Maiden Of The Splitting Moon

Even though it didn't seem like it could understand her, the True Idol's face twisted in anger before roaring out. Chaotic lightning flew out of its mouth like a dragon's breath, shooting out wildly. 

Ming Yue backed off, evading the attack before coming behind it and striking at its back. 

The True Idol swung out with its other arm, barely missing her as she vanished and reappeared elsewhere. And its eyes quickly locked onto her as it snarled at Ming Yue. If she was going to play another game of chase, the True Idol was more than happy to join. 

"Quick! Bi Han, strengthen her!" Du Xiu shouted to his comrade. 

Camp Commander Bi nodded before raising the flag up high and pointing it at her. It shined once more before bestowing its power upon her. A golden glow entered her body, filling her with strength and energy. 

But there wasn't any time for her to enjoy this as she quickly flew back, avoiding another swing from the True Idol. 

It then roared at her before tearing the skin off of its body. 

At this point, it had begun to take on a monstrous appearance. What remained of Kong Zhi's body was little as the injuries had torn its body away, revealing its real form. Unlike the body of energy that was the previous one, this was different, much too different, much too bizarre. 

So much so that everyone who was up close felt shivers as their eyes lay upon this creature. 

Like a snake molting, the skin fell off, losing its white luster but the clothes still held on. And out from within was this monstrous being with four arms and four feathered wings. The arm that she had cut off seemed to have been done in vain.

"Have we done nothing to it? Were we just fighting egg that had just hatched?!" everyone thought. 

Its body matched that of a muscular man whose skin had a dark gold hue. Its feathers were dyed black with white tips and its face was unlike anything anyone had seen. 

It was as if a dragon and a rat had joined together, a pointy snout, sharp chin, and glowing white eyes. It had a wild gray mane on its head and running down its neck. Its hands had sharp black nails and six fingers. 

As it roared out, holding all of its hands into the skies, the blackened clouds began to swirl before descending into four tendrils. Each one going to each hand. 

"What is it try to do?!"

They all looked at it, readying their weapons and Ming Yue was the first to make her move. 

"Whatever it is, I can't let it finish!"

Blood Moon lashed out, howling under the thundering lightning as a red crescent of energy flew out. And with the True Idol's hands occupied, it could not defend itself from the attack, taking it directly on the chest. 

"Damn..."

Ming Yue backed off as she looked at the True Idol, who stared at the glowing red crescent. It watched as the attack cut through its skin only to dissipate as it barely cut through. Afterwards, it looked up to her and sneered before she struck again, this time with the help of everyone else. 

"Strike it! Do as much as you can! Target its hands!"

Du Xiu shouted as he flew forward, swinging his glowing halberd with both hands. Everyone followed his lead, timing their attacks together and focusing on the same spots. 

The True Idol snarled as lightning suddenly struck down, forcing everyone back. However, Ming Yue swung out cutting it in half and going through. Blood Moon was raised up high as she held it with both hands, swinging down. 

But the sword was quickly stopped as the True Idol revealed what it had created. 

The sound of metal hitting each other rang out and echoed through the skies, even sparks flew out. The impact of it caused the dust and smoke to disperse, showing everyone what had culminated in the True Idol's hands. 

Four giant cleavers with jagged blades crossed together to block Blood Moon. The handles and the spine of the cleavers were 

"Damn!" 

Ming Yue cursed out as the True Idol pushed her back and swung the four cleavers around. Each swing released a torrent of wind and lightning, reaching the ground below them. The ground ruptured from each attack, cracking and breaking.

Those who were unlucky either fell through the cracks or were vaporized instantly by the lightning. There wasn't even enough time for them to scream. 

"Quick! Raise your shields! Retreat into the fortress! This is not our fight anymore!"

All of the captains quickly shouted orders, herding everyone back, recovering as many people as they could. It was a chaotic scene down below but the remaining experts were too busy going against the True Idol to notice it. 

But it was difficult to get close to the True Idol, with the four cleavers swinging out, they could only evade the attacks and wait for an opportunity. They were already feeling drained from the fight and continuing it grew harder and harder. 

"Keep fighting! Until the core reveals itself, we must keep fighting!" 

Everyone roared together as they brought out their strength, charging forward at this monster. Attacks came from all directions forcing the True idol to defend itself, wounds already began to appear on it and everyone saw some hope. 

"At least it isn't as tough as before!"

Nie Xia laughed out as he punched out with his fists. His shields were long gone, destroyed by the True Idol's attacks. And the other noticed as well, it was certainly easier to injure it but its strength was several times more powerful. 

It didn't endure the barrage for long, lashing out and swinging its cleavers wildly. Everyone was forced to back off but some weren't fast enough. 

"Agh!"

A messenger fell, suffering a deep gash on their chest that sizzled from the lightning. And then, Nie Xia, who fought the True Idol with his bare hands could not get away fast enough. 

He looked at the oncoming cleaver, greeting it with a smile. 

"Is this it?"

The commander thought a moment and his smile grew even bigger. 

"Of course not!"

Instead of backing off, he charged forward with his fists, opening them up and raising his arms. Just as the cleaver came down, he caught it with his bare hands, absorbing the power of the strike. His arms flexed and bulged as Nie Xia ground his teeth and beared the pain. Such an act caused the True Idol shock, stopping its rampage for a moment.

The commander then shouted to the others. 

"Go, strike it now!" 

Everyone moved once more and Ming Yue yelled to the others. 

"Give me an opening!" 

They all nodded, moving to restrain the other cleavers and force the True Idol to be still. Xue Yue's voice suddenly spoke out. 

"Stab its chest! Eviscerate it!"

Ming Yue didn't even question it as she stared at the True Idol, who struggled to break free. With its chest wide open, Ming Yue thrust out her sword out, piercing its chest. She forced it through and out of its back. 

Her eyes went to Blood Moon, feeling it absorb all of her energy as the blade glowed. Wind and lightning forced a thin layer on the blade, tearing through the True Idol's flesh. It then expanded before creating a giant hole in its chest and the True Idol couldn't bear the pain anymore. 

It screeched in agony before swinging out, throwing everyone back except for Ming Yue. But she didn't stay for long, ripping the sword out and vanishing just as it went to strike her. 

She reappeared a distance away, watching it search for her in rage. 

"Did that do nothing?!" 

There was a bit of disbelief as the True Idol was still alive and just angrier. But then Xue Yue pointed something out. 

"Look at its stomach, something is gathering there!"

Ming Yue looked at saw a gray glow coming from that spot. 

"That's the core!"