As the blue insect silk tightened, Li Fan stopped abruptly and pulled back.
Yudora gripped the silk tightly. As she was dragged forward, the pointed tip of her gun-like wing was already falling.
No! It’s too late!
Just as Li Fan felt Yudora was about to be attacked, Gu Xing, whose armor glowed with purple spectral flames, ran from the other side.
He swung his greatsword to meet the wing!
Clang! Sizzle!
The clash between the祸太刀 (Huò Tàidāo) and the wing lasted only a moment before the wing, unimpeded, continued its descent.
But that brief moment, bought by Gu Xing, was enough for Yudora to dodge the attack.
Bang!
The wing smashed into the Hekstone platform, embedding itself deeply and sending countless shattered rock fragments flying.
Crack!
Along the silver carapace of the wing, several clusters of red and black energy were channeled to the ground, spreading outwards.
Li Fan noticed that these agitated energy clusters were extremely unstable.
Recalling the attack moves in the game, the Crimson Glow Valstrax’s wing would unleash dragon energy around the impact point, which, after a certain delay, would turn into red flames and trigger a violent explosion.
I have to save Gu Xing!
Due to the visual obstruction from the dragon energy clusters, Li Fan couldn’t tell how injured Gu Xing was.
But if he stayed nearby, he would definitely be caught in the red flame explosion.
Swoosh! The wing was withdrawn.
Freed from its contact with the Crimson Glow Valstrax, the dragon energy clusters became even more agitated and active.
As Li Fan ran up and was about to release his Wirebug, he saw a streak of ethereal blue energy unfurling at the center of the crimson dragon energy.
Boom! Boom! Boom! ...
Several dragon energy clusters detonated simultaneously, the flashes of red light blinding.
As the smoke and dust dispersed in the wind, Gu Xing stood upright, holding his sword in a standard stance.
A circular dent appeared on the chest plate of the Magnamalo, with a small amount of blood flowing from the cracks.
This was the result of using true charge slash to block the red flame explosion. The dent on the chest plate… must have been left by the previous wing strike.
Li Fan marveled inwardly.
The Crimson Glow Valstrax tilted its neck back, its gaze fixed on Gu Xing, seemingly unable to comprehend why this human was still alive.
“Heya.”
Clang! A metallic ringing sound.
From behind, Pazhizhi swung her Diablos Hammer, striking the Crimson Glow Valstrax’s suspended claw.
After the first strike, the Crimson Glow Valstrax ignored it and continued its standoff with Gu Xing.
Pazhizhi pressed her attack. The Crimson Glow Valstrax glanced at its right foreleg, which had been dented, and swiftly turned its body.
Gu Xing, breaking off his standoff, rolled backward, evading the sweeping silver tail.
He rose, sheathed his sword, clutched his dented chest plate, and gasped heavily.
Dilu held out a Honeycomb from her backpack.
“No need, Little Felyne. This injury is minor.”
Gu Xing waved her off.
“Okay, meow.”
Dilu could only use her paw to pull back the half-flying Honeycomb and put it back into her backpack.
Whoosh! A sound of air being pierced rang out as the Crimson Glow Valstrax thrust its wingtip forward.
Pazhizhi did not run or roll away. Instead, she stood her ground, stared at the incoming wing, and swung her hammer to meet it!
Before the swinging Diablos Hammer could touch the wing, Pazhizhi’s body stiffened, and she stopped her momentum.
Hum!
The hammer striking the air created faint blue ripples, like waves on water.
The wingtip pierced the still-dispersing ripples, and its surging thrusting power came to an abrupt halt.
The Crimson Glow Valstrax’s forward momentum faltered for a moment. Pazhizhi retreated, swung her Diablos Hammer to her side, and crouched, beginning to charge.
This is Water Strike!
Li Fan recognized the move at a glance.
Pazhizhi ran clockwise around the Crimson Glow Valstrax, the color of her charged Diablos Hammer constantly changing.
Li Fan, charging forward, wanted to get in a quick hit from behind, but seeing Pazhizhi’s gaze fixed on the Crimson Glow Valstrax’s chest cavity, he immediately understood her intention.
The previous explosion in the chest cavity had severely damaged the intake grilles, which were already a weak point.
The scarlet dragon energy core within was exposed.
Pazhizhi intended to attack it directly, destroying the Crimson Glow Valstrax’s energy generation organ.
This idea was audacious, but if successful, the objective at the tower's summit would be directly achieved.
The Crimson Glow Valstrax watched Pazhizhi’s constant circling and feinting, but instead of showing the expected wariness, it planted its four claws on the ground and began to inhale, charging energy.
Li Fan suddenly realized something and shouted, “It won’t work! Don’t get close!”
Perhaps the sudden gust of wind blocked his voice, or perhaps Pazhizhi had enough confidence in her charged hammer strike.
She did not stop.
Whoosh~ Whoosh~ Whoosh! Boom!
Air and dragon element energy surged in, and a large amount of dragon energy gathered and condensed within the Crimson Glow Valstrax’s chest cavity.
The scarlet dragon energy core was soon enveloped by the dragon energy.
