"What exactly is it?" I muttered, but in that instant, my attention slipped. My shoulder was pierced through, and I was sent flying backward as the ice blocks before my eyes collapsed.
"Don't lose focus, Ethan Zhang. Wait for the right moment."
Spirit Snake reminded me. I kept watching, seeing only red grids everywhere. Within them, I could clearly see how the blackened Cao Wanzhi moved and attacked, so I was able to dodge.
But how to defeat him was a major problem. Deep down, I knew I had to do it—I had to defeat this current Cao Wanzhi. As I clashed with him, I heard a voice, always calling out to me, hoping I could overcome him.
"Can't you even hear the lament in your own heart, Cao Wanzhi?"
I roared, spreading my wings. Even though I still couldn't hurt him, I could see everything—crystal clear. I flew right up to Cao Wanzhi, turned sideways to dodge the needle attack from his right hand, then blocked the needle strike from his left hand with my Deathbane Aura Dagger, and kicked him square in the chest.
Instantly, I screamed in pain. Although Cao Wanzhi retreated, my foot was riddled with tiny holes from the dense cluster of needles on his chest.
The pain didn't stop me from attacking. I shouted, flapped my wings, and charged at Cao Wanzhi. He swung his emerald green needles at me, and I immediately dodged. After evading his strike, I raised my Deathbane Twin Blades and, with a clang, slashed at his front.
As expected, it had no effect. His body was incredibly tough. After falling back a distance, Cao Wanzhi quickly regained his balance, suddenly curling up and spinning as he attacked me again.
After dodging Cao Wanzhi's attack, he immediately changed his trajectory and came at me again. I raised my right hand, and a large block of ice appeared in front of him.