Chapter 315

Chapter 315: Ants vs. Earth Dragon (Part Four)

The ant nest occupied by the two Earth Dragons stood completely empty. Long before their arrival, the Ants had retreated over a hundred meters away.

Though the dragons spoke of using breath attacks on the tunnels, through the shadowy vision of the Stealth Ants, Lin Yu perceived their true focus – the creatures’ alertness centered more on their surroundings than the caverns themselves.

Had they detected the Stealth Ants’ surveillance?

"Mother, allow me to engage them."

During the Earth Dragons’ approach, Red Pupil had been testing her newly acquired [Smooth Body] skill. The results exceeded her expectations – where previous defensive abilities enhanced natural attributes, this technique proportionally reduced incoming damage. The combined defensive effects created an unexpectedly formidable protection.

With her current capabilities, Red Pupil might single-handedly confront both Earth Dragons. Moreover, given the enemies’ heightened alertness, ambush tactics would prove ineffective.

Hmm… Direct confrontation seems our best option.

Having reached this conclusion, Lin Yu affectionately stroked Red Pupil’s head.

"Stay safe."

"Understood."

As Red Pupil nodded, the golden canine paw pattern on her small hand shimmered faintly, asserting its presence to Lin Yu.

"We trust you too."

The woman smiled, gently tracing the glowing emblem with her fingers.

"Mother needn’t worry. We’re here as well."

Lvzi chimed in from beside them, her voice brimming with confidence.

"We’ve already defeated countless Earth Dragons! These two should be a breeze! Once we’re done here, I’ll-"

"Enough, enough," Lin Yu interjected before the green-haired girl could finish. "Save the rest for later."

Honestly… Such declarations never bode well.

"We must act swiftly, Little Pupil."

"Right!"

…

Thus,

As Earth Dragon Jon approached a tunnel entrance, gathering energy for his fiery breath-

SHIIIINK!

A steel arrow tore through the air with terrifying force, aimed directly at the spiked dragon’s ocular organs.

No time for contemplation – instinct drove Jon to snap his eyelids shut. The half-formed dragon breath dissipated harmlessly as the projectile struck his scaled eyelids with metallic clang.

The iron arrow failed to pierce the Earth Dragon’s scales, emitting only a crisp "clang."

Though unharmed, the hedgehog-like Earth Dragon proved unexpectedly timid. Startled by the attack, it curled into a spiky ball with all its quills erect, becoming nearly indistinguishable from its real-world counterpart.

The ensuing chaos unfolded in a flash.

As Army Lady drew her bowstring taut, a petite figure burst forth like lightning. While Earth Dragon Jon recoiled from the iron arrow and Earth Dragon Aier’s attention shifted toward its companion, Red Pupil closed the distance between dragons in an instant.

The young girl’s left foot shattered the ground into a crater, propelling her skyward above Earth Dragon Aier’s back. Activating both "Transformation" and "Magnification," she replicated her earlier tactics against Earth Dragon Kekui. Her form shifted into a colossal black ant matching Aier’s proportions, plummeting with devastating force onto the dragon’s spine.

Upon impact, six spear-like limbs stabbed downward with vicious precision. Empowered by LV.41 strength and the yellow-haired spirit’s enhancement – combined with Aier’s momentary distraction – the Iron Armored Ant’s limbs impaled deep into dragonflesh before the creature could react.

"ROOOOAR!"

The towering Earth Dragon’s agonized bellow shook the battlefield as it thrashed violently, seismic stomps fracturing the earth beneath. Yet the ant’s limbs remained anchored like steel roots, crimson blood cascading from the wounds. When Red Pupil’s massive mandibles snapped toward Aier’s neck, a translucent shield shimmered into existence – but proved pitifully inadequate against her enhanced power. The barrier shattered instantly, serrated jaws closing on scaled flesh with brutal finality.

Even as Aier’s neck vertebrae crunched beneath the assault, the five dragons’ leader demonstrated its fearsome reputation. Though mandibles breached scales and shield, severing the thick neck demanded sustained pressure. Meanwhile, Earth Dragon Jon finally overcame its cowardice to assist – only to face fresh volleys of iron arrows targeting its eyes. As the creature ducked, Lvzi emerged from subterranean tunnels to paralyze its hind leg with a single touch. Army Lady’s subsequent arrows found unprotected eyeballs with sickening squelches, leaving Jon whimpering in a defensive curl.

"Sister! Leave this quill-beast to us!" Lvzi called triumphantly to Red Pupil mid-combat.

…

"Jon! Worthless worm!"

Aier’s furious roar echoed across the battlefield as it observed the debacle. Its half-severed neck pulsed grotesquely, regeneration struggling against destruction. "Attack without restraint! Obliterate these vermin!"

Centuries of pride blazed in its bloodshot eyes. "No foe has wounded us so deeply in five hundred years! You… shall PERISH!"

The Earth Dragon’s body suddenly surged upward, activating "Tower" to become a twenty-meter behemoth. Lin Yu’s analysis revealed spiking strength, Health Value, Physical Resistance Ability, and elemental magic resistance ability – though agility suffered proportionally. Now dwarfing her opponent, Red Pupil maintained only limb-holds as her mandibles lost purchase.

Following its leader’s transformation, Jon unleashed its own assault. Countless quills expanded across its body before detonating outward at supersonic speeds – the thunderous aftermath echoing across the battlefield as deadly projectiles rained in all directions.