Golden feathers erupted in dazzling light, illuminating the night sky like day, blindingly radiant.
The peacock, already massive, unfurled a tail screen spanning dozens of meters!
Countless quills on the screen quivered, emitting piercing golden brilliance.
The peacock’s aura weakened, but its screen grew ever more vivid and blinding.
“Kid, forcing me to use this move—you’re strong enough!”
“Go!”
The peacock’s screen snapped forward.
In an instant, countless quills shot out like a barrage of arrows, surging toward Lin Yun!
As the quills launched, the peacock’s face paled, its aura wilting—releasing them clearly took a heavy toll.
The quills were tiny, terrifyingly fast, and numerous, covering a vast area.
Reflected in Lin Yun’s pupils, they grew larger at a visible, alarming rate.
Defend!
Lin Yun swept his Purple Qiong Sword, its qi forming a purple barrier before him.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The quills pierced the barrier, riddling it with holes, striking Lin Yun.
Though he blocked some with his sword, their sheer number overwhelmed him—many hit, piercing even the Frost Heart’s surface and sinking into his flesh!
“Damn!”
Lin Yun’s expression changed.
His defense, bolstered by the Frost Heart, was formidable—yet it was breached!
Once inside, the quills released a neurotoxin!
“Hiss… poison!”
Lin Yun’s eyes twitched, pain making him gasp.
A searing agony spread wildly through his body!
The toxin wouldn’t kill him but numbed his limbs, slowed his movements, slashed his strength, and inflicted excruciating torment.
“It’s over!”
The Black Spider charged, aiming to finish him.
The peacock, weakened by its quill barrage, stayed back, letting the spider close the fight.
Facing the spider, Lin Yun’s face darkened. The spreading toxin and pain crippled his response.
“Get lost!”
His trembling arm gripped the Purple Qiong Sword, forcing inner strength to sweep it outward!
Boom!
The spider swiftly countered.
“Kid, you’re done! Die!” Its attack came again.
Poison slowed Lin Yun, making it hard to muster a strong defense.
As the spider’s leg swung with terrifying force, Lin Yun could only raise his sword to block.
Boom!
He was sent flying.
Pfft!
Already poisoned, the external blow made Lin Yun spit blood.
“Pretty tough! But how many more hits can you take?” The spider lunged again.
“Longer than you think!” Lin Yun spat blood, grinning fiercely.
The toxin darkened his skin slightly.
But his fighting spirit never wavered!
Boom!
A spatial ripple surged.
Three figures appeared.
Huo Zhen, Liang Yuan, and Yang Wan.
They materialized outside the spider’s web barrier.
“Brother, we’re here!”
They attacked the web together.
“Damn!”
The spider and peacock’s faces changed.
“Kid, die! Die! Die!”
The spider attacked Lin Yun frantically. Though injured and bleeding, Lin Yun held his ground.
The Frost Heart, pierced earlier, wasn’t solid—it flowed like water, sealing its holes quickly. Unlike standard armor, which stayed damaged, the Frost Heart could ‘heal.’
So, it still shielded Lin Yun from the spider’s blows.
Boom.
Huo Zhen’s trio shattered the web.
“Brother!”
They rushed to Lin Yun.
“Brother, the personal guard and city guard are hurrying here!” Huo Zhen said.
“Damn! Damn!” The spider cursed.
The trio’s arrival shifted the tide.
Lin Yun, though hurt, could still fight. With Huo Zhen’s group, the spider knew it and the peacock couldn’t win.
The peacock’s big move had drained it, leaving the spider as the main force.
Continuing would fail to kill Lin Yun, and when the army arrived, they’d be in trouble.
“Retreat!”
Reluctantly, the spider fled.
The peacock flapped its wings, escaping too!
Huo Zhen’s trio reached Lin Yun, supporting him.
“Brother, pursue?” Yang Wan asked.
“I’m not in good shape—no chase,” Lin Yun shook his head.
In peak condition with the trio, he’d pursue and make them pay.
But poisoned and injured, sending just the trio wouldn’t suffice against the beasts.
Watching them vanish into the night, Lin Yun exhaled—he’d survived.
He’d lost nothing and gained insight into Shadow Sword Art’s sixth form through real combat.
“Those beasts are bold,” Huo Zhen growled.
“Brother, how’s your injury?” he asked.
“Yeah, Brother Lin Yun, you don’t look good,” Liang Yuan added.
“Poisoned, but it’s not too bad. The toxin should wear off in a few hours,” Lin Yun said.
The peacock’s poison wasn’t lethal, and Lin Yun’s physique was robust.
Relieved, the trio relaxed.
“Didn’t expect two such powerful beasts hiding in our prefecture. Their strength matches human Ninth Transcending Tribulation Realm, right?” Huo Zhen marveled.
“Their tricks are varied and eerie, their defenses tough—harder to handle than typical Ninth Transcending Tribulation Realm, and there were two,” Lin Yun said.
“True,” the trio nodded.
“Let’s head back to the prefecture city,” Lin Yun said, summoning his flying vessel.
