Those crimson vertical pupils twitched slightly.
The next moment, pale golden spiritual mist surged to both sides, and pieces of pitch-black scales emerged from the shadows of the rock wall.
boom!
The massive body slowly rose to its feet, causing the entire cave to tremble.
It wasn't until the dark figure stepped forward that Chu Yunfei and Ling Xueyao could see its full form.
Its body was over ten zhang long, its limbs were as thick as stone pillars, its back was covered with layers of overlapping iron armor, its head was shaped like a giant lizard, two fangs protruded from the corners of its mouth, and its crimson vertical pupils were full of ferocity after being awakened.
It has been lying on the west side of the Earth Vein Spirit Spring.
Its body color blended almost seamlessly with the rock face, and with the spiritual mist concealing it, the two hadn't noticed anything unusual before.
Ling Xueyao held her sword horizontally in front of her, and her spiritual energy circulated rapidly in her dantian.
The nourishment from the Earth Vein Spirit Spring, combined with the medicinal power of the fourth-grade healing elixir, greatly restored her damaged meridians.
Although he is not yet able to unleash the full power of the Eighth Level of the Heavenly Origin Realm, he has been able to use power close to that of the Sixth Level of the Heavenly Origin Realm for a short period of time.
What kind of monster is this?
Chu Yunfei did not answer.
Xiaoxiao Dragon's voice first rang out in his mind.
" Scarlet-Pupiled Iron-Armored Beast, a ferocious beast, at the Seventh Level of the Heavenly Origin Realm."
"This thing has an ordinary bloodline, but its shell is ridiculously hard. An attack from an ordinary Heavenly Origin Realm martial artist is like a tickle to it."
Xiaoxiao Dragon paused for a moment, then continued to remind him.
"It has been here for at least several decades, nourished by the Earth Vein Spirit Spring, and its armor has undergone a transformation."
"Don't try to break through its armor head-on. There are gaps in its abdomen and the joints of its limbs; those are its weak points."
Chu Yunfei slowly retreated, his gaze fixed on the Scarlet-Pupiled Iron-Armored Beast.
" Seventh Level of the Heavenly Origin Realm..."
"If it were an ordinary martial artist, Ling Xueyao and I could fight them head-on, but we just happened to run into this iron turtle."
Xiaoxiao Dragon gave a soft snort.
"Knowing it's a turtle, you still want to bite its shell head-on? Find an opportunity to lift its belly first."
The Scarlet-Pupiled Iron-Armored Beast did not pounce immediately.
It lowered its head and sniffed the air, its crimson vertical pupils first landing on Chu Yunfei, then turning to Ling Xueyao.
Two humans trespassed into its territory, making it extremely enraged.
However, the aura of the Heavenly Origin Realm emanating from Ling Xueyao prevented it from launching an attack immediately.
Ling Xueyao sensed that the ferocious beast was assessing their strength, so she lowered her voice and said, "I've recovered to around the Sixth Level of the Heavenly Origin Realm; I can hold it off for a while."
"You're faster than me. Retreat back to the bronze gate first, wait for it to chase you onto the stone steps, then use the narrow terrain to restrain it."
"No."
Chu Yunfei glanced at the stone path he had come from.
"Its size might not be enough to fit entirely into the stone steps, but as long as it blocks the inside of the bronze door, we still won't be able to get out."
"Moreover, it has lived here for many years and is more familiar with the surrounding terrain than we are. It's unrealistic to think we can wear it down by retreating."
Ling Xueyao twirled the sword hilt halfway in her hand.
"Then let's force our way in."
"Although it's at the Seventh Level of the Heavenly Origin Realm, its intelligence isn't very high. I'll handle it from the front, and you look for opportunities from the side."
A head-on confrontation will only result in mutual destruction.
Chu Yunfei quickly scanned the area around the spiritual spring, his gaze finally settling on the east side.
There was a large pile of rubble there, with a natural stone pillar on each side.
The narrowest point between the stone pillars is only two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters).
If the Scarlet-Pupiled Iron-Armored Beast is lured in, its massive size will not only be an advantage, but will actually restrict its ability to turn around.
Do you have a solution?
Ling Xueyao followed his gaze and quickly discerned his intention.
Chu Yunfei raised his hand and pointed to the east.
"Lead it between those two stone pillars."
"The terrain there is narrow, preventing it from turning freely and restricting its back armor. If you force it to raise its claws, gaps will appear in its abdominal plates."
Ling Xueyao glanced at him.
"You're going to be the bait yourself?"
