Schemes and Counterschemes
During their exploration of the Gobala Cave corridor in the Tours district, Zhang Xuezhou and his team found a crystal that exploded and melted when it was dropped.
Zhang Xuezhou didn't figure it out at the time, and Wang Haoran continued to study the crystal.
However, Wang Haoran also couldn't use it to adapt to long-range gene-based weapons.
After much deliberation, Wang Haoran finally concluded that this crystal was only suitable for direct throwing.
Zhang Xuezhou obtained it during his battle with the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon.
His idea was simple: use it if you need it, and don't use it if you don't.
Zhang Xuezhou hadn't anticipated that the crystal's power was secondary; after testing the waters, Nagos's interest in it became extremely fervent.
Fire crystals, capable of melting rocks, ignite massive flames when violently thrown, carrying with them the explosive and burning residue that, as always, are difficult to shake off once they adhere to them.
Just like Zhang Xuezhou's choice of a defensive counter-attack, the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon also opted for a similar strategy.
Zhang Xuezhou seized the opportunity presented by the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon' counterattack. His throwing and shooting skills were also quite good, and he successfully launched a sneak attack with the Fire Crystal Stone.
Amidst the sounds of explosions and flames, Nagoth's body almost became a phantom, with the continuous clashes of his longsword.
"Give it to me, or you'll die!"
With a series of loud shouts, Nagos seemed to be injected with adrenaline, not even caring about the wound on his thigh.
"Damn it, what a dog bone you threw him!"
Amidst the dull thud, cracks began to appear on the clay figure's head.
The Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon might want to capture Zhang Xuezhou to resolve the issue quickly, but Zhang Xuezhou repeatedly hides in the background while a foolish scapegoat enthusiastically steps forward, putting the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon in an extremely awkward position.
A clay head kept shaking back and forth, while continuously spitting out curses.
The negative effects of the dead souls like 'What' entering the mudman's body meant that his cursing did not produce any ear-shattering sound waves, and his constant turning of his head could not escape Nagoth's continuous explosive slashes.
The thin cracks continued to widen, emitting a series of crisp sounds.
"Die!"
When Naggus delivered his final blow, his half-human-sized head fell to the ground.
The frost-covered red skull was stripped of its outer shell, and dark red flames immediately shot out from the holes in the eye sockets, mouth, nostrils, and ear canals.
The sound of lightning flashing and roaring instantly reverberated throughout the hall.
Nagos reached out towards the falling clay head, then darted back.
He completely disregarded the flames that had previously made him want to tear off his skin and flesh, and instead tightly grasped the red crystal that Zhang Xuezhou had thrown out and integrated into the skull of the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon.
"This divine stone has an owner?"
A few seconds later, he exclaimed in surprise, and then quickly slashed at his own flame-stained arms and legs.
"Fool! He's tricked you again! You've become his pawn without even realizing it!"
The Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon whose skull had surfaced cursed angrily, but his outburst had little effect; Nagos even seemed somewhat embarrassed.
"If you can kill him, I'll give you that crystal!"
Zhang Xuezhou swiftly resolved the situation.
If the mallard duck and Zhang Xuezhou Zhang Xuezhou share some similarities in temperament, the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon is completely different in personality.
The Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon may possess the Technique Method that Zhang Xuezhou learned, but as powerful beings, they have their own beliefs and temperaments and will not be influenced by Zhang Xuezhou's upbringing.
This means that the two sides will inevitably use different methods to deal with people and things. Even if the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon understand Zhang Xuezhou's approach, their words and tone will be different, making it difficult to achieve the same effect.
Ultimately, the weak find success in all directions, while the strong reign supreme. When the isolated and powerful Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon are in a weak position, they find it difficult to adapt effectively.
"His ability to remain so patient makes me think we need to speed up the attack!"
Ren Anran cautiously offered a reminder.
From the moment they entered this grand hall, the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon were basically on the defensive, but even so, their numbers were still enormous. Once the enemy recovered, Ren Anran could hardly imagine the consequences.
He's waiting for an opportunity to catch me!
Zhang Xuezhou picked up the staff and shook it.
