Fang Hao as a sneer on his face as he cast the static web spell. Multiple gold yellow thunderbolts rained from the storm clouds above and caused a net of lightning to form, which trapped the inner disciples momentarily. Although, because of the multiple barriers and defensive talismans used, it wasn't too effective. However, the momentary pause gave Fang Hao some breathing room. He quickly popped a Qi condensing pill along into his mouth, accelerating his Qi recovery. The constant use of Aura infusion and Floating Leaves Step along with multiple Phantom Aura Steps had depleted a very large chunk of his Qi.
The inner disciples couldn't use any powerful offensive magic tools or spells. Fang Hao, with his increased stats due to Aura Infusion, consistent movement speed due to floating leaves step and instantaneous dodging ability due to phantom aura steps, was too fast to land a clean hit with powerful spells/ magic tools with a longer cast time. So they were reduced to throwing the somewhat expensive explosive beads and low level spell talismans. Only Zhen Ji had managed to use his Kite Shield-shaped magic tool to summon a green Axe made of smoke to guard him in close combat.
Fang Hao then used a minor illusion spell to produce a 'thud' sound behind Zhen Ji. When they turned to confront the non-existent danger a their rear, a lime green spherical blob of acid appeared in Fang Hao's hand and he quickly tossed it at the nearest inner disciple. The inner disciple managed to partially dodge it, but the Qi barriers protecting him took significant damage. Fang Hao closed the last couple of meters to him and used an Aura Fist spell at close range. The Aura Fist spell shattered his already weakened Qi barrier and crushed his ribs. It was immediately followed by a smash with his iron club which caused one of the the rib fragments to pierce his heart killing him.
Zhen Ji had a look of fear on him as he immediately commanded, “Retreat and use talismans and beads!”. But Fang Hao just sneered and dashed with another Phantom Aura Steps to close the distance with the last remaining follower of Zhen Ji as he used his body weight to smash into the multiple barriers and used two consecutive close ranged aura fist spells at his dantian area. All that was left was a mangle of flesh as the last opponent gave a bitter cry of anguish and fainted in pain. He was as good as dead. Even if he survived, his dantian was destroyed and he would be no better than a cripple.
Only Zhen Ji was left who was rapidly retreating and throwing explosive beads wildly as a deterrence to Fang Hao's approach, who was lazily dodging it while trying to close the distance. He was trying to maintain a calm facade and failing, with the fear clearly audible in his voice, “Give up Fang Hao. With this magic tool used, you cannot come into close combat with your safety assured. At best, it will be mutual destruction.”
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Fang Hao didn't even bother replying as he dodged yet another explosive bead and threw his iron club with full force at Zhen Ji. Zhen Ji barely managed to dodge it as he knew Fang Hao's throws when he was covered in the silver aura was not to be underestimated. A couple of Silvery Fists was rapidly approaching him. One of the fists managed to smash his barriers, draining it by quite a bit, while the other fist was intercepted by the green smoky axe which blocked the silver aura fist and became a little more transparent.
Zhen Ji had a grim look on his face as he quickly popped a couple of pills and started to regenerate his Qi at a rapid pace as he cursed inwards. 'Damn it! That fatty has a lower cultivation base than me and cheaper magic tools. Btu still he is beating me. This Ghastly Axe magic tool is draining too much Qi and I wont be able to recover my Qi fast enough despite having plenty of Qi Recovery pills if this continues. It is time for retreat.' Zhen Ji then slapped a talisman over each knee and dashed into the foliage.
Fang Hao maintained his momentum as he fired another couple of Aura Fists towards Zhen Ji before popping another Qi Condensing pill and pursuing Zhen Ji as he started making double handed incantation gestures and chanting under his breath. After around 5 seconds, a shimmering King-Cobra like serpent taller than him materialized and gave a lifelike hiss as it shot towards Zhen Ji.
It was intercepted by the Green Smoky Axe, but didn't dissipate immediately like the Aura fists and it wrapped around the smoke axe as both started becoming more and more transparent. Fang Hao took this chance and used almost half a dozen talismans and a couple of explosive beads in quick succession and managed to smash Zhen Ji's barrier. He then used a couple of swiftness charms along with Phantom Aura steps to close the distance with Zhen Ji and followed up with two quick Aura Fists.
The barrage of talismans and beads had disoriented Zhen Ji and his green smoke axe was n the verge of dissipation. With these distractions and the sudden burst of speed from Fang Hao, he wasn't able to evade or use any talismans. Fang Hao's last couple of aura fists hit his back and caused him to stumble and vomit a mixture of dark red blood and small pieces of flesh. Not giving his opponent any time to recover, Fang Hao jumped on his prone figure and smashed his spine as he kept kicking and smashing the prone Zhen Ji till he stopped vomiting blood. For good measure he released a couple of Aura Fists into the head of the corpse to ensure that he was truly dead.
'Now that he is dead, it is time to loot!' thought Fang Hao cheerfully before he saw a series of ripples of ripples out of the corner of his eye. There were around half a dozen wind blades, and he got hit by a couple of them before he managed to use Phantom Aura Steps to dodge a majority of them. 'Oh fuck. The wind wolves had to wait for a whole week and appear now. My luck seems like shit.' thought Fang Hao as he used the nearby vegetation to obscure himself as he quickly popped another Qi Condensation pill.