"ROOOAR!!!"
The enormous Demonic Statue of the Outer Path unleashed a roar that tore through heaven and earth. It was no longer the dull reverberation of a wooden shell, but an ancient, primal scream of pain rising from the very source of life.
It suddenly clutched its head with both hands. Ten towering fingers dug deep into the cracks in its wooden skin as its entire body began to tremble violently, twist, and deform.
The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's massive body toppled onto the sea-BOOM! Water erupted skyward, then cascaded off its body like waterfalls.
Its limbs began to contract and bend, its joints cracking and snapping. Its back arched high, like a mountain range rising from the earth.
Tianyi seized the opening, directing the Giant Stone Bear Statue to bring its huge metal blade crashing down. Wreathed in the intertwined radiance of senjutsu chakra and Magnet Release, the blade slashed straight at the fallen Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
Just as the blade was about to strike-
Whoosh!
Ten thick tails coated in dark red chakra burst from the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's body, sweeping toward him like ten pillars holding up the sky.
One tail struck the Giant Stone Bear Statue square in the chest, sending the entire statue flying with mountain-shaking force.
BOOM!
The Giant Stone Bear Statue tumbled backward hundreds of meters, raising a succession of enormous splashes across the sea before finally regaining its balance.
The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's body had completely transformed.
It was no longer a withered wooden colossus, but a gigantic, dark gray monster crouching low.
Its limbs were as thick as mountain pillars, its razor-sharp claws sunk deep into the sediment on the seabed.
A massive, shell-like structure rose high from its back,