We see a talisman stuck to the lizard's wing, glowing brightly—then detonating in a massive explosion.
Earlier, Li Tianyuan had not only pulled out a defensive talisman, but also a mid-tier mortal-grade explosion talisman, and had managed to stick it onto the lizard during his earlier assault.
From within the blast, a sudden burst of sharp wind cut through the smoke, dispelling the explosion. The lizard emerged, now visible, hovering above the crater left behind.
> "What was that? I didn't even see it attack..." the lizard muttered.
The system responded: "Explosion talisman, mortal grade, mid-tier."
Lizarius growled. "A talisman? So it must—"
He was cut off as Li Tianyuan lunged, reappearing in an instant before him—his spear already in motion.
Seeing the attack, lightning crackled across the lizard's scales as he moved like a bolt of lightning, dodging the swing. He reappeared at Li Tianyuan's side, jaws wide open.
CLANG!
His fangs slammed into the pan shield, sparks flying as Tianyuan's spear pierced toward him like a streak of lightning.
The lizard dodged again, their movements relentless as they clashed—lightning and wind colliding in a blur.
Li Tianyuan struck again. The lizard blocked with his wings, but the force sent him flying.
> "This pan… it's strong. My strikes can't break it. I'll have to go around it."
Spreading his wings, the lizard whipped his tail, launching golden scales that tore through the air.
Li Tianyuan raised his pan, blocking the barrage as golden sparks showered the ground.
The lizard's glowing golden eyes narrowed as he landed, claws dragging along the earth. He raised both front limbs and slammed them down—
The ground quaked as massive earthen spikes erupted, rushing toward Tianyuan.
Gripping his spear, now surging with energy, Tianyuan swung it in a wide arc, releasing a blade of force that cleaved through the incoming spikes.
In that moment, lightning sparked once more across Lizarius body.
He flapped his wings, vanishing—then reappeared instantly through the debris, right in front of Li Tianyuan.
His eyes widened in surprise, but he reacted fast, raising the pan again to block—
—but the lizard feinted. At the last second, he zipped behind Tianyuan like a lightning strike.
Tianyuan caught the movement in the corner of his eye. "Hmm. A feint."
He spun, swinging his spear backward—but struck only air.
"Another feint?" he thought, eyes narrowing—
Too late. The lizard was already below. Jaws open wide.
CLANG!
His teeth slammed into something—
A thin barrier had wrapped around Tianyuan's entire body.
> "So it was aiming for my leg. Good thing I used a talisman earlier."
Tightening his grip on the spear, Tianyuan swung downward with force. The spear crackled with lightning as it pierced toward the lizard.
But the lizard bit down hard.
CRACK!
The barrier shattered.
Tianyuan's eyes widened as Lizarius
fangs sank into his flesh, tearing clean through. Blood sprayed as the beast ripped off his leg—
—and vanished, reappearing like a bolt of lightning far away, Tianyuan's severed leg clamped in its jaws.