After My Favorability Level Is Up to the Top

C75 – Luring the Thunder, Breaking the Formation

The skill Summer Bird, Containing Raze was an extraordinary rarity in that it defied the conventional principles of fire elemental abilities. Despite belonging to the fire element, it bore a dampening effect on the very element it was associated with. On top of this, the Purple Cloud Bow further amplified the efficacy of fire-based skills, enhancing the Armor Pierce effect even more effectively.

A view from the heavens revealed what seemed like a scarlet stroke painted on the water’s surface. This image appeared in an instant, slicing through the Flood Dragon’s form, then sweeping across the entirety of the lake. A mountain peak on the far bank exploded abruptly, igniting a vivid flame in the shape of a fiery crimson plume.

As the red streak faded away, ripples suddenly erupted on the water’s surface. These waves surged outwards, accompanied by jets of blood spraying from the Flood Dragon’s rear end.

The once fiery-coated Flood Dragon shriveled instantaneously upon contact, its advance halted and replaced with a skyward howl of agony.

“Awooooo!!!”

The beast writhed in the water, blood mingling with the lake’s fluid. Splashes flew in all directions, disturbing the waters and culminating in a wave crashing onto the shoreline. Disciples of the Wide Ocean Sect cried out and scattered in panic.

The arrow penetrated its mouth, piercing through the throat and traversing over half its body. The Summer Bird, Containing Raze bore an enduring burning attribute, which doubtlessly inflicted considerable internal injury. Yet, the psychological shock of taking an arrow directly through its mouth would likely be even more distressing.

The Flood Dragon unleashed a pain-filled howl. While its injuries weren’t solely from the flames, it suffered the sensations of damaged internal organs and scorched lungs, with the injury site on its body quenching the flames, revealing a charred black hue. It could only writhe in the vexing embrace of the lake water, the element that constantly wearied it. Bending its head low, it parted its jaws, guzzling large mouthfuls of frigid lake water while expelling a blend of blood and internal organs.

“The effect is too good… It hurts just by looking at it. “

Guo Fan’s lips twitched in astonishment as he observed the flood dragon’s reaction. His exaggerated response resembled that of someone who had never encountered spicy food and suddenly found themselves chewing on a mouthful of devil pepper.

“That’s the case as well. It seems I inadvertently triggered a unique attack. This Flood Dragon appears to possess immunity to fire damage since birth. Fire is a familiar companion to it; it has never experienced the sensation of burning. The sudden confrontation with fire has likely startled it to the point of retreating.”

Guo Fan clicked his tongue and sighed, then he took up the bow and loaded another arrow.

This marked the second official battle since his transmigration. A relatively evenly matched contest lay before him. His vigilance remained steadfast.

Employing Summer Bird, Containing Raze, a level 40 God Forming Stage skill, he initiated the bout. His intention was to seize the initiative, mount the offensive first, and establish dominance over Zeng Zhelan in terms of momentum.

Following Zeng Zhelan’s revelation, Guo Fan grasped that the Flood Dragon’s movements were under his influence. As such, the precise nature of the Flood Dragon’s actions became secondary. What truly mattered was manipulating Zeng Zhelan’s thoughts and responses.

Given his current reservoir of Spiritual Energy, he could likely execute another three or four such shots. After all, the Flood Dragon stood at the ninth level of the Nascent Soul stage. Guo Fan conceded the edge to it primarily due to his skill tree unlocking. Fundamentally, their strength was on par.

Yet, as long as his Spiritual Energy remained intact, Guo Fan felt confident in his ability to handle the situation.

“How can this be?!” Zeng Zhelan’s gaze remained fixed on the blood staining the Flood Dragon’s body. The arrow’s potency had inflicted grievous harm on the Constructing Fracture of Scaled Dragon’s internal organs. Without question, the arrow exhibited extraordinary might, a feat unattainable for someone below the God Forming Stage.

Moreover, Guo Fan undeniably exuded the aura of the God Forming Stage.

Nonetheless, he had pondered this matter previously. He had reasoned that Guo Fan likely ascended to the Nascent Infant Stage through the aid of a Medicinal Pill, as he lacked the strength of a Dao Embryo Yuan Shen. Yet now, this assumption was utterly overturned – Guo Fan had attained the God Forming Stage!

Yet breaching the Soul Formation realm was no minor feat. Nascent Soul cultivators often withdrew into seclusion for decades, their diligent efforts culminating in such advancement. How could he have made this breakthrough in mere days, utterly incognito?

