Encircling the Fire Armadillo

The sky was gradually shrouded in heavy dark clouds, and a damp atmosphere filled the air.

The sunset over the sea at dusk was particularly magnificent, with the intense twilight and somber gray mingling in the sky and earth. The wind began to blow fiercely, the leaves rustled, and clothes fluttered in the wind; everything around seemed to be a warning of the approaching storm.

Twenty-seven cultivators of varying appearances stood orderly before the formation, waiting for any movement to come from the deep pit.

There were eight people standing in the first row, who were the leaders of various forces whose strength was similar to that of the Little Saint Son.

It is worth mentioning that You Su, a cultivator at the Water Condensing Lower Realm, was also among them. Although he was standing at the very edge of the group, his status was clearly much higher than that of the group of cultivators at the upper level of the Water Condensing Upper Realm behind him.

"People only know that the Tian Qi Divine Mountain in the Southern Yang Continent is skilled in strategizing, but they never expected that the Little Saint Son is also adept at this skill."

Among the people in the first row, a short-statured cultivator laughed loudly in praise. Strangely, he had a horn-shaped protrusion on his forehead, which was engraved with intricate runes.

This person was Demon Race Lu Xie, another cultivator of the Water Condensation Perfection from the demon race, and a member of the Horned End Clan. It is said that most of the tribe's innate supernatural Divine Abilities are concentrated in this precious horn.

Upon hearing this, the cultivators from Tian Qi Divine Mountain naturally felt uneasy.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, you are mistaken. Tian Qi Divine Mountain calculates destiny, while I only calculate droughts and floods; they are not comparable."

The Little Saint Son was quite modest. He was no fool and naturally understood the provocation in Lu Xie's words. How could he let this Demon Race succeed?

"Droughts and floods can save the people, but fate can't," Lu Xie said with a smile, completely ignoring the strange looks from the cultivators from the Southern Yang Continent behind him.

Even Hua Ranhua, who was standing to You Su's left, couldn't stand the sarcasm in his words and frowned slightly.

"Lu Xie, say less."

Ao Yunlie and Lu Xie were both geniuses of the Demon Race from Star Zhao Divine Mountain, and they had a good relationship in private, so Ao Yunlie did not feel any hesitation in calling Lu Jie by his name.

Upon hearing this, Lu Xie wisely kept quiet.

Just then, Lu Xie's faint smile vanished instantly. He turned and looked down at his feet, where tiny specks of dust rose.

"The Fire Armadillo is coming out!"

Upon hearing this, everyone tensed up and looked at the deep pit, ready for battle.

The tremors of the earth grew increasingly violent in a very short time, and some cultivators even began to feel their legs go weak, with thoughts of giving up taking place. Most of the people here had never seen the terrifying beast hidden underground with their own eyes, and only at this moment did they believe in its existence.

Suddenly, the edge of the pit began to crack, dust billowed, and an indescribable scorching heat filled the air. A deep roar erupted from the cave, as if a summons came from the depths of hell.

Just as everyone held their breath and stared intently, a huge figure suddenly leaped out of the pit, like a moving mountain, shocking the surrounding cultivators who all retreated.

The colossal beast was covered in thick scales, which shimmered with a metallic sheen in the afterglow of the setting sun, making it appear exceptionally majestic. Its enormous eyes, like two blazing flames, emitted a chilling light. Its limbs were thick and powerful, and most terrifying of all was its long, dagger-like tail, which exuded a deadly threat.

The appearance of the Fire Armadillo instantly ignited the atmosphere of the entire scene. The expressions of the cultivators varied; some were astonished, some were fearful, and some even began to retreat, afraid of being affected by this ferocious beast. Its enormous figure appeared exceptionally large in the sunlight, like an insurmountable peak, making it hard for people to breathe.

"Don't retreat!"

Ao Yunlie roared, his golden hair dancing wildly. His roar seemed to have an inspiring power, and everyone managed to calm their minds.

"Prepare for the enemy!"

Ao Yunlie gave another command, and everyone began to move.

The leading cultivators in the first row instantly scattered, while those standing behind them either began to gather Mystic Qi in their hands or took out valuable magical Law Treasures and began to activate them.

Various strange lights began to flash, which was the preliminary strategy that Ao Yunlie and others had discussed and decided on over the past day.

It's impossible to expect so many people to rush in and drown the Fire Armadillo with their spittle. Facing such a massive Divine Beast, a hasty encirclement would only lead to certain death.

Therefore, they divided their forces into three parts: one part was a team that took the opportunity to go down into the cave to search for treasure, another part was a force with ranged attack capabilities, and the third part was a force responsible for close combat.

At the start of this battle, it was natural for ranged units to first deplete the Fire Armadillo's health.

