Rise of The Demon General Chapter 788. Fighting the Snail Beast

From their vantage point above the pit, the spectators had a clear view of all the action unfolding below. They observed Amon closing in on the snail beast, only for it to suddenly leap away. Amon appeared to falter immediately afterward. While most of the onlookers failed to grasp what had occurred, the elite group in the upper echelon understood perfectly.

Arrasixx, standing near Ublaith, let out a derisive chuckle. "He's finished. He has no idea that the mutated beast he's facing possesses the intellect of a Mind Devourer. Such a creature can easily seize control of any spirit beast in its vicinity. While it lacks the capability to influence beings of higher intelligence, it can still unleash a mind blast powerful enough to incapacitate its target. For someone of his cultivation level, I'd wager he'll be out cold for at least an hour. In simpler terms, he's doomed."

Ublaith offered no verbal response, but his subtle nod clearly indicated his agreement with Arrasixx's assessment.

The carapaces adorning Xlasstazh's forehead creased slightly, giving him the appearance of a frown. This was precisely his state of mind. He had anticipated that his peers might refuse to cooperate with Amon, especially since Amon claimed to have received a divination from the supposed Creator. Consequently, he had arranged this Worthiness Trial even before their meeting to deliberate on Amon's fate.

He was among those who helped compile the list of participants. Although he couldn't avoid including a Lower Primordial Beast due to the other elders' unyielding demands, the specific snail beast was not among the altered beasts designated for this trial.

He turned his gaze towards Ublaith. Just as he had asserted his authority to include Surressh in the trial, it was plausible that Ublaith had done something similar by arranging for this snail beast's presence. Ublaith had not been present during their discussion of the trial preparations, but as a direct descendant of their supreme leader, he could have easily learned about the trial's outline later and requested a minor alteration, such as substituting one of the prepared altered beasts with the snail beast.

'This is troubling,' Xlasstazh mused internally. Under specific circumstances, the snail beast, augmented with the Mind Devourer's abilities, could pose a greater threat than the Lower Primordial Beast utilized in the trial.

Observing the events unfolding within the pit, Xlasstazh feared the worst had already transpired. Amon, oblivious to the snail beast's unique capabilities, had evidently been struck by a mind blast. He was now staggering, appearing on the verge of collapse.

The snail beast landed and rapidly charged back towards Amon. Its two protective shells retracted, revealing its slimy form once more. This time, it began to swell, growing exponentially in size. A gaping maw, vertically aligned and lined with razor-sharp teeth, materialized within its enlarged body. The mouth gaped wide, poised to engulf Amon, who remained motionless.

Just as everyone anticipated the snail beast would deliver a finishing bite, a shadow detached itself from Amon's left arm. This shadowy manifestation coalesced into a peculiar creature and lunged at the approaching snail beast, forcing it to halt its advance.

"What is this? He's breaking the rules! I explicitly forbade any tamed beasts!" Ublaith exclaimed indignantly.

"Hold on! That is not a tamed beast," Xlasstazh interjected. He gestured towards a screen before them. The inscriptions of power encircling the pit served not only to erect a barrier preventing participants from escaping but also to meticulously monitor all occurrences within. This feature was implemented because the pervasive mist impaired their cultivation senses, necessitating a means to ascertain every detail of the trial.

"The energy signature did not indicate any mental connection between Amon and that shadow beast," Xlasstazh elaborated. "Based on these readings, it more closely resembles a soul imprint."

"It can still be construed as utilizing external assistance," Ublaith argued. "He must be disqualified."

"I must disagree," Xlasstazh countered. "A soul imprint is typically performed on a subject devoid of consciousness. Attempting it on a conscious subject usually results in the obliteration of the original consciousness or a mental duel to determine which consciousness assumes control of the body. In essence, they become one. Therefore, it cannot be classified as outside help."

Another elder voiced his perspective. "I hesitate to contradict you, Master Ublaith, but in this specific instance, I find myself in agreement with Elder Xlasstazh."

"Master, perhaps let it be. That imprinted beast is merely delaying the inevitable. It doesn't appear to possess control over Amon's body. He is still as good as finished," Arrasixx commented dismissively.

"Hmph," Ublaith snorted, but remained silent.

