The Shiling race is a special kind of being. Their ability allows their cells to petrify when attacked, protecting their bodies. This petrification absorbs damage without affecting their health, instead counting towards blocks and dodges.
However, this ability can generally only be used three times a day. Due to this power, the Shiling race has a significant weakness: they possess no combat prowess in terms of stats. They are entirely a defensive race.
But they were not designed as a combat race. Their uniqueness has earned them a dedicated region.
Chen Tian had simply never visited that particular stratum of the world; this knowledge came from previous data.
Looking at Xie Mie, Chen Tian felt the situation was becoming difficult. This ability could allow Xie Mie to tank his attacks, even fatal ones, without taking damage. Chen Tian would need a meticulously planned strategy to defeat him, and he still didn't know the full extent of Xie Mie's capabilities.
Chen Tian was genuinely hesitant to go all out. A single misstep could lead to his own defeat.
Chen Tian was unwilling to suffer such a fate, but he had no intention of giving up his attack. His entire body began to swirl, his dragon scales instantly radiating brilliance, shooting out like a torrential rain. The nine-colored scales fell like hailstones, like falling starlight. Xie Mie watched the scene unfold without panic. He then stepped forward with his dragon claws, terrible black flames engulfing his body.
The nine-colored scales were gradually melting on his form. If one looked closely, they could see a fluid, like blood, circulating throughout Xie Mie's body, clinging to the black flames.
Chen Tian observed this, his eyes providing information. He then spoke, "This guy has far too many abilities!"
Chen Tian couldn't help but marvel at the power of that profession, which combined the abilities of multiple creatures, piecing them together to form powerful beings. Unfortunately, there were only three slots for such a profession. Chen Tian truly wondered which player was so wicked as to aid an evil NPC. Wasn't this just increasing the game's difficulty?
Chen Tian looked at Xie Mie before him, countless scenarios flashing through his mind. He then shook his head, realizing none of those methods would work. Unless he could force out all of Xie Mie's abilities, Chen Tian had no chance!
Chen Tian then charged directly at Xie Mie. He intended to engage in close-quarters combat once more. With his abilities active, Chen Tian's strength, speed, and defense were all enhanced compared to before. His entire body even ignited with blue flames. Seeing Chen Tian charging in for a head-on collision, Xie Mie's lips curled upward. His black and yellow eyes locked onto Chen Tian. As Chen Tian's claws flashed towards Xie Mie, it was as if Xie Mie had known exactly where Chen Tian would strike, and he instantly extended his dragon claws to block.
Chen Tian's attacks were continuously blocked, and he was aghast. Did this guy even know his attack trajectories?
Every one of Chen Tian's attacks was parried by Xie Mie, who then counter-attacked. The first time could be coincidence, the second lucky, but the third was definitely a problem with the opponent. Chen Tian then looked at Xie Mie's body, their gazes meeting. Chen Tian's pupils provided information.
Chen Tian realized that Xie Mie's current eyes were those of a monster-sensing type, capable of predicting an opponent's attack and movement routes in advance.
Chen Tian felt a shiver run down his spine. How was he supposed to fight this?
While Chen Tian was distracted, a massive wolf claw kicked towards him. Due to his lapse in focus, Chen Tian was hit and sent reeling backward.
Terrifying power vibrated within Chen Tian's body. Chen Tian once again understood Xie Mie's ability: once damage was dealt, it inflicted continuous damage.
That single kick had nearly shattered Chen Tian's defense. Looking at Xie Mie, Chen Tian felt the situation was quite troublesome.
He could use skills, but that would feel like bullying.
A strong individual does not bully the weak and respects the choices of the strong. Although this was a game, to Chen Tian, it was no longer a simple game. Xie Mie was not merely an NPC in his eyes; he was a person. This was a battle between individuals, between players, and it required mutual respect.
Chen Tian looked at Xie Mie, his four dragon claws swelling and his body slowly filling out. Chen Tian had initially been reluctant to use this ability, but there was no other way; it was the only one that could contend with the current Xie Mie.
Dragon Race Ability: Body Catalyst!
Chen Tian's body was now completely different from before. It was more muscular, and his scales looked more lifelike, as if truly connected to his flesh. Nine-colored lines covered his entire body, like nerves and blood vessels. Chen Tian's limbs became larger and sharper, growing to about seven hundred meters in size. His nine-colored wings on his back slowly unfurled, their area now four to five times larger than before. On Chen Tian's dragon head, his horns curved into a crescent shape, about a dozen meters long. Dragon whiskers appeared around his dragon head, flowing in the wind like ropes.
