Chapter 674 - 318: Encirclement and Attack on the Fire Armadillo (2)

But Ao Yunlie and the others were not unprepared as Qu Zhaixing suddenly shouted to the sky:

"Form the array!"

It turned out that these spells attacking were merely a feint, as they had already set up a grand array under Qu Zhaixing’s lead around this deep pit!

Eight-direction Mountain Imprisonment Array!

Bright square circles appeared beneath the feet and above the head of the Fire Armadillo, overlapping instantly to form a star with eight edges. The Fire Armadillo’s movements were immediately halted, trapped on the ground by this star as if caught by an unbreakable rope.

At the same time, the spells and magical treasures followed suit, smashing onto the Fire Armadillo and raising clouds of dust.

"Success!"

Someone in the crowd shouted excitedly, but those who showed joy did not notice that although the Fire Armadillo was trapped in place, receiving the baptism of countless spells, it did not utter a single cry of pain.

"Second round!"

The Little Saint Heir was amazed by the Fire Armadillo’s tough skin and flesh, waving his hands in a flurry while issuing commands.

Huo Ranhua, however, had not made a move and was standing in the distance. She glanced at You Su and sent a message:

"Sorry to trouble you, Mr. You."

You Su, situated not far from her, nodded his head upon hearing this.

Only then did Huo Ranhua feel relieved. She assumed a flower-picking gesture with her hands. Tiny dewdrops began to condense from her fingertips, and behind her appeared phantom blooms in clusters.

This was her master, Venerable Huayin’s exclusive skill, ’Flower Seal Skill’. Though learned by a delicate woman, it was a notorious Fierce Seal Skill. It is said that should Venerable Huayin unleash this seal to its fullest, an entire city would be reduced to ruins.

But performing such a powerful skill comes with extremely harsh costs, requiring a lengthy period of brewing. The caster must concentrate wholly on absorbing the essence of plants and trees, as well as the Profound Qi of heaven and earth, leaving no room for distraction. This was precisely why Huo Ranhua asked You Su to act as her guardian.

The Fire Armadillo continued to try and break free from the restraints of the array, letting out an ear-piercing roar that tore through the clouds.

The second round of spells followed swiftly, even more formidable than the first. Many wielded dazzling hues of colorful light. This time, attacks were not confined to the pouring out of Profound Qi; the ground sprouted spikes, jarring sound waves, and corrosive toxins abounded.

The Fire Armadillo seemed to sense the threat, its howling ceased, and its massive body leaned backward, as if poised to escape.

The Little Saint Heir, sharp-eyed and decisive, shouted, "Release!"

All sorts of attacks descended upon the giant beast like shooting stars. The Fire Armadillo struggled, trying to curl up into a ball, protected by its water-fire-resistant scales.

Its fierce reaction excited the attackers who thought their efforts had worked. But in the next instant, the Fire Armadillo suddenly opened its mouth, releasing an earth-shattering roar. A violent wave dispersed most of the spells, and from its mouth spewed forth a terrifying dragon of fire, aiming directly at the Little Saint Heir!

"It’s not frightened! It’s gathering its strength!"

Ao Yunlie’s expression was grave. He instantly grasped the situation and prepared to rescue the cultivators being targeted by the massive column of fire.

But the fire dragon was too ferocious, warping the air as it advanced.

The targeted cultivators felt an invisible oppression, nearly suffocating, with no hope of escape in sight.

Under such pressure, only a few kept their wits about them. The Little Saint Heir immediately summoned a solid earth wall as a shield, while reinforcements from Beiao Continent’s cultivators arrived.

An additional layer of thick snow was added to the wall, like a heavy bulwark standing before the endless snowy mountains.

But after all, they were only in the Condensed Water Realm, how could they compare with a divine beast wielding pure elemental power, with a strength comparable to the Middle Feather Transformation Realm.

The bulwark soon began to crumble and melt, but at least it bought precious time for the cultivators behind it.

Yet someone in the group was so frightened they shouted:

"Rip the invite and run!"

Then, many pale-faced cultivators regained their senses, pulling out and tearing up invitations, disappearing in an instant without a trace.

