As Ye Zhongming advanced, slashing the ground to summon undead minions as distractions, Nine Treasureânow merged with Xia Baiâtransformed.
Its body shrank, and two bumps formed on its back. Soon, a "mini" flying earthworm, only three stories tall, hovered before the Bear King.
Within its large black eyes, Xia Baiâs silhouette was clearly visible.
Beast-Human Fusionâthe strongest combat form for any evolved and their battle beast.
Even Ye Zhongming, Yellow Ball, and Yangos lacked this ability.
The transformed Nine Treasure spat venom at the Bear King before circling sharply, its wing-blades slicing at the beastâs back from an awkward angle.
Nine Treasure was tinyâbut far more agile than the Bear King's bulk.
The Bear King could no longer fly without its spinning attack, and its massive body turned sluggishly.
It swatted away the venom, though some stuck to its paw, sizzling faintly. But a level nine lifeform cared little for such minor corrosion.
As for the wing strike, it barely stung, not even breaking the fur.
The Bear King turned, swiping at Nine Treasure, determined to crush this pest first.
But thenâwham!
Something slammed into its back, staggering the mountain-like beast.
The Bear King whirledâthat damned ball was back!
Still alive?!
The Bear King knew its own strength. When enraged, it could smash mountains with a single strike.
Seeing the hell creature bounce back for another charge, the Bear King bellowed and put full force into its next swipe, sending it flying again.
This timeâDIE!
Turning back, it caught Nine Treasureâs wing, slicing its shoulder. It hurt, but not much.
A headbutt sent the "fly" spiraling away, blood trailing behind.
Pathetic.
That was the Bear Kingâs verdict.
Ye Zhongming seized the moment, closing in with a slash at the Bear Kingâs legâthe highest point he could reach without jumping.
A small cut opened. Not deep, but it drew blood.
The Bear King yowled, kicking Ye Zhongming away.
Its almost-human face flickered with painâbut only for a second.
The Undead Sand Moon Bladeâs debuffs couldnât last long on a level nine lifeformânot even two seconds.
Still, the sensation pissed it off. It lumbered toward Ye Zhongming, raising a paw to crush him.
Kill the leader, break their spirit.
But before the strike landedâBAM!
Its arm was knocked aside, the paw slamming into the ground ten meters away. The impact sent Ye Zhongming bouncing.
The Bear King glaredâthat damn ball AGAIN!
Now it realized: this thing wasnât normal.
Nothing survived multiple direct hits from it.
The ice birds still hadnât gotten up, writhing in the distance.
Ye Zhongming, spared once more, noticed it too. The hell creature had taken several blows, yet showed no visible damage.
Such insane defense?
Even Ye Zhongmingâs defenses, among the best of human evolved, were in tatters after facing the Snow Wolf King and Bear King. How was this thing unscathed?
Abandoning Ye Zhongming, the Bear King focused on the hell creature. This time, elemental energy surged around its paw.
A massive ice block materialized mid-air as it swung, while another erupted from the ground.
CRASH!
The two ice slabs sandwiched the hellspawn, deforming its spherical body.
The Bear King grinned. No matter how tough, this ends it.
ThenâPAIN!
Something struck the back of its skull.
What now?
It touched the spotâwet. Blood?
The Bear King stared in disbelief at Nine Treasure. Its attacks grew stronger?!
Todayâs enemies were all freaksâbleeding yet still fighting back.
It unleashed another innate ability with a silent roar (inaudible to others). Nine Treasure convulsed as if struck by an invisible force, hurtling backward and carving a bloody trench into the ground.
Annoying pestsâDIE ALREADY!
Now, only Ye Zhongming remained.
The Cloud Peak King stood, blood dripping from his lips. In a flash, he teleported beneath the Bear King, slashing the same wound on its leg before retreating.
But the distance was too short. A casual backhand sent him flying again.
The Bear King raised its foot, ready to stomp him flat.
These ants had been troublesome, but victory was still his.
ThenâWHOOSH!
The Bear King almost screamed.
That ball not only didnât die, it knocked it again!