Without the grille’s obstruction, much of the newly generated dragon energy would leak outwards through the chest’s damage.
It was precisely this that Li Fan had foreseen, prompting him to warn Pazhizhi not to get too close.
The Crimson Glow Valstrax hadn't neglected the protection of its scarlet dragon energy core; it simply had no need to.
Facing the torrent of dragon energy suddenly overflowing from the damaged area, Pazhizhi did not retreat. Instead, she charged forward with her hammer.
Her feet skidded on the ground as she stopped abruptly. The Diablos Hammer, swung from her side, paused briefly above her head before smashing down with full force.
“Heya!”
Bang! Hum~~~
The shockwave from the hammer strike on the chest cavity rippled outwards, dispersing the surging dragon energy.
The scarlet dragon energy core, deeply encased, was revealed as the dragon energy scattered.
Swish! The hammer handle flew off. Pazhizhi swung her right fist back and leaped towards the Crimson Glow Valstrax’s chest.
“My straight punch! It’s very heavy!”
As Pazhizhi shouted, she threw a straight right punch, driving it into the Crimson Glow Valstrax’s chest.
Bang! Crackle! The crisp cracking sound and the dull thud came almost simultaneously.
Whoosh~
The dragon energy, dispersed by the shockwave, rapidly retreated and enveloped Pazhizhi entirely.
Is this a Seven-Star Hunter?
Li Fan felt his understanding of top hunters had been refreshed once again.
Boom!
Several clusters of red flames exploded on the Crimson Glow Valstrax’s chest. Pazhizhi was sent flying, her Anjanath armor showing scorch marks.
The Crimson Glow Valstrax’s eyes widened. It looked down at the damaged area on its chest, then shook its head.
It seemed unable to comprehend what had just happened.
The Hekstone was depleted, the giant airship, and yet it couldn’t kill this insignificant human who could even threaten it. It was plunged into deep confusion.
Suddenly, a purple figure appeared before its eyes, and a straight, thin line was sliced through the air.
The Crimson Glow Valstrax, struck by the attack, took two steps back before regaining its balance.
Gu Xing, landing, retreated to stand in front of Pazhizhi and asked, “Did that punch land?”
“Yes, but the crystalline wall above was too thick. I don’t think I managed to shatter the dragon energy core.”
Pazhizhi said with a hint of helplessness as she pushed herself up with her hands.
“The right wing and the dragon energy core were not destroyed… Retrieve your weapons and retreat. Send a signal for Sik to approach.”
Gu Xing instructed.
In terms of the actual combat situation.
Even after suffering severe damage from the chest explosion, the Crimson Glow Valstrax could still synthesize and accumulate dragon energy. To continue with the objective of disabling its flight capabilities.
There were only two remaining paths: destroying the right wing and the dragon energy core.
However, based on the known intelligence, the tower-top combat team lacked the ability to achieve these conditions.
Retreating and blowing up the Sky-Piercing Tower was the best option.
“You’re bleeding, are you alright?”
Pazhizhi asked, looking at the bloodstains dripping from her armor.
“I’m fine for now.”
Gu Xing replied, sheathing his sword.
Bang! A flare exploded in the sky above the Sky-Piercing Tower.
Sik, seeing the signal from the airship, quickly lowered a cable and maneuvered the small airship in.
They’re retreating already… That’s understandable. They’ve tried everything they could.
From a hunter’s perspective, continuing the fight would only increase the Crimson Glow Valstrax’s dragon energy reserves. It was better to destroy the Sky-Piercing Tower sooner rather than later.
Li Fan quickly understood Gu Xing’s reasoning.
At this moment, the Crimson Glow Valstrax tilted its head towards the sky and let out a piercing shriek.
“What is it saying, meow?”
Dilu asked.
“It’s asking, ‘Is this still my era?’”
Li Fan stared for a moment, attempting to translate.
“Asking who, meow?”
“Perhaps the heavens that created all things.”
Li Fan speculated.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Four jet vents erupted in red flames.
The Crimson Glow Valstrax’s forelegs lifted off the ground, and its upper body rose.
“This is!”
Li Fan recognized the movement and knew it was about to use its signature move, the Supernova.
Glancing back at the distance of the small airship, Li Fan pointed to the sky and shouted, “It’s too late! Don’t go!”
Boom! The Crimson Glow Valstrax left a shockwave of air in its wake and vanished from the surface of the Hekstone platform as if teleporting.
Gu Xing and Pazhizhi heard the warning and, seeing the Crimson Glow Valstrax ascending, quickly understood the impending danger.
The four of them ran to the edge of their platform and began to climb down the outer wall of the Sky-Piercing Tower.
This was the evasion method devised by the Investigation Team Leader Todd, who had stayed awake for five days and five nights, racking his brains.
Li Fan had initially only intended to warn the other two to be wary of the Crimson Glow Valstrax’s finishing move, but he hadn’t expected Todd to be so serious.
He had actually figured out an evasion method based on the terrain characteristics of the Sky-Piercing Tower.
“Dilu, hold on tight.”
Li Fan said, then used his hands and feet, climbing down the outer wall with great agility.
“Li Fan… Why are you climbing head-down? And so fast?”
