Fossilized Golden Toad Son

The statue's eyes suddenly shifted, fixing their gaze on Shao Hongzhang.

An overwhelming fear surged through Shao Hongzhang, leaving him unable to breathe. He didn't even have time to call out to Xiao Ran before the statue's pupils narrowed and it abruptly raised its hand, slamming it down toward him.

The enormous hand loomed over Shao Hongzhang like a mountain crashing down, then struck with tremendous force.

"Roar!!"

Just as the statue attacked, a low growl sounded outside the shrine. A gust of black wind rushed in right after it.

"Hm??"

The sudden turn of events caught Xiao Ran off guard, but he was far too experienced to be rattled for long. He made a snap judgment.

Raising the long staff in his hand, he leaped backward and forcibly gathered his mental energy into a wave of air, sending it surging out to shove Shao Hongzhang clear from beneath the giant hand.

He swung the staff, silver literary energy shimmering across it.

But just as Xiao Ran was about to strike, the figure bursting from the shadows made his pupils contract. He quickly drew back his swing, spun around, and smashed the staff into the statue behind him.

"Bang!!"

Literary energy flashed across the staff. With Xiao Ran's swing, it became a brilliant beam of light and slammed into the statue's face.

The blow exploded against its cheek. The statue lurched, its massive body losing balance as it toppled backward.

The shadow that had charged in from outside pounced beside Xiao Ran, but didn't stop there. Its sharp claws struck the statue in the chest.

"Crack, crack, crack..."

The claws scraped against stone, sending out a shower of scorching sparks and a shrill tearing sound.

The shadow clung to the statue, raking its claws across its chest. In an instant,