Tang San's reaction was instantaneous. With a sharp flick of his wrist, thick vines of Blue Silver Grass erupted from the forest floor. They moved with a life of their own, coiling around the Phantom Nether Leopard's powerful limbs like a nest of sapphire-colored Spirit snakes. The beast was momentarily snagged, its momentum halted by the sudden binding.
The Phantom Nether Leopard was not so easily subdued, however. It let out a low, menacing snarl that vibrated in the chests of everyone nearby. Its unique golden and silver demonic eyes blazed with an eerie light, reflecting a predatory intelligence.
In that very instant, Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, and Dai Mubai—who were all rushing forward to deliver a finishing blow—suddenly froze in their tracks. Their expressions turned to ones of utter confusion. In their vision, the single Phantom Nether Leopard in front of them didn't just move; it instantly split into three identical copies. Each one darted in a different direction with a lifelike aura that felt perfectly real.
"Be careful! It's a high-level illusion!" Tang San shouted, his voice ringing out across the clearing.
Tang San's Purple Demon Eye pulsed with a faint light, allowing him to see through the layers of deception that would blind a normal Spirit Master. Even with his enhanced vision, he realized the danger. His Blue Silver Grass was versatile, but it couldn't effectively capture three fast-moving targets at the exact same time when only one was the true physical body.
However, just at this critical moment, Ye Yin made his move. He didn't summon a flashy weapon or use a standard Spirit Ability. Instead, a strange, invisible vortex seemed to swirl within the depths of his eyes.
The power of his 100,000-year wisdom skull bone quietly activated. A vast and incredibly condensed mental force swept across the entire battlefield like invisible ripples on a pond. It was a silent tide of psychic energy that brooked no resistance.
Crack!
A sound like shattering glass echoed sharply in everyone's minds. The three realistic illusions vanished instantly like popped bubbles, unable to withstand the overwhelming mental pressure. This revealed the Phantom Nether Leopard's true body. The beast had been trying to sneak away, attempting to break through the poison mist blockade by flanking Dai Mubai.
Because the illusion was forcibly broken by a superior force, the Phantom Nether Leopard let out a shriek of surprise and pure agony. It was clearly suffering from a heavy mental backlash. Its movements, once fluid and lightning-fast, became sluggish and jerky."Now! This is a good opportunity!" Zhu Zhuqing cried out, a fierce glint flashing in her eyes.
She didn't waste a single second. Her Netherworld Rush Stab and Netherworld Hundred Claws erupted in an instant. Taking full advantage of the leopard's disorientation, she became a blur of black shadows. Her sharp claws tore through the air, fiercely raking across the beast's waist and abdomen.
Rip!
The leopard's shadow-crystal fur, which usually acted as a natural armor, was torn wide open. A trail of dark blood followed her claws, staining the grass. The Phantom Nether Leopard roared in pain, its form flickering and becoming even more ethereal as it desperately tried to conceal itself within the shadows once more.
But Xiao Wu was already one step ahead. Her Teleportation ability brought her directly behind the wounded predator. With her Waist Bow activated, she twisted her body with incredible flexibility and delivered a fierce kick. The force of the blow sent the leopard flying straight toward Dai Mubai.
Dai Mubai gave a primal roar of his own, his muscles swelling. His tiger paw, enhanced by the White Tiger Vajra Transformation, descended with the weight of a falling mountain.
Bang!
The Phantom Nether Leopard was hit squarely in the chest. It screamed as it crashed heavily into the dirt, creating a small crater. It struggled to get back on its feet, its legs shaking, but Tang San wasn't finished. A Blue Silver Prison instantly formed around the beast, the sturdy cages of grass trapping it firmly in place.
"Zhuyu! Do it now!" Ye Yin let out a low, commanding cry.
Zhu Zhuyu had been poised and ready for this exact moment. Upon hearing his voice, she immediately activated her Spirit possession. The phantom of a Hell Civet merged with her slender frame, and her three purple Spirit Rings—denoting her status as a Spirit Elder—shone with a brilliant light.
She let out a delicate cry as her body shot forward like an arrow released from a heavy bow. Her sharp cat claws condensed every bit of her remaining power. She struck with pinpoint accuracy, her claws stabbing deep into the Phantom Nether Leopard's vulnerable throat.
Pfft!
The leopard's violent struggles ceased instantly. The mysterious light in its golden and silver demonic eyes rapidly dimmed until it was gone. As the life left the beast, a deep black Spirit Ring slowly began to condense and rise from its corpse. Within the dark ring, shadows seemed to flow like liquid, occasionally flashing with hints of golden and silver light. It was a 10,000-year ring, mysterious and undeniably powerful.
Success!
Zhu Zhuyu looked at the 10,000-year Spirit Ring, her small hands trembling slightly with a mix of exhaustion and excitement. She took a deep breath and looked at Ye Yin. Her eyes were filled with a deep sense of trust and reliance.
Under Ye Yin's encouraging and steady gaze, she sat down cross-legged and began the process of guiding the 10,000-year Spirit Ring toward her. As the ring settled over her, a vast amount of energy and a cold, illusion-filled mental fragment surged into her body.
Zhu Zhuyu let out a pained groan, her face turning pale. Her body began to tremble under the strain. The energy impact and the mental backlash from a 10,000-year ring far exceeded anything a 1,000-year ring could produce. To make matters more difficult, she was attempting to absorb a ring that was technically beyond her current rank's normal limits.
Ye Yin frowned slightly, seeing her struggle. He stepped forward and gently placed his palm on Zhu Zhuyu's back. A gentle yet immense wave of Spirit Power surged from him into her body, helping her stabilize her chaotic energy.
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