Nie Hanchang no longer bothered with observing his surroundings, focusing every last bit of his energy on building up power for the next arrow of energy.
He fully trusted that Zhao Yunxiao would be able to keep the sky lion at bay.
At the same time, Zhao Yunxiao's clones arrived before the sky lion.
[Xuanwu Fist Art – Immovable Shell]
All three clones struck out with the strongest unarmed technique in their arsenal, determined to make the sky lion flinch at the very least.
Grr-!
The sky lion glanced at them and growled. Another dozens of water swords emerged from the water globe and shot forward without a moment's delay.
Zhao Yunxiao Two might have been rather successful in evading the water swords so far, but this attack came from way too close.
Pierce-! Pierce-! Pierce-!
The water swords struck their respective targets without issues, passing straight through them like a hot knife through butter. As the earthen clones fell helplessly to the ground in the form of debris, the swords continued on their path towards their new target – Zhao Yunxiao.
Zhao Yunxiao frowned as he watched the water swords approach.
Tempestuous winds immediately slammed against the water swords. This might not completely stop their advance, but it slowed their approach and shaved off around thirty percent of each water sword.
And according to his calculations from observing the water swords so far, this much was enough.
Zhao Yunxiao kept his hands on the Window of Tunes, his eyes locked upon the oncoming water swords as he continued to play the flute.
From an onlooker's perspective, it would seem as though he had become frozen from fear, unable to fully react to the danger that was about to descend upon him.
Of course, that was far from the truth.
As the water swords were about to reach him, the Ring of Steel exploded with energy of the metal element, creating an invisible barrier around him. Similarly, energy coursed through the Bamboo Barricade, creating a subtle aura of metal that surrounded him.
Screech-!
The bone-chilling sound of grating metal sounded out as soon as the water swords entered the range of the combined defence from these two Origin Core realm treasures. This powerful defence mercilessly tore away at the water swords, ripping them of the energy within until there was finally nothing remaining.
Just like that, the water swords directly dissipated into vapour without Zhao Yunxiao even lifting a finger.
His expression did not change, but he could not help but cheer in his heart.
After so many years of being a cultivator, he was finally able to enjoy the power of wealth. As long as one possessed sufficient treasures, overcoming small differences in cultivation levels was really not that big of a deal!
Roar-!
The sky lion seemed to be enraged by what just happened. With a loud roar, it started to pick up its pace in its advance. Even the destructive winds from the Window of Tunes did not seem to be able to slow it down.
In front of it, the dozens of water lions suddenly burst apart, turning into countless water droplets that dutifully returned to the blue globe while the latter continued to hover in front of the sky lion, moving in line with the sky lion's advance.
Zhao Yunxiao sighed in his heart upon seeing this.
He could tell that the water lions were far from being at their limit. The only reason for this would be because the sky lion had realised that the water lions would not be able to do much in this scenario, and had cancelled the technique of its own volition to replenish the energy within the water globe.
This was one common difference between spirit beasts and monsters – the former usually possessed greater intelligence, making them trickier to deal with.
Spears shot out from the trees, their speed bolstered by the winds as they headed straight for the sky lion.
In response, what appeared to be numerous water threads shot out from the blue globe, sweeping around the sky lion to deflect the spears. These water threads were thin and long, but the power within could not be underestimated. The spears did not stand a chance against these water threads, each of them sent flying at the slightest touch.
Next, clouds of green mist erupted from around the sky lion, blocking both its approach and its exit route.
However, the sky lion was completely unfazed as it sped up even further, rushing directly into the green clouds.
In front of it, the blue globe suddenly expanded out to wrap around the sky lion, forming a water shell that completely guarded it from all angles as it charged straight through the green clouds.
Spears continued to shoot out from the trees but were deflected without exception, none of them succeeding in causing even the slightest of ripples on this translucent blue shell. Despite being formed from water, its hardness and durability were unmistakable.
Not just that, but the water shell also started to sharpen at the tip as it continued forward, turning into what looked like an unstoppable giant water arrow. Its bottom effortlessly tore through the ground that it came into contact with, creating a direct trail of destruction as it headed straight towards Zhao Yunxiao.
Tch!
Against the sky lion, it would appear that both the Red Devil Weapons Array and the Window of Tunes were ineffective.
Zhao Yunxiao finally put down the black-tinted jade flute at this point.
There was no room for retreat – doing so would directly expose Nie Hanchang, who was not far behind him, ruining their plan entirely. Because of that, there was no option apart from facing the sky lion head-on.
With a flick of his wrist, the Penta-Edge Grimoire Halberd appeared in his hands, replacing the Window of Tunes.
The Window of Tunes might be an Origin Core realm treasure, but it was not exactly built for close combat. Conversely, even though the Penta-Edge Grimoire Halberd might not be an Origin Core realm treasure, he was not worried about it whatsoever.
He was sure that his halberd would not let him down – not against an opponent of this calibre.
On the contrary, he would have to do his best so that he would not end up letting down his treasure halberd instead!
"Undo the seal, and you shall be rewarded with power beyond your wildest dreams."
Shut up already!
Zhao Yunxiao narrowed his eyes, dispelling all distracting thoughts from his mind as he focused all his attention on the spirit beast that was currently charging straight towards him.
