Chapter 420: Seamless Coordination, Black Flames

Chapter 420: Seamless Coordination, Black Flames

Within seconds, the five of them closed the gap of a few miles, arriving at the battlefield. Xiao Ze glanced at the scene below. Some unfortunate souls, even after crushing their space stones, were still caught in the attack of the eight-star Rock Demon, leaving behind some severed limbs. Nevertheless, surviving an encounter with an eight-star Rock Demon meant they were quite lucky, though still unlucky to have encountered it in the first place.

"Let's move," Xiao Ze said, dispelling the illusionary concealment around them. The eight-star Rock Demon, roaring skyward, immediately locked onto their presence. Its massive stone hand, like a moving mountain, swung down, causing a piercing sonic boom as it tore through the air.

Qing Lin's eyes glowed with a vivid green light, and the three green flowers in her pupils rotated slowly. Her peculiar and eerie spiritual power struck first, hitting the Rock Demon's head. The sudden mental assault left the demon momentarily dazed, causing its massive hand to miss its target and crash into the ground, shattering the terrain and shaking the nearby mountains.

The Rock Demon's body was naturally powerful; even a mere physical attack could rival the force of a high-tier Dou Technique. As Qing Lin used her Green Snake Three Flower Pupils, Xiao Yi Xian also acted in perfect synchrony, unleashing her purple-gray Poison of Misfortune. The toxin silently latched onto the Rock Demon's body. Given Xiao Yi Xian's current power, even peak Dou Zuns wouldn't underestimate her poison. The demon's once-impenetrable stone skin began to corrode, reducing its defense significantly.

Seeing Xiao Yi Xian's poison taking effect, Medusa and Xun'er unleashed their prepared attacks. Medusa's brilliant seven-colored sword aura, exuding unparalleled sharpness, slashed diagonally. The sword aura ripped through the air, carving a gruesome wound into the Rock Demon's torso. Huge black stones splintered from its body, crashing into the ground like meteors, leaving deep craters.

Medusa narrowed her eyes, dissatisfied that she couldn't kill it in one strike. Xun'er, hands together, conjured a radiant golden flame, the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, shining like the sun. With a delicate shout, she unleashed a blazing slash, concentrating its power to an extreme. The slash, capable of cleaving through anything, silently passed through the Rock Demon's body, continuing on to slice a distant mountain range in half.

The Rock Demon's frenzied eyes gradually dimmed as a brilliant golden line split its body in two, collapsing into a heap of massive stone fragments.

Xiao Ze observed the battle without intervening. He was satisfied with how the four coordinated their attacks, swiftly killing the eight-star Rock Demon in just a few seconds. He had gradually reduced his involvement, allowing them to handle high-tier opponents on their own. The coordinated attack on the eight-star demon was a testament to their growing teamwork.

"Xiao Ze, we did it," Xun'er said, smiling as she breathed a sigh of relief.

"Well done. Your coordination is impressive. When we reach the core area's mid-sized Rock Demon clusters, I can trust you all to handle them," Xiao Ze said, praising them, which brought smiles to their faces, even causing Medusa to smile slightly.

Xiao Ze focused on the large pile of stone fragments. His Illusory Sea Domain enveloped the area, and he retrieved the eight-star Rock Demon core. He examined it briefly, then addressed the group.

"I'll hold onto this for now. Later—"

Before he could finish, Qing Lin raised her hand. "Xiao Ze, this eight-star Rock Demon core should benefit you as well. Perhaps you should absorb it."

Xiao Ze saw the others' agreeing expressions. "No need. I've already reached the peak of the Nine Transformation Dou Zun. One eight-star Rock Demon core won't push me to the Semi-Saint level. It's better if one of you uses it. I'll keep it for now and see if we can hunt more eight-star Rock Demons to distribute evenly."

The group, slightly surprised at Xiao Ze's progress, understood his reasoning. His profound strength made it plausible he was at the peak Dou Zun level. Throughout their journey, Xiao Ze's reduced intervention allowed them to fight effectively, which was vital for their growth.

"Let's move forward. We're about to enter the core area. If we're lucky, we might find the Rock Demon cluster this eight-star demon belonged to and eliminate it," Xiao Ze said.

The group smiled at the prospect. Dealing with the eight-star Rock Demon weakened its cluster, making it an opportune target.

Meanwhile, in another part of the core area, Hun Yu stood, black flames burning in his palm, seemingly capable of consuming everything. He smiled, "That group served their purpose well. Too bad they couldn't handle the Rock Demons, forcing me to act."

Hun Yu's figure flickered, pressing the black flames onto a massive Rock Demon's head. The demon's eyes, filled with rage, started to turn black.

"With this, the task is done. But just in case, let's handle a few more. Too bad I lost my tools," he mused, ready to continue his dark mission.

(End of the chapter)