Liu Li thought:
"If I was half a second slower..."
With the Trial Puppet's terrifying power of 340 points and skill augmentation...
even in Blazing Angel Form, this strike could have left her gravely injured or on the brink of death!
Seeing Liu Li dodge the attack successfully, Gu Xing breathed a sigh of relief.
However, as he assessed the situation, concern quickly returned to his heart.
He had guessed correctly!
This Trial Puppet wasn't just an inanimate object, it possessed combat intelligence!
The Trial Puppet's initial target had been Liu Li all along.
It pretended to be controlled by the War Treant and Profound Frost Ice Phoenix to lure Liu Li in, then launch a sneak attack.
The aim was to eliminate the greatest threat in the field.
"Roar—!"
Having missed its attack, the Trial Puppet's crimson mechanical eyes abruptly turned toward the War Treant!
"Qin Tian! Quickly, have the War Treant retreat!"
But—
Too late!
The Trial Puppet's speed was like lightning, almost before Gu Xing finished speaking, it had transformed into a blur, heading straight for the War Treant!
"Realm-Breaking Hammer!"
The War Treant hastily erected an Ironwood Barrier, but the vast attribute difference left it defenseless.
"Thud—!"
With a dull impact, the War Treant was sent flying like a broken kite, embedding heavily into the round hall's wall, its fate unknown!
"Pfft—!"
Qin Tian turned pale, spitting a mouthful of blood, then fell unconscious.
With the Beast Master's spiritual power linked to the Guardian Beast, the War Treant's severe injury had inevitably affected him.
The Trial Puppet's gaze shifted again, this time—
to the Profound Frost Ice Phoenix!
"Liu Li! Save the Ice Phoenix!"
Gu Xing commanded sternly.
If the Profound Frost Ice Phoenix suffered another severe injury, this trial... would basically be a failure.
Fortunately, Liu Li's speed attribute currently exceeded the Trial Puppet's by nearly 50 points!
She transformed into a crimson streak, yanking the Profound Frost Ice Phoenix from danger just before the puppet's massive fist could strike down!
"Swish—!"
The Blazing Angel's Wings created a hot gust, and Liu Li landed steadily beside Gu Xing with the Ice Phoenix.
She spread her wings, shielding the two and the beast behind her, her eyes vigilant on the distant Trial Puppet.
The battle situation had taken a disastrous turn!
Qin Tian was unconscious, the War Treant lost combat capability.
The initial encirclement plan had crumbled before this combat-intuitive Trial Puppet!
Ying Bing's expression was grave, she turned to Gu Xing, her voice low:
"Gu Xing, what do we do now?"
Gu Xing did not answer immediately.
His mind was racing, his gaze flitting between the Trial Puppet and Liu Li.
"Awakening 8th Rank power, overwhelming attributes..."
Unless Liu Li's finishing technique was used, defeating it head-on was nearly impossible!
But doing so would put his only Guardian Beast into slumber, significantly stalling Liu Li's growth.
As he weighed the pros and cons, Ying Bing suddenly spoke in a firm tone:
"If I can control it, can you guarantee a fatal blow?"
Gu Xing turned sharply, surprise flashing in his eyes.
Spotting the Ice Phoenix's skills, he immediately understood Ying Bing's plan.
The Profound Frost Ice Phoenix's finishing technique!
Though it would also weaken the Guardian Beast, the price was far less than that of Liu Li's!
Gu Xing's gaze returned to Liu Li, and he nodded without hesitation:
"If you can control it, Liu Li will certainly be able to eliminate this Trial Puppet."
Hearing this, Ying Bing's eyes burned with battle fervor!
"Profound Frost Ice Phoenix, release Frost Ring Imprisonment!"
...
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