However, whenever Bai Pu slightly loosens the defense of the Sandfall Fighting Qi, the cold energy of the Voodoo Curse starts to creep in, continuously sapping Bai Pu’s attributes and life value.

Bai Pu can only channel all his energy into the defense of his fighting qi, which leaves him unable to use the Mountain Shattering Mystical Arts, as he cannot infuse fighting qi energy into his attacks.

Even the Sandfall Domain has to be withdrawn.

"Heh heh... how does the cursed technique of the Lokhan Tribe’s Voodoo Shaman taste?"

Zavala struck Bai Pu back several steps with a single swipe and sneered, "You now have two choices: first, ignore the curse and fight me with all your might! In just a few minutes, the voodoo will penetrate your heart, and you’ll be done for. Second, focus on resisting the voodoo with all your fighting qi, but then you won’t be able to fight at all and I’ll beat you to death!"

"I choose the third option!"

Bai Pu said coldly, as a slightly smaller Sandfall Domain erupted with a boom.

The sandstorm engulfed Zavala.

"You... are you insane? You want to resist the voodoo and fight me at the same time?" Zavala expressed disbelief, "With the intensity of your fighting qi, you must fully defend to possibly stop the voodoo curse from invading! Dividing your concentration, you’re still bound to die."

Bai Pu ignored him, taking big strides forward, bringing his great sword down upon Zavala.

Zavala had no choice but to raise his baton to meet the attack.

However, at this moment, Bai Pu had already activated the Pure Blood Bonus and two major accessories.

Scorpion-tailed Lion’s Sting, activate!

Giant Tuo’s Fierce Eye, activate!

All other enhancements on Bai Pu’s body were synchronously activated as well, like the +4 special effect of the Swedish Royal Lively Ring, which increased attack speed by 15, was also triggered by him.

It was truly an all-out effort, but Bai Pu’s fighting qi output was only about half of the normal value.

The remaining half of the fighting qi was still running within his body, resisting the voodoo curse.

Zavala’s judgment wasn’t wrong. To withstand the voodoo curse, Bai Pu had to defend with all his might.

However, Zavala was unaware of one crucial thing.

Bai Pu had a talent: Adaptive Evolution!

At the first moment he took damage from the voodoo curse, Bai Pu stored a new evolutionary state: Molting Body.

The Molting Body specifically targeted the voodoo curse, reducing its effects by 50%.

Most importantly, the original effect of "doubling every minute" was changed to "doubling every two minutes"!

On a direct level of understanding, the speed of voodoo energy invasion slowed, and its efficiency decreased.

Originally, the penetration of voodoo energy was like piercing through layers of mulberry paper, very fast.

With the strong repulsion against voodoo energy produced by the Molting Body, now the penetration of voodoo energy was like piercing through layers of rawhide, naturally reducing the speed significantly.

Under these circumstances, Bai Pu only needed a small portion of his fighting qi to resist the spread of the curse.

This was the third path chosen by Bai Pu, carrying the burden of the voodoo curse, to eliminate Zavala!

Zavala and Bai Pu clashed once again, though this time he didn’t feel the overwhelming force of the Mountain Shattering Mystical Arts, his wrist was still overcome with soreness and pain!

"Indeed, the opponent’s fighting qi has weakened by half, but his physical power has significantly increased! What is going on?"

Zavala was puzzled, yet his expression remained fierce.

"No matter what, his fighting qi has weakened, and the mystical arts he employs are not as terrifying as before! I must seize this opportunity to launch a strong attack, using offense as defense!"

Offense was the best defense. As a beastman commander, Zavala never lacked the courage to risk his life.

Bai Pu raised his hand, and the Dark Gold Tower Shield hovered, directly entering the state of Demon Power Release.

Level 7 Enhancement Effect, Protector activated!

Over two hundred armor plates were embedded all over his body.

At the same time, two Spider Demon Warriors appeared silently behind Zavala, and in a blink, two more appeared, a total of four Spider Demon Warriors!

Bai Pu didn’t hesitate to forcibly deplete 60 points of durability from the Dark Gold Tower Shield, repeatedly activating the Empress Decree, mainly to guard against the surrounding beastman subordinates.

Originally, the Sandfall Domain’s range was large enough to encompass all the beastmen within it. Paired with the Mud Technique, it kept them stranded without worry.

But now, as the Sandfall Domain’s range shrank, the surrounding beastmen gained freedom. Whether they came to attack Bai Pu or to steal the collection of treasures, both were troublesome issues.

Bai Pu had laid out all his trump cards.

Zavala roared as he swung his baton, and Bai Pu didn’t dodge or evade.

The baton smashed onto Bai Pu’s Iron Horn Helmet, but was blocked by the Dark Gold Tower Shield armor plates embedded on it, reducing 90% of its power, leaving only a bit of damage converted into shock attacks, easily absorbed by Bai Pu’s Sand Armor.

Bai Pu nonchalantly took the blow, and in return, thrust his sword forward!

Zavala couldn’t dodge or deflect in time and could only barely move sideways. With a tearing sound, the serrated sword blade cut a foot-long, inch-deep wound on his skin, gushing blood!

Zavala took a deep breath, his muscles contracting at the wound to stop the continuous flow of blood. He raised his baton to block Bai Pu’s next slash and spun to strike towards Bai Pu’s neck.

Clang!

Bai Pu lunged forward, and the armor plate on his neck blocked the attack’s damage once again. Simultaneously, Bai Pu delivered a shoulder charge, crashing into Zavala’s chest.

This large beastman was forcibly pushed back two steps!

Immediately following, Bai Pu hooked his foot; Zavala, whose momentum hadn’t yet ceased, tripped backward and fell flat on his back.

Bai Pu’s great sword descended in response, but unfortunately, Zavala’s vast experience allowed him to roll away from the spot intended for his heart, resulting in only an arm getting pierced and nearly pinned to the Secret Collection Hall’s floor.

-367.

Bai Pu continued his relentless pursuit, repeatedly inflicting wounds on Zavala.

Zavala felt utterly frustrated in this battle. If it weren’t for holding onto hope that the full effects of Bai Pu’s curse power would manifest, he likely would have fled long ago, just like Xilou.

Minute by minute passed.

Zavala’s expression shifted from hopeful to confused, from confusion to disappointment, and from disappointment to despair.

"It’s impossible, you couldn’t have held out this long... The poison should’ve taken effect by now!"

"No, it’s you who’s about to succumb to the poison."

Bai Pu calmly said, spreading his five fingers towards Zavala from afar.

Then, he suddenly clenched his fingers into a tight fist.

"Explode!"

Accessory: Scorpion-tailed Lion’s Sting +7 Special Effect: Poison Burst!

[Poison Burst: Passive: The scorpion-tailed lion’s venom causes ongoing damage while also pooling in the target’s weakly defended vital areas. Actively activating this effect will cause the venom to instantly explode, inflicting damage equal to the accumulated venom damage value in the target.]

All at once, blood spurted from Zavala’s eyes, mouth, and other defensively weak areas!