Top-tier Unruly Master-Chapter 1636 - 1673: Clash

Although the massive body of the Guardian Yuan Beast was extraordinarily large, its speed of movement at this time was surprisingly fast, making it seem less like a massive creature and more like a swift swallow. The Guardian Yuan Beast dodged Ding Fan’s attack and quickly escaped Ding Fan’s assault.

Ding Fan was quite astonished by the sudden burst of speed from the Yuan Beast, as it was evidently an incredible feat. However, Ding Fan knew this was just the burst strength of the opponent. Ding Fan was aware that the Yuan Beast’s speed could not be maintained for long. After all, moving such a large body was a strenuous task.

But Ding Fan also realized that time was not on his side, and his supply of Supreme Rejuvenation Pills was limited. It was clear that he couldn’t afford a battle of attrition with the Yuan Beast. Even though the creature’s speed was due to its explosive power, Ding Fan knew he couldn’t afford to wait. He realized his time was too limited!

Immediately, Ding Fan activated the "Transcendent Strike," launching another assault on the opponent. Ding Fan’s figure vanished quickly from the spot and reappeared beside the Guardian Yuan Beast, swinging his flying sword viciously toward the edge of the creature’s abdomen!

Seeing this, the Guardian Yuan Beast’s pupils contracted in surprise. It hadn’t anticipated such an unusual attack method from this human, making it impossible to track Ding Fan’s movements. Consequently, Ding Fan’s flying sword fiercely slashed at the white, leathery part of the Yuan Beast’s abdomen.

Roar roar roar...

The Guardian Yuan Beast let out a painful howl, feeling both agony and anger. Clearly, this human had thoroughly provoked its fury! Yet, the Guardian Yuan Beast seemed helpless, unable to defend against Ding Fan’s attacks.

Ding Fan’s assault was exceptionally bizarre, challenging even for a Divided Spirit-stage cultivator. The attacks were eerily elusive, striking from nowhere.

Ultimately, Ding Fan’s silhouette was impossible to catch.

This was due to Ding Fan employing the "Transcendent Strike," a Unique Skill from the Thirty-Six Caverns. Ding Fan felt somewhat fortunate for mastering this skill to a certain degree before entering the Xuantian Secret Realm. Otherwise, he’d stand no chance against the burst strength and speed of the Guardian Yuan Beast.

Thanks to the "Transcendent Strike," Ding Fan had gained the upper hand in the battle against the Guardian Yuan Beast. The creature could only flee from Ding Fan’s attacks. Even in flight, the Guardian Yuan Beast received heavy stabs from Ding Fan, its abdomen quickly becoming riddled with bloody wounds.

However, Ding Fan regretted that, although he could continuously wound the Guardian Yuan Beast, these attacks were not fatal. Ding Fan noticed the creature’s vigor remained strong, despite its evident pain from the sword injuries, not significantly affected.

Conversely, the continued use of "Transcendent Strike" greatly depleted Ding Fan’s Divine Vigor, leaving him with only one Medicine Pill in his mouth to replenish it. Although he had some in his storage bag, pausing his attacks would grant the opponent a respite, and the timing for the pill could be perilous.

Momentarily at a loss, Ding Fan realized his supply of Rebirth Pills was dwindling. His constant assault reduced its absorption of vitality, but it still existed. Additionally, Ding Fan didn’t have many Rebirth Pills left.

Ding Fan knew time was short. The Yuan Beast didn’t seem to be weakening. Initially, Ding Fan considered releasing the Frost Toad to fight, given its current terrifying power. But Ding Fan was taken aback when he noticed a sense of fear from the Frost Toad upon first seeing the Yuan Beast.

Ding Fan guessed the Frost Toad feared the opponent’s vitality absorption, as, despite being an Ancient Divine Beast, it only had a portion of such a bloodline and was not a true Divine Beast. Still, this portion granted it an absolute advantage and dominance over most Yuan Beasts.

In previous encounters within the Cultivation World, any Yuan Beast encountered cowered when the Frost Toad appeared. Such fear was inherent, a natural dread of lower beings for their superiors, often sending opponents running at the sight of the Frost Toad.

But the Frost Toad’s fear now was unusual to Ding Fan, hinting that this Guardian Yuan Beast was not simple and likely carried its own Divine Beast bloodline. The Ancient Times held many kinds of Divine Beasts, leaving Ding Fan unable to determine this creature’s heritage.

Yet Ding Fan knew this Yuan Beast was far from simple. It was, after all, the Guardian Beast of the Sword Washing Pool, unlikely to be weak.

Previously, images on a stone wall suggested this Sword Washing Pool might have been a secluded meditation spot created by leading figures. Such powerful individuals wouldn’t have a weak Guardian Yuan Beast. Moreover, Ding Fan understood the Frost Toad’s fear of the Guardian Yuan Beast was not due to a lower being confronting a higher one.

