Chapter 20: Failing to Reciprocate Is Improper

“Bui~”

Following the command from the Spirit Chef, Bubu let out a sharp cry. The icy crystal horns glowed instantly, and a flurry of hexagonal snowflakes rapidly condensed in the air.

In the next moment, a chilling whirlwind, swirling with the gathered snowflakes, fiercely surged toward Danbao.

Though it acted later than Danbao, the two attacks collided almost simultaneously. Witnessing this, Zhao Qian’s eyes brightened.

She had noticed earlier that Danbao’s flying speed wasn’t fast. She initially thought the opponent was deliberately concealing its strength, but now it seemed that its speed was indeed lacking.

Bubu boasted a speed stat of 70 points, giving it a considerable advantage.

With this realization, Zhao Qian’s mind raced through a series of tactical plans.

The collision of “Frostflower Storm” and “Breath of Fiery Flames” rapidly vaporized into a dense mist spreading swiftly.

“Bubu, unleash Frostflower Storm again!”

Bubu responded promptly. The second “Frostflower Storm” charged into the mist. The biting cold instantly crystallized the surrounding fog into ice, entwining with frost flowers and whipped fiercely by the gale.

This straightforward attack not only cleared the obscuring fog but also strengthened the “Frostflower Storm” further.

Just moments after losing sight, an immense “Frostflower Storm” appeared before them, causing both Danbao and Qin Lang’s expressions to shift.

“Danbao, dodge quickly!”

Qin Lang instinctively issued a divine-level command.

Unfortunately, Danbao’s speed wasn’t enough to evade completely.

It barely moved aside before being engulfed by the expansive “Frostflower Storm,” emitting a startled cry.

“Gulu!”

At that instant, frost spread across its body’s surface.

Qin Lang’s expression darkened slightly.

Before the battle, he had researched the opponent’s combat skills.

“Frostflower Storm (native type): Power 60. Gathers frost and cold wind to attack the target. Upon hit, there is a 60% chance to inflict [Frostbind] for 10 seconds.”

“Frostbind: Status ailment that reduces the target’s speed by 50% and attack power by 10 points.”

At this moment, Danbao was indeed under the “Frostbind” status.

Fortunately, Qin Lang sensed that Danbao’s stamina consumption wasn’t severe.

It could probably endure seven or eight more such attacks.

The attack power reduction was troublesome, but the speed reduction might actually be advantageous against “Respond to Enemy's Follow-up.”

Breathing a slight sigh of relief, Qin Lang’s gaze sharpened.

“It’s our turn to counterattack!”

“Danbao, use Breath of Fiery Flames again!”

“Gulu~”

Danbao responded, inhaling deeply. Under the negative effect of “Frostbind,” even its breathing motion seemed slower.

After a moment, Danbao’s head returned to its warm red state.

“Still trying the same trick?” Zhao Qian’s eyes flickered.

The opponent’s skill activation was already slow, and now with reduced speed, Bubu’s velocity made it impossible to get hit.

However...

The opponent’s durability seemed high. Despite taking an enhanced “Frostflower Storm” head-on, it showed no sign of fatigue.

Looks like we need to exploit elemental weaknesses.

Zhao Qian’s eyes hardened as she silently shouted.

“Close in and finish the opponent with our next attack!”

“Bui~”

Bubu responded and nimbly zigzagged through the air, rapidly closing the distance to Danbao.

Meanwhile, Danbao was still struggling to inhale, its yellowish face turning redder and redder—soon to be entirely crimson.

Noticing Danbao’s unusual state, Zhao Qian didn’t worry much, attributing it to the “Frostbind” slowing its attack speed.

As Bubu closed to within about two meters of Danbao, Zhao Qian shouted loudly, “Now!”

Simultaneously, she called out the skill name in her mind.

“Earth Rock Surge!”

Bubu responded, soil-colored energy swirling around it.

Suspended midair, it plummeted like a meteor, striking the ground with a muffled “boom.” Stone pillars erupted sequentially from the earth before it, rushing swiftly toward Danbao.

So... an earth-element skill?

Qin Lang’s heart tightened, but determination flashed in his eyes.

“Breath of Fiery Flames!”

Danbao had not breathed fire until now—not because of a long activation time, but because Qin Lang had signaled it to hold back and observe Bubu’s intentions.

Now, though the opponent’s move was unexpected, it was actually advantageous for Danbao.

Because once Bubu struck the ground, it couldn’t dodge temporarily!

At Qin Lang’s command, Danbao exhaled fiercely at Bubu, flames instantly engulfing it.

“A gamble?” Zhao Qian clenched her fists watching this.

Earth element counters fire element. Though Bubu’s “Earth Rock Surge” was a non-native skill, it had a power of 70 points. With a 100% damage increase, its damage was explosive.

And Danbao had just endured a direct hit from “Frostflower Storm.”

She refused to believe the opponent could withstand this!

As for Danbao’s attack on Bubu, Zhao Qian paid it no mind.

Firstly, Danbao was under “Frostbind,” reducing its attack by 10 points.

Secondly, “Breath of Fiery Flames,” even at native type, only had 50 power.

Lastly, though fire counters ice, fresh water counters salt!

Danbao’s attacks were subject to 50% damage reduction from Bubu, exactly canceling out the opponent’s 100% damage boost.

Although Bubu’s stamina was only 55 and defense 50, Zhao Qian felt confident!

Under the tense gaze of the Spirit Chefs, Danbao and Bubu’s skills struck each other almost simultaneously.

Struck squarely by a stone pillar erupting from the ground, Danbao cried out painfully, its body uncontrollably soaring into the air.

Bubu, heavily landing and unable to dodge immediately, took a solid hit from Danbao’s attack. When the flames dissipated, its white fur was marked with scorched black patches.

It was [Burn]!

Qin Lang’s eyes lit up as he glanced at Danbao, which steadied its posture midair.

It could still continue!

Another “Breath of Fiery Flames” under the [Burn] status would double in power—from 50 to 100!

The only problem now was that Danbao’s “Frostbind” slowed its speed. Attempting to close in again, the opponent would surely dodge.

However...

Recalling Bubu’s earth skill activation just now, Qin Lang had already devised a solution.

Tit for tat is only fair. Now, it was their turn!

“Abandon flight, descend upon the opponent while using Breath of Fiery Flames!”

Danbao took a deep breath and rapidly fell under gravity.

Seeing this, Zhao Qian’s heart tightened.

“Fly up and dodge!”

But observing Bubu’s condition, her expression quickly changed.

Bubu, struck by Danbao’s blow, took to the air unsteadily.

This was a clear sign of severe stamina depletion!

Zhao Qian’s face instantly turned bewildered.

How could this be?