Lizarius on the ground, golden eyes glowing, watched as Wu Jian tunneled easily through the earth toward him, the ground trembling with his approach.
Suddenly, the earth on both sides of Lizarius sprang up—slamming shut like a massive book.
But Lizarius reacted instantly.
Lightning crackled along his scales as he unfurled his wings and launched himself backward, narrowly escaping as the slabs of stone clapped together with devastating force.
From above, countless Qi swords rained down toward him.
He twisted midair, moving like a streak of lightning, dodging them all with inhuman precision.
Li Zhao Ling hovered above, controlling the swords with her will, her expression dark.
> "Damn it… All we're doing is stalling. None of our attacks are doing any real damage."
Through sound transmission, she called out to Lin Hao:
> "Elder Hao, how's the formation coming along?"
Above behind, Li Hao float surrounded by glowing formation flags, each humming with spiritual energy.
> "The array is nearly complete," he replied. "Give it a little more time. Once it activates—stay clear. Get too close, and you risk being pulled in. This formation doesn't just trap—it devours. Exposure isn't just dangerous—it could leave you crippled… or worse."
Suddenly, Lizarius slammed his claws into the earth.
Massive earth spikes erupted, launching straight at Li Feng Wei.
Feng Wei reacted swiftly, his blade slicing through the spikes with sharp precision. But more followed, erupting in waves.
Some hovered just above the ground—then veered back toward Lizarius like homing spears.
The lizard dodged effortlessly, spinning through the air—when suddenly, a vortex of water began forming in his maw.
A high-pitched whine cut through the air as he released the spinning jet of compressed water at Li Feng Wei.
> "Water element too?!" Feng Wei's eyes narrowed. "This beast… how many elements dose it wiel?"
He didn't hesitate.
Activating the First Form of the Blazing Dragon Three Form Blade, his sword ignited in a roaring blaze. He swung, cleaving into the water jet.
The collision created a massive explosion of steam, blanketing the entire battlefield in white mist.
Silence.
Tension.
Lizarius had vanished.
Li Zhao Ling scanned the battlefield, her spiritual senses flaring, eyes glowing.
> to think It can use the water element as well? I've never heard of a creature that can wield this many…
> "I can't sense it… just like before…"
> "Where did it go? I can't sense its presence… just like before it's gone invisible again
Her eyes suddenly widened in horror.
> "Don't tell me—"
But it was already too late.
In the Lizarius reappeared—directly behind Li Hao, golden eyes gleaming with cunning.
His tail lashed forward like a spear—fast, lethal.
> "I must kill him before he traps me with another of that formation."
The tail slammed through Lin Hao's back, exiting clean through his chest. His eyes widened, blood spilling from his mouth.
Lizarius tilted his head slightly, puzzled.
> "No defensive talisman… unlike the others?"
Suddenly, before he could finish the thought, a burst of spiritual energy erupted from Lin Hao's body, blasting Lizarius backward..
Though bloodied, Hao turned to face the beast, his body trembling face pale, but alive. His robes torn, chest bleeding—but his spirit burned brighter than ever.
Lizarius flickered into full visibility, hovering in the air beside him.
Above, Li Zhao Ling turned sharply.
She saw them—both of them—floating midair, bloodied and locked in a deadly moment.
Rage surged through her.
She seized two Qi swords in each hand, ready to strike.
But just as she moved—
> "Stay back, Elder Zhao Ling! Don't come any closer!
> "The formation has reached full completion—it's only a second away from activating. If you don't move now, you'll be pulled in!"
> "Under normal circumstances, this injury wouldn't be fatal. I could recover with time and cleanse the poison through cultivation. But right now, we don't have much time. If we keep forcing ourselves into battle like this, we'll fall—one after another."
Zhao Ling froze midair.
> "He's right… We haven't landed a single fatal blow. All we've done is scratch its scales…"
Li Hao's voice was calm, but grim.
> "The situation's no different for me. Regardless, I will activate the formation from within. You'd do well to move away—before it's too late."
Spiritual energy began to pour from his body like a tidal wave.
The very air trembled.
Zhao Ling clenched her jaw—but turned, retreating instantly, distancing herself.
As she retreated, her eyes didn't leave the lizard.
> "This might be our only chance to seriously wound it" Hao thought, as his spiritual pressure surged.