Chapter 1276: A Critical Momen
Hardly any time transpired from the moment when Shangguan Xiongyan's bolt of fire was stopped by the +10 additional effect of the Counter Armor. But during that time, Shangguan Xiongyan had somehow managed to close enough distance to strike at Bai Yunfei!
Bai Yunfei didn't know how Shangguan Xiongyan was able to do that—the two had been over two kilometers apart. Not even a Saint was able to move that much distance in seemingly a single step!
To those watching, it seemed like Bai Yunfei was doomed to an early death...
"Swish!!"
The blade in Shangguan Xiongyan's hand radiated a beam of scorching red light as if to extend its edge. 'Effortlessly', the blade then traveled in and out of Bai Yunfei's throat!
Glee flickered in Shangguan Xiongyan's eyes at the sight of his blade cutting into the throat, but when he felt no resistance, his eyes then widened in surprise; something was off!
Though his blade had well and truly gone through Bai Yunfei's throat, it had done so 'without resistance'! There was no tactile sensation of flesh being cut!
In front of him, Bai Yunfei's figure flickered erratically in a way that made him seem transparent. Then Shangguan Xiongyan's senses caught up with his mind.
Bai Yunfei's aura was gone!
The man was standing in front of him, but his aura wasn't. His attack had somehow managed to fail!
+10 Additional Effect of the Core Stone: Activated!
Consume soulforce to send any target within ten meters into a sealed dimension for two seconds. Target cannot attack and cannot be attacked. Target maintains original visibility. Cooldown of 1 minute.
On the brink of death, Bai Yunfei had managed to active yet another effect to successfully save his life.
But...Bai Yunfei didn't look as happy as when he survived the first attempt. That was because...Shangguan Xiongyan was still right in front of him!
He was in that sealed dimension for two seconds, but once those two seconds were over he'd be back in front of Shangguan Xiongyan's intimidating figure. How would he possibly be able to dodge the attack of a Saint from up close?!
"Whish!!"
The rapid sound of wind being displaced caused Shangguan Xiongyan to freeze up suddenly. Kicking away from where Bai Yunfei was, he retreated in an instant to avoid being attacked. Simultaneously, a tear opened up in space right next to Bai Yunfei.
A moment later and a single person walked out from the tear—it was Ge Yiyun.
"Phew..."
Bai Yunfei sighed once more, though his heart was still pounding heavily inside his body. He truly did think for a moment that he was going to die there.
So this is what the attack of a Saint was like...He had been forced to use two of his life-saving effects in practically a second and yet he had still been dancing on the fine edge of death's scythe...
If not for those effects, Bai Yunfei would've definitely failed to dodge Shangguan Xiongyan's attacks.
It was in this moment that Bai Yunfei thought about how great the gap was between a Soul Saint and himself.
......
"Senior Ge..."
Bai Yunfei looked to Ge Yiyun with a bitter expression of humiliation. It had been him who came here to help, and yet it was him who was instead helped.
"You take care of yourself. Don't worry about me if matters come to worst!"
A mixture of gratitude and sorrow met Bai Yunfei's face as Ge Yiyun spoke. He didn't say anything more as he turned his attention back to Shangguan Xiongyan. The transparent pearl was back in his hand and was ready to be sent flying again.
"Hmph!!"
Sneering, Shangguan Xiongyan lashed out with his sword once again. This time, a beam of energy shot out from the sword and slammed into the transparent pearl while the tornadoes of fire around them all dove at Ge Yiyun as if it were alive.
Silent, Ge Yiyun clapped both hands together. In response, the transparent pearl shot out several beams of energy to strike at the flames.
"......"
It was with reluctance that Bai Yunfei retreated from the scene. He had no choice in the matter despite his wishes, but there was nothing he could do here...
Using the Cataclysmic Seal to attack and then the +10 additional effect of the Counter Armor had used up another thirty percent of his reserves, meaning Bai Yunfei was getting drastically low on soulforce.
He had half a mind to use Soul Ignition to regain his soulforce and then attack with the Vampiric Demon Edge, but it didn't seem like the right time to use them. It was possible this method wouldn't even do much harm to Shangguan Xiongyan, meaning it would be foolish to commit to it without further knowledge.
