Chapter 86: Battle
The roar of the Earth Fire Crystal Armored Beast shook the entire cave, and the scorching lava flow, like a bursting flood, instantly filled the narrow passage, sweeping towards Fang Hao with a temperature capable of destroying everything!
"Oh no!" Fang Hao’s pupils constricted; the power of this lava flow far exceeded ordinary fire Spells, enough to instantly melt refined iron!
He dared not take it head-on, instantly activating Shrinking the Ground to an Inch, his figure retreating rapidly like a phantom!
Boom!!!
The lava flow whistled past his back, slamming fiercely into the rock wall behind him; the hard rock was instantly melted into a huge crater, with magma splashing everywhere!
Scorching waves of heat rushed towards him, causing Fang Hao’s protective spiritual light to fluctuate violently, and a stinging sensation came from his skin.
Borrowing the momentum of the impact, he escaped towards the cave entrance even faster!
"Roar!" Seeing that the attack missed, the Earth Fire Crystal Armored Beast became even more enraged.
Its massive body was unusually agile; its four claws dug into the ground, and its dark red crystal armor made a harsh sound against the rock, like a red lightning bolt, in hot pursuit!
Opening its mouth, it unleashed another, more condensed lava fireball, blocking Fang Hao’s path forward!
A fireball blocked the path ahead, and a giant beast pursued from behind!
The cave passage was narrow, with extremely limited space for evasion!
In this critical moment, Fang Hao’s eyes sharpened, and instead of retreating, he advanced!
He deployed the exquisite footwork of the Divine Spirit Steps, his figure drifting like willow catkins, narrowly grazing the cave wall to dodge the blazing fireball!
At the same time, he unsheathed his yitian sword with his right hand and unleashed the Starfall Sword Art!
"Starfall - Army Breaker!"
The sword light surged, transforming into a brilliant, cold star, carrying an unstoppable, sharp Aura as it stabbed straight at the relatively vulnerable eye area of the Earth Fire Crystal Armored Beast!
Clang!
A crisp sound rang out!
The sword tip struck the eyelid of the Crystal Armored Beast, actually sparking a series of flames!
The crystal armor on its eyelid was also incredibly hard!
The sword’s momentum was blocked, and Fang Hao’s arm went numb!
"Such hard defense!" Fang Hao was shocked; the defensive power of this Demon Beast’s crystal armor was probably comparable to the protective Magic Treasure of a Golden Core Cultivator!
Taking this hit, the Earth Fire Crystal Armored Beast felt pain and let out a roar, its sharp claws bringing a shrill whistle that tore through the air as it swiped down at his head!
Fang Hao’s Five Elements Spirit Shield instantly condensed above his head, earth-yellow halos circulating!
Bang!
The sharp claws struck the Spirit Shield, causing the light shield to sway violently and crack!
The enormous force transmitted through the Spirit Shield caused Fang Hao’s Qi and blood to surge; he used the force to fly backward while his left hand formed a seal, and he unleashed the Vajra Seal of the Seven Absolutes Sword Seal!
A golden, brilliant seal appeared out of thin air, carrying the heavy power of suppressing demons, and smashed fiercely towards the head of the Crystal Armored Beast!
Boom!
The Vajra Seal collided with the beast’s head, producing a dull, thunderous sound!
The Crystal Armored Beast’s head was knocked to the side, and its charge slowed slightly, but it was clearly not severely injured and only became more manic!
"This won’t do! Its defense is too strong; ordinary attacks can’t break through it!" Fang Hao’s thoughts raced; he had to find its weakness!
He circled with the Crystal Armored Beast using the Divine Spirit Steps and Shrinking the Ground to an Inch, dodging lava sprays and claw swipes in the narrow cave, while simultaneously activating his Clear Spring Spirit Eyes to carefully observe the entire body of the Crystal Armored Beast.
Dividing Light Sword Shadow constantly harassed it, with streaks of sword light striking the Crystal Armored Beast, clanging loudly, but unable to leave a mark.
He occasionally used the Star Shattering Finger, attempting to find a gap in the crystal armor, but with little effect.
This Demon Beast had almost no weaknesses!
Prolonged defense leads to failure!
