Chapter 1068: Crazy Battle
The lightning ball that struck Ye Mo locked the surrounding space, slowing his movements. He realized that even his immunity to lightning wouldn't save him from a level seven spirit beast. Fortunately, Ye Mo had his octagonal cauldron, which he immediately deployed. The cauldron spun rapidly around him, shielding him with a powerful aura. Thud thud thud—the lightning balls struck the cauldron, sending sparks flying. Despite the cauldron's defense, the volatile cultivation essence within the lightning balls forced Ye Mo to spit several mouthfuls of blood.
Jing Yingli was astonished. She never thought Ye Mo could withstand the Lightning Leopard's furious assault; she certainly couldn't have. Yet, even after such a blow, he was severely wounded. Clearly, he'd overestimated himself, but his octagonal cauldron proved a considerable treasure. He didn't possess complete spiritual control over it, however; otherwise, he might have been able to handle the Lightning Leopard.
Seeing its lightning orbs thwarted by a nascent soul state level four artifact, the leopard roared and unleashed dozens of lightning arcs. Ye Mo felt relieved; these posed less of a threat than the orbs. He quickly consumed several recovery pills and summoned Zi Xu. Illusion Cloud Division Strike, Illusion Cloud Exert Will Strike, Illusion Cloud Formation Kill Strike—Ye Mo executed three strikes in rapid succession, unleashing countless purple sword rays. These rays seemed to writhe with life, forming wave after wave of formation flags that ensnared the spirit beast.
Jing Yingli was dumbfounded. Such a magnificent sword technique, such terrifying control! What kind of sword technique was this? But why not use these powerful rays to defend against the lightning arcs, instead of attacking the leopard?
Though puzzled by Ye Mo's strategy, Jing Yingli knew she couldn't remain idle. She unleashed a howl, producing a white jade-like flute. With a flick of her wrist, she sent the flute hurtling toward the Lightning Leopard like a comet.
Ye Mo recognized the flute as at least a low-grade cultivation artifact. Before it even reached the leopard, it emitted a piercing sound. Even though it wasn't aimed at him, Ye Mo felt his cultivation essence roil and his spirit sense become chaotic. Such a powerful sonic wave! The effect on the Lightning Leopard, the flute's target, was readily apparent. Its eyes widened, turning bloodshot as it roared, launching countless lightning arcs at Ye Mo and Jing Yingli.
Jing Yingli was struck by several arcs, spitting blood as she was sent flying. Seeing the far greater number of arcs aimed at Ye Mo, she sighed, convinced he was doomed. She'd hoped for his assistance, but now it seemed she was on her own.
Just as she prepared to flee, she heard Ye Mo's roar. He raised a hand, weaving hand signs. To Jing Yingli's shock, the lightning arcs only splintered his armor; he suffered only minor injuries, and she sensed his power surging. She felt utterly baffled by him; he not only shrugged off the lightning arcs but seemed to grow stronger with each attack. It was incomprehensible.
However, understanding dawned. Ye Mo's fearlessness stemmed from his ability to withstand the lightning arcs. With his octagonal cauldron, he might actually defeat the Lightning Leopard.
Now understanding, Jing Yingli abandoned her flight. She unleashed her full power on the Lightning Leopard with her flute, raising a protective shield. In her eyes, Ye Mo held the advantage, but he silently endured the agony of each lightning arc—each as powerful as the black lightning on World Mountain. His prior experience with that lightning had saved him, otherwise, he would've fallen in the first round. The beast could easily kill Jing Yingli; without the cauldron, Ye Mo would have fled, but now he saw a chance for retaliation.
More lightning orbs struck the cauldron, sending more blood from Ye Mo's mouth. But his Illusion Cloud Formation Kill Strike was proving effective; more and more purple sword rays ensnared the Lightning Leopard, weakening its attacks.
Jing Yingli's next flute blast caused the leopard to shiver in discomfort. Then, with a howl, it unleashed dozens of lightning orbs. Even Ye Mo's skin prickled. The purple sword rays shattered, dissipating like fireworks. The trap formation crumbled; he lost control of the sword rays as more than ten lightning orbs hurtled toward him.
He was already spitting blood profusely, but this would inflict even more serious injury. He quickly retracted Zi Xu, gathering his cultivation essence, and unleashed a powerful strike. Zi Xu transformed into a ten-meter-long purple ray. Thud thud thud—Zi Xu collided with several lightning orbs with a resounding impact, scattering orbs and rays. The remaining orbs struck the cauldron, forcing two more mouthfuls of blood from Ye Mo, leaving him pale.
He'd never fought a battle with such a vast power differential. Despite his pallor, Ye Mo rejoiced; the lightning orbs were demonstrably weaker. The leopard was either injured or severely depleted of energy.
Ye Mo used Illusion Cloud Formation Kill Strike again, signaling Jing Yingli to continue her assault. They would wear the leopard down, if necessary, until it fell.
Jing Yingli witnessed Ye Mo's relentless assault, awestruck by his tenacity. Most cultivators would flee, but Ye Mo's battle intent intensified with each injury. She was speechless as he again trapped the leopard with sword rays, a strategy that had already failed, seemingly out of lack of options.
Jing Yingli released her flute, aiming for an ambush. The flute shrieked. To her surprise, Ye Mo didn't continue his sword attacks but instead began deploying formation flags. He knew formations? Jing Yingli stared, shocked. Ye Mo was under a hundred years old; what kind of formation could he erect so quickly? At most a level three. Fighting a level seven beast with a level three formation... Ye Mo was insane.
Ye Mo's purple sword ray formation collapsed again under the lightning orb assault, and the cauldron was struck once more, eliciting another stream of blood from Ye Mo, leaving him even paler.