Chapter 99 - Phantylia, Are You Ready for Hell?

Phantylia was seething. Regardless of what was blocking her exit, she struck out with a palm, slamming it directly into the Iron Golem's chest. A dull thud echoed, and layers of cracks appeared where her palm had landed.

Evidently, even the Iron Golem, doubly enhanced by [Preservation] and [Erudition], couldn't completely ignore an Emanator's attack. Despite this, the Iron Golem remained rooted to the spot, not budging an inch. It even retaliated, landing a punch on Phantylia through the layer of blocks.

Although this punch dealt minimal physical damage, it inflicted immense spiritual damage upon Phantylia. She was so enraged, her chest practically swelled.

Why was everyone she encountered today so exasperating? She couldn't break through Fu Zhu's wooden shield, nor could she send him flying along with it. Now, she faced a metal golem that, similarly, couldn't be sent flying!

When had a Lord of Annihilation become so unimpressive?!

"In that case... none of you shall leave!"

Phantylia's long hair ignited into raging flames, and the temperature of the surrounding air skyrocketed. Flaming lotuses bloomed at her feet. Within a few breaths, the wooden planks around her began to combust.

Seeing this, Jing Yuan immediately stepped forward, shielding the others behind him. He held his Formation Blade horizontally before him, his gaze fixed warily on Phantylia. Simultaneously, he lowered his voice and warned Fu Zhu, who was behind him.

"Fu Zhu, the terrain here is too constricted. It's inconvenient for us to maneuver, and difficult to dodge. Phantylia's previous attacks were mere trifles. If she gets serious, things could get dire."

"Got it."

Fu Zhu understood instantly. He immediately pulled out his iron axe, activated [Chain Mining], and aimed at the surrounding wooden plank blocks, felling them with a few swift swings. When he had constructed the wooden hut earlier, he had considered the possibility of needing to demolish it, so he had deliberately used the same type of block for construction. This way, a single activation of [Chain Mining] could bring down the entire structure.

Thump!

The entire wooden hut collapsed in an instant, wooden planks scattering across the ground. The Nether Portal, which Fu Zhu had hidden beneath the floorboards, was also exposed.

Although the sudden disappearance of the floor startled Phantylia, she still managed to levitate slowly by treading on her flaming lotuses, ascending until she hovered above everyone's heads.

Fu Zhu, seeing Phantylia take flight, grumbled with some annoyance.

"So despicable, actually able to fly!"

This was clearly bullying him for his current inability to fly!

Once Phantylia was airborne, the Iron Golem lost its combat effectiveness, essentially becoming a living target. Fu Zhu decisively recalled it to his side to protect Welt and March 7th, who were ranged units. If it couldn't deal damage, it could at least tank some.

However, Fu Zhu wasn't worried about Phantylia flying at this moment. After receiving the blessing of [Elation], he could simply jump into mid-air and place blocks beneath his feet to achieve the effect of treading on air. Although this method was slower, he could still attack Phantylia in the sky.

What concerned him now was that by dismantling the wooden hut, the Nether Portal had been exposed. He didn't know if Phantylia would notice it.

Phantylia, hovering in mid-air, naturally noticed the Nether Portal hidden beneath the ground. However, she paid it no mind.

It was hidden under Fu Zhu's wooden hut; perhaps it was an escape route he had prepared. After all, she was a Lord of Annihilation, not some random stray cat or dog. It was only natural for a normal person to prepare an escape route when facing a Lord of Annihilation alone.

At this moment, Phantylia looked down upon Fu Zhu and the others on the ground, a cold sneer playing on her lips. Her attacks were finally no longer constrained by that tiny wooden hut.

Although she had already lost the chance to possess Fu Zhu's body, and Jing Yuan had discovered her presence, it was clear that her plan to dismantle the Luofu from within had utterly failed.

But leaving just like that was not her style. At the very least, before departing, she would leave Fu Zhu with an permanent scar! Let him know just how foolish it was to provoke a Lord of Annihilation!

Phantylia's gaze fell upon Xing and March 7th. That man named Welt seemed to be the most capable among them, aside from Jing Yuan and Fu Zhu. Dealing with him might require some effort. But these two young girls were clearly different.

Tender-skinned and delicate-fleshed. Moreover, their relationship with Fu Zhu seemed anything but ordinary. If they were to die before Fu Zhu's very eyes, the taste of his anguish would be exceptionally delicious!

Having decided on her targets, Phantylia directly raised her hand and pointed towards the sky.

March 7th, witnessing this gesture, felt an inexplicable chill run down her spine. She couldn't help but shrink behind the Iron Golem and ask the others.

"She... she isn't just striking a pose right now, is she?"

Xing clutched her baseball bat, her eyes warily fixed on Phantylia, but her mouth readily joined in the吐槽. "This posture, at the very least, she's preparing a big move."

As if to confirm March 7th and Xing's words, a fireball, over a hundred meters wide, pierced through the clouds and descended upon them.

Phantylia, a savage grin on her face, looked down at the group below. Her chilling voice sent shivers down their spines.

"Crushing you ants... what could be more fitting than a star? Fu Zhu, I'd like to see how you plan to escape this time!"

Phantylia herself then soared higher into the sky, positioning herself above the fireball to avoid being caught in its blast.

Seeing this, Fu Zhu couldn't help but feel a shiver run down his spine. His shield might be able to block it, but the ensuing shockwave from the explosion couldn't be absorbed by the shield. The others around him would likely be injured, and the Nether Portal might even be affected.

