Poison was undeniably a potent ability. Everyone present understood just how formidable Lei Potian was. Yet, he had been killed by a mere venomous bee. Although Niu Geng was the weakest among them, his knowledge of poisons was invaluable.
Facing the Poison Moth, Lu Yuling and the others wore grim expressions. Not only was it a two-star demonic beast, but it also possessed the poison attribute. In terms of threat level, such a creature was even more terrifying than the two-star demonic bear they had encountered before. What's more, it displayed a certain level of intelligence, making it even more challenging to deal with.
Although the demonic beast was formidable, it remained a wild creature. Intelligence was always the greatest weapon against it. With proper utilization of intelligence, it was not impossible to defeat foes of higher levels. For example, when Zhuge Xiang had confronted the demonic bear previously, his battle plan had been flawless. However, when the demonic beast possessed its own intelligence, schemes became even more difficult to execute.
A person's combat strength was influenced by numerous factors: cultivation, skills, cultivation techniques, Dharma artifacts, intelligence, luck, timing, and location…
Undoubtedly, intelligence played a crucial role in dealing with demonic beasts. However, this Two-Star Demonic Moth not only possessed terrifying poison abilities but also had the ability to fly. Additionally, it exhibited a certain level of intelligence. Yet, the threat it posed was incomparable to that of the previous Demonic Bear.
"Can we escape?" Hua Nongying asked in a hushed voice as she fixed her gaze on the dancing Demonic Moths in the air. Her hand, gripping the short knife, was covered in cold sweat. She didn't question whether they could kill the Demonic Moth, but rather if they could escape.
Zhuge Xiang's expression was equally somber. He remained silent, for even he lacked confidence in dealing with this Two-Star Demonic Moth. Looking at his equipment, victory seemed utterly unattainable.
The Blood Refined Saber's blood-sucking effect? A two-star demonic beast could kill him in an instant. What good would the blood-sucking effect be then? The Frost Headband? The flying Demonic Moth was evidently swift. Even with a 20% reduction, it wouldn't make much of a difference. Moreover, as the Demonic Moth flapped its pink wings, poisonous fog filled the air. Who would dare to approach? Yet, if they didn't get close, could they rely solely on long-range attacks?
Could Ling Wufeng's flying dagger and Hundred Refinement Bow defeat this Demonic Moth? There was no need to contemplate it; it was utterly impossible. If there was one thing that might aid them, it would be the antidote pill. It could remove the poison status for those below the two-star level. It appeared that Zhuge Xiang wouldn't be immune to the moth's poison for a certain period. However, even without the poison, it remained a two-star demonic beast.
Phew…
Seeing that the internal strife between Zhuge Xiang and the others had ended and the spectacle was over, the Demonic Moth had no intention of allowing Zhuge Xiang and the others to ponder for too long. Its vibrant pink wings fluttered, and its elephant-sized body charged directly towards Zhuge Xiang and his companions.
Witnessing the Demonic Moth's assault, everyone instinctively retreated. The poisonous fog enveloping their bodies left them devoid of the courage to approach. Such was the dominance of a two-star demonic beast's poison. They had no interest in testing it.
With the bow bent like a full moon, a blood-red Qi Force manifested on Zhuge Xiang's body, revealing a hideous and terrifying countenance. Seizing the moment, Zhuge Xiang retrieved the Hundred Refinement Bow and activated the Bloodthirst Technique. Though he possessed no archery skills, the secret room was confined, and the Demonic Moth was immense. Unless one was blind, hitting it was almost guaranteed.
Swoosh…
As the arrow was released, it emanated a scarlet radiance and bore a blood-red ghostly visage. Its attack range of a hundred meters granted it formidable kinetic energy, bypassing the effect of 30 points of defense. Combined with the augmentation of Zhuge Xiang's Bloodthirst Technique, the power behind this arrow was astonishing.
It was the first time they had witnessed Zhuge Xiang employing a bow and arrow. Lu Yuling and the others observed him in astonishment. Reacting swiftly, Ling Wufeng, as expected of a genius who had distinguished himself among the 100,000 disciples, promptly responded. With a flick of his hand, alongside Zhuge Xiang's arrow, a flying knife shot forth, aimed directly at the Demonic Moth's compound eye.
Regardless of the life form, instinctively, anything that targeted its eyes would be perceived as a threat. The Demonic Moth flapped its pink wings, interposing them before itself, effectively blocking Ling Wufeng's flying knife. However, how could this thin layer of pink wings obstruct Zhuge Xiang's arrow?
Indeed, a two-star demonic beast boasted a robust physique, but how could the fragile wings of a moth compare to the thick hide of a demonic bear? Its innate physical defense was considerably weaker, let alone the moth's wings, which constituted a mere delicate layer of pink.
Not only did Zhuge Xiang's arrow light benefit from a 50% attack bonus from the Bloodthirst Technique, but the Hundred Refined Bow itself was also a two-star Dharma artifact with an attack power of approximately 30 points. Coupled with its special effect of bypassing the target's defense of 30 points, Zhuge Xiang's arrow possessed enough power to rival that of a cultivator at the fifth level of the Qi Nourishing stage, even without any additional skills.
The scarlet arrow pierced through the moth's pink wings and struck its body. However, although it elicited a cry from the moth, it was evident that the injuries inflicted were not severe. The arrow merely grazed a small portion of its body, considering the moth's size, comparable to that of an elephant.
