The lizard suddenly appeared in front of her face, biting down on her barrier.
CLANG!
The barrier held up, but Li Zhao Ling knew it wouldn't last.
Dammit! If it keeps attacking like this, I don't think the talisman will hold! she thought, her grip tightening.
She swung her sword, slashing down at the lizard—but it moved like lightning, easily dodging and reappearing behind her.
With a whip of its tail, it struck straight at her back.
CLANG!
Its tail slammed into the barrier.
Li Zhao Ling ground her teeth, straining to control her flying swords to fight back.
I just need to hold out until the Grand Elder arrives!
But the lizard was too fast. It danced through the air, easily avoiding her strikes, and launched another brutal attack.
Crap! I can't even land a hit! It's too fast!
Lightning crackled around it as it struck again and again. She couldn't react—each blow drove her backward. Cracks began to appear on the barrier. They spread like spiderwebs, until—
KRSHHH!
Shatter! The barrier broke apart.
Li Zhao Ling's eyes widened. She raised both arms, covering her body with spiritual energy.
Now that the talisman's gone… there's no escape. I'm going to die!
The lizard, wreathed in lightning, lunged toward her, jaws wide open—aimed straight for her head
Just as it was about to bite down—
A black pan suddenly appeared out of nowhere floating in front of it.
Lizarius's golden eyes widened in surprise. He instantly swung his wings and zipped backward, narrowly avoiding a head-on collision with the pan. He stared at it.
He stared at the object, blinking. "A… pot?"
The system voice echoed in his mind:
> System: It is a spiritual artifact: the Black Iron Pan.
A mid-tier Earth Grade defensive artifact, forged from 5,000-year-old black iron. Capable of blocking the attacks of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Spiritual artifact? What's that? Lizarius thought, confusion flashing through his mind. I don't have any memories of that.
The system responded again, informative and calm:
> System: A spiritual artifact, or spiritual tool, is an object forged or created using rare materials.
These artifacts are crafted through specialized processes and serve various purposes—combat, defense, mobility, or support.
The quality of an artifact depends on its refinement method and the rarity of its materials.
As the lizard hovered, wary turned, golden eyes narrowing as he locked onto the newcomer—Li Tianyuan, flying swiftly toward Li Zhao Ling.
Lucky he came in time, she thought, heart pounding. If he'd been even a second later, I would've been dead.
The pan floated over to Li Tianyuan, taking its place beside him. He glanced at the lizard.
Lizarius returning his gaze
So, it is the one with the pot.
"For A demonic beast at the 3rd Layer of Foundation Establishment… not only capable of killing cultivators at the same level, but even someone just a layer higher couldn't fight back—and was nearly killed
Without even taking a real injury—"
He studied Lizarius his eyes narrowed.
noting just the few scratches on the it's scales.
Its defense… must rival that of a mid-tier earth-grade spiritual tool.