In an incredibly short amount of time, two second-tier Golden Python Monkeys had been slain in succession, finally drawing the attention of the entire troop. A group of second-tier Golden Python Monkeys charged forward, enraged, aiming to kill the two intruders.
Wei Xuyuan's expression grew serious as he summoned all his true essence, activating his sword pill to unleash a full-powered strike, killing a second second-tier Golden Python Monkey before breaking out of the encirclement.
At this moment, he glanced back to find Elian wielding the Fiery Void Sword with deadly precision, killing three second-tier lower-grade Golden Python Monkeys in rapid succession.
"Hiss—" Wei Xuyuan inhaled sharply, realizing just how potent Elian's true essence was—sharp and dense, on par with a ninth-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. Moreover, the Fiery Void Sword in Elian's hand was a top-tier celestial sword of extraordinary quality.
With a clang, Elian, after slaying three second-tier lower-grade Golden Python Monkeys, broke free of the encirclement. His sword energy shifted midair, narrowly dodging a streak of golden light, and his expression turned grave.
"Roar—" A second-tier upper-grade Golden Python Monkey bellowed in fury. This monkey had used its innate magic to launch a surprise attack. The spell's immense power was such that, if it had landed, even a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator's physical body would have been gravely injured.
Seeing its attack miss, the Golden Python Monkey howled in frustration, wasting its magical power. It led thirteen other second-tier Golden Python Monkeys in another assault.
Despite the ambush that had allowed them to kill five lower-grade second-tier Golden Python Monkeys, the fight was far from over, with the remaining beasts still posing a significant challenge.
Wei Xuyuan's expression grew heavier.
"There are still thirteen left—stay alert."
Though their numbers were reduced, the majority of the remaining Golden Python Monkeys were mid- to late-stage Foundation Establishment, each capable of posing a substantial threat.
The two upper-grade Golden Python Monkeys roared in unison. They launched magical attacks while charging in close to engage in physical combat, leveraging their formidable strength.
Naturally, Elian and Wei Xuyuan avoided head-on collisions. They employed swift movement techniques to evade while using their artifacts to harass their attackers.
After around thirty exchanges, Elian found an opening. Activating his Heavenly Flame Sword Art, he unleashed a fierce strike, forcing back one of the upper-grade Golden Python Monkeys. He then seized the opportunity to wield the Fiery Void Sword, cleaving a mid-grade second-tier Golden Python Monkey in half.
"Roar—" Seeing another of their kind fall, the Golden Python Monkey leader facing Elian finally lost its composure. Opening its maw, it spat out a second-tier upper-grade beast core.
"Good timing!" Elian sneered, summoning the Purple Radiant Mirror. This artifact was designed specifically to counter beast cores. Previously, Elian's cultivation had been insufficient to fully unleash its potential. Now, with his true essence on par with a ninth-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, the artifact's power exceeded its usual limits by 30%.
A beam of purple light shone forth, striking the beast core and forcing it down. Elian swiftly moved to capture it, stowing the core away.
For a beast, its core was vital. Seeing it taken, the Golden Python Monkey leader staggered, nearly collapsing. Without its core, its power diminished significantly, with its magical strength halved, leaving it no match for Elian.
Sensing the advantage, Elian raised the Nine Deflection Bell above his head, ignoring the desperate attacks of several second-tier Golden Python Monkeys. He continuously swung the Fiery Void Sword, aiming to finish off the now-weakened upper-grade Golden Python Monkey.
Just as Elian was about to secure victory, a streak of silver light suddenly shot toward him.
"Not good, an artifact!" Elian's expression changed sharply as he hastily swung the Fiery Void Sword to intercept the silver light. However, as soon as the sword connected, Elian recognized the artifact's nature and knew trouble was imminent. He tried to redirect the sword but was too late.
The silver light materialized into a pale silver bracelet that emitted a magnetic radiance, locking the Fiery Void Sword in place. Even this top-tier celestial sword struggled to break free.
"This isn't good," Elian muttered as a sinking feeling gripped his heart. The bracelet was made of Magnetic Treasure Gold, a third-tier material found only in fourth-tier Metal veins.
It contained yin-yang magnetic forces that specifically countered metal-element artifacts. Even the most exceptional celestial swords and treasures couldn't easily escape its grasp once ensnared.
"How could a mere second-tier beast possess such an artifact?" Elian's expression darkened. Reflexively, he activated the Heavenly Flame Sword Art, launching a fiery strike to recover the Fiery Void Sword.
However, the enemy was no ordinary foe. The attacker was a unique second-tier Golden Python Monkey with a purple mark on its forehead, its aura far surpassing that of ordinary upper-grade second-tier beasts. This beast was clearly highly intelligent and on the cusp of reaching the Purple Mansion stage.
With a sinister grin, the beast swung a second-tier upper-grade iron staff artifact toward Elian. The blow dimmed the artifact's light but successfully neutralized the Heavenly Flame Sword's power.
Not stopping there, the beast activated its innate ability, unleashing a torrent of purple-gold light, known as the Purple-Gold Disruptive Slashing Light. The technique manifested as countless tiny beams resembling swords, tearing through space to strike Elian's Nine Deflection Bell, causing ripples across its surface.
Fortunately, the Nine Deflection Bell was a top-tier defensive treasure of its grade and managed to withstand the attack.
"What a formidable beast," Elian muttered, his expression grave. With the Fiery Void Sword restrained, and surrounded by multiple second-tier beasts alongside this powerful opponent, he was nearing his limits.
Taking a deep breath, he called out, "Daoist Wei, leave this one to me—hold off the others!"
"Understood," Wei Xuyuan replied loudly. Facing seven or eight second-tier beasts on his own, he summoned his prized treasure, the Yin-Yang Treasure Vase.
This treasure was Wei Xuyuan's ultimate weapon, containing interwoven fire and water energies capable of unleashing a devastating technique. Suspended in the air, the vase poured forth Yin-Yang Destruction Energy, instantly reducing a group of first-tier beasts to ash.
While handling so many opponents strained his true essence, Wei Xuyuan understood that holding the line was crucial to creating an opening.
With most enemies occupied, Elian focused on the purple-marked Golden Python Monkey. Deploying the Nine Deflection Bell to block the beast's attacks, he unleashed the Purple Sun Cauldron, which poured down a torrent of flames.
The purple-marked Golden Python Monkey refrained from using its beast core, wary of Elian's Purple Radiance Mirror. Instead, it spun its iron staff, generating several feet of energy to repel the surging flames.
...
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