"I'll handle the distraction, March, you provide cover. Stelle, seize the moment to deliver a fatal blow to this Abundance creature. We must end this fight as quickly as possible to minimize damage. Understood?"
Welt outlined a simple battle plan and nodded to Master Gongshu. The latter understood, then strode confidently out from behind cover, heading toward the Abundant Ebon Deer guarding the roots of the Ambrosial Arbor.
Watching Master Gongshu's retreating figure, a trace of worry flickered in March 7th's eyes.
"Uncle Yang, is it really okay to let Master Gongshu act as bait?"
At her words, Welt sighed. It wasn't that he wanted Master Gongshu to take on the role of bait.
However, the old man had insisted that, as a member of the Artisanship Commission, how could he stand by silently while outsiders risked their lives for the Commission's interests?
Unable to dissuade him, Welt had no choice but to agree, allowing the defenseless old man to serve as bait to distract the Abundant Ebon Deer.
"Now's not the time for this, March. Get ready." Watching Master Gongshu approach the Abundant Ebon Deer step by step, Welt gripped his cane tightly, ready to channel imaginary energy for a restraining attack at any moment.
"Hey! Beast, over here!"
Master Gongshu shouted at the Abundant Ebon Deer, then bolted in another direction without pause.
"Roar!"
As expected, Master Gongshu's actions successfully drew the Abundant Ebon Deer's attention. With a furious roar, several plant-like Abundance constructs sprouted around it. The constructs lashed out with vine whips, striking toward Master Gongshu's frail frame.
"Holy—!" The move caught Master Gongshu off guard. He had assumed the Abundant Ebon Deer would excel in close combat like the Kui Mulang, but instead, it summoned minions and unleashed vine whips—completely unfair!
Facing the onslaught of vine whips, Master Gongshu rolled, narrowly dodging the constructs' attacks. He scrambled to his feet and kept running, but the constructs' assault didn't relent.
The sharp vine whips curved in midair, continuing to lash at Master Gongshu's back with such ferocious force that they seemed intent on ending his life in one strike.
"This is bad, bad!"
Master Gongshu gritted his teeth, exerting every ounce of strength he had, desperately weaving through the vine whips. But the old man was well past his prime, his stamina far from what it once was. After dodging a few attacks, he finally ran out of energy and collapsed, panting heavily on the ground.
Whoosh—!
As the vine whip descended, about to strike Master Gongshu, a pink-blue shield materialized out of thin air, enveloping the old man.
Bang! Bang!
The vine whips collided with the shield, producing a muffled sound.
"What strength." March 7th stared in shock at the cracks forming in the shield she had conjured with the power of Preservation, her eyes widening. The shield she'd crafted was so fragile against this beast!
"March, focus!"
Welt barked, then swung his cane forcefully. Several void rifts formed around the Abundant Ebon Deer, restricting its movements.
"Come taste this lady's power!"
March 7th gathered icy arrows, then leaped into the air, drawing her bow and firing.
Swish, swish, swish!!
The icy arrows split in midair, transforming into hundreds of ice shards that rained down on the Abundant Ebon Deer. In mere moments, the deer and its constructs were frozen in place.
"Stelle!"
"Got it! In the name of Preservation!" Stelle raised her baseball bat, shouting as the power of Preservation surged around it. In an instant, the bat transformed into a massive hammer, crashing down on the Abundant Ebon Deer's head, shattering it to pieces.
"We did it!" "Nice work."
March 7th cheered, rushing forward to grab Stelle's arm. Welt nodded approvingly at Stelle.
"The Trailblazers live up to their reputation. I'm impressed!" Master Gongshu, still shielded by the pink barrier, clasped his hands toward the trio, his tone filled with admiration.
"Hehe, Master Gongshu, you're too kind. We Trailblazers… Watch out!"
March 7th drew her bowstring, firing an arrow behind Master Gongshu.
The arrow grazed his temple, clipping a few strands of white hair, before striking an Abundance construct attempting a sneak attack from behind.
"How is this possible? Wasn't that deer already dead? Why are these constructs still attacking?"
"No, it's not dead… Is this the power of Abundance?" Welt stared intently at the headless Abundant Ebon Deer, gripping his cane tightly as the power of the black hole within it began to stir faintly.
"No way, that's possible?"
In March 7th's view, the roots of the Ambrosial Arbor entwining the Creation Furnace glowed brilliantly. A surge of vibrant life force emanated from the roots, flowing into the Abundant Ebon Deer's body.
Energy pulsed through the headless deer, and the shattered head, frozen in ice, began to regrow.
"This… this is too much! I've heard of limb regeneration, but head regeneration?" March 7th clawed at her hair in frustration, then looked to Welt, as if seeking his opinion.
"This isn't looking good. At this rate, killing it a few more times won't help. Let's retreat for now and come up with a plan."
With that, Welt swung his cane again, conjuring more void rifts to temporarily trap the Abundant Ebon Deer.
"Retreat!"
— — — —
Meanwhile, at the Seat of Divine Foresight…
"Sipping cool water, watching the simmering dust. No means to hold a bowl, to send to the tea lover."
Reciting an ancient poem, Jing Yuan lifted the freshly brewed red tea from the table.
Swish, swish, swish…
Pouring two cups and handing one to Fu Xuan across from him, the Divine General took his own cup and sipped it gently.
"Mmm, good tea, good tea!"
Across from Jing Yuan, our Master Diviner Fu Xuan was inwardly grinding her teeth. The scene before her felt all too familiar.
"General, if you have something to say, speak plainly. Please don't waste time here."
"You should know that right now, whether it's the Divination Commission or the other Six Charioteers, everything is in chaos. And you, the General, have the leisure to sit here drinking tea! I—I'll write to Marshal Hua and have him strip you of your General's title!"
Fu Xuan's heart burned with frustration. She was swamped with work, yet this man had the gall to sip tea.
"Hahaha, calm down, Lady Fu. This time, I do have a request for you. Please, bear with me."
"What is it?" At his words, Fu Xuan slightly suppressed her anger, her cute face set in a pout as she asked.
"Hahaha, no rush, no rush. Let me finish this cup of tea first."
Fu Xuan: "…"