"Qin Tian, have the War Tree Man use Root Strangulation to bind the Trial Puppet!"
Qin Tian was, after all, one of the top geniuses from the Capital.
As soon as Gu Xing's command fell, Qin Tian immediately directed his War Tree Man to attack.
"War Tree Man, use Ironwood Barrier to increase the strength of your roots! Then use Root Strangulation to entangle it, target the puppet's limbs!"
The War Tree Man's dark, thick roots burst from the ground like giant pythons, tightly coiling around the Trial Puppet's four limbs the instant it finished materializing.
The roots, gleaming with a metallic luster, layered themselves over and over, wrapping the puppet so tightly that no air could escape.
While Qin Tian was in action, Gu Xing wasn't idle either.
At almost the same moment, a Crimson Flame ignited around Liuli as she fully activated her Seraph Form.
She transformed into a streak of fire, shooting straight toward the puppet, distorting the very air in her path.
Gu Xing turned his head to look at Ying Bing, "Ying Bing, have the Ice Phoenix use Frost Storm! Freeze its joints!"
"Understood!"
The Mysterious Frost Ice Phoenix let out a clear, melodious cry and took flight from Ying Bing's shoulder.
As its wings unfurled, its body expanded rapidly, and in an instant, it returned to its true form of over two meters.
With a flap of its wings, a frigid current surged toward the puppet like a tide, forming thick layers of ice crystals on the joints entangled by the roots.
Gu Xing's gaze, however, remained locked on Liuli.
This was the only method he could think of to defeat this Trial Puppet.
If this Trial Puppet managed to release its Stable Barrier, its defense would be enhanced once more.
Then, the chances of the three of them killing it would be incredibly slim.
Therefore, their only option was to finish it off in one go, before it had a chance to react.
"Judgment of Sin!"
Liuli's aura soared as she flew, the wings of the Seraphim trailing a brilliant trail of fire behind her.
By the time she closed in on the puppet, the flames burning around her were as dazzling as the morning sun.
Seeing this, a look of joy flashed in Qin Tian and Ying Bing's eyes.
They could clearly feel that the Pressure radiating from Liuli was now on par with the Trial Puppet's.
As long as their control held without any mishaps...
They would definitely be able to clear this Trial!
However—
Gu Xing's expression was grave.
His eyes were locked firmly on the Trial Puppet, a tide of unease churning within him.
'Too easy!'
'This is all going too smoothly!'
According to his predictions, the probability of Qin Tian and Ying Bing successfully controlling the Trial Puppet was less than thirty percent, but in reality...
They had restrained it with almost no effort at all!
'Something's wrong!'
The instant the red light in the Trial Puppet's eyes flared, Gu Xing's heart clenched violently as an intense sense of crisis washed over him.
"Liuli, retreat immediately!"
Hearing Gu Xing's shout, Liuli, though confused, did not hesitate to follow her Master's command.
She folded her Seraphim wings without a second thought and retreated explosively!
Boom—!
At almost the exact same instant—
The War Tree Man's roots shattered inch by inch!
The Mysterious Frost Ice Phoenix's ice melted in a flash!
The Trial Puppet slammed its clasped fists into the ground like a falling meteor—
"World-Crushing Heavy Hammer!"
Rumble—!
A violent shockwave swept out, cracking the ground and sending crushed stones flying!
Liuli barely dodged the attack, but the edge of her Seraphim wings was still grazed by the aftershock, causing the scorching flames to flicker violently.
Liuli was horrified:
'If I had been half a second slower...'
With the Trial Puppet's terrifying 340 points of Power, plus the skill's amplification...
Even in her Seraph Form, that one blow would have been enough to leave her gravely wounded and on the brink of death!
Seeing Liuli successfully evade the attack, Gu Xing let out a breath of relief.
But his heart immediately leaped into his throat again as he took in the situation on the field.
He had guessed right!
This Trial Puppet...
It wasn't a lifeless object; it possessed combat intelligence!
The Trial Puppet's initial target had been Liuli all along.
That was why it had pretended to be controlled by the War Tree Man and the Mysterious Frost Ice Phoenix.
Its only purpose was to lure Liuli closer and then launch a sneak attack.
To eliminate the greatest threat on the field.
Roar—!
Having missed its target, the Trial Puppet's scarlet mechanical eyes suddenly turned toward the War Tree Man!
"Qin Tian! Get the War Tree Man to retreat, quickly!"
However—
It was too late!
The Trial Puppet was as fast as lightning. The moment Gu Xing spoke, it had already become a blur, rushing straight for the War Tree Man!
"World-Crushing Heavy Hammer!"
The War Tree Man hastily raised its Ironwood Barrier, but the massive gap in their Attributes made it impossible to block—
Thud—!
With a dull thud, the War Tree Man was sent flying like a broken kite, embedding itself heavily into the wall of the Circular Hall, its condition unknown!
Pfft—!
Qin Tian's face turned deathly pale. He spat out a mouthful of blood and promptly fainted.
A Beast Tamer and their Tamed Beast were connected by Spiritual Power. With the War Tree Man suffering such a devastating blow, he naturally couldn't escape unscathed.
The Trial Puppet's gaze shifted again, and this time—
It locked onto the Mysterious Frost Ice Phoenix!
"Liuli! Save the Ice Phoenix!"
Gu Xing shouted sharply.
If the Mysterious Frost Ice Phoenix was also critically injured, this Trial could basically be declared a failure.
Fortunately, Liuli's Speed Attribute was nearly 50 points higher than the Trial Puppet's!
She transformed into a streak of crimson light and, just before the Trial Puppet's massive fist came crashing down, forcefully yanked the Mysterious Frost Ice Phoenix out of the danger zone!
Swish—!
The wings of the Seraphim kicked up a wave of scorching air as Liuli landed steadily beside Gu Xing with the Ice Phoenix.
She then spread her wings, shielding the two people and one beast behind her, and stared warily at the Trial Puppet in the distance.
The tide of battle had turned in an instant!
Qin Tian was unconscious, and the War Tree Man had lost its ability to fight.
The original plan to surround and kill it had completely crumbled before this Trial Puppet that possessed combat instincts!
Ying Bing's expression was solemn. She turned to Gu Xing, her voice low:
"Gu Xing, what do we do now?"
Gu Xing didn't answer immediately.
His mind raced, his gaze darting back and forth between the Trial Puppet and Liuli.
'An Awakening 8th Order's strength, overwhelming Attributes...'
Unless he used Liuli's Finishing Move, it was almost impossible to defeat it head-on!
But if he did that, his only Tamed Beast would fall into a deep slumber, and Liuli's growth rate would be severely delayed.
Just as he was weighing the pros and cons, Ying Bing suddenly spoke in a deep voice:
"If I can control it, are you confident you can kill it in one hit?"
Gu Xing whipped his head around, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.
His gaze fell upon the Ice Phoenix's skills, and he instantly understood Ying Bing's intention.
The Mysterious Frost Ice Phoenix's Finishing Move!
Although it would also leave her Tamed Beast in a weakened state, the cost was far less than Liuli's!
Gu Xing's gaze returned to Liuli, and he nodded without hesitation:
"As long as you can control it, Liuli can definitely take care of this Trial Puppet."
Hearing this, the fighting spirit in Ying Bing's eyes ignited!
"Mysterious Frost Ice Phoenix, release Frost Ring Imprisonment!"