"Caelus, have the Warbark Treant use Root Strangulation to bind the Trial Puppet!"
Caelus was undoubtedly one of the top geniuses in Oridian.
As soon as Aster Grant's order was given, Caelus immediately commanded the Warbark Treant to attack.
"Warbark Treant, release Ironwood Barrier to boost the roots' strength! Then use Root Strangulation for entanglement, target the puppet's limbs!"
The Warbark Treant's dark and sturdy roots broke through the earth like giant pythons and tightly wound around the Trial Puppet's limbs the moment it began to take form.
The metallic luster-layered roots wrapped the puppet tightly, leaving no gaps.
While Caelus took action, Aster Grant was not idle.
Almost simultaneously, Lazuli burst into crimson flames, fully entering Blazing Angel Form.
She transformed into a fiery streak, shooting straight at the puppet, distorting the air in her path.
Aster turned to Crystal Winslow, "Crystal, have the Ice Phoenix release Frost Storm! Freeze its joints!"
"Understood!"
The Ebon-Frost Ice Phoenix let out a clear cry and took off from Crystal's shoulder.
As its wings expanded, its body rapidly swelled, and in the blink of an eye, it returned to its over two-meter-long true form.
With a flap of its wings, a chilling current surged towards the puppet, forming thick ice crystals at the root-entangled joints.
Aster's gaze remained fixed on Lazuli.
It was the only way he could think of to defeat this Trial Puppet.
If the Trial Puppet released a Stable Barrier, enhancing its defense again...
Their chances of killing this Trial Puppet would be slim.
Therefore, they could only eliminate it before it could react.
"Judgment!"
As Lazuli soared, her presence grew, with the Blazing Angel's Wings trailing brilliant fire marks behind her.
As she closed in on the puppet, the flames on her body blazed as dazzling as the morning sun.
Seeing this, Caelus and Crystal's eyes flashed with joy.
They could clearly sense that the pressure Lazuli exuded was equal to the Trial Puppet.
As long as nothing went wrong with their control...
They were sure to pass this trial!
However—
Aster's expression turned somber.
His gaze was locked onto the Trial Puppet, his heart churning with unease.
It was too easy!
Everything was going too smoothly!
According to his estimate, the probability of Caelus and Crystal successfully controlling the Trial Puppet was less than thirty percent, but the reality was...
They had almost effortlessly restrained it!
Something was not right!
At the moment the red glow in the Trial Puppet's eyes surged, Aster's heart clenched, and a strong sense of crisis swept over him.
"Lazuli, retreat immediately!"
Hearing Aster's shout, Lazuli, though puzzled, did not hesitate to obey her master's command.
She pulled back her Blazing Angel's Wings without hesitation, retreating swiftly!
"Boom—!"
Almost simultaneously—
The roots of the Warbark Treant shattered inch by inch!
The ice of the Ebon-Frost Ice Phoenix instantly melted!
The Trial Puppet clasped its fists, striking the ground like a falling meteor—
"Realm-Breaking Hammer!"
"Boom—!"
A violent shockwave erupted, ripping the ground apart, sending debris flying!
Lazuli barely avoided the blow, the edge of her Blazing Angel's Wings brushed by the aftershock, the scorching flames flickered fiercely.
Lazuli was horrified:
"If I were half a second slower..."
With the Trial Puppet's terrifying 340 points of power, coupled with the skill's augmentation...
Even in Blazing Angel Form, this strike would have left her critically injured, near death!
Seeing Lazuli successfully evade the attack, Aster breathed a sigh of relief.
But soon, the state of the battlefield made his heart tense again.
He was right!
This Trial Puppet...
Was not an inanimate object, but possessed combat intelligence!
The Trial Puppet's initial target was Lazuli all along.
That's why it pretended to be controlled by the Warbark Treant and Ebon-Frost Ice Phoenix.
The purpose was simply to lure Lazuli closer, then launch a surprise attack.
To eliminate the greatest threat on the field.
"Roar—!"
The Trial Puppet missed its strike, its scarlet mechanical eyes suddenly fixed on the Warbark Treant!
"Caelus! Have the Warbark Treant retreat!"
However—
It was too late!
The Trial Puppet moved fast as lightning, almost at the moment Aster spoke, transforming into a shadow, directly attacking the Warbark Treant!
"Realm-Breaking Hammer!"
The Warbark Treant hastily erected an Ironwood Barrier, but the massive attribute gap made it untenable—
"Thud—!"
With a dull impact, the Warbark Treant was sent flying like a broken kite, heavily embedding into the circular hall's wall, its fate unknown!
"Pfft—!"
Caelus's face turned pale, a mouthful of blood spurted out, then he fainted.
Connected spiritually with his Beast, the Warbark Treant's severe injury meant he couldn't escape unscathed.
The Trial Puppet's gaze moved again, this time—
It locked onto the Ebon-Frost Ice Phoenix!
"Lazuli! Save the Ice Phoenix!"
Aster shouted sternly.
If the Ebon-Frost Ice Phoenix suffered further injuries, this trial...would essentially be a failure.
Fortunately, at this moment, Lazuli's Speed Attribute was nearly 50 points higher than the Trial Puppet!
She transformed into a crimson streak, pulling the Ebon-Frost Ice Phoenix out of danger before the Trial Puppet's massive fist could land!
"Whoosh—!"
The Blazing Angel's Wings stirred a scorching airwave as Lazuli landed steadily near Aster with the Ice Phoenix.
Then she spread her wings, guarding the two and the beast behind her, eyes wary of the distant Trial Puppet.
The situation turned dire!
Caelus unconscious, the Warbark Treant out of the fight.
The original plan to encircle and hunt had crumbled before the Trial Puppet with combat instincts!
Crystal's expression was grave, turning to look at Aster, asking in a low voice:
"Aster, what do we do now?"
Aster didn't respond immediately.
His mind raced, eyes darting between the Trial Puppet and Lazuli.
"Awakening Tier Eight power, crushing attributes..."
Unless using Lazuli's Finishing Technique, it was nearly impossible to defeat it head-on!
But that would put his only Beast into slumber, significantly delaying Lazuli's growth.
As he weighed the pros and cons, Crystal suddenly spoke firmly:
"If I can control it, do you have the confidence to deliver a fatal blow?"
Aster turned sharply, surprise flickering in his eyes.
Noticing the skills of the Ice Phoenix, he instantly grasped Crystal's intention.
The Ebon-Frost Ice Phoenix's Finishing Technique!
Though it would also weaken the Beast, the cost was far less than with Lazuli!
Aster's eyes returned to Lazuli, then he decisively nodded:
"As long as you can control it, Lazuli can definitely solve this Trial Puppet."
Hearing this, Crystal's battle spirit ignited!
"Ebon-Frost Ice Phoenix, release Frost Ring Imprisonment!"
...
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