The Blood River Scorpion Emperor looked at Chen Tian with shock. Chen Tian's aura was now comparable to its own, and in fact, if it were not within the Blood River, the Blood River Scorpion Emperor would be no match for Chen Tian.
Chen Tian was currently in Dragon-Phoenix form, his power fused with that of the Ancestral Dragon and Phoenix Ancestor. Chen Tian noted his level had reached seventy-eight, just two levels shy of the Blood River Scorpion Emperor.
However, Chen Tian sighed, "I need to find a way to enhance my Ancestral Dragon and Phoenix Ancestor bloodlines, or this Dragon-Phoenix form's combat power boost will become increasingly less effective!"
As Chen Tian's level increased, the boosts from both Dragon and Phoenix transformations in Dragon-Phoenix form had reached a cap and were diminishing. The reason was that his bloodlines had not fully awakened and were too dilute. He needed to find a way to strengthen them. Even a slight enhancement would mean Chen Tian wouldn't need to activate Dragon-Phoenix form now; a semi-dragon transformation would suffice.
Otherwise, why would Chen Tian resort to this form?
Chen Tian looked at the Blood River Scorpion Emperor and declared, "Let the true battle begin!"
"Kid, I admit you've got something, but that form can't last long, can it? How will you kill me in a short time!"
"Once that form fades, you'll be a lamb to the slaughter. I can kill you with ease!"
The Blood River Scorpion Emperor had seen through the nature of Chen Tian's form, but Chen Tian remained unfazed, knowing he had enough time.
He took a step forward, his nine multi-colored tails flowing like ribbons as he instantly appeared before the Blood River Scorpion Emperor.
The Blood River Scorpion Emperor was stunned by the speed. But it quickly reacted, its two scorpion claws lashing out, emitting a fearsome clacking sound as they moved towards Chen Tian.
Instantly, the claws clamped down on Chen Tian's arms, trapping him in a stalemate. Nine-colored wings of light unfurled from Chen Tian's back, and a gale erupted, the nine-colored wind battering the Blood River Scorpion Emperor's carapace. The wind, like sharp swords, began to crack its shell.
Seeing this, the Blood River Scorpion Emperor threw Chen Tian with all its might, its body erupting in a blood-red glow as the cracks on its carapace healed.
Chen Tian seized the opportunity while the Blood River Scorpion Emperor was repairing itself, appearing behind it. His dragon claws clenched, and he unleashed a punch. If this blow landed on the Scorpion Emperor's carapace, it would be severely wounded, if not killed, as dragon abilities could bypass defenses.
A flicker of intuition alerted the Blood River Scorpion Emperor. It dodged instantly, and Chen Tian's fist missed, striking the surrounding blood-red water instead. A massive explosion ensued, water splashing everywhere. Water, though fluid, required immense power to be cut or to cause an explosion, testament to the strength of Chen Tian's punch.
The Blood River Scorpion Emperor sighed in relief, fortunate for its timely intuition. Otherwise, that punch would have been devastating. The power was terrifying. Chen Tian pressed his advantage, and the Blood River Scorpion Emperor’s expression turned grim. This human was proving difficult.
If only it had killed him with a single blow from the start. Such foolish pride!
Chen Tian's dragon claws and phoenix claws attacked the Blood River Scorpion Emperor. The latter met them with its own claws, drawing in the surrounding blood-red water, which made its claws appear even more crimson and seemingly enhanced their power and defensive capabilities.
Chen Tian's dragon and phoenix claws clashed with the Scorpion Emperor's claws. Surprisingly, both seemed to be at ease. Chen Tian's claws, despite their armor-piercing effect, did not reduce the Blood River Scorpion Emperor's health at all, which was bizarre.
Chen Tian and the Blood River Scorpion Emperor collided and then retreated a few steps. The Scorpion Emperor opened its claws, firing two blood-red water bubbles.