Yudora asked, a hint of worry in her voice.
“Perhaps it’s because I’m wearing the Queen Spider chest armor.”
Li Fan replied, continuing to climb.
Whoosh~ A strong gust of wind arrived.
A piercing, whistling friction sound suddenly echoed in the sky, rapidly approaching.
Boom!
The outer wall of the Sky-Piercing Tower trembled violently. Countless fragments rained down from above, and the sky was completely illuminated in red.
Hum! Hum! Hum! ...
The world seemed to be filled with nothing but a humming sound.
In his blurred consciousness, he reached up to his ear and felt a furry cat paw covering it.
“Thank you, Dilu.”
Li Fan said, then immediately became confused. He knew he had spoken, but strangely, he couldn’t hear himself.
Dilu jumped onto Li Fan’s arm, her eyes filled with concern. Her cat mouth opened and closed, but still, no sound came out.
“…Can you hear me, meow?”
“I can hear you…”
Li Fan, his hearing restored, hadn’t finished speaking when the Crimson Glow Valstrax’s charging roar echoed from the top of the tower again.
Clearly, after the Supernova, no one could stop it from inhaling and charging energy.
However, this also created an excellent opportunity for Sik’s descent and rescue.
As the small airship lowered its altitude, it circled the outer wall for half a turn and quickly picked up Gu Xing and Pazhizhi.
When it reached the team’s location, Sik witnessed an unbelievable sight: Li Fan and Yudora were not waiting to board the airship but were still climbing upwards.
“Pfft! This kid… is he serious?”
Gu Xing spat out his recovery medicine.
“Are you still going?”
Pazhizhi was also extremely surprised.
“Li Fan, we’ve forgotten what you said, meow! Don’t push yourself anymore!”
Sik shouted.
“No, if I can’t have a decisive battle with the Crimson Glow Valstrax here, I will live the rest of my life in regret.”
Li Fan continued to climb upwards without looking back.
“What a devout hunter, meow…”
Sik said with longing in his eyes.
“Can’t you go alone? Yudora didn’t say she wanted to fight the Crimson Glow Valstrax to the death.”
Gu Xing began to persuade him.
“Huh? Yudora is still here?”
Li Fan looked down.
He noticed that Yudora was indeed below him, but due to the vast difference in climbing ability, she had already fallen far behind.
Yudora’s gaze deepened. She also wanted to accelerate her climb, but ever since she had unleashed her True Charged Slash, her arms had been sore and swollen.
Even maintaining a normal climb felt extremely difficult.
“It’s okay, Yudora. You’ve performed admirably. Leave the rest to me.”
Li Fan persuaded her.
“No! I’m going too! With the slash… In short, I’m going!”
Yudora insisted.
Li Fan, with a helpless sigh, pointed at Yudora, then at the airship.
Sik quickly understood and moved closer to the outer wall. Gu Xing grabbed Yudora’s legs and pulled her into the airship.
“Yudora! Wait for our good news of victory, meow!”
Dilu tilted her head, blinked one eye, and waved goodbye.
Yudora, standing on the deck, wanted to use her Wirebug to fly back to the Sky-Piercing Tower, but recalling her current condition, she sat back into the cabin with a hint of dejection.
“Don’t be sad. The search and rescue team deployed on the ground this time is top-notch.”
Pazhizhi comforted her.
“Uh… Hearing you say that makes it feel even worse.”
Yudora sighed, her head lowered.
“By the way, why is Li Fan so confident about fighting the Crimson Glow Valstrax to the death?”
Gu Xing asked curiously.
“Isn’t that what hunters do?”
Yudora replied.
“Li Fan! Dilu, meow! The Sky-Piercing Tower is obscured by clouds, meow! To throw signal bombs, a lower altitude is required to place them! It will take about 10 minutes for the airship to descend to a suitable altitude! Hope this helps you!”
As the small airship’s altitude continued to drop, Sik’s shouts grew fainter.
“Thank you…”
Li Fan murmured, climbing back to the summit of the Sky-Piercing Tower, which was now one level lower.
After the surface Hekstone core was shattered, the exposed Hekstone now emitted an even stronger red light.
The speed at which dragon element energy was being absorbed was faster than before.
The Crimson Glow Valstrax, inhaling and charging energy, no longer treated humans with disdain. However, seeing that Li Fan was alone, it continued to inhale and charge energy.
“Finally, an opportunity to be alone, Hui Hui.”
Li Fan said, beginning to stretch his arms and legs, loosening his joints.
The Crimson Glow Valstrax continued to watch Li Fan’s movements, offering no other response.
“So indifferent… Alright.”
Li Fan said, then threw a flash bomb.
Swish! A dazzling golden light flashed.
The Crimson Glow Valstrax suppressed its anger and continued to inhale and charge energy.
It had experienced the human’s attack just now; it didn’t belong to the category that posed a sufficient threat.
However, as the Crimson Glow Valstrax’s vision gradually recovered, its vertical pupils contracted sharply.
Zinogre, Lagiacrus, Mizutsune, Rathalos, Black Diablos, Brachydios.
Six monsters lined up behind Li Fan, their eyes glinting menacingly, staring intently.