Chen Tian's current state was that of a young adult Ancestral Dragon, whereas before he had been a juvenile Ancestral Dragon. Body Catalyst was a unique ability of the Ancestral Dragon, allowing its body to advance to the next stage. However, using this ability would seal the Dragon Race's ability to transform into a dragon for three months. During this period, he would be unable to use dragon transformation even if he encountered other Dragon Race beings, essentially being in a sealed state.
As Chen Tian's body grew, Xie Mie seemed like a tiny ant. Chen Tian's body filled the entire void space. Then, Chen Tian's dragon eyes slowly gazed at Xie Mie, and his body began to shrink.
His body was too massive; his movements were restricted. It was better to be smaller. Since his state had already advanced to the young adult stage, Chen Tian had no worries.
This state was sufficient to contend with Xie Mie. Chen Tian then transformed into a body comparable to Xie Mie's. Their eyes met, and Xie Mie became cautious, looking at Chen Tian. A young adult Ancestral Dragon's body was not to be underestimated.
His own original body was in a growth state, so he naturally knew the power of the young adult stage. However, this was still not the Ancestral Dragon's most powerful form; once the Ancestral Dragon's body fully matured, it would be truly terrifying.
Chen Tian looked at Xie Mie and instantly transformed into a streak of light. As the light flashed, Xie Mie couldn't react. A beam of light grazed past his left dragon claw, and it exploded.
With a bang, black liquid splattered throughout the void. Chen Tian's figure appeared before Xie Mie. Xie Mie looked at his left claw, then at the site of the explosion. Blood gathered, and the wound instantly healed, the dragon claw slowly regrowing.
"Regeneration ability?"
Chen Tian observed the situation and sighed softly. Xie Mie's current state was indeed troublesome.
Chen Tian looked at Xie Mie, countless scenarios appearing in his mind. Then, the images froze, and Chen Tian found a solution.
His figure flickered again, turning into a beam of light charging directly at Xie Mie. Because Chen Tian was now in his young adult stage, he could completely dominate Xie Mie. However, due to the unknown nature of Xie Mie's abilities, Chen Tian dared not use his ultimate killing move.
Chen Tian wanted to reveal Xie Mie's abilities bit by bit. Only after understanding them would it be the most sensible course of action.
The unknown is what is truly terrifying. Know yourself and your enemy, and you will win a hundred battles!
This saying was indeed true. At the very least, before clarifying Xie Mie's abilities, Chen Tian could not unleash a killing blow.
Chen Tian's body transformed into a beam of light and instantly shot towards Xie Mie. Seeing this, Xie Mie's entire body petrified. He understood Chen Tian's intention but would not let him succeed.
With a bang and a crackling sound, Xie Mie's body was sent reeling back. Xie Mie looked at Chen Tian with disbelief. How could he have broken his petrification ability? It was impossible!
Chen Tian saw Xie Mie's shock but said nothing.
As for why he could break the petrification, Chen Tian naturally couldn't reveal it!
Seeing Xie Mie distracted by his shock, Chen Tian's entire body erupted with blue-purple light. Divine Fire and Divine Ice filled his body, while Divine Ice spread outwards and Divine Fire burned fiercely, directly colliding with Xie Mie.
Under the shroud of Divine Fire and Divine Ice, Chen Tian's figure was like a tempest of ice and fire, instantly charging at Xie Mie.
Xie Mie was still hesitating. He had one last petrification defense remaining. Should he block? This attack didn't seem to inflict massive damage, but the opponent's intent was clear. What decision should he make?
Xie Mie then chose to endure it directly. Since the opponent could break his petrification defense, this move might be a trap. He wouldn't fall for it!
He straightened his fur and charged towards Chen Tian.
Their figures collided, creating a mushroom cloud of blue-purple blade energy. Chen Tian's figure was sent flying back, while Xie Mie remained standing in place.
In this collision, Chen Tian clearly lost. But had Chen Tian truly lost? No. He appeared to have lost but hadn't actually lost, nor had he won, because Xie Mie's health had not decreased at all.
"Kid, I'm going to kill you!"
