The explosion rippled outward, a swirl of smoke and chaotic elemental energy forming a miniature storm, scattering the Geovishaps' rolling formation.
Sensing the shift, the Hilichurls, urged on by the pain and the crackling whips of the Abyss Mages, regained their composure. Protected by the mages' shields and boosted by their dark enchantments, they advanced steadily behind the lumbering Hilichurl Berserkers.
"Hold the line! Keep up the assault!"
Gu Sanqiu slung the sniper rifle over his shoulder, grasping his spear with his left hand while tossing a handful of power-infused pills with his right. The capsules flew with pinpoint accuracy into the slimes, replenishing their energy reserves.
"Large slimes, initiate spray attack!"
Every large slime inhaled deeply, and the frequency of their attacks—fiery projectiles, icy blasts, and torrents of water—suddenly doubled, catching the advancing Hilichurls off-guard.
"Anemo Slimes, ascend!"
The wobbling Anemo Slimes floated into the air, puffing out their cheeks and preparing for their next move.
"Unleash Elemental Storm Barrage!"
Boom!
A fiercer explosion rocked the battlefield. The Geovishaps, who had been methodically regenerating their shields through their rolling motions, were caught off guard, while the Hilichurls faced the brunt of the impact.
As for the wild boars? Well, who's interested in twenty roasted lumps of charcoal?
"Roar!"
A Berserker Hilichurl charged forward, a tattered branch stuck in its head, its body glimmering with a faint blue light. The creature stormed through the blaze, raising its axe in a furious swing toward the Flame Slime blocking its way.
These insignificant creatures, once nothing more than targets to be smashed and enchanted, dared to fight back?
They will pay!
"Keep firing! Don't stop!"
The Flame Slimes of the first squad were clearly out of commission for the time being; after all, the nearly genetic oppression that Hilichurl Berserkers exerted over slimes was beyond his control.
It was akin to how Azhdaha, the legendary dragon, would address ordinary mortals with a disdainful "You dare?"—a sense of grandeur befitting a sovereign beast from ancient times.
But in Zhongli's case, it was always "Morax, it's time to settle the score," a burning desire to crush him underfoot and scatter his remains in the dirt.
In essence, this deep-seated, primal behavior was practically unchangeable.
However, Gu Sanqiu had a brutally simple counter for situations like this!
The Berserker's axe descended, but instead of striking the slime, it met layer upon layer of shimmering shields.
Though the axe shattered multiple barriers in quick succession, the Flame Slime remained unharmed, more shields forming faster than they could be broken!
A low rumble filled the air as the shattered stone walls fused together, forming a solid platform beneath the slime, perpetually generating fresh shields through crystallization reactions.
Pills continued to fly from Gu Sanqiu's hand, his expression somewhere between smug and supremely confident.
A true slime turret—now reinforced by premium currency!
"Oh? You think a withered old branch infused with ley line energy can break my defense?"
Gu Sanqiu tilted his head. "Think again."
"Fire at will!"
Explosions erupted once more across the battlefield, but as chaos raged, another group of bizarre creatures charged in, seemingly driven to madness as they surged toward the Dragonfall Tree.
"Attack freely, attack freely!"
Gu Sanqiu had once considered teaching his slimes to perform "coordinated strikes" or "split maneuvers," but after some failed attempts, he gave up.
It was already a small miracle they understood their squad names, "First Team" and "Second Team." He knew better than to expect more.
The random bombardment transformed the entire area into a bubbling pot of elemental reactions. Gu Sanqiu threw his spear skyward, using it as a conduit to cast a thick shield that hovered overhead, preventing any stray shots from reaching Zhongli.
Meanwhile, the Geovishaps continued their endless rolling, growing increasingly agitated as they failed to find suitable targets.
One particularly bold Geovishap had charged Gu Sanqiu, only to be skewered by a single, precise thrust.
For creatures that seemed related to the beasts that rattled off elements like a periodic table, Gu Sanqiu showed no mercy. It was enough to make the other Geovishaps wary, keeping their distance.
Crack!
Amid the stalemate between the slime artillery and the surging monsters, a sharp shattering sound echoed. The Geovishaps turned pale and abruptly retreated, rolling away in a desperate bid to flee.
A chorus of splintering sounds followed as the stone platforms, painstakingly constructed with Geo energy, collapsed. The squads of slimes tumbled to the ground, dazed and disoriented.
"What's happening!?"
Gu Sanqiu's gaze snapped upward, noticing the Dragonfall Tree's branches—once a serene blue jade—were now streaked with crimson and shimmering gold.
Boom... Boom... Boom...
A steady, rhythmic thud emanated from behind the Dragonfall Tree. A massive, four-legged creature, blood-red with tree-like growths on its back and twisted horns atop its head, emerged slowly from the shadows.
The instant it appeared, the Hilichurl forces scattered in terror, while the bolder Treasure Hoarders fainted, rolling unconscious on the ground.
"Azhdaha... the Dragon King?"
Gu Sanqiu's throat went dry. Although this creature didn't match his memory in size or color, the unmistakable aura of draconic majesty radiated from it.
Glancing at the slime army behind him, Gu Sanqiu raised a hand, signaling them to retreat—the gesture was an unequivocal command to disband.
"Alright, if you take out my little allies with one AOE attack, that's going to cause me a headache."
The slimes retreated in orderly fashion according to their types, while Gu Sanqiu descended to the ground, spear in hand, his gaze locked onto the Dragon King's every movement.
No room for error!
"Foolish mortal, DIE!"
The Dragon King's head dipped, its colossal body accelerating with terrifying speed, barreling towards Gu Sanqiu and plowing through soil and plant alike.
Gu Sanqiu leapt upwards. With the Dragon King's sheer size and unexpected agility, dodging sideways or countering directly was out of the question—he had no choice but to take to the air.
"One day, when my physical training is complete, I'll wrestle you to the ground!"
Before he could finish the thought, the branches on Azhdaha's back glowed red, shattering rock and fire combining into magma projectiles that arced toward him.
"Knew you'd have a backup plan!"
He cursed inwardly, realizing that unfurling his glider now was pointless. There was no time. He had to withstand the onslaught!
A radiant golden shield manifested, and Gu Sanqiu gripped his spear, lashing out in a wild flurry to deflect the incoming blasts.
If he couldn't dodge, he'd simply parry them head-on!
BOOM!
The tranquil silence of Dragonfall shattered under the roar of the explosion—or was it the reawakening of a long-dormant power, infusing the quiet wilderness with a renewed, yet twisted vitality?
Was this fear—or anticipation?
"Azhdaha!"
Bloodied but laughing, Gu Sanqiu surged from the smoke, the spear in his hands somehow transformed into a pair of short-handled hammers, both engraved with identical dragon motifs.
"Now, take THIS!"
---
T/N: I realized the format sometimes becomes off when I paste it from Patreon so from now on we shouldn't have that mistake because I will look it over! (i probably should've been doing that from the beginning smirking cat emoji)
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
If you wish to support me or read ahead here's a link! [patreon.com/WiseTL]