He had to use another method to deal with this attack!

Fu Zhu's mind raced, various solutions flashing through his thoughts. For instance, using water to mitigate the damage from this attack, but the flow of water would be too slow, unable to spread out before the fireball landed.

Wait a minute, a fireball?

Taking a closer look, wasn't this fireball descending from Phantylia just an oversized [Massive Fireball]?

If it was a [Massive Fireball], then perhaps he had a good idea.

With this thought, Fu Zhu immediately turned to Jing Yuan.

"Jing Yuan, I'm going to give something a try. If it doesn't work, I'm counting on you."

Jing Yuan, who was already gathering his power, preparing to summon the [Divine Lord] to protect everyone, nodded upon hearing Fu Zhu's words.

There was still plenty of time. It wouldn't hurt to let Fu Zhu try first. If his method proved effective, then the [Divine Lord] could be preserved as a surprise trump card.

After receiving Jing Yuan's acknowledgement, Fu Zhu leaped up. Just as his body was about to descend, he placed a block beneath his feet and kicked off it to jump again.

After two or three repetitions, he had reached the rapidly descending fireball. He held an Ender Pearl in his hand, ready to teleport away with it if his guess proved incorrect.

Fu Zhu gazed at the fireball that now filled his entire vision, raised his hand, clenched his fist, and punched straight at it.

Phantylia, positioned high above on the periphery, naturally witnessed all of Fu Zhu's actions. Seeing Fu Zhu actually attempt to meet her attack with his bare fists, she couldn't help but sneer.

She was a Lord of Annihilation! Even Jing Yuan, an Emanator of the same rank, wouldn't dare to receive her attack so recklessly. Had all Nameless become this arrogant nowadays?

At this rate, perhaps before she even had a chance to inflict some unforgettable sorrow upon Fu Zhu, he would beat his companions to the Yellow Springs.

However, in the next second, Phantylia froze on the spot. The hundred-meter-plus fireball had actually been punched back by Fu Zhu, and it was even heading straight for her!

"How is this possible?!"

Phantylia, astonished, tried to manipulate the fireball to dissipate it. But for some reason, despite it being a fireball condensed from her own power, she had now completely lost control over it. She could only watch helplessly as it slammed into her.

BOOM!

A heaven-shattering explosion resounded. The raging wave of fire from the fireball's detonation swept across the entire sky, turning the originally blue and white sky into a sea of fiery red. The ocean below surged with colossal waves.

As Fu Zhu's companions, March 7th and Xing, stood rooted to the spot, their mouths agape, staring blankly upwards. They were so stunned they didn't even notice the seawater splashing into their mouths.

Xing couldn't help but turn her head to look at Fu Zhu, who was descending from mid-air, and mumbled, "Old Bro, how about we go play baseball? After this, absolutely no one will be your opponent!"

Fu Zhu himself was in high spirits at this moment. He hadn't expected Phantylia's grand-looking attack to actually be an oversized version of a [Ghast Fireball].

"Don't lower your guard! Phantylia isn't dead that easily!"

Jing Yuan, seeing Xing seem to relax her vigilance, quickly interjected with a reminder.

Xing immediately straightened her stance, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on the gradually receding waves of fire in the sky.

After the fiery waves completely dissipated, Phantylia's battered figure appeared before them. At this moment, not only were her clothes tattered, but even the temporary body she had conjured had become damaged and broken, looking utterly gruesome.

"You... damn you all..."

Phantylia glared furiously at Fu Zhu and the others below, a deep-seated fear flashing in her eyes.

She hadn't expected Fu Zhu's strength to be this bizarre. He clearly didn't possess the power of an Emanator, yet he could repeatedly unleash attacks comparable to, or even far exceeding, the level of an Emanator.

"Fu Zhu, I admit you all are truly troublesome. Hmph, among the Lords of Annihilation, I am considered one of the least proficient in combat. With the General of the Luofu present, it would indeed be very difficult to take you down. But... can he protect all of you? Or perhaps, the common folk of the Luofu?"

Phantylia's face contorted into a crazed expression. She laughed maniacally towards the sky, her maimed limbs raised high. Numerous enormous [Dark Lotuses] bloomed beside her, then shot out in all directions, causing massive explosions everywhere.

"Phantylia!"

Jing Yuan gritted his teeth in anger, directly summoning the [Divine Lord] and sending it slashing towards Phantylia.

Phantylia was well aware of Jing Yuan's power. If she had successfully condensed her body using the Ambrosial Arbor, she might have been able to trade a few blows with him. But in her current state, she was clearly no match. She didn't even try to block, immediately starting to flee in all directions.

March 7th and the others wanted to assist, but unfortunately, their attacks simply couldn't keep up with Phantylia's evasive speed. They could only watch helplessly as she wreaked havoc everywhere.

Fu Zhu frowned, his gaze fixed on Phantylia as she darted about. If she continued like this, the Luofu would likely suffer catastrophic losses.

If an Emanator went all out purely for destruction, it would probably take two or three other Emanators to stop them.

"There's no other way! We have to use the Nether Portal! Jing Yuan!"

PS from author (not part of the story): Second update. Explaining the issue with the Iron Golem's name: because the two characters "kui儡" (golem) and some other characters appearing in the same chapter would cause it to be flagged as sensitive content, preventing the chapter from being published, I can only use "魁儡" (golem, different kui character) as a substitute. Hope you understand.