The Fire Armadillo let out an even more deafening roar, as if it had sensed the ants' offense and was proclaiming its authority and fury.

With a sudden burst of energy from its four limbs, its entire body lunged forward, the ground shattering and rumbling with a thunderous roar that shook the very soul of everyone who witnessed it.

"Attack!"

The command was once again given by the Little Saint Son. They knew very well that against such a solid defense as the Fire Armadillo, it was pointless to fire Law Technique one after another. Only by unleashing the power of all Law Technique at once could they possibly shake this layer of dark armor.

In an instant, the various beams of spiritual light transformed into a fierce storm, flying towards the massive body of the Fire Armadillo.

The Fire Armadillo, however, would not sit idly by and wait for its death. It suddenly pushed off with its four limbs, bursting out with astonishing speed. The ground trembled violently, and its body shot towards the ranged troops like a cannonball in an instant, bringing with it a gust of wind and stirring up countless dust particles, heading straight for the cultivators who were casting spells.

However, Ao Yunlie and the others were not entirely unprepared; Qu Zhaixing suddenly roared to the sky:

"Form ranks!"

It turned out that the Technique Method that had attacked were just a feint; they had already set up a large array around the pit under Qu Zhaixing's leadership!

Eight Directions Prison Mountain Formation!

A bright, square halo appeared at the foot and above the head of the Fire Armadillo, instantly overlapping to form an octagon. The Fire Armadillo's running movement was immediately halted, as the octagon acted like an unbreakable rope, trapping the Fire Armadillo on the ground.

At that moment, Technique Method and Law Treasure followed one after another, striking the Fire Armadillo and kicking up clouds of dust.

"It's a success!"

Some people in the crowd shouted excitedly, but those who were beaming with joy did not notice that the Fire Armadillo, despite being trapped in place and subjected to various Technique Method, did not utter a single mournful cry.

"Round Two!"

The Little Saint Son was also amazed by the Fire Armadillo's thick hide, and while his hands were flying, he was issuing commands.

Hua Ranhua, however, hesitated to make a move. She stopped at a distance, glanced at You Su, and transmitted her voice:

"Thank you for your trouble Young Master You."

You Su, who had been standing not far from her, nodded without noticing.

Hua Ranhua was relieved. She then made a gesture of picking flowers with her hands, and droplets of dew condensed from her fingertips. Behind her, clusters of flowers appeared in phantom form.

This is the exclusive skill of her master, Venerable Hua Yin, Supreme Lore the "Hua Yin Technique." Although it was learned by a delicate woman, it is a fearsome and infamous seal technique. It is said that if Venerable Hua Yin were to unleash this seal at full power, an entire city would be reduced to ruins.

However, the price for casting such a powerful Technique Method is extremely high. It requires a very long time to prepare, and the caster must concentrate on absorbing the essence of plants and the Mystic Qi of heaven and earth, without being distracted by anything else. It was for this reason that Hua Ranhua asked Protector You Su for help.

The Fire Armadillo continued to try to break free from the Formation Technique binding it, letting out a roar that pierced the clouds and shattered rocks, making one's eardrums ache.

The second round of Technique Method followed immediately, even more powerful than the first, with many people's hands flashing with multicolored light. This time, the attack was no longer limited to the outpouring of Mystic Qi; it included spikes on the ground, ear-piercing sonic waves, and corrosive poison.

The Fire Armadillo seemed to sense a threat; its roar stopped, and its massive body leaned back slightly, as if it were about to flee.

The Little Saint Son's eyes were sharp; he made a decisive decision. "Release!"

Various attacks rained down on the giant beast like meteors. The Fire Armadillo began to struggle, trying to curl up into a ball and shrink into its water- and fire-resistant scales.

Its violent reaction excited the attackers, who all thought their attacks had worked. But in the next instant, the Fire Armadillo suddenly opened its mouth and let out a deafening roar. The violent shockwave dispersed most of the Technique Method, and a terrifying fire dragon spewed from its mouth, charging straight towards the direction where the Little Saint Son was!

"It's not afraid! It's gathering its strength!"

Ao Yunlie's expression turned grim. He instantly understood the situation and turned to rescue the cultivator who was being targeted by the thick pillar of fire.

But the fire dragon's approach was too ferocious; the air was almost distorted by its sweeping attack.

The cultivators targeted by it felt an invisible pressure, almost suffocating them, as if they had no hope of escape.

Under such pressure, only a few people remained conscious. The Little Saint Son immediately summoned a solid earthen wall to block in front of him, and the reinforcements from the cultivators of the Northern Ao Continent arrived.

The earthen wall was covered with a thick layer of snow, resembling a heavy barrier blocking the view of the snow-capped mountains.