Xie Mie roared furiously, looking at his own body. Chen Tian smiled faintly, seeing the enraged Xie Mie. His calculations were indeed correct. If Xie Mie had chosen to petrify and defend against this move, his last petrification defense would have been unable to counter Chen Tian's killing blow, leading to certain death. However, by not choosing petrification defense, his Divine Ice and Divine Fire would enter Xie Mie's body, damaging his blood and nerves, and robbing him of his healing and regeneration capabilities.
This round, Chen Tian was playing the long game. No matter how Xie Mie considered it, the choice was advantageous to Chen Tian.
Chen Tian's initial move to break Xie Mie's petrification defense was preparation for this very strategy. He wanted to give Xie Mie the impression that he could break his petrification defense, creating psychological pressure and making him hesitant to use it. This was precisely Chen Tian's intention, and it would naturally lead to a difficult choice for Xie Mie.
Chen Tian watched Xie Mie, whose body was filled with rage, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
Rage, when controlled, can be strength. But when uncontrolled, it becomes destruction. Rage can easily destroy a person.
Rage can cause one to lose reason and act without consequence. This was Chen Tian's objective.
Now, Xie Mie, who had lost his regeneration ability, was ignited by rage. The reason was simple: if his regeneration was useless, he would have to use his last petrification defense. But considering Chen Tian's ability to break petrification defense, he was angry out of fear.
He was trying to use his rage to mask his inner fear. Although this was a clone, he still didn't want to die.
Chen Tian looked at Xie Mie and laughed heartily, "Xie Mie, this is your last move. You must have no other abilities left! Let me finish you off! Send you on your way!"
Chen Tian's lips curled upward. Simultaneously, his entire body was enveloped in nine-colored and blue-purple light, swirling together to form a sphere of light. The nine-colored sphere, carrying the blue-purple radiance, shot directly at Xie Mie. The terrifying power caused the surrounding void to crackle and explode.
Seeing Chen Tian's move, Xie Mie did not hesitate and activated his petrification ability, his body gradually being covered by stone. However, just as he expected Chen Tian to unleash his ultimate attack, a blue-purple fireball shot out from the sphere of light and instantly collided with Xie Mie's body. An explosion erupted, and Chen Tian instantly recovered his body from the light sphere and retreated.
At the same time, a roar echoed throughout the void: "You tricked me, you plotted against me, you're despicable!"
Chen Tian remained silent. He had indeed tricked Xie Mie. You thought this was an ultimate killing blow, but it wasn't. It was like in a fight or a sport; sometimes, a feint can produce unexpected results.
Chen Tian's move was a feigned attack. You thought it was a devastating final blow, but it was merely a bluff, designed to lure out your last petrification ability.
This was a decision made by Chen Tian, who had grasped Xie Mie's psychology. Four years ago, Chen Tian had dominated the gaming world with his calculation abilities and psychological inference.
Manipulating the thoughts and actions of every player was what Chen Tian excelled at. However, after quitting four years ago, Chen Tian had not used this ability again.
This was the first time today that he had correctly predicted Xie Mie's actions. Xie Mie must have assumed he was going for the kill. He must have believed this move could defeat him. He must have thought Chen Tian was going all out, and that if he could withstand it, it would be his chance to counter-attack. That was why Xie Mie had used his petrification defense.
In fact, the situation unfolded exactly as Chen Tian had predicted, even down to Xie Mie's exact thoughts. That was why Xie Mie had used his petrification ability for defense.
Then, Chen Tian calmly opened his mouth and said, "This is truly the end this time! Xie Mie, die!"
His body then ignited with Divine Ice, Divine Fire, and nine-colored light, instantly growing seven to eight times larger, causing the entire void to explode.
Xie Mie looked at the light before him and calmly stated, "Remember this, my main body will not let you go. When you reach the fiftieth level world, it will be your doom. My main body will not let you go; you have ruined our plan, Chosen One!"
"Swish, Bang!"
A streak of light flashed through Xie Mie's body, piercing it. Chen Tian then transformed back into his human form and walked away, his back to the path ahead.
Outside, beyond the void, the world slowly recovered, and the barrier dissipated. Shui Li sensed the barrier's dissipation, and a figure appeared before him.
Shui Li looked happy. Chen Tian had won again, which was almost unbelievable!
With a massive explosion behind Chen Tian, Shui Li was startled by the sound. Good heavens! He had actually killed it!
Simultaneously, an interface popped up on Chen Tian's screen. Chen Tian merely glanced at it before flicking it away. The interface disappeared, and several figures were heading towards Chen Tian's location.