And what stumped him further was that Guo Fan had yet to even form a Nascent Soul. How had he surged ahead to the Soul Formation realm? How did he attain the God Forming Stage? Could imagination alone be responsible?

Despite Zeng Zhelan’s visibly astonished demeanor, Guo Fan’s Qi remained steady.

Unbeknownst to him, Guo Fan had exclusively leveraged his attribute points to reach this corresponding level. When he had acquired the guide for the preceding characters, his level had already soared. Consequently, allocating additional attribute points had become redundant.

Yet, now that he found himself in a vegetative state, his attribute points had assumed paramount significance.

It was imperative to underscore the stark disparity between Guo Fan and these cultivators, an abyss-like distinction. For instance, his adeptness at learning cultivation techniques appeared almost fantastical. As for the augmentation of his attributes, it was something he couldn’t articulate.

The skill system inherent to each profession operated in isolation from the sect’s skill system. Only after transmigrating did he comprehend that… he was the sole player in this world. In essence, his skills… had culminated in the establishment of his very own faction. He was inscrutable to all.

“What’s deemed impossible? Your incredulity stems from an unwillingness to acknowledge your own shallowness. You’ve languished in the Nascent Soul Stage for hundreds of years, still fixated on the Wide Ocean Sect. At your age, you’ve merely ascended to the level of a pup.”

Following his taunting retort, Guo Fan once more drew back the longbow he held. Igniting the flame, he took aim, this time setting his sights on Zeng Zhelan.

Zeng Zhelan was on the brink of launching a vehement retort when he was jolted. The recollection of the arrow’s prior potency rushed back, prompting him to hastily form a hand seal, conjuring the Flood Dragon as a protective shield.

The Flood Dragon still writhed in agony. Constrained by the blood sacrifice, it begrudgingly obeyed Zeng Zhelan, hastily propelling itself over. Yet, upon encountering the flame on Guo Fan’s bow, panic surged within, prompting an instinctual retreat.

In truth, Guo Fan had merely unleashed the ‘Flowing Fire Arrow’ this time around. Nonetheless, the Flood Dragon harbored profound trepidation. Zeng Zhelan clenched his teeth, propelling himself towards the creature.

His blood supply had been greatly diminished, his physique waning. A single arrow would undoubtedly spell his demise.

However, the Flood Dragon harbored no intention of acquiescing either. Having recently escaped confinement and reclaimed its cultivation, it found itself once more exposed to the world. It had initially anticipated indulging in ample sustenance, only to be abruptly pierced by an arrow, causing an explosive rupture in its maw.

Even after being smeared with Devil Ghost Pepper, it resulted in a fiery burst in its mouth.

The entire dragon was in trouble.

Guo Fan now had another chance. Once bitten by a snake, it dreads even the sight of a rope. Every part of its body ached, and even its beloved flame seemed like an adversary. Bitterness welled up within its heart.

The Flood Dragon roared, attempting to retreat into the water. However, Zeng Zhelan harnessed the Blood Offering Formation’s power, forcefully yanking the Flood Dragon back.

“Roar!!!”

A contest between man and dragon unfolded, akin to a tug-of-war. Guo Fan held the bow uncertainly, grappling with the decision of whether to shoot or not.

Eventually, the Flood Dragon’s resistance proved futile. Driven by its demonic nature, it turned with fiery eyes and charged at Zeng Zhelan.

“???!!!”

Zeng Zhelan initially experienced shock and fury, later retreating. Then, he remembered to command the dragon to withdraw. However, this maneuver exposed it to Guo Fan’s bow and arrow. Gritting his teeth, Zeng Zhelan collided with the dragon forcefully, tumbling into the water and unable to resurface.

The Blood Offering Formation sprang into action, illuminating with a blazing red hue. With a resounding roar, the Flood Dragon pivoted and dashed toward Guo Fan. Yet, reluctance lingered in its gaze.

Guo Fan fired three consecutive arrows at it. While the Flood Dragon evaded two, the third arrow struck its eye. A pained howl erupted, and upon regaining vision, it noticed Guo Fan had yet to release the fourth arrow, seemingly lost in contemplation.

“Where’s Cheng Liuxian?” Guo Fan’s voice suddenly rang out.

Cheng Liuxian emerged from the crowd, promptly responding, “Here!”

Guo Fan gestured toward the lake’s surface. “Lure the lightning and break the formation.”