Chapter 105: The Guardian of the 300th Layer

The guardian of the 300th layer was a magnificent creature, with the upper body of a man and the lower body of a horse, wielding a bow and arrows. Li Yang instantly recognized the constellation figure, "Isn't this the Sagittarius?" 

Lysar's voice held an undertone of concern, "Be wary, Li Yang. This is one of the Abyss's Eight Sacred Guardians: Hecarim."

The sheer presence of Hecarim exuded an oppressive aura, making the air thick with tension. Li Yang mentally braced himself. "Lion-Eagle, full combat mode!" he declared.

Lion-Eagle charged towards Hecarim with impressive speed. Hecarim, showcasing his expertise, swiftly drew his bow, releasing multiple beams shaped like swords. Lion-Eagle was forced to dodge the relentless onslaught. In a split second, Li Yang hurled a metallic sphere which morphed into armor around Lion-Eagle. With this added protection, they withstood the sword-like beams, inching closer to Hecarim. 

As they neared the guardian, the attacks grew fiercer. But when they were just about three meters away, Li Yang commanded Lion-Eagle to somersault. The armor transformed into sharp claws, and a powerful fusion attack combining both earth and wind elements was unleashed. Hecarim attempted to block with his bow, but the impact shattered it. Following the destruction of his weapon, Hecarim started fading, eventually vanishing like a mirage.

Baffled, Li Yang turned to Lysar, "What just happened?"

Lysar explained, "When the weapon is destroyed, the beast fades. However, the Sacred Guardians are immortal entities. Hecarim will be reborn in a few hours. Do you see the magical formation behind where he stood? Enter it with Lion-Eagle. It's your reward for triumphing in this battle."

Excitement bubbled within Li Yang as he voiced his agreement, "Alright!" Stepping into the magical formation, he immediately sensed a deeper connection with Lion-Eagle. Their bond, which had always been robust, now seemed to be on a completely different level. Within the formation, Li Yang felt as though he was merging with Lion-Eagle, experiencing its thoughts and emotions.

It was a meditative state where Li Yang learned more about Lion-Eagle's history, its lineage, and the essence of its power. Similarly, Lion-Eagle began to understand Li Yang's dreams, hopes, and the weight of his mission in this Abyss.

The formation also gifted them with enhanced abilities. Li Yang felt his senses heightened, his reflexes sharpened, and his understanding of the Abyss deepened. Lion-Eagle's wings grew stronger, its vision became clearer, and it could sense threats from even greater distances.

Hours felt like minutes. When Li Yang finally emerged from the formation, he felt rejuvenated, empowered, and more determined than ever. With this newfound strength and deeper bond with Lion-Eagle, he was ready to face whatever challenges the Abyss would throw at them next.