Chapter 1672: Card reward (2)

Xiao Min's assessment was validated—Ye Zhongming shared the view that the mutated lifeform had unleashed a killer move, catching Red Hair off guard.

Red Hair's current condition appeared stable, her momentum undiminished.

Yet Cloud Peak members worried—would her earlier injuries compromise the coming battle?

With the Undead Dragon-fish unable to assist, could Red Hair truly prevail alone under such circumstances?

Unaware of what befell Great America after their failed challenge, Cloud Peak harbored dual anxieties:

Concern for Red Hair's safety

Apprehension about Cloud Peak's fate

At this moment, no one—not even Ye Zhongming—could intervene. The battle rested solely on Red Hair's shoulders.

The magma engulfing Red Hair maintained fluidity—flowing from spear to burning hair, then across her body before cycling back to the weapon through her hands.

Her features and crimson armor became indistinguishable, leaving only a humanoid fire-wielder gripping a spear.

The ice-blue monster differed—its flames seemed innate, like a second skin. Though similarly wreathed in fire, its terrifying visage remained visible beneath calm, steady flames.

Visually, their clash was spectacular.

The monster's flaming whips lashed out, trailing star-like embers that swelled into fireballs mid-flight, blanketing the sky like spectral will-o'-wisps.

Red Hair reacted—her spear thrust diagonally skyward, vibrating at near-invisible speeds. Countless afterimages materialized, rapidly forming a spear-wall defense.

These spectral spears then launched like bullets, intercepting both whips and ghostly flames.

The collision erupted into hybrid blue-red pyrotechnics—a firework display against which both combatants vanished, only to reappear amidst the explosions.

Spear and whips wove intricate patterns through the fading sparks, igniting new bursts with each exchange as close-quarters combat commenced.

Every evolved recognized this as the deadliest form of battle—one misstep meant death.

Cloud Peak collectively held their breath, fearing Red Hair's injuries might compromise her endurance.

Despite the crystal-clear visuals, the combatants' blistering speeds and entangled movements made assessing advantages impossible—until...

A magma eruption from Red Hair's spear met a fireball burst from the monster's torso, forcibly separating both.

Red Hair staggered before steadying herself—her exhaustion palpable despite invisible panting.

As flames dissipated, her scarred armor revealed the truth: even its self-repair couldn't disguise her disadvantage.

The monster fared no better—its torso riddled with magma-bored holes, flames extinguished, body pierced clean through.

Red Hair's extinguished flames deepened Ye Zhongming's concern—a potential signal of impending collapse.

Yet despite apparent distress, Red Hair advanced. Her hair elongated as thorny brambles sprouted from her back and feet. Raising her spear, she hurled it with full force.

The monster, unprepared for disarmed combat, momentarily faltered. Its whips wove a defensive net that caught the projectile, drawing sighs from Cloud Peak's ranks.

Then—detonation.

The spear exploded into molten shrapnel, forcing the fire-wreathed monster back despite its own flame affinity.

But its instincts screamed danger—something terrifying approached from below and behind.

Even at half-strength, this elite lifeform reacted flawlessly:

Flames erupted from its back, forming a billowing cape that arced protectively downward as it leaped skyward, seeking shelter within its own fiery mantle.

Ye Zhongming couldn't help but admire the elegant counter.

What the monster couldn't see mid-combat was the thorny net converging from both directions—a gigantic bramble mousetrap snapping shut!

"Sister Red Hair's seed ability!" a Youth Army member recalled her signature move—surreptitiously planting thorn seeds that sprouted combat vines.

Previously auxiliary, these vines now manifested a devastating technique.

As the monster ascended into its flame cloak's protection, Red Hair materialized above—winged and cold-eyed.

A downward palm thrust unleashed a magma tsunami, hammering the monster into the closing trap.

Razor-sharp thorns transformed into spears mid-penetration, impaling the creature before detonating into a molten coffin.

Red Hair landed as the magma sphere struck the ground, splattering fiery residue. Only the monster's now-shattered skull remained, rolling briefly before dissolving into ash.

Challenge complete—Red Hair victorious!