Chen Tian responded by throwing a nine-colored energy sphere from his dragon and phoenix claws, resulting in an explosion.
Chen Tian and the Blood River Scorpion Emperor locked eyes. Chen Tian's claws glowed with a cold light, and the Scorpion Emperor slowly opened its claws, then pulled them apart, gripping its own forearms like wrist blades. From the gap between the claws, a pair of blood-red long blades emerged.
The entire claw transformed into blood-red dual blades. Chen Tian was astonished. "Holy crap, the claws can do that? Is this still an animal? I've never seen a scorpion with claws that can grow long blades!"
Chen Tian's expression turned serious. As the blood-red dual blades appeared, the Scorpion Emperor's aura intensified. Chen Tian gripped his left hand, and the Divine Fire Longsword materialized. They stared at each other, then blurred into streaks of light, the clash of metal echoing. Chen Tian's sword was fierce yet agile, like a serpent, constantly seeking openings.
An upward slash sent the Blood River Scorpion Emperor's dual blades flying. A horizontal sweep followed. The Scorpion Emperor reacted by making its dual blades glow blood-red, crossing them to block. Both combatants were forced back.
Chen Tian regained his footing first and charged at the Blood River Scorpion Emperor. The latter stabilized itself, and a seam appeared on its back carapace, spewing out currents of air towards Chen Tian.
Chen Tian was stunned. "Does this guy have another trick? This isn't right! The interface didn't show this!"
Chen Tian mused aloud, "Could this be a self-created form?"
After all, creating unique skills and forms was allowed in this game, and players could only see their basic stats, not what other players concocted or had in their inventory.
Even with Chen Tian's Divine Eye skill, he couldn't bypass this game mechanic.
Chen Tian and the Blood River Scorpion Emperor clashed again. Chen Tian's sword parried the left blade of the Scorpion Emperor, while its right blade lunged towards Chen Tian's head. But Chen Tian's combat awareness was excellent. He subtly deflected the trajectory of the right blade, redirecting it onto his own right blade, causing the blades to clash and disrupting the Scorpion Emperor's attack rhythm.
Chen Tian seized the moment and swung his sword. The Scorpion Emperor's left claw merged from its arm, clamping down on Chen Tian's Divine Fire Longsword. Its right blade then attacked Chen Tian.
Chen Tian decisively released his grip, unleashing a flurry of kicks to deflect the long blade. He regripped the sword, spun, and the Blood River Scorpion Emperor released its claw. Chen Tian's Divine Fire Longsword swung again, a spinning thrust.
The claws converged to block, and the Divine Fire Longsword was jammed into the gaps. The Blood River Scorpion Emperor squeezed tightly, locking it in place. Chen Tian let go and retreated, snapping his fingers.
Instantly, the Divine Fire Longsword transformed into a Divine Fire sphere within the claw's grip. The Blood River Scorpion Emperor saw this and opened its claws, but it was too late.
The Divine Fire sphere exploded, engulfing the Blood River Scorpion Emperor. Chen Tian watched the spectacle.
"You like to clamp, don't you?"
During his spin, Chen Tian had used his Elemental Mastery to concentrate the sword's energy to a single point. If the opponent clamped down on his sword, the compressed Divine Fire sphere at the tip would be trapped, and Chen Tian could detonate it with a thought.
As the explosion dissipated, a blood-red scorpion claw shot towards Chen Tian's face.
Chen Tian's body vibrated, and an ice-red half-shield enveloped him. The claw struck the shield and bounced off.
Skill: Icefire Guardian!
However, numerous cracks appeared on Chen Tian's half-shield, and it shattered. The Blood River Scorpion Emperor stood before Chen Tian, completely unharmed.
Chen Tian was bewildered. That Divine Fire sphere had been compressed. How was it possible that it caused no damage? The opponent had even tanked the hit without its armor showing any wear.
Chen Tian sensed something was amiss and used his Divine Eye to check the information.