Watch the environment.
Watch their posture.
Watch their eyes.
Watch the flow of energy.
Tightening his grip around the black halberd, a light of resolve flashed across Zhao Yunxiao's eyes as a mental image of the surroundings appeared in his head, complete with information about the sky lion that he had acquired in the past.
As every last bit of information fell in place, Zhao Yunxiao made his move.
Instead of waiting passively for the sky lion's arrival, he vanished from the spot, charging forward to meet the spirit beast head-on as he used the momentum to increase the might of his strike.
[Xuanwu Movement Art – Invisible Snap]
[Zodiac Scripture – Horse Aspect: Acceleration]
[Zodiac Scripture – Goat Aspect: Balance]
Blood coursed through his muscles as he drove his dantian to the limit. Essence energy flooded his spiritual meridians as he thrust the Penta-Edge Grimoire Halberd forward with all his might.
[Zodiac Scripture – Ox Aspect: Strength]
[Explode]
[Weight]
At the same time, he activated all the defensive techniques at his disposal, fully cognisant of the fact that he could not afford to lose ground here.
[Zodiac Scripture – Boar Aspect: Toughness]
[Disperse]
The Ring of Steel and Bamboo Barricade seemed to resonate with each other as their metal-element energies converged, forming a metal barrier around him that was far stronger than the sum of its parts.
Bang-!
Flames exploded on the surface of the water shell the moment it made contact with the Penta-Edge Grimoire Halberd, creating a cloud of both black smoke and white steam that shrouded Zhao Yunxiao and the entire water shell.
However, even the sound of the explosion was drowned out by the thunderous collision between the Penta-Edge Grimoire Halberd and the water shell.
A shockwave was sent out in all directions, instantly dispersing the explosive cloud. The grass and soil within a full ten metre radius were directly ripped from the ground, carried away into the distance by the shockwave. Light vegetation and even smaller trees snapped from the impact, while larger trees creaked as they swayed.
Even the ground sank in a good few centimetres, forming a small crater around them.
Zhao Yunxiao's robes and long black hair fluttered wildly. His energy was churning chaotically within, while his muscles screamed in pain. However, his feet remained planted firmly on the ground as the Penta-Edge Grimoire Halberd blasted a hole straight through the water shell, exposing the physical body of the sky lion within.
Unfortunately, that was his limit.
The blade of the halberd was mere centimetres away from the sky lion's head, but these few centimetres felt more like a giant ravine at this moment. It had taken everything he had just to prevent himself from being blown away by the collision, so how could he still have the strength to push the halberd forward any further?
Zhao Yunxiao sighed in his heart as a stream of blood trickled down the corner of his lips, a clear result of having overexerted himself during this exchange.
Damn it.
He could only hope that Huang An would be able to work her magic somehow, healing him just enough to prevent Gu Qiansi from realising that he was injured during the Meeting of the Great Symbols tomorrow.
Roar-!
The sky lion opened its jaws that were now less than half a metre away from Zhao Yunxiao, threatening to crush him under its razor-like fangs.
However, Zhao Yunxiao did not feel the least bit intimidated.
Why would he be, when there was a far more terrifying aura approaching fast from right behind him?
Dusk had already arrived by now. With the sun setting in the distance and the sky now a beautiful orange, their position in the woods was already quickly descending into darkness.
But at this very moment, the darkness had been completely dispelled as everything around him was drowned in an intense silver light – light originating from a single arrow of energy unlike any that Zhao Yunxiao had ever seen from the Grand Annihilator.
In terms of both shape and size, it was no different from any of the previous energy arrows. However, the intense energy fluctuations it emitted were more than enough evidence that this particular arrow was anything but ordinary.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the energy contained within this one arrow felt a hundred times stronger than usual. Considering how strong each of the original arrows of energy already was, one could imagine just how much power had been packed within.
He could almost hear the air itself screaming in terror wherever this arrow of energy passed, like a seasoned predator rushing single-mindedly towards its prey without regard for the destruction caused during its rampage.
Zhao Yunxiao remained still, not bothering to dodge out of the way even as he sensed this fearsome arrow of energy descending upon them.
He was certain... certain that the arrow would never hit him.
The next moment, this fearsome arrow of energy passed his head by less than five centimetres, entering through the gap in the water shell to strike the roaring sky lion right before his eyes.
Pierce-!
The arrow of energy entered between the sky lion's eyes, exited from the back through its thick blue mane, and continued on its way towards the rock structure that was further behind. In fact, its speed hardly even decreased as it passed through the sky lion's body.
Boom-!
Behind the sky lion, the rock structure started to collapse upon being struck. But in the foreground, it was as though time had stopped for the sky lion itself.
The white lion did not move a muscle, remaining completely still for a good few seconds.
And then, its massive body finally fell forward, landing on the ground with a loud thud. Around it, what remained of the water shell similarly fell to the ground as harmless water, promptly washing away the small trickle of blood that had escaped from both ends of the head of this once-majestic creature.
Huu-!
Tension draining from his body, Zhao Yunxiao let out a deep sigh of relief as he, too, fell backwards to land flat on his back.