The Red Demon on the side also made sounds and numbers flickered from its mechanical, bar-like eyes, as if analyzing something.
Then, in the center of the battlefield, Pigeon and Number were locked in a fierce struggle with Xie Qing. Number's Shen Mo Sword unleashed terrifying power with each strike, but Xie Qing nimbly sidestepped to the left, instantly evading. Simultaneously, Pigeon appeared on his left, thrusting his Shen Ling Sword forward. Xie Qing, brandishing his Xie Ling Spear, blocked Pigeon's attack with a swift defense. Number then materialized on Xie Qing's other side, unleashing a torrent of Shen Mo Sword Qi, channeling it into the Shen Mo Sword. With a sweep of his blade, he aimed directly for Xie Qing's head.
Xie Qing exerted force with his arm, flinging Pigeon away. His Xie Ling Spear arced in a circle, colliding with Number's Shen Mo Sword. Both combatants retreated simultaneously. However, Pigeon, as if having anticipated this, was already behind Xie Qing. His Shen Ling Sword and Shen Ling Shield thrust and slammed down. Seeing this, Xie Qing's body transformed into a flash of black light, vanishing from his original position in an instant.
Pigeon's attack missed, and Xie Qing reappeared behind him, his spearhead thrusting towards Pigeon's back. Pigeon, however, showed no signs of panic. Golden wings instantly unfurled, and gusts of golden wind erupted from behind him, disrupting Xie Qing's attack speed.
At the same time, Pigeon soared into the sky. Number and Pigeon moved in a crisscrossing pattern. Number, Shen Mo Sword in hand, thrust forward, then spun, transforming his Shen Mo Sword Qi into a massive drill that surged towards Xie Qing.
Xie Qing was momentarily stunned. "What a coordinated attack! But it's not enough to defeat me." His Xie Ling Spear emanated a black glow. Facing the drill formed by Number's Shen Mo Sword Qi, he unhesitatingly flicked his spear upwards, then swung it in a wide arc. The entire Xie Ling Spear elongated, transforming into a colossal, cross-shaped spear blade that met Number's drill.
With a thunderous boom, Number emerged from the explosion. Pigeon had, at some unknown point, appeared above Xie Qing. His Shen Ling Sword was inserted into his Shen Ling Shield, and his white wings spread on either side of the shield. The tip of the Shen Ling Shield transformed into a sword tip, and Pigeon slammed his hands down.
Tremendous power converged from above, and a colossal shield phantom descended towards Xie Qing. Xie Qing raised his Xie Ling Spear, pointing it directly at the phantom shield, and instantly extended the length of his spear.
The sword tip of the Shen Ling Shield collided with the spearhead. They were evenly matched. The Shen Ling Shield, having absorbed fragments earlier, was now completely different from before, capable of utilizing other abilities.
This strike marked the nearing of his awakening; he wanted to achieve something more before it ended.
"Ha!"
With a pull and drop of his arms, a thunderous sound erupted. The massive shield phantom shattered the spearhead and surged towards Xie Qing.
Xie Qing remained expressionless, completely unfazed. He waved his black claws, on which black flames danced. A black, protective membrane-like substance expanded from his palm.
Instantly, Pigeon's attack struck this membrane, having no effect whatsoever, like a stone falling into the sea, causing only a ripple before being swallowed by the black membrane.
Pigeon retreated, his form radiating golden light that flowed into the void. Seeing this, Pigeon chose to withdraw from the battlefield. His time was up.
Xie Qing scoffed, "With just the few of you, even in your awakened state, you were only my equal. Not to mention now, under restrictions, unable to unleash your full strength. How can you kill me!"
"This time, I will surely kill you all, eliminate any potential threats. This way, it will be even easier for our Evil Spirit race to dominate this world! Then!"
Number's lips curled. He glanced at the Red Demon, inwardly thinking, "Has it not finished analyzing yet?"
Number knew what he had to do. He decisively attacked, unleashing powerful sword techniques. The Shen Mo Sword seemed to gleam brighter, its power and speed constantly increasing.
Xie Qing saw through Number's intentions. He grasped his Xie Ling Spear, and the previously shattered spearhead was repaired by a surge of black liquid.
He then attacked Number, their weapons clashing. Sword against spear, Number's swordplay was fierce yet graceful, fluid movements revealing flexibility as he constantly sought openings.
Xie Qing was no pushover either. His combat awareness was not inferior, perhaps even superior. His Xie Ling Spear extended, parrying and defending, creating a stalemate.
The clang of swords and spears, sparks flying, both combatants in fierce engagement. Number swept his sword horizontally, then tilted at a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree angle, charging towards Xie Qing. Xie Qing, seeing this, flicked his spearhead to the right, deflecting Number's sword. He then braced his spear with both hands, holding the Xie Ling Spear above his head. Number's body and sword spun together, forming a luminous wheel that charged towards Xie Qing.
The black and white sword wheel pressed forward. Xie Qing's right arm slowly pulled back, and a black saber grew from the end of his Xie Ling Spear.
He then swept his arms upwards, followed by a horizontal slash. Number was sent flying, black and white radiance flowing from his body as he disappeared into the void.
Number spoke faintly, "Is my time up?"
"Red Demon, are you done yet!"
Number looked at the Red Demon. At this moment, the Red Demon's mechanical eyes stopped flickering. Then, the mechanical wings on its back expelled air, and it charged towards Xie Qing.
Numerous mechanical fragments floated above its arms, firing small lasers at Xie Qing. Xie Qing swung his Xie Ling Spear, deflecting all the lasers. However, a strange thing happened: the deflected lasers turned back and surged towards Xie Qing again.
Number nodded at the Red Demon and moved aside. The Red Demon faced Xie Qing. Its lasers possessed remote-control capabilities, operated by the Red Demon itself.
The lasers moved like serpents, catching Xie Qing off guard and colliding with his body, resulting in massive explosions.
As all the lasers vanished, Xie Qing's figure turned into a streak of light and charged towards the Red Demon. The Red Demon's mechanical eyes displayed targeting patterns, and its right mechanical arm exploded, transforming into a colossal greatsword, which it then swung.
Shockwaves spread. The Red Demon's left mechanical arm transformed into a massive cannon, aimed at Xie Qing. A bright light emanated from it. Seeing this, Xie Qing decisively retreated.
A white beam of light shot from the cannon, piercing the sky.
The Red Demon's mechanical arm reformed. It spoke calmly, "Surrender. I have analyzed all your modes. You have no chance."
The Red Demon's mechanical eyes possessed analytical and deciphering capabilities, and its entire body could reconfigure into any weapon.
Two massive cannon muzzles on the Red Demon's shoulders slowly fired a dense barrage of lasers, engulfing Xie Qing. Faced with this situation, Xie Qing found himself with no room to retreat.
However, the opponent had only analyzed his combat abilities; he still had other means!
With that, his Xie Ling Spear transformed into a black light and vanished. Then, terrifying black evil energy converged behind Xie Qing, and a black armor and light shield appeared before him.
Innumerable lasers struck the armor, causing explosions. After the blasts, Xie Qing stood unharmed. The Red Demon was stunned, then spoke, "Did you use a skill? Indeed, it hasn't analyzed skill-based combat styles."