Fang Hao’s spiritual power was being consumed rapidly, while the Crystal Armored Beast, relying on its thick skin and the terrain, became increasingly fierce in its offensive.
A moment of slow evasion caused Fang Hao’s shoulder to be swept by the sharp claw wind; his protective spiritual light shattered, leaving several bloodstains deep enough to see bone, dripping with blood!
"Must end this quickly!" Fang Hao gritted his teeth, a flash of determination in his eyes.
He suddenly brought out the empty clarity mirror!
"Ethereal Art - Space Distortion!"
As the mirror light shone, the space in front of Fang Hao blurred and rippled!
Another lava flow spat out by the Crystal Armored Beast hit the distorted space, and its trajectory deflected, slamming into the side rock wall!
Taking this opportunity, Fang Hao retreated rapidly, putting distance between himself and the Crystal Armored Beast once again.
He noticed that every time the Crystal Armored Beast spat lava or launched a fierce attack, the inside of its wide-open maw, and a small, dark red area under its neck not covered by crystal armor, would pulse slightly!
"That is its energy core and its relatively vulnerable spot!" A sharp light flashed in Fang Hao’s eyes!
He no longer hesitated, pouring his remaining spiritual power crazily into the empty clarity mirror and the yitian sword!
"empty clarity mirror, Lock!"
The mirror light erupted again, this time not distorting, but condensing into an invisible space shackle, fully enveloping the Earth Fire Crystal Armored Beast!
The massive body of the Crystal Armored Beast suddenly stalled, its movements instantly becoming sluggish!
It roared in anger, struggling desperately, and the space shackle fluctuated violently, looking as if it were about to shatter!
But this momentary imprisonment was enough!
"Now is the time! Starfall Sword Art — Meteor Strike!"
Fang Hao merged with his sword, the yitian sword erupting with unprecedented brilliant light, and he himself transformed into a shooting star tearing through the darkness!
He integrated his slight understanding of space into his sword technique, and the speed of the sword reached its extreme, as if it had pierced through the distance of space!
The target was aimed directly at the inside of the Crystal Armored Beast’s wide-open maw and the dark red area under its neck!
"Puchi!"
The sound of a sharp blade entering flesh rang out!
The yitian sword pierced precisely into the vulnerable spot under the Crystal Armored Beast’s neck!
The terrifying Sword Qi and space-tearing power contained in the sword tip erupted instantly!
"Awoo---!!!"
The Earth Fire Crystal Armored Beast let out a heaven-shaking, miserable howl!
Its massive body twitched violently, and dark red blood gushed out like lava!
The fire elemental power within its body instantly went out of control, and the crystal armor all over its body flashed chaotically!
Having succeeded with one strike, Fang Hao immediately withdrew his sword and retreated violently!
Rumble!!!
The Earth Fire Crystal Armored Beast rolled and crashed wildly on the spot, finally letting out an unwilling whimper before collapsing with a crash, its Aura rapidly dissipating.
Its heart and energy core had been completely destroyed by that sword strike.
Silence returned to the cave, leaving only the sizzling sound of flowing lava and a heavy smell of blood.
Fang Hao leaned on his sword, kneeling on one knee, gasping for breath, his face as pale as paper.
The series of bursts just now had drained almost all of his spiritual power, especially the final, supreme strike that integrated the Concept of space, which had been an immense burden.
He quickly took out a Medicinal Pill, swallowed it, and adjusted his breathing for a moment.
Only after recovering a bit of strength did he walk forward.
The corpse of the Earth Fire Crystal Armored Beast was valuable, especially its crystal armor and the Demon Beast core inside.
Fang Hao collected them into his storage ring.
Afterward, he dared not linger; the commotion here was too great and might attract other Demon Beasts or Cultivators.
He quickly left this cave and found another extremely hidden volcanic rock crevice deep in the Lava Mountain Range.
Only after setting up layers of Restrictions did he completely relax.
"The Materials are finally gathered!" Fang Hao looked at the cold jade box and the jade bottle containing the void crystal dust in his hands, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Next was the most critical step—repairing the golden puppet!
Once successful, he would truly possess the capital to gain a foothold in this Qingzhou land!
He sat cross-legged, adjusted his state, and prepared to begin this crucial repair work.
