Chapter 202: Adhere to; hold fast to; stand fast by

Chapter 202: Adhere to; hold fast to; stand fast by

As the fierce flames approached, the crazed single-horned green-scaled python showed no intention of avoiding it. The snake first leaned back to gather strength, then suddenly lunged downward, spewing out a blast of icy wind.

Under the force of the icy wind, a stream of cold air formed and rushed straight towards Yuan Ming.

The blazing fireball surged upwards against the cold air, evaporating the cold wind instantly and creating a large amount of white mist, obscuring Yuan Ming’s vision.

But in the next moment, a fiery red sun lit up within the white mist.

The intense firelight expanded dramatically, rapidly growing from a small fireball to a dazzling wall of fire. Countless flames scattered and splattered, evaporating all the mist.

In the bright firelight, the body of the single-horned green-scaled python burst open, shattering into countless pieces that shot out in all directions.

Even the mountain of savage beast corpses was blasted open, with shattered remains of savage beasts scattered everywhere.

The beast horde that was charging from behind was inevitably impacted, and some of the savage beasts, who were not particularly strong, were pierced by the strong impact and flying bone fragments, resulting in casualties.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Yuan Ming once again manipulated the black needles to charge into the beast horde, quickly resolving the situation.

After this wave, Yuan Ming staggered and couldn’t help but feel weak, as if both his mana and physical strength had been drained.

He quickly took out a pill and swallowed it, while also holding a spirit stone in one hand to rapidly restore his mana.

After a moment, Yuan Ming suddenly frowned and looked up at the sky.

The densely packed horde of beasts above suddenly began to become chaotic, with some savage beasts and birds of prey attacking each other, engaging in a chaotic battle.

This meant that the beast-attracting incense he had released earlier was starting to lose its effect, and the next wave of the beast horde would not continue to gather here, so the danger was about to be resolved.

Before Yuan Ming could retract his gaze, the savage beasts circling above were suddenly attracted by the strong scent of blood and discovered him, diving down towards him.

Yuan Ming sighed and had no choice but to once again control the black needles and swiftly attack.

At present, controlling the black needles was the most practical method of attack, as this item was delicate and consumed the least mana. With Yuan Ming’s own soul power, it was also the most convenient.

As for Yuan Ming himself, he needed to quickly restore his mana. As long as no second-level savage beasts appeared, he would try to avoid taking action in order to conserve his strength.

However, the savage beasts in the sky, especially the seven or eight scavenging vultures, clearly did not want to let him off easily.

They all scattered and continuously swooped down to attack, their agile bodies and high speed making it difficult for the black needles to be effective.

Helpless, Yuan Ming clapped the corpse-storing bag and summoned the body of the Foundation Establishment stage corpse refiner, Tian Snake.

As the corpse refiner appeared, the soul crow that Yuan Ming had left behind in the cave had also flown back without stopping, and immediately rammed into the head of the corpse refiner, merging into it.

In the next moment, a glint of light flashed in Tian Snake’s eyes, and he began to move.

Wearing a pair of black gloves on his hands, he came to stand not far from the female formation master, alert and on guard.

If the scavenging vultures were only going to eat the dead beast corpses, Yuan Ming didn’t need to worry, but if they attacked Xiying as if she were a corpse, he would immediately take action.

Even if the black needles couldn’t stop them, there was still Tian Snake, providing an additional layer of protection.

It was unknown how long had passed, but the mountain forest finally began to quiet down, with many more savage beast corpses scattered around.

Yuan Ming activated his jade belt, casting the Swift Wind Technique and Shadowless Step, his figure flashing rapidly, attempting to intercept between Elder Meng Shan and the female array master.

Elder Meng Shan remained indifferent, striking out with a palm towards Yuan Ming and said, "Once I kill you, everything will be mine."

Under the force of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, a casual palm strike was not something a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator like Yuan Ming could withstand.

Seeing a nearly transparent white palm imprint pressing through the void and hurtling towards him, Yuan Ming dared not face it head-on and hastily dodged to the side. Shocked by Elder Meng Shan’s shamelessness, Yuan Ming wasted no words, throwing out three Thunderfall Talismans towards Elder Meng Shan.

The talisman papers burned in the void, and three bolts of lightning fell from the sky, striking at Meng Shan.

He pushed his hand towards the sky, and a Bagua mirror in his palm lit up, forming a golden light barrier that blocked the attack.

The white lightning struck the golden barrier, scattering large arcs of electricity, but failed to inflict any damage.

Ultimately, Elder Meng Shan reached the female array master first. At her feet, Guoguo, the cat, suddenly bulged its eyes, its fur standing on end, but Meng Shan did not even glance at the small silver creature.

The thunderous roar of the lightning and the sparks that flew had caused a momentary glare in Meng Shan’s eyes, briefly obstructing his vision.

At that same moment, a black soul crow swooped down from a nearby tree, entering Elder Meng Shan’s brow with the speed of lightning, turning from solid to ethereal as it vanished inside.

The soul crow exploded within Elder Meng Shan’s sea of consciousness, unleashing pure soul power and causing a powerful soul shock.

Elder Meng Shan had no time to react before his body suddenly stiffened, as if he had lost control, and under the force of inertia, he toppled forward.

A flash of joy crossed Yuan Ming’s eyes. Without a moment’s delay, his figure flashed forward, and he raised his Cold Star Sword, slashing heavily towards Meng Shan’s head.

Just as the sword was about to strike, another change occurred.

"Roar..."

A roar, like that of a wild bull, erupted from behind him. The ground surged with yellow light, and huge boulders rose from beneath, colliding upwards, propelled by a powerful wave of air, striking at Yuan Ming.

Yuan Ming’s back felt as if it had been rammed by a wild bull, and he was helplessly thrown forward. The mountain tortoise, previously frozen in ice, had broken free from control and launched an attack.

The soul crow’s soul attack, though not instantly fatal, could cause damage and loss of bodily control, but only for a moment.

Disturbed by the mountain tortoise, Yuan Ming had lost the perfect opportunity to overpower and severely injure Elder Meng Shan.

He sighed inwardly, and as he tumbled to the ground, he caught a glimpse of the Bagua mirror that Elder Meng Shan had dropped. He snatched it up, pushed off the ground with both arms, leaped back to his feet, and swung his sword at Elder Meng Shan once more.

Elder Meng Shan had by then regained his senses, though blood trickled from the corner of his eyes and his eardrums were swollen, leaving him somewhat dazed.

He didn’t even understand what kind of attack he had suffered, but as Yuan Ming’s long sword slashed down, he hastily took out a pair of black hooks and swung them to meet the strike.

With a "clang," the collision of the magical instruments sent Yuan Ming flying back seven or eight zhang before he could barely steady himself, while Meng Shan remained unmoved.

Elder Meng Shan wiped the blood from the corner of his eyes, his gaze refocusing on Yuan Ming, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Meanwhile, the mountain tortoise charged over with all four legs, rushing towards them.

Caught between the two, the situation was extremely unfavorable for Yuan Ming.