But they were only at the Condensing Water Realm; how could they compare to Divine Beast that possessed pure elemental power and whose strength was comparable to that of a mid-stage Feather Transformation Realm cultivator?

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

But one of the people in the group, terrified, shouted:

"Tear up the letter and run!"

Then many pale-faced cultivators realized what was happening, pulled out their invitations, tore them to shreds, and vanished without a trace in an instant.

Lu Xie was also trying to interrupt the Fire Armadillo's breath when he saw this, and he cursed loudly, feeling that these human cultivators were really cowardly.

"Scatter!"

Ao Yunlie also arrived, veins bulging on his face. The Lion's Roar Skill that had repelled Ming Dao that day reappeared, and he actually managed to stop the fire dragon's invasion.

Just then, a glistening drop landed on You Su's eyelashes, and he looked up in a daze.

The long-awaited downpour finally arrived!

The cultivators from the other three directions also reacted. Although the Fire Armadillo's breath attack was powerful, it had become a sitting duck, so they continued to bombard it with Technique Method.

As dusk approached and the rain intensified, thanks to the combined efforts of several cultivators at the peak of the Water Condensation Perfection, the pillar of fire managed to prevent too many deaths. The Fire Armadillo, whether exhausted or afraid of the rain, even stopped breathing.

The heavy rain fell, evaporating into thick smoke in the Fire Armadillo's scorching mouth. Its eyes were now completely ablaze, its raging fury almost tangible. The Eight Directions Imprisonment Array also exhausted its profound energy at this moment, collapsing like foam in an instant.

"Disperse!"

At Ao Yunlie's command, all the cultivators scattered and fled.

This is by no means because they are afraid, but rather a strategy that they had planned long ago!

Even Divine Beasts are still beasts, and in terms of intelligence, they are far inferior to humans. Completely enraged, the Fire Armadillo indeed forgot about patching the hole and instead wanted to destroy all these annoying insects.

While the Fire Armadillos were distracted by them, the group that had been hiding in the corner, preparing to go down into the cave to explore for treasure, was also able to take advantage of the situation and sneak in!

From a distance, Ji Xueruo glanced at You Su's profile. A hint of worry welled up in her heart, and she murmured:

"You must hold on..."

The next moment, she blended into the bowing crowd and quietly slipped into the deep pit.

On the battlefield, the fighting had become a truly fierce battle.

The ranged units were routed by the Fire Armadillos, and it was time for the melee units to take the field next.

Ao Yunlie, without hesitation, charged forward first. His weapon was a spiked club, and it was said that every tooth on it was pulled from the mouths of his former prey.

He had already identified the Fire Armadillo's weakness. The beast was covered in armor, except for its eyes, which were unarmored. He used his incredible speed to keep fighting the Fire Armadillo's head, and the Little Saint Son and the others followed suit.

"We can't give it a chance to breathe!" Ao Yunlie roared. He knew very well that this battle strategy was risky. If the Fire Armadillo were to unleash that same breath attack again, they wouldn't even have a chance to tear up the invitation at such close range.

You Su couldn't do nothing either; as the one holding it back, he kept sneaking attacks on the Fire Armadillo's back, though the effect was minimal.

Finally, the Fire Armadillo could no longer bear the disturbance and let out a shrill roar, instantly tearing the surrounding air apart and forcing everyone to retreat.

Everyone's expression changed drastically, because the Fire Armadillo suddenly turned its head and stared at Hua Ranhua, who had been hiding to the side, gathering her strength!

Clearly, it sensed the greatest threat!

Fortunately Hua Ranhua opened her eyes at that moment, her beautiful face resolute, and her voice was like heavenly music:

"Bloom!"

The illusory sea of flowers behind her materialized, transforming into a shower of petals made of Mystic Qi, like shooting stars in the night rain.

Their movements contained mysterious patterns, transforming into something resembling both an array and a technique, forming a tangible seal that pressed down upon the Fire Armadillo.

Even You Su couldn't help but marvel; among cultivators of the same realm, this was definitely the most powerful attack he had ever seen!

This is a complete and utter annihilation formation!

As the Hua Yin Technique was unleashed, Ao Yunlie ordered the final all-out attack.

The group of peerless geniuses who had reached the Water Condensation Perfection unleashed their ultimate techniques, creating a commotion akin to an earthquake.

The swirling dust made it impossible to see the Fire Armadillos at all, but You Su, who had been paddling along, suddenly widened his eyes!

Qu Zhaixing indeed withdrew his move and launched his attack!

Wait... his target isn't Hua Ranhua, it's Ao Yunlie!

Judging from the subscription numbers, it seems that people still have better choices when it comes to traditional fantasy plots. I'll try to speed things up, haha.