"Ah, crap—!" Shawn Young's heart jumped when he saw Gavin Grant turned into such a terrifying monster by Daniel Feathercloud. He quickly retreated several steps, trying to put some distance before activating his Taoist spell to attack.
But Daniel Feathercloud saw right through Shawn Young's intentions. He sneered, "Hmph—trying to use Taoist magic? In your dreams—"
Then Daniel Feathercloud flicked his hands—"Awooo—" Gavin Grant let out a muffled, monstrous howl and leaped into the air. He no longer used Praying Mantis Boxing, but instead lunged straight at Shawn Young, head-on. The ferocity was inhuman, far beyond what any normal person could muster.
Seeing Gavin Grant's savage charge, Shawn Young didn't dare to meet him head-on. He vaulted to the side in a flash. Gavin Grant crashed down midair, swinging his fists—"Boom—boom—" Two punches smashed into the spot where Shawn Young had just been standing. The terrifying force was like two giant iron hammers, blasting open two huge holes in the floor. A large chunk of the ceiling split and crashed down to the second floor, leaving a gaping, shocking pit in the ground.
Shawn Young's scalp tingled at the sight. He knew that if he took a hit from the monster Gavin Grant, he'd be crippled if not dead. He hurriedly retreated toward the door—Gavin Grant's attacks were too fierce. Shawn Young needed to stall and find an opening to counterattack.
"Hmph—trying to run? Not so easy—" Daniel Feathercloud snorted, flicking his hands and shooting a beam of black light into Gavin Grant's back.
"Awooo—" Gavin Grant's eyes flashed with a vicious red glow. He twisted his body like a windmill, sweeping toward Shawn Young at the doorway, arms wide and swinging again—powerful, ruthless, unstoppable!
Faced with Gavin Grant's relentless assault, Shawn Young had nowhere left to dodge. Gavin Grant had been turned into a soulless puppet; even if Shawn Young hit him with a flash strike, it wouldn't do fatal damage. On the other hand, if Gavin Grant landed a blow, Shawn Young would be toast. So going head-to-head was a terrible idea.
Just as Gavin Grant's fists were about to smash into him, Shawn Young had a flash of inspiration in his panic. He curled up and rolled across the floor, tumbling right to the edge of the gaping pit Gavin Grant had smashed open—then twisted his body and dropped from the third floor straight to the second!
"Ugh—Baka yarou! You sly little brat, you think you can escape my Puppet Blood Mutation? Dream on—" Daniel Feathercloud was stunned for a moment when he saw Shawn Young drop to the second floor, but quickly snorted and flicked his hands. Gavin Grant, under his control, let out a furious roar, stomping the floor—"Boom!" Debris flew as another massive hole was smashed through the floor. In no time, Gavin Grant also crashed down from the third to the second floor, claws bared, continuing his relentless pursuit of Shawn Young!
"Damn—this just won't end!" Shawn Young grumbled, but his hands were already moving. Dropping to the second floor had bought him a precious split-second, and he thought of a way to deal with Gavin Grant. He summoned his Celestial Essence, interlocked his fingers, left his thumbs free, and quickly formed the Sage King's Mark. At the same time, he chanted, "Heaven and earth, five elements lend me strength—birth, harm, block, view, death, shock—all gather, golden light appear, blades manifest, Aqua Banishment Spell—banish!"
As Shawn Young finished the incantation, Gavin Grant's massive, swollen body lunged at him, shrieking and swinging his arms, intent on killing him.
"Boom—boom—boom—" Suddenly, six spiraling water columns appeared out of thin air, spinning rapidly in a helix and unleashing tremendous force. They instantly swept Gavin Grant's bloated body into their vortex.
"Awooo—" Gavin Grant howled as the water columns twisted him, struggling desperately to break free. But the power of the six water columns was overwhelming. As they spun, they twisted his massive body like a pretzel, snapping the red threads in his back and sending the silver needle controlling his soul flying to the ground.
Crack—crack—crack—Up on the third floor, Daniel Feathercloud's hands trembled as if shocked by electricity. In that instant, he realized he'd completely lost control of Gavin Grant. Panicked, he frantically summoned his own energy to salvage the situation, but it was already too late.
Gavin Grant, trapped in the six spinning water columns, let out hopeless howls but couldn't escape. Soon, the water columns twisted him silent—then, with a thunderous roar, they all shot into his body, causing a series of explosive bursts—"Boom—boom—boom—" Gavin Grant was ripped apart, his limbs and pieces thudding to the ground. His body was so mangled by the water columns' force that it was impossible to tell he'd ever been human!
"Phew—one down!" Shawn Young exhaled. The Aqua Banishment Spell was similar to the Abyssal Lotus Divine Spell—both were water-based exorcism spells. But this one also had the destructive edge of blades, which was why it could shred Gavin Grant to pieces!
Seeing the tide turn, Daniel Feathercloud stood on the third floor, eyes blazing. He wanted to keep fighting Shawn Young, but his previous internal injury flared up, blood surging, and a taste of iron filled his mouth. Realizing he couldn't keep going, he spat out blood and shot Shawn Young a vicious glare. "You brat—I'll let you off for now! But don't think you've won so easily. Your women are about to suffer—I'll take their souls and make you taste the pain of losing your loved ones! Hmph!"
"You bastard! Touch them and I'll skin you alive—" Shawn Young was stunned, instantly realizing Daniel Feathercloud's plan. He roared at Daniel Feathercloud in fury.
"Heh—heh—heh—you don't get a say! If you've got the guts, chase me to the ends of the earth—" Daniel Feathercloud sneered, laying a defensive barrier over the gaping hole in the floor. Without another word to Shawn Young, he spun around and quickly left Room 5, heading toward the numbered rooms.
Shawn Young was burning with anxiety. He leapt upward, trying to jump from the second to the third floor to chase Daniel Feathercloud, but was blocked by the barrier and crashed to the ground. Frustrated, he turned, kicked open the door, and sprinted up toward the third floor.