Thus, Ding Fan realized that the Frost Toad’s lineage was certainly not inferior to the Yuan Beast by much. However, Ding Fan knew that the Frost Toad feared the Yuan Beast’s ability to absorb life force; at this moment, the Frost Toad was on Ding Fan. As long as Ding Fan’s vitality wasn’t completely absorbed by the Yuan Beast, the Frost Toad wouldn’t be in danger.

But once the Frost Toad is released, there’s a high likelihood its vitality would be absorbed by the Guardian Yuan Beast. Although Ding Fan sensed the Frost Toad’s life force source was stronger than that of a human, even if absorbed by the Yuan Beast, it wouldn’t be as quick as with a human, and it still has the ability to escape.

Nonetheless, the Frost Toad would definitely suffer some injuries. Although its self-repair ability is strong, and its cultivation progress cannot be matched by cultivators or ordinary Yuan Beasts, it is still very reluctant to suffer any harm, as it truly is a painful matter.

Hence, Ding Fan also knew that he absolutely wouldn’t recklessly let the Frost Toad get hurt. After all, the Frost Toad is Ding Fan’s trump card. If the Frost Toad were injured, it wouldn’t be a great thing for Ding Fan either. Thus, unless absolutely necessary, Ding Fan wouldn’t release the Frost Toad.

Ding Fan knew that if he had to release the Frost Toad, it would have to be under circumstances promising certain victory.

At this moment, although Ding Fan knew the Guardian Yuan Beast’s weak point was likely its abdomen, the Yuan Beast’s defense was far too tight. He could only attack the periphery of the Yuan Beast’s abdomen, essentially failing to inflict harm directly on the Yuan Beast’s abdomen.

The Yuan Beast’s body was nearly pressed to the ground, leaving Ding Fan with no immediate solutions.

Even though Ding Fan held some explosive runes in his hands, given the Yuan Beast’s burst strength, evading attacks from explosive runes was quite easy. Hence, Ding Fan refrains from making futile attacks. Instead, he continually flickers his form, persistently attacking the edges of the Yuan Beast’s abdomen.

Currently, Ding Fan has no means to deliver lethal attacks on the Guardian Yuan Beast. However, Ding Fan resolutely maintains his assault, believing that even if he cannot immediately slay the Yuan Beast, heavily injuring it remains a worthy goal, especially given its diminished life force absorption compared to before.

This is advantageous for Ding Fan.

Roar, roar, roar...

The Guardian Yuan Beast roared repeatedly, filled with anger as Ding Fan’s assault struck it continuously, causing great agony. Following several roars, the Guardian Yuan Beast suddenly adjusted its short, thick limbs and stood upright.

Seeing this, Ding Fan was overjoyed; he initially fretted about lacking an opportunity to strike the opponent’s abdomen. Unexpectedly, the Yuan Beast remarkably lifted itself up, exposing its abdomen, flecked with white and strands of crimson, directly to Ding Fan.

But in the moment after Ding Fan’s delight, he couldn’t further rejoice upon noticing the Guardian Yuan Beast’s actions. After rising, its scales along its back stood erect, and with a vigorous shake, countless tiny flying insects emerged from its scales, engulfing Ding Fan.

Witnessing this scene, Ding Fan was utterly astonished, clearly not anticipating that the Yuan Beast still possessed such abilities, thoroughly catching Ding Fan off guard. Even though Ding Fan had been quite cautious against the Yuan Beast, aware that a Grade Eight Yuan Beast wouldn’t be so simple.

However, upon momentarily gaining the upper hand against the Yuan Beast, Ding Fan grew slightly complacent. His heart tightened upon realizing the Guardian Yuan Beast had seized an excellent opportunity, thoroughly surprising him. Though Ding Fan had been cautiously prepared, he still fell into the opponent’s trap.

Observing the swarming flying insects, Ding Fan knew they were certainly not ordinary. Not even employing the flying sword with Wind Sword Technique at its peak could efficiently slaughter all these insects, and Ding Fan was already too late. Instinctively, Ding Fan deployed "Transcendent Strike" to vanish instantly.

When Ding Fan reappeared, he had already distanced himself from the insects. With inward relief, Ding Fan acknowledged mastering the "Transcendent Strike," which prevented him from succumbing to the Yuan Beast’s scheme. Yet, Ding Fan couldn’t afford complacency afterward, immediately releasing a defensive aura of Divine Vigor, enveloping himself entirely, while reaffirming the Wind Sword Technique upon the insects with myriad sword beams.

As one sword beam fell, countless insects were chopped down by Ding Fan, but as the fallen insects landed on Ding Fan’s energy barrier of Divine Vigor, they surprisingly corroded a multitude of small holes into it. This prompted Ding Fan to draw a sharp breath, imagining the terror had these insect carcasses landed upon him directly.