Chapter 914: Big Dog Also Gets Hit

Under Xu Yang's command and guidance, the others continuously launched ranged attacks, maintaining an invincible stance to clear out as many skeletons as possible.

"Sandstorm Burial!"

Big Dog, in a fit of rage, suddenly let out a furious roar. He then gently waved the magic staff in his hand, and in an instant, an incredibly powerful aura surged wildly from around his body. Just beneath Big Dog in this battlefield area, countless grains of yellow sand rose into the air. Guided by Big Dog's mental power, they rapidly converged and surrounded the skeletons. In a single moment, the power of the endless yellow sand completely enveloped, suppressed, and devoured the skeletons, leaving nothing behind.

As Big Dog raised his staff high for the final time, all the yellow sand condensed in the void into an immensely vast sphere. Wrapped within this sand were hundreds of skeletons. Along with the yellow sand, the skeletons were continuously compressed under the influence of Big Dog's technique, until they were eventually reduced to a small, palm-sized yellow sphere.

"Hahaha, Big Dog, your technique is truly incredible!" Xu Yang exclaimed. "You've crushed so many skeletons into dust; it's incredibly powerful!"

At that moment, Xu Yang seemed to suddenly realize something and quickly spoke to stop Big Dog, trying to prevent him from absorbing the yellow sand in his palm back into his body. However, it was already too late! The yellow sand originated from a part of Big Dog's physical energy, and after use, it would naturally be reabsorbed into his body. This had become an instinctual part of Big Dog's technique.

When Xu Yang personally witnessed the pile of yellow sand, which contained the skeletons, merging with Big Dog's body, he finally understood that the target of the second curse's power was none other than Big Dog himself!

"Oh no, if my judgment is correct," Xu Yang said, "those skeletons were also cursed targets themselves. By dissolving their dry bones into your own power source in this way, you have effectively absorbed the curse power within them."

Not only was Big Dog utterly bewildered, but even Yun Xiao and the Winter Goddess beside him found it difficult to believe Xu Yang's judgment this time.

"But boss," Yun Xiao countered, "just now while we were fighting, these skeletons didn't show any instinctive signs of releasing curse power. If they were truly infected by a cursed power, then during the battle, they would definitely have manifested the curse power they possessed! Why would they attack us solely with physical assaults?"

Faced with Yun Xiao's well-reasoned rebuttal, Xu Yang helplessly shook his head. "You're underestimating the forms these curses can take," Xu Yang replied. "Have you ever considered that these skeletons might have originally been real human cultivators with flesh and blood, and it was only because they were afflicted by a curse that their flesh and blood were completely corroded, turning them into skeletons? What would that look like?"

Xu Yang's words sent shivers down their spines.

However, not long after, Big Dog felt a reaction from within his own body. He saw his previously powerful and agile limbs simply wilt and become weak, his massive human body collapsing limply onto the ground. His dog head repeatedly extended its tongue, a way to release the hot, cursed energy within his body. It was noteworthy that, having known Big Dog for so long, they had rarely ever seen him express his physical instincts in such a purely canine manner. All along, although Big Dog possessed a dog's head, his body, the power of his techniques, and his daily behavior had all been indistinguishable from those of humans. Yet this time, he was experiencing a reversion to his ancestral form.

"See?" Xu Yang said. "This must be the second type of curse power. It corrodes the flesh and blood of the cursed, forcing them to revert to their ancestral instincts! In other words, it can maximally degrade these evolved beings to their most primitive forms. If my judgment is correct, Big Dog's physical power will gradually weaken and contract, and both his physical body and bloodline will slowly wither away. Ultimately, he will revert to his original, most ordinary canine form, permanently losing all his cultivation!"

Big Dog, panting heavily and with his tongue hanging out as he lay sprawled on the ground, immediately began barking frantically after hearing Xu Yang's words. He was using his canine instincts to express his emotions. Then, Big Dog, relying on his incredibly strong willpower, used the simplest offensive technique he could still manifest to carve the character "Seal" on the ground.

Undoubtedly, this was Big Dog's final wish. He wanted Xu Yang to seal him, just as he had sealed the wild boar, hoping that by obtaining the ancient jade later, they could completely remove the sealing power within them. Even if he had to pay a certain price for it, Big Dog was willing to do whatever it took.

Xu Yang pondered for a moment and finally decided to use a different sealing method for Big Dog. "The curse you are afflicted with fundamentally devours your flesh, blood, and life force," Xu Yang explained, "forcing you into a rapid state of reversion. Therefore, I have decided to use the power of ice to seal you, primarily to seal your physical body. This way, we can better restrict the curse's ability to act within your body."

Big Dog barked twice. Having already lost his ability to speak, Xu Yang immediately acted without hesitation. The milky-white light emitted from his powerful Qi vortex once again came into play. Soon, Yun Xiao and the Winter Goddess gradually lost Big Dog's aura, and witnessed the same situation as when Xu Yang had sealed the wild boar earlier: a milky-white void completely enveloped Big Dog's body, before disappearing into Xu Yang.

"Damn it," Yun Xiao exclaimed, "in such a short time, we've successively lost two great generals. If this continues, it's likely that other cursed powers are waiting for us. We must be extremely cautious!"

"Boss," the Winter Goddess suggested, "I think we should take a temporary rest here. Everyone has been on edge this whole journey, and our mental energy is severely depleted. We can't fully immerse ourselves in combat! Since this place is where Big Dog was cursed, I believe it should be relatively safe for a short period. How about we rest in these tents for a few hours before continuing our journey?"

Xu Yang pondered for a moment. Although he himself didn't feel any physical exhaustion, he could well understand that the Winter Goddess and Yun Xiao's physical conditions were rapidly deteriorating. He finally nodded in agreement.

"You two, make the most of this time to rest," Xu Yang said. "We'll set off as soon as it gets light in three hours. I will guard you both."

As soon as Xu Yang finished speaking, golden streams of light reappeared, producing the largest tent beside them.