"I can do this!"
Liu Li's golden eyes narrowed sharply, locking onto the crack at the Trial Puppet's neck.
Only three inches left before the blade could fully sever it, yet it felt like an unpassable chasm.
"Just a little stronger... If only I could be a little stronger..."
The flames of refusal roared inside her chest, burning even hotter than the Red Flame swirling around her.
She refused to let her master show such a troubled expression for her, refused to ever be that weak, helpless girl again!
The Trial Puppet's crimson electronic eyes suddenly turned toward Liu Li, its mechanical arm screeching with the grating sound of metal grinding.
If the Beast Master can't be killed, then destroy this most dangerous angel first!
"Liu Li, fall back, now!"
Gu Xing's shout tore through the air, heart-wrenching.
But this time, the girl didn't budge an inch.
Scarlet hair whipped wildly in the energy storm, as she poured every ounce of strength into the blade:
"This time... I have to...!"
"Boom—!"
Red Flame erupted to the sky, four light wings flaring wide to the limit.
Even more shocking, two ghostly wings shimmered into view behind her!
The phantom of a Six-winged Angel loomed amid the inferno, holy and awe-inspiring.
[Liu Li (Special State)]
[Talent: Legendary One Star]
[Level: Awakening Tier Five]
[Power: 296→446]
[Constitution: 300→450]
[Spirit: 282→432]
[Speed: 306→456]
[Skills: Judgment, Divine Protection (Cooldown: 24 hours), Blazing Angel Form, Song of the End]
After seeing Liu Li's Attributes, Gu Xing's pupils shrank sharply.
Same as the Profound Frost Ice Phoenix, both were in a Special State!
But Liu Li clearly hadn't unleashed an Ultimate Skill...
Ying Bing, fresh from a narrow escape, staggered upright; as her gaze landed on Liu Li, her pupils contracted into pinpoints.
"C...Critical State?!"
Gu Xing snapped his head around, face full of doubt:
"Critical State? What does that mean?"
Ying Bing took a deep breath, steadying her tone:
"This state should only be attainable by those at Extraordinary Level."
"An awakened-phase Guardian Beast can force entry using special skills, but there are heavy side effects afterward!"
"Only at Extraordinary Level do those side effects disappear!"
Hearing this explanation, Gu Xing frowned deeply.
He was damn sure Liu Li hadn't used her Ultimate Skill, Song of the End!
"Is there any other way for a Guardian Beast to enter this state?"
Ying Bing thought for a moment, then spoke slowly, "There's one more possibility!"
"Our family's ancient records mention: If a Guardian Beast's talent and faith resonate to the very limit... there's a chance to enter this state."
"This state is extremely rare! And it has virtually zero side effects, though its buffs are a bit weaker."
Relieved to learn there were no side effects, Gu Xing's anxious heart finally settled, and he refocused on the battlefield.
At this moment.
The Trial Puppet's mechanical arm froze an inch from Liu Li, blocked by a blood-red energy shield holding firm.
The crimson glow in its eyes flickered wildly, the Demonic Qi within quaking uncontrollably.
Right now, the Trial Puppet's perception told it this Guardian Beast's presence matched, maybe even surpassed, its own!
Danger!
Extreme danger!
Liu Li's golden eyes reflected the puppet's terrified electronic stare; six wings unfurled behind her, every feather slick with molten flames.
This moment, only one thought blazed in her mind:
Victory is mine!
"Die... for... me!!!"
With a sky-shaking roar, her frozen blade exploded in a piercing crimson light.
"Schiiing—"
As her blade sliced through the air, time seemed to freeze.
The crimson sword ray shot down like a meteor, and the Trial Puppet's alloy body, faced with absolute strength, was shredded like tissue paper.
Flames danced along the blade, fusing the metal at the wound into molten iron that dripped down sizzling onto the ground.
"Boom——!!!"
With a deafening crash, the Trial Puppet's titanic frame slammed to the earth, sending up clouds of dust.
As its core died, a pure blue energy orb floated from the wreckage, then split into two in the air.
Defeating a Demon Race creature is the only way for a Guardian Beast to level up.
And after the Trial Puppet's demonization, it counted as a Demon Race creature too.
Maybe because Qin Tian's War Treant played such a minor role in the fight, it didn't meet the minimum distribution threshold.
After absorbing the blue orb, Liu Li's body shone with blinding gold light.
Gu Xing, too, felt his Spiritual Power soar once more!
Level up!
[Divine Angels (Liu Li)]
[Talent: Legendary One Star]
[Level: Awakened Tier Six]
[Power: 175]
[Constitution: 177]
[Spirit: 173]
[Speed: 181]
[Skills: Judgment, Divine Protection (Cooldown: 24 hours), Blazing Angel Form, Song of the End]
Gu Xing stared at the surging stats on the panel, fingers trembling.
Insane!
A normal Awakening Tier Eight Guardian Beast's attribute peak was barely 150, but Liu Li...
Her stats were nearly 180!
Not to mention Liu Li still had her even crazier Blazing Angel Form!
"Both have Legendary Talent..."
Gu Xing glanced at the War Treant embedded in the wall, suddenly understanding his textbooks: "Same tier, different fate!"
Even though War Treant and Liu Li both had Legendary One Star Talent, their power gap was astronomical!
With a shake of his head, Gu Xing turned his gaze back to Liu Li.
Yet—
Liu Li stood frozen, as if under a petrification spell; her Silver Wings remained open, but she did not move at all.
"Liu Li?"
His heart skipped a beat, the worst-case scenario flashing in his mind.
Did something go wrong?
No time to waste, he darted forward.
But as he got close, he discovered—
"Hehe... I did it... hehe..."
The little angel was giggling at thin air, her cheeks flushed an odd pink.
"Ma...master... will definitely be happy..."
Gu Xing: "..."
As Gu Xing stood there, torn between laughter and tears at Liu Li's silly grin, the stone wall ahead suddenly rumbled open along both sides.
An ethereal, timeless voice echoed through the Trial Space:
[Congratulations on passing the Ancient Trial]
[The blessings of the Elf Race are with you]
Brilliant green light wove above, condensing into three crystal clear Rating Crystals:
[Final Evaluation]
[Gu Xing: SSS-Class (All-time record)]
[Ying Bing: S-Class (Excellent)]
[Qin Tian: A-class (Good)]
Soon after, three beams of colored light descended from the sky:
Gu Xing was enveloped in a dazzling gold pillar; a flurry of notifications echoed in his mind:
[Acquired: Beast Taming Talent Enhancement Potion (Legendary Level)]
[Acquired: Beast Taming Space Condensation Core]
[Acquired: Elf Ancestral Land Key ×1 (can unlock Secret Realm Passage)]
In the silver pillar surrounding Ying Bing, a potion and key floated in the air:
[Acquired: Beast Taming Talent Enhancement Potion (Epic Level)]
[Acquired: Elf Ancestral Land Key ×1]
In front of Qin Tian, a radiant emerald beam healed all wounds:
[Acquired: Essence of the Spring of Life (fully restores Guardian Beast injuries)]
...
...