"As expected of a two-star demonic beast. Even a moth with relatively low innate defense possesses a body as tough as steel." Despite cursing inwardly at the meager impact of his arrow, Zhuge Xiang acknowledged its reasonability.
His arrow had pierced through the pink wings of the Demonic Moth and struck its body. It was clear that the effectiveness of the Hundred Refinement Bow's attack power and the ability to ignore 30 points of defense were the primary factors behind the minimal effect. Without them, it was uncertain whether the arrow could have penetrated the pink wings at all.
The Demonic Moth let out a roar. It had not even launched its attack and it was already injured. It was challenging for the Demonic Moth to accept that a group of humans who had not even reached the level of a one-star mid-grade demon beast had managed to inflict harm upon it. Although the injury was trivial, the Demonic Moth found it difficult to reconcile. It had just begun to develop its intelligence and had developed its own distinct thoughts. Therefore, as a two-star demon beast, it possessed its own pride.
Drawing from his experience dealing with the demonic bear, Ling Wufeng swiftly reacted upon witnessing the Demonic Moth open its mouth and emit a cry. He swiftly waved his hands, propelling four flying daggers that flew directly toward the vulnerable mouth of the Demonic Moth. Observing the flying daggers rapidly approach the moth's mouth without any possibility of evasion, Ling Wufeng felt a surge of secret delight. Had he succeeded?
Hiss hiss…
However, a two-star demonic beast, especially one that had recently gained sentience, could not be easily killed. Just as the four flying daggers were about to pierce its vulnerable mouth and end its life, numerous white threads suddenly shot out from the Demonic Moth's mouth, forcefully deflecting Ling Wufeng's daggers.
"Damn it, poisonous threads! I forgot that moths evolve from cocoons. I never expected them to retain the ability to spit threads," lamented Ling Wufeng as his four flying daggers returned empty-handed, leaving everyone feeling helpless.
Escape. If there had been a viable means of escape, they would have fled long ago. However, there was no way out now. The Demonic Moth was enveloped in poisonous gas and could unleash poisonous threads. No one dared to approach it. At this moment, a sense of despair settled upon everyone. They were at a loss, unsure of what to do. They could not attack or escape.
Despite their continuous retreat, there was no escape route. Lu Yuling manipulated the mechanical puppet to charge forward and restrain the group, but in an instant, the puppet was crushed by the Demonic Moth's jaws. Flapping its pink wings, the massive creature hurtled toward everyone with tremendous force.
Violent Steps!
In a crucial moment, Zhuge Xiang materialized in front of the moth like a ghost. The Blocking Blade reappeared in his hand. Now, it was his only recourse, capable of blocking a single attack per day.
"Zhuge Xiang!!!" The expressions of everyone present underwent a drastic change upon witnessing Zhuge Xiang fearlessly standing before the Demonic Moth, disregarding his own life. If a two-star demon beast were to unleash its full power, he would undoubtedly perish. Even if he managed to survive, being poisoned to such an extent would be overwhelming, wouldn't it?
Given that the Blocking Blade could deflect the full-force strike of a cultivator in the Qi Transformation Stage, it was only natural that it could flawlessly ward off the effects of the poison attribute. Although Zhuge Xiang's stature was significantly smaller than that of the Demonic Moth, his Blocking Blade managed to halt the creature's high-speed charge, suspending it mid-air.
The Demonic Moth, previously poised to annihilate Zhuge Xiang with a fierce gaze, now exhibited a human-like expression of shock in its compound eyes. It clearly couldn't fathom how this seemingly feeble human before it had managed to thwart its full-force collision.
"Now!" Taking advantage of this opportunity, Zhuge Xiang swiftly swung his hand, releasing a black speck of light that accurately struck the Demonic Moth's mouth.
Zhuge Xiang was propelled backward and landed on the ground. Gripping the Blood Refined Saber tightly, he charged once again toward the Demonic Moth. Simultaneously, he shouted, "Don't just stand there! Attack quickly! This is a rare opportunity!"
Attack? Hua Nongying and the others were momentarily taken aback as they observed Zhuge Xiang fearlessly advancing. Their bodies were still cloaked in poisonous gas. How could they launch a close-range attack on the Demonic Moth?
However, their confusion quickly dissipated as they grasped the reason behind Zhuge Xiang's words. They witnessed the previously suspended Demonic Moths suddenly emitting shrill screams, their bodies convulsing uncontrollably and plummeting to the ground.
"What did he shoot into the Demonic Moth's mouth earlier?" Only Lu Yuling, who possessed the ability of mind reading, caught a glimpse of a black object swiftly entering the creature's mouth amidst the chaos caused by Zhuge Xiang. However, she couldn't discern its nature clearly. The object had darted in and disappeared in an instant, too close for her to observe.
"Ding! The antidote has been activated. The Demonic Moth's poison attribute attack has been temporarily neutralized. Effect lasts for 1 minute. All attributes reduced by 40%. Effect lasts for 1 minute."
"Hehe, it's indeed effective…" Zhuge Xiang laughed to himself when he heard the mechanical system notification in his mind.
If the antidote pill could nullify the poison affliction of a two-star Demonic Moth, what would happen if it were directly administered into the creature's stomach? This thought flickered through Zhuge Xiang's mind, and he promptly put it into action. Unexpectedly, the antidote pill's properties interacted with the Demonic Moth's poison, yielding an unforeseen benefit.