Free Web NovelChapter 359: Chapter 179: Phase Three
The battle had entered a new phase.
Dongfang Zhen’s Dharma Aspect was majestic as he formed hand seals for his Thunder Skill. A relentless barrage of falling lightning and thunderous slashes hammered Balan, forcing it to divert some of its attention and arms to fend them off.
Lin Ye, on the other hand, used his incredible speed with Instant Body and explosive close-range spear attacks to inflict terrifying damage on Balan.
Balan’s eight molten tentacles brandished giant weapons, weaving a dense, inescapable web of death.
Each swing of its burning great-axe unleashed a wave of scorching wind hot enough to melt stone. The thrusts of its razor-sharp spear were as fast as lightning.
These attacks were absolutely lethal! A direct hit would maim; a mere graze would kill!
Lin Ye’s figure weaved through the flashes of blades and the shadows of axes, each dodge a hair’s breadth from death.
His footholds were constantly shifting, and every time he was about to lose momentum and fall, a Flying Sword would appear in the perfect spot, just when he needed it.
Lin Ye led the main assault while Dongfang Zhen supported from the side, harassing the beast.
Meanwhile, Zhang Daoxuan remained laser-focused, constantly observing the shifting battlefield. He had become the stage manager for this incredibly difficult aerial assault!
The entire subterranean cavern was shaking violently. Huge chunks of rock broke free from the ceiling, plunging into the churning lava below and sending up splashes several meters high.
The acrid stench of sulfur was so thick it stung the nostrils, and every breath felt like inhaling fire.
In this life-or-death struggle, the trio’s coordination reached a level of unprecedented ingenuity.
Zhang Daoxuan’s Sword Control Technique demonstrated an incredibly solid foundation.
At first, he struggled to keep up with Lin Ye’s absurd speed. Several times, the Flying Swords barely arrived in time, forcing Lin Ye to land on just the hilt.
But he quickly adapted to the rhythm.
His gaze remained locked on Lin Ye, his mind becoming one with the twelve Flying Swords.
BOOM!
Lin Ye’s form abruptly blurred as he activated Instant Body!
In the exact instant Lin Ye vanished, Zhang Daoxuan’s pupils contracted. Relying on an almost instinctual premonition, his thoughts raced.
A Flying Sword instantly shot across the cavern, appearing at Lin Ye’s destination point just before he materialized!
Lin Ye’s figure solidified, his right foot landing squarely on the flat of the blade. Without a moment’s hesitation, he launched himself forward again. The Star-Piercing Spear in his hand traced a brilliant golden arc as it viciously stabbed into the joint of one of Balan’s arms.
PFFT!
The tyrannical Flowing Gang erupted, and the molten giant’s arm visibly stiffened.
Balan finally realized that the human hiding in the distance, the one whose attack power was almost negligible, was the linchpin of this entire battle!
It let out a furious roar. Ignoring Lin Ye and Dongfang Zhen right in front of it, two of its arms suddenly flung their weapons. The molten great-sword and spear shot from its grasp, transforming into two streams of fire hurtling toward Zhang Daoxuan on the distant cavern wall!
"Look out!"
Dongfang Zhen roared, and a thick bolt of lightning descended from above, precisely striking the great-sword and shattering it to pieces.
But the spear continued to whistle through the air, undeterred.
Zhang Daoxuan’s face paled. He kicked hard off the wall, launching his body away and narrowly avoiding the fatal strike.
The spear plunged deep into the rock face where he had just been, the terrifying heat instantly turning the surrounding stone cherry-red.
Now in mid-air, he immediately maneuvered a Flying Sword beneath his feet to steady himself.
But his face was already flushed from the cavern’s intense heat. His lips were chapped, and any sweat that formed on his skin evaporated instantly.
’An opening!’
The moment Balan was distracted by its attack on Zhang Daoxuan, a cold glint flashed in Lin Ye’s eyes.
’Instant Body!’
His speed broke its limits once more. He became an uncatchable streak of light, instantly closing the distance to Balan’s chest.
All of his power, all of his Gang Sha, converged on the very tip of the Star-Piercing Spear!
SQUELCH—!
With unstoppable resolve, the Star-Piercing Spear once again plunged through the old wound, piercing straight through Balan’s body. For the second time, it struck true, accurately plunging into the heavily guarded Furnace Core!
"ROOOOAR—!!!"
Balan let out a mournful cry that shook the very heavens and earth as its life force began to fade at an astonishing rate.
But even after suffering such a fatal blow, it was still not dead!
A chill ran down Lin Ye’s spine. ’As long as the core in its chest isn’t completely shattered, it won’t die!’
’Balan is too massive,’ he thought. ’My attacks are only thrusts. Without repeated strikes, trying to shatter its enormous core in one go is nearly impossible!’
At the same time, the churning lava below had risen to its peak, leaving less than three or four meters of space to the ceiling. The entire subterranean world was about to be completely submerged.
As the cavern grew even hotter, Zhang Daoxuan, in the distance, could no longer hold on. His body went limp, and he tumbled off his Flying Sword.
The continuous, high-intensity focus required for Sword Control had severely depleted his Spiritual Power.
With the sudden spike in temperature, he was already tormented to the point of near-dehydration and had fallen unconscious.
At almost the exact same moment, the light of the Thunder Monarch Dharma Aspect surrounding Dongfang Zhen flickered violently, its powerful aura rapidly diminishing.
His spiritual energy was also severely overdrawn. His face was as pale as paper, and he was running on willpower alone.
Seeing this, Lin Ye didn’t hesitate for a second.
He yanked out the Star-Piercing Spear, kicked off Balan’s chest, and used the momentum to launch himself backward.
"You two, get out of here!"
He grabbed the falling Zhang Daoxuan as he roared at Dongfang Zhen.
Dongfang Zhen forced himself steady and looked at the Molten Demon Lord. Though grievously wounded, it was still terrifyingly imposing, and his eyes filled with worry.
"Go!"
Lin Ye’s voice was firm and resolute, leaving no room for argument.
"It’s not going to survive! This whole place is coming down! Get out and wait for me!"
Before the words had even left his mouth, he tossed the unconscious Zhang Daoxuan toward Dongfang Zhen.