"My movements are more agile than yours, and the Abyss-Devouring Sword is more suitable for penetrating armor than your rapier."
"You take charge of holding them off from the front, I'll find an opportunity to attack the abdominal armor."
Chu Yunfei raised his left hand, revealing the purple-gold bracelet on his wrist.
" Little Purple will be responsible for interfering with it using Thunder Poison. With the three of us working together, we have a 50% chance of success."
Ling Xueyao looked at the purple-gold bracelet, a look of doubt in her eyes.
" Little Purple?"
"My contracted spirit beast, a mutated poisonous python."
Ling Xueyao's gaze froze instantly.
She had always thought it was just a uniquely designed ornament and never realized that it was actually a living, ferocious beast.
This small purple-gold snake was no ordinary creature, capable of completely concealing its presence in front of her.
" Little Purple, wake up."
Chu Yunfei flicked Little Purple's head with his finger.
The Little Purple beast, coiled around Chu Yunfei's wrist, slowly raised its head, first affectionately rubbing against Chu Yunfei's fingers, before noticing the Scarlet-Pupiled Iron-Armored Beast not far away.
Purple-gold lightning arcs leaped between the fine scales.
A pair of purple snake eyes also revealed a ferocious nature.
The aura of the First Level of the Heavenly Origin Realm cultivator spread out.
Ling Xueyao's hand holding the sword paused slightly.
"A spirit beast at the Heavenly Origin Realm?"
Heavenly Origin Realm spirit beasts possess considerable intelligence and rarely submit to martial artists whose realm is lower than their own.
Moreover, the bloodline pressure emanating from this Little Purple creature was clearly greater than that of ordinary demonic beasts.
Chu Yunfei was only at the Ninth Level of the Spirit Martial Realm, but Little Purple clearly prioritized him.
How many secrets does this man hold?
After Little Purple appeared, the last trace of fear that the Scarlet-Pupiled Iron-Armored Beast had quickly turned into ferocity.
Ferocious beasts have a far greater desire to possess their territory than humans.
Another ferocious beast at the Heavenly Origin Realm intruded into the Spirit Spring area, which was a blatant provocation to it.
roar!
The Scarlet-Pupiled Iron-Armored Beast let out a deep roar and stomped down heavily with its front paws.
The ground cracked instantly.
It brought with it a foul stench, and its massive body lunged straight at Little Purple.
Ling Xueyao didn't rush to draw her sword, but asked in a deep voice, "With only a 50% chance of success, the price is too high."
Chu Yunfei had already retreated towards the rubble area to the east.
There is no better option right now.
"Besides, 50% is already enough."
Looking at his calm expression, Ling Xueyao's last trace of hesitation vanished.
He dared to face a opponent Ninth Level of the Spirit Martial Realm.
If she remains timid and hesitant, she is unworthy of the title of Princess of the Great Qian Dynasty.
"Okay, I'll lead it over there."
Ling Xueyao unleashed spiritual energy beneath her feet, her pure white figure leaping towards the Scarlet-Pupiled Iron-Armored Beast.
The golden slender sword sliced through the spiritual mist, a sharp Sword Qi aimed straight for the ferocious beast's left eye.
The Scarlet-Pupiled Iron-Armored Beast suddenly raised its head.
clang!
The Sword Qi struck the iron armor outside the eye socket, sending sparks flying.
A sword strike that was powerful enough to severely injure an ordinary Heavenly Origin Realm martial artist left only a faint white mark on the surface of the iron armor.
Ling Xueyao's heart sank slightly.
This attack is already close to the Sixth Level of the Heavenly Origin Realm.
Even a mid- Earth Rank Middle Grade defensive magical artifact would not be able to withstand a direct hit without sustaining any damage.
The beast's armor was harder than she had expected.
The Scarlet-Pupiled Iron-Armored Beast was completely enraged, and its head slammed into Ling Xueyao.
Ling Xueyao touched the ground with her toes and darted backward.
The golden slender sword thrust out in succession, several Sword Qi attacking the beast's eyes and throat respectively, forcing it to constantly turn its head.
Chu Yunfei stood at a distance, his eyes fixed on the beast's limbs.
Ling Xueyao's swordsmanship was even more exquisite than he had expected.
Every sword strike was imbued with spiritual power, and the attack positions were always positioned within the blind spots of the Scarlet-Pupiled Iron-Armored Beast's vision.
Clearly, she had not only received guidance from powerful members of the royal family, but also possessed considerable practical combat experience.
However, her injuries have not yet fully healed.