The first stop on the Great Stone Wall is the cluster of needle aphids.

Needle-type attacks are often the bane of hard armor types.

So even with [Hardening], Li Pu doesn't dare to confront them directly.

Fortunately, by his side is the nemesis of needle-types, the scarecrow.

"It's up to you this time."

So after luring the needle aphids down, Li Pu decided to stand back and watch.

[Chirp Chirp Chirp!] xN

At this moment, these needle aphids were standing at the edge of the rocky area, eyeing the one person and one scarecrow fiercely.

They possess long, needle-like proboscises, with a bizarre call.

[Grass!]

Scarecrow: Summoner, you can be assured!

It's rare to have a chance to showcase its abilities, and it feels very happy.

"By the way, you could try that move."

While backing away, Li Pu didn't forget to offer a suggestion.

[Grass Grass Grass!]

The scarecrow's eyes sparkled slightly upon hearing.

Through telepathy, it already knew which move the summoner was referring to.

Now, as these needle aphids are gathered like targets, it's the perfect time to use the [Snail Grass]!

To be precise, it should be [Snail Grass] + [Small Fireball].

Regarding this [Snail Grass] skill, Li Pu and the scarecrow have also tried and experimented with it several times, and have basically understood its nature.

In an undisturbed situation, it's indeed a very powerful charged explosive skill.

The so-called undisturbed means the slow-motion state of the scarecrow cannot be interrupted.

For example, if it falls or is interrupted by external forces while swinging the [Snail Grass] slowly, it will immediately terminate and nullify, wasting the energy used to cast the skill.

Li Pu tried throwing the scarecrow, and also tried to pick it up and swing it, but as long as its original slow state is broken, [Snail Grass] becomes ineffective.

However, [Snail Grass] + [Small Fireball] is possible.

It's just that back then, [Small Fireball] was only an F-rank skill, and while its power was amplified, it still wasn't much to look at.

I wonder if there will be a significant increase now it's upgraded to C rank.

[Mouth~ Beg~ Wo wo~ Wood~ Cao~]

Thus, the scarecrow started conjuring fireballs from several meters away.

Originally, [Small Fireball] is rather slow, and even after being upgraded to C rank, it's still not an instant-cast skill.

Now, in the [Snail Grass] state, it's even slower.

After a full 30 seconds, the scarecrow only managed to create a flame.

But this time, the ghostly blue flame was much more vigorous than before, almost completely covering the scarecrow's two grass hands.

However, despite its significantly enlarged size compared to before, Li Pu still didn't feel a hint of burning heat.

[Mouth~ Beg~ Wo wo~ Wood~ Cao!!!]

Another 30 seconds passed, and the scarecrow finally completed the release.

It pushed forward with both hands, and a fireball almost the size of itself bobbed out.

Upon closer inspection, it was still the chibi version of the scarecrow, with its hands replaced by wings.

[Grass Ji棒!]

Under the scarecrow's control, the enlarged chibi grass bird flew out.

"Luckily..."

Watching the scene, Li Pu let out a long sigh of relief.

The worst-case scenario he had envisioned did not occur.

That being if the [Small Fireball] launched with [Snail Grass] was also a slow version, which would be a hassle.

Fortunately, the speed of the little grass bird wasn't affected.

At this moment, it directly dived in headfirst, crashing into the densest area of needle aphids.

BOOM!

Numerous ghostly blue fireworks exploded immediately, not only taking down the five or six needle aphids hit directly but also setting many surrounding needle aphids ablaze.

[Chirp Chirp Chirp!] xN

In an instant, the entire needle aphid group became chaotic, with a few on the edge already starting to retreat towards the Great Stone Wall.

Meanwhile, Li Pu, on the other side, was observing the effects of this ghostly blue flame.

Previously, fearing he might accidentally burn the rice bag to ashes, he had not let the scarecrow attempt it.

So up until now, this was the first practical demonstration of the upgraded [Small Fireball].

"It's quite different from what I imagined."

Pondering the messy scene of the needle aphids, he muttered to himself.

He initially thought the current [Small Fireball] was a fire-type + frost-type move, which might cause the target to have a frost slowdown effect.

In reality, it wasn't like that at all.

He found himself at a loss for words to describe the characteristics of this ghostly blue flame.

After observing for a while, Li Pu concluded: sticky.

This is a sticky kind of flame.

Once the needle aphids come into contact with it, it sticks to them and continues burning.

The needle aphids tried to roll or spray insect juice on each other to put out the fire, but the effect wasn't ideal.

It seems this ghostly blue flame, compared to ordinary flames, doesn't have much heat but is difficult to extinguish.

[Grass Power!]

Scarecrow: Summoner, Ben Cao has gotten stronger!

Seeing the results after this move, the scarecrow was overjoyed.

Five needle aphids hit directly perished instantly. Another seven were either killed by the subsequent fire or left on the verge of death, not to mention those with moderate to light burns.

"Indeed, this time it's powerful."

"If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn't even have needed to learn [Hardening]."

"Just have you conjure fireballs from afar and take them out one by one."

"It's safe and energy-saving, saves my energy."

Li Pu patted the scarecrow on the shoulder, feeling very relieved.

However, he was relieved that these needle aphid's needle-like proboscises had strong fire resistance.

Even though the remains were almost burned away, the proboscises were still intact.

Of course, he was also satisfied with the power of the [Snail Grass Fireball].

The scarecrow was increasingly resembling a mage, but his goal was to nurture this guy into a powerful summoning beast with both magic and martial skills, so it was merely the first step.

After one fireball attack, the needle aphids' formation was already in disarray, and Li Pu decided to finish the fight quickly, not giving them time to retreat.

"Alright, go ahead."

So he patted the scarecrow again.

[Grass!]

The scarecrow acknowledged