*

Below in the pit, Bo Wu continued to impede the snail beast's relentless pursuit. Unable to overcome Bo Wu in direct combat and finding its mental assaults ineffective, the snail beast resorted to unleashing a swarm of explosive worms. These wriggling creatures began to emerge from Amon's flanks.

Bo Wu was forced to constantly dodge and weave, striking at the worms while simultaneously blocking the snail beast. Although the acid from the worms' explosive demise could not harm him, he was gradually being overwhelmed as the snail beast escalated the number of worms it deployed.

"Hey, you miserable! Wake up! How long are you going to stay knocked out?" Bo Wu bellowed.

Bo Wu’s frantic shouts echoed not only in the physical realm but also within Amon’s consciousness. Possessing a formidable resistance to mental assaults already, Bo Wu’s urgent clamor served to further stir Amon’s mind, enabling a more rapid recovery than might have been expected.

“Ugh…!” Amon groaned. The world swam before his eyes, a dizzying spin, yet he could finally sense something other than oblivion.

“Hah…!!” Amon bellowed, delivering a sharp slap to his own face to jolt his mind into coherence. The mental haze began to dissipate, clarity returning just as a particularly tenacious worm, which Bo Wu had failed to neutralize in time, lunged towards him.

Employing the Invisible Sky Steps, he surged away with incredible speed.

“Damn it! That was too close!” Bo Wu’s voice boomed.

“Well done!” Amon commended the troublesome entity residing within him.

“Shouldn’t you be thanking me for saving your life?”

“Don’t pretend you’re doing this for my sake. You’re only acting to preserve your own existence.”

“Tch! Perhaps I should have just let you lose a hand or a leg. Then we’d see if you would still be so quick with your words.”

Amon launched his throwing knives. They struck the worms, causing them to detonate. The snail-like beast lumbered closer. Amon retreated, aware that it needed to be within a specific range to unleash its mind blast. He theorized he might have developed some resistance to its mental assault, but deemed testing this hypothesis during combat imprudent, maintaining his distance.

Perceiving its quarry’s evasion, the snail beast pivoted back to its primary objective: to seize control of the other corrupted beasts.

Amon’s gaze shifted towards Surressh. Having dispatched all the worms, Surressh now faced only the dog beast, appearing to be gaining the upper hand.

Amon had initially intended to keep his Elder God Veil a secret from Surressh, aiming for a decisive, effortless victory once all the spirit beasts were vanquished. However, the circumstances now dictated otherwise. He activated the technique.

The shadowy raiment offered protection against physical and elemental assaults. Its efficacy against mental attacks remained untested, and Amon elected not to discover this during the trial, deciding to maintain a safe distance. He hurled his flying knives, imbued with dark elemental power.

As anticipated, the snail beast demonstrated acute awareness, leaping aside just as the dark projectiles arrived.

Amon had foreseen this maneuver. Utilizing the four dark tendrils extending from his back, he launched them. The tendrils elongated, ensnaring the snail beast in mid-air. Instead of drawing it closer, he spun the creature, keeping it at arm's length, before flinging it away.

His aim was precise. Positioned near the pit’s center, he propelled the snail beast directly towards the pond containing the ominous black hole.

Midway through its trajectory, the snail beast seemed to grasp the peril. It drove its four sharp, pointed legs into the ground, decelerating its momentum until it halted precariously beside the pond.

Amon refused to let his efforts be in vain. The instant he saw the snail beast plant its legs, he unleashed the Silent Swift Shadow Fist. Amplified by his shadow suit’s speed enhancement, he slammed into the creature.

The snail beast unleashed its mind blast. Amon’s mind was instantly assaulted, his thoughts dissolving into oblivion once more.

Despite the success of the snail beast’s mental attack, it proved too late. The sheer force of Amon’s punch caused the beast to recoil violently. Its two rear legs plunged into the dark water. The moment they made contact, the swirling energies within intensified, exerting a powerful gravitational pull.

The snail beast desperately scrabbled with its front legs, attempting to haul itself free, but its struggle was in vain. Its body continued to be drawn inexorably into the black vortex.

Amon’s earlier assumption proved correct. His mind, strong and remarkably adaptable, was less susceptible to the same mental attack from a familiar source upon repeated exposure. He found himself unshackled from the mental blackout without Bo Wu’s intervention; his consciousness returned on its own mere seconds after he had succumbed.

By the time clarity returned, the snail beast had vanished completely.