Xu Qingtong activated the Houtu Seal, strengthening his protective barrier once more.
With a bang, the fire dragon struck the barrier. The protective barrier rapidly dimmed, and a dense web of fine cracks appeared across it. Xu Qingtong felt a sudden sweetness in his throat and spat out a mouthful of blood.
Du Siwen rushed over and saw Xu Qingtong coughing up blood. Frantic, she swung her Long Halberd, sending two blades of light, one black and one red, shooting from the blades on either side. They whistled through the air toward the Raised-Tail Fire Ape's chest.
The fire ape raised its left hand and smashed it toward the two blades of light. With a pfft, its punch shattered the fiery-red blade of light into nothingness. But the black blade grazed its left arm, cutting a long gash from which blood immediately poured.
By then, Zhuang Shengren had also charged out of the cave entrance. The massive sword in his hand swept horizontally toward the fire ape's waist like a door plank.
The fire ape withdrew its right hand, clenched it into a fist, and hammered downward. Just as the massive sword was about to strike, it punched the weapon to the ground.
While the fire ape had no attention to spare, Xu Qingtong unleashed the Goumang Seal and the Xuanming Seal together. First, green vines bound the fire ape. Before it could break free, a massive wall of ice froze it and the vines together.
Sealed within the ice, the Raised-Tail Fire Ape glared with bulging eyes. Its body swelled little by little, and cracks began appearing throughout the ice, which threatened to shatter at any moment.
Gripping her Long Halberd, Du Siwen poured magic power into it. A dazzling, cold gleam flashed at its tip as she thrust