The black needle struck the golden petals, its tip sinking half an inch before the spinning petals folded inward, forcibly stopping that glimmer of dark light.
The roots Ji Yuan had pressed against the outside of Yue Guan's heart meridian felt the surge of soul power rushing toward them. The spores previously scattered through his meridians finally connected to the same returning flow.
Yue Guan braced his right palm against the shield and reached toward Tang San with his other hand.
"Is this what you wanted me to catch? It can't even get through my protective soul power. What makes you think you can kill anyone with it?"
Tang San braced himself against the rubble beside him and raised his bloodied face.
"Catch it first, then talk, Yue Guan. Blustering behind a layer of petals hardly befits a Titled Douluo."
"Why should I touch your Poison Needles? If you want to provoke me into lowering my shield, at least try something cleverer."
The pull from his palm dragged Tang San half a foot forward. Xiao Wu caught his robe, her soles dragging two bloody streaks across the stone.
"Brother, give me your hand! Your wounds have opened again!"
"Don't touch that hand. There's poison on it. Support my shoulders."
"I can hold you up. Stop talking to him and save what strength you have left!"
Ji Yuan ignored the tugging behind him. His parasitic roots followed the returning flow deeper inside. Every measure of strength Yue Guan added to his defenses sent another measure of soul power into the root network.
Yama's Invitation had been stopped outside, its poison unable to enter for now. That suited his needs perfectly.
The needle tip kept corroding the petals. If Yue Guan stopped replenishing his soul power, the shield would be eaten through.