Lu Jie, meanwhile, was casting a spell to try interrupting the Fire Armadillo’s breath. Seeing this, he cursed angrily, feeling that these human cultivators were indeed cowardly and weak.

"Spread out!"

Ao Yunlie also charged in, veins bulging, and unleashed the Lion’s Roar Skill that had previously repelled Ming Dao, unexpectedly halting the fire dragon’s onslaught.

At that moment, a crystal drop landed on You Su’s eyelash, and he looked up in a daze.

The long-awaited heavy rain finally came pouring down!

The cultivators from other directions also reacted. Though the Fire Armadillo’s breath was powerful, it had made itself a sitting target, so spells continued to rain down upon it.

The sky dimmed towards evening, and the rain intensified. With the concerted efforts of several Water Condensation Perfection cultivators, they managed to limit the casualties caused by the fire column. Whether exhausted or fearing the rain, the Fire Armadillo’s breath gradually ceased.

The rain fell, evaporating into thick steam within the Fire Armadillo’s scorching mouth. Its eyes were ablaze with fury, almost substantive. At this moment, the Eight-direction Imprisonment Array ran out of Profound Qi and crumbled instantly like foam.

"Scatter!"

Ao Yunlie commanded, causing all the cultivators to flee in all directions.

This was by no means because they were afraid, but rather a long-discussed strategy!

Divine beasts are, in the end, beasts. In terms of intelligence, they can’t compare to the human race. Thoroughly enraged, the Fire Armadillo ignored patching the hole and instead focused on obliterating these irritating insects.

While the Fire Armadillo was drawn by their hatred, the team hidden in the corner, ready to delve into the pit and seek treasure, had the opportunity to slip in!

From a distance on the battlefield, Ji Xueruo glanced at the side of You Su, an uneasy feeling stirring within her, muttering:

"Please hold on..."

In the next moment, she blended into the crowd that bent over and quietly wormed into the pit.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, the battle had truly reached a fever pitch.

The ranged troops were routed by the Fire Armadillo’s charge, leading to the deployment of the melee troops.

Ao Yunlie took the lead, wielding a wolf-toothed club, rumored to have teeth taken from the mouths of his former prey.

He had identified the Fire Armadillo’s weak points long ago. The beast was armored all over, except for its eyes, which could not be shielded. Using his incredible speed, he entangled with the Fire Armadillo’s head, prompting others like the Little Saint Heir to follow suit.

"We can’t give it a chance to breathe!" Ao Yunlie roared, fully aware of the risks in this strategy. If the Fire Armadillo were to prepare its breath again at such close range, they’d have no time to tear the invitations.

You Su also knew he couldn’t stand idle. As a distraction, he kept attacking the Fire Armadillo’s back, though it was as ineffective as scratching an itch through a boot.

Finally overwhelmed, the Fire Armadillo let out a piercing roar, ripping the surrounding air apart and forcing everyone to retreat.

Their expressions changed as the Fire Armadillo suddenly turned its focus on Huo Ranhua, who had been charging up!

Evidently, it had perceived the greatest threat!

Luckily, at that moment, Huo Ranhua opened her eyes, her delicate face resolute, and her voice rang like celestial music:

"Blossom!"

The phantasmal sea of flowers behind her turned solid, transforming into flower rain made of Profound Qi, falling like meteorites in the nighttime rain.

Their movement contained a mysterious pattern, forming something akin to an array or spell and converging into a tangible seal, pressing down upon the Fire Armadillo.

Even You Su couldn’t help but marvel, among cultivators of the same realm, this was undoubtedly the most potent single strike he had ever witnessed!

This was a thorough annihilation array!

With the descent of the Flower Seal Skill, Ao Yunlie ordered the final offensive.

The Water Condensation Perfection prodigies unleashed their ultimate moves, causing a commotion akin to an earthquake.

The rising dust obscured all visibility of the Fire Armadillo’s condition, yet You Su, previously passive, suddenly widened his eyes!

Qu Zhaixing indeed shifted his stance!

Wait... his target wasn’t Huo Ranhua but Ao Yunlie!