The four red eyes in the darkness blinked—and then advanced.
From the shroud of trees, a massive creature stepped into view. Unlike the mantis-type beast before, this one moved with a lupine gait—its jet-black fur void of light, its form wreathed in a corrupt mist that clung to its limbs like living shadow. Where its heart should beat, a crimson core pulsed, veins of energy radiating outward in malevolent waves.
Even Zhao Wuji's expression faltered. "That's... a Shadow Howler Beast, but it appearance seems to be warped than the usual."
Tang San's gaze hardened. "Is someone tampering with the spirit beast? It seems more like someone is twisting these spirit beasts."
The mantle of dread settled over them again. The crimson-cloaked assassins and the mantis had retreated, clearing a space for this new horror to claim the battlefield. It lifted its head, releasing a howl that reverberated in their bones.
Howl!
Zhao Wuji charged, seven spirit rings flaring over around him. "Let's see who can stand the longest, beast!" he roared, swinging his right arm and colliding with the beast in an explosion of force.
The resulting force make the ground under them buckle, making the ground fallen lower forming a circle around both of them.
Tang San followed his lead, vines lashing out to bind the creature's hind leg. Zhu Zhuqing struck from the shadows, claws aimed at pressure points. Ma Hongjun unleashed phoenix fire; Dai Mubai pummeled with Vajra-enhanced strikes. Oscar and Ning Rongrong fired support sausages and buffs on the fly around the group.
But the Shadow Howler would not yield. It snapped free, its howl warping reality—sound waves turned to razor-sharp shards, slicing through foliage and spirit boosts alike.
Li Wei skidded to the center of the fray, Diendriver in hand. He fired a blast of Illusion to mask his approach, then slotted a card:
[BuffRide: Agito!]
A surge of vigor bolstered Dai Mubai's endurance as he barred the beast's charge. Yet each tactic and hit felt like only the feeling of sand going through their fingers.
Tang San growled. "It's draining our spirit power—fast."
Li Wei's mind raced. He glanced at Zhao Wuji locked in combat, then back to Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing collaborating on a restraining snare that shattered under the beast's sheer will. We need a decisive strike.
Then at that time, same as moment with Meng Yiran. A black spirit ring form beside the card holder seemingly trying to gain his attention. Seeing this he know the moment to turn this around has come.
Even though Zhao Wuji should be stronger than the spirit beast they fight right now, after using martial soul avatar his strength can be said to be dipping down.
With this they can turn the situation around. Now he knows that Xiao Wu trust him and he will trust her back.
In a heartbeat, he called out: "Xiao Wu!"
"I am going to do something crazy. Will you trust me for this?"
At the back, she nodded—eyes shining." Do it I will trust you."
"This will be a little tickle"
Li Wei look at the card. The same as Meng Yiran. A single card, etched in swirling gold and jade showing the product of this world unlike the usual red bar code.
Unlike with Meng Yiran that the picture show of her and her grandparents, for Xiao Wu, the picture of herself and beside it a form in the shape of chakram can be seen.
Li Wei held up one glowing card and slid into Diendriver side slot to activate it and :
[Final FormRide: Xiao Wu]
[Radiant Lunar Phoenix Chakram!]
A peal of mechanical harmony rang out as he slotted it into the driver and shot it toward Xiao Wu, then the card burst into a radiant chakram, swirling into being—crystalline, edged with phoenix feathers and moonlit crescents, its blade etched with rabbit motifs.
Xiao Wu stepped forward as she stand there believing that the shot Li Wei use will not harm her. As he is one of the people that she believe in.
As the shot hit Xiao Wu a pink and gold light enveloped the entire Xiao Wu body. Her body shimmered, lifted off the ground, dissolving into pure energy. She didn't scream—instead, her voice echoed within the light, calm and proud.
"Let's show them what we can do, Li Wei."
Her form condensed, twisting and reforming into a new shape—a crystalline chakram glowing with rabbit-pink and phoenix-gold, its blades curved like moons, adorned with feathers and radiant symbols.
Xiao Wu turn into a weapon. A form that symbolize her identity.
Li Wei caught the weapon as it descended into his hand, the weight familiar, the warmth unmistakable.
"Radiant Lunar Phoenix Chakram," he whispered.
The battlefield went still for a second. No one move for a second as the entire Shrek people, spirit beast and the ambusher look toward them in disbelieve.
Then after a moment of total silent the beast shrieked and charged again but this times toward another direction.
Li Wei stepped forward.
"Time to turn this around."