The Cataclysmic Seal returned to his side as he tried to recover his soulforce. As he did so, he thought heavily about what he should do and what opportunities were still available.
It was just that he was thinking several times more panicked than before. The existence of Triumphant Flame left a great amount of uncertainty in his mind.
"Boom boom boom..."
Shangguan Xiongyan and Ge Yiyun were once again embroiled in combat. Whenever he wanted to break away from Ge Yiyun and attack Bai Yunfei, Shangguan Xiongyan was frustrated to see that Ge Yiyun would stop him.
The situation was different than before now that Bai Yunfei was the more dangerous opponent. There was also a difference with Ge Yiyun being able to stall Shangguan Xiongyan more effectively now that the latter was distracted.
......
"Roar!!"
An abrupt and dragonic roar exploded across the battlefield, distracting Shangguan Xiongyan at once.
That roar came from where Shen Pojun and Gu Jimie were fighting!
It had been an area obscured by red and black light the entire time, but not anymore! An obscene amount of energy exploded out from the area and caused seemingly the entire world to tremble.
"A dragon?! Is...is that another Regalia!?"
His eyes widened at the possibility of it being another Regalia.
The raw amount of power coming from that roar seemed like it came from an actual dragon and also seemed like it had the presence of a spirit!
"The +12 additional effect of the Flame Dragon Crescent Blade! The ancestor is going to win!!"
Bai Yunfei's face lit up with excitement at what this meant.
Shangguan Xiongyan didn't know what was going on, but Bai Yunfei did. This explosion was because of Shen Pojun using the Flame Dragon Crescent Blade!
Flame Dragon Crescent Blade's stats:
Equipment Grade: High Heaven
Elemental Affinity: Fire
Upgrade Level: +12
Attack: 9000
Additional Attack: 9500
Soul Compatibility: 20%
Equipment Effect 1: 70% Increase in attack against metal and wood types.
Equipment Effect 2: 30% Chance to invoke the spirit of a dragon when attacking. Increase attack power by 50% and reduce energy consumption by 50%.
+10 Additional Effect: Reduce soulforce consumption by half when using this weapon's effects.
+12 Additional Effect: Convert and store enemy energy into this weapon. When enough energy is amassed, unleash a blow at 200% attack.
Upgrade Requirement: 490 Soulpoints
The +12 additional effect was what was responsible for that tremendous amount of energy. Because of that effect, the energy dragon that formed from the attack felt like it almost had sentience contained inside of it.
After becoming +12, the Flame Dragon Crescent Blade seemed to give birth to a spirit of some kind. If a higher upgrade level was reached, then perhaps the spirit would eventually mature into a dragonic spirit of the armament.
But given that this effect was used, Bai Yunfei was confident that Gu Jimie would be in serious damage. Victory was almost guaranteed.
It was just a guess from Bai Yunfei, but Shangguan Xiongyan had a much better read on the situation. His soulsense was telling him that Gu Jimie was in danger!
"Die!!"
Flying in a panic, Shangguan Xiongyan immediately launched a fearsome attack onto the unexpecting Ge Yiyun!
The pressure doubled onto Ge Yiyun. What was once an advantageous situation for him was now turning into a disadvantageous one!
"Oh no! Senior Ge doesn't look like he can hold on for much longer!"
Lit alight with panic, Bai Yunfei watched as the near-spent Ge Yiyun tried his best to fight off Shangguan Xiongyan. But the enemy was fierce in every approach, and it seemed like Ge Yiyun's powerboosting technique was nearing its limit...
"Ah damnit! I guess it's time!!"
Bai Yunfei howled to himself in anxiety. He gritted his teeth and immediately activated Soul Ignition and pulled out the Vampiric Demon Edge.
"Eh?!"
Before he could activate it, Bai Yunfei's ears perked up. He looked up, suddenly aware of something different. Something new.
A chilling aura suddenly assaulted his senses, causing him to shiver in cold. It seemed as if the entire world itself had suddenly been blanketed in a storm as snow sprinkled down everywhere like petals.
It took Bai Yunfei several moments to realize what was going on. When he did, he let out a wide smile!
"This is..."