NOVPUBThe crimson curse blazed in stark contrast to the Archaic Luanniao’s seething black flames.
A small scarlet sword, bound by a chain, materialized on the creature’s head.
Immediately, its speed dropped—proof that even something as powerful as the Archaic Luanniao wasn’t immune to the curse’s effects.
But Lin Moyu noticed that within the raging black flames, the curse began to unravel, rapidly disintegrating. Just like before—those flames could burn away curses.
Yet the curse was only the beginning.
As it activated, the Skeletal Great Mage and Skeletal Marksman were already in position, striking it in unison.
They encircled the Luanniao from all sides—high and low, near and far—sealing off any path of escape.
Their formation was wide enough to avoid getting caught in the Archaic Luanniao’s AoE attacks.
Violent explosions tore through the Archaic Luanniao’s body, and in a heartbeat, a hail of arrows turned it into a grotesque hedgehog.
The curse was pivotal—it allowed the attacks of the Skeletal Great Mages and Skeletal Marksmen to pierce through the Archaic Luanniao’s defenses.
Elemental Liches began to appear, and rings of light flaring to life beneath the feet of the skeletons.
This time, apart from the Fire and Light Liches. Every Elemental Lich joined the assault.
The Ice Ring suppressed the black flames, sheathing the boss in a layer of frost.
The ice only lasted half a second before melting away—but the ring of light’s effect was relentless. Ice kept forming and burning away in a relentless cycle.
The Wind Ring boosted the skeletons’ speed, while the Earth Ring drastically enhanced their defense.
Countless bolts of lightning rained down on the Archaic Luanniao, drawing a piercing screech from its throat.
With a furious flap of its wings, it spewed a torrent of flames that engulfed the sky.
Skill: Flame Spout.
Skeletons were set ablaze, their bones wrapped in roaring fire—yet not a single one backed down. They stood their ground.
Deep rumbles followed as clusters of fireballs formed in the air, then burst violently.
Skill: Fire Explosion.
The Archaic Luanniao unleashed two skills simultaneously, but it was still powerless against the undead army.
Flames that had once inflicted devastating losses on Lin Moyu’s forces now barely harmed them.
His combat power had grown immensely.
Now, the undead army could confront even a weakened Demon King head-on—
A level 67 lord rank boss? Hardly a concern.
“Its talent is the only thing worth being cautious of.” Lin Moyu muttered.
The Archaic Luanniao was no longer a threat. Only its innate talent remained a concern.
Lin Moyu now understood why Detection had failed to identify the Nirvanic Rebirth skill.
It wasn’t a skill—it was the Archaic Luanniao’s talent.
That explained why Detection hadn’t picked it up.
By now, the battle had lost all suspense.
The Archaic Luanniao kept casting its skills in desperation, setting the skies and earth ablaze within a 1,000-meter radius.
But no matter how it struggled, it was futile.
The Skeletal Berserk Warriors had already closed in, climbing onto its massive body, chopping down with their red-glowing axes.
In just one minute, under the skeletons’ onslaught, the Archaic Luanniao was left heavily injured.
Lin Moyu didn’t use Bone Prison—not yet.
He was waiting for the Archaic Luanniao to use its talent.
And sure enough, after a dozen seconds, all the surrounding flames abruptly vanished—drawn inward.
A terrifying energy surged as a massive black fireball formed in the air, over 1,000 meters wide.
The fireball pulsed with scorching heat, blazing like a sun.
The Skeletal Berserk Warriors clinging to the Archaic Luanniao were blasted away instantly.
The Archaic Luanniao had triggered its talent: Nirvanic Rebirth.
The fireball hovered ominously for a few seconds—then dropped, aimed at Mu Xianxian.
Lin Moyu’s expression shifted. Without hesitation, he dove, swept Mu Xianxian into his arms, and flew away at full speed.
At the same time, the undead troops rose into the air, pulling away from the ground.
Then—
Boom!
A deafening explosion erupted. A towering mushroom cloud rose into the sky, and violent shockwaves blasted outward in every direction.
Those skeletons who hadn’t flown far enough were flung away like rag dolls.
Even over 2,000 meters from the blast, Lin Moyu was struck by the shockwaves. His Bone Armor flared to life, shielding him from the impact.
And from the way the armor reacted, Lin Moyu could gauge the sheer force of the explosion.
The Nirvanic Rebirth talent not only allowed the Archaic Luanniao to be reborn, but also granted it the power to drag its enemies down with it.