The dead souls continued to surge into the mud figure's body, only to transform into specks of light and fall away.
The initial 'what' sound that had stormed in was growing fainter and fainter, while the remaining red-skinned undead priests in the hall continued to release chains following the guidance, only to be repeatedly burned and melted.
Zhang Xuezhou had already done his best in commanding the situation, and he could only rely on this method of attack to continuously erode the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon.
If Zhang Xuezhou were to get close enough to strike, he might be met with a sudden attack from the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon, which could decide the fate of the world in one Heaven and Earth.
If Zhang Xuezhou had any hope at all, he hoped that the Emperor could break free and thus confront the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon.
"Can we still use the Sand-Melting Technique?"
"It's no use on him!"
Ren Anran hoped that Zhang Xuezhou would unleash his Technique Method, while Zhang Xuezhou continued to observe.
The red skeleton may be the former physical body of Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon, while the clay figure's shell is a simulated body formed by the other party, resembling the terracotta form of Ying Fusu.
Perhaps due to difficulty in matching their original strength, or perhaps due to being entangled with the Emperor, the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon rarely used the abilities of their original world. Zhang Xuezhou saw the shadows of Technique Method such as the Body Technique and the Dust-Avoiding Technique on the clay figure.
Both the Sand Transformation Technique and the Sand Entanglement Technique are countered by the Dust Avoidance Technique, and Zhang Xuezhou doesn't have any other better methods.
He reached behind him and the Doomsday Fragment Longsword recommended by Meng Zhang slipped into his hand.
The purpose of this longsword is not for Zhang Xuezhou to charge into battle with it, but rather that if it encounters a powerful spiritual force, the apocalyptic fragment embedded in the sword will backfire and cause an explosion, thus having a high probability of impacting the person who released the spiritual force.
Zhang Xuezhou was also in a dilemma: how to lure the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon into using their spiritual power to attack him, while avoiding being injured by the explosion. He had not seen such an opportunity since he started fighting.
He slightly regretted having the sword on his person; if Ren Yisheng and Chimmon Hagrid had been wielding it, its power might have been unleashed much sooner.
"Zhang Xuezhou, you practiced many techniques while trying to survive, but you neglected to learn any offensive Technique Method. One of my Dust-Avoiding Techniques could have completely crippled you. What a pity! This was a golden opportunity for you to defy fate, but you failed to seize it!"
Having his methods seen through and his psychology understood by Zhang Xuezhou, the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon's response was extremely sullen.
"Don't try to show off your fancy moves in front of me. My body is layered with countless techniques, reaching a level of physical prowess that you can't break through. After I've dealt with Haotian, I'll send you on your way!"
His red, skeletal skull, which had fallen to the ground, continued to spew fire and spoke directly, making no attempt to conceal what he was about to do, and speaking with an air of nonchalance, as if he didn't care at all about his previous injuries.
"That's just bragging. Once I get in touch with the teacher, all your secrets will be exposed!"
Zhang Xuezhou held a sword in his left hand and a staff in his right, while Ren Anran held a mallard duck and kept blocking their way. The two slowly swam from the horde of dead souls to the vicinity of the Throne of Immortality, and then gradually circled around to the back of the clay figure.
The Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon made threatening remarks, and Zhang Xuezhou responded with equal force.
Nagos, having cut large sections of his fireproof suit and leg flesh, now positioned diagonally opposite Zhang Xuezhou and the others, preparing to once again attempt a swift and devastating strike.
The three parties stared at each other, and the body of the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon moved slowly, while the roar of lightning from Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon chest and abdomen grew louder and louder.
"Now's the time! Let's team up and smash that mud man in the stomach!"
During the stalemate, Zhang Xuezhou shouted and pointed his hand, unleashing a powerful aura that surged forward.
"When creating opportunities for others, you must use genuine talent and ability. Understand this clearly; this is the deterrent power that comes with a higher level of competence!"
The Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon snorted and pointed his left hand at Zhang Xuezhou.
Before the intimidating spiritual power could collide with and backfire on Zhang Xuezhou, he saw Zhang Xuezhou release and retract the intimidating power, and a long sword was suddenly thrown out.