Thankfully, Lin Moyu had seen it once before. He was ready.
The undead might have endured it.
But Mu Xianxian? She wouldn’t have survived.
Not even the Bone Armor, with a defense equal to 300,000 physique, could withstand that blast at close range.
When the smoke cleared, a massive crater remained—over 1,000 meters wide. Flames still burned within it, licking at the shattered earth.
[Archaic Luanniao (lord rank boss)]
[Level: 67]
[Status: undergoing Nirvanic Rebirth–currently invincible]
Just like before, Detection returned the same result.
There was nothing to do now but wait. Wait for Nirvanic Rebirth to end.
Mu Xianxian's soft voice brushed his ear, light as a breeze, “Can you put me down?”
Only then did Lin Moyu realize he was still holding her. Wrapped in his arms, she had no choice but to cling to him for balance.
She was tall, only half a head shorter than him.
In this close proximity, their faces were just inches apart.
Her cheeks flushed a vivid red, ears burning hot, body feeling a little weak.
Lin Moyu, ever the hard-boiled, didn’t notice a thing.
He landed calmly and set her down, then said, “Get ready to use Collection. When I give the signal—it’s your turn.”
Mu Xianxian lowered her head and gave a soft “mm.”
She was still overwhelmed. It was the first time in her life she’d been held like that by a member of the opposite sex.
Strangely enough… she didn’t hate it. Instead, a quiet joy bloomed in her chest.
Lin Moyu ordered the Lich Generals to encircle Mu Xianxian once more, then soared high into the air, eyes locked onto the Archaic Luanniao.
For five whole minutes, the flames raged in the crater, scorching the land.
Then suddenly—the flames converged, drawn toward the center, from where a powerful aura surged forth.
Lin Moyu’s brows furrowed. The Luanniao seemed stronger than before.
“So Nirvanic Rebirth isn’t just resurrection… it strengthens it too?”
With a flick of his finger, he cast Detection again.
[Archaic Luanniao (lord rank boss)]
[Level: 68]
[Strength: 330,000]
[Strength: 170,000]
[Strength: 200,000]
[Physique: 200,000]
[Skill: Flame Spout, Fire Explosion, Blackfire Inferno]
[Trait: Fire Elemental Immunity, 70% Elemental Damage Reduction, 70% Physical Damage Reduction]
“It really did get stronger.” Lin Moyu’s instincts had been right.
The Archaic Luanniao had leveled up—from 67 to 68.
Its total attributes surged by 100,000, it gained a new skill, and its elemental and physical immunities had been enhanced, though it had lost the Teeth Ignore Defense trait.
That meant its firepower was now even more deadly. But it would no longer resort to biting.
However, thinking back, it hadn’t tried to bite the skeletons earlier either—probably because, given its size, they were simply too small to bother with.
But so what if it was level 68?
Lin Moyu didn’t care. He was going to kill it all the same.
The Archaic Luanniao, having completed its Nirvanic Rebirth, was more powerful than ever.
Before it could even unleash a screech, its entire body was suddenly wrapped in fine white bones.
Skill: Bone Prison.
The massive creature froze, completely immobilized.
Lin Moyu wasn’t interested in a drawn-out fight this time. He was going to end it fast.
The Skeletal Berserk Warriors charged forward once more.
The Skeletal Great Mages and Skeletal Marksman launched their assault as well.
Lightning poured from the sky, strike after strike, slamming into the Archaic Luanniao.
Bound by the Bone Prison, the boss had no choice but to endure the relentless assault.
From above, Lin Moyu called out, “Go over and light the fireworks!”
Mu Xianxian answered with a quick “Oh!”, rushing over without hesitation.
The terrifying black flames burned around the Archaic Luanniao. But Mu Xianxian didn’t even flinch. She plunged straight in.
She trusted Lin Moyu completely. If he told her to go, then she knew there was no danger.
The fire licked at the Bone Armor, but it couldn’t touch her.
Lin Moyu hovered in the air, silently recasting her Bone Armor over and over.
Mu Xianxian moved fast. She reached the immobilized Archaic Luanniao and released a cascade of brilliant fireworks.
Then she turned and bolted out of the flames, calling out to Lin Moyu, “I released the fireworks!”
Lin Moyu gave a faint smile. But the next instant, his expression shifted.
Without a word, he shot downward, swept Mu Xianxian into his arms again, and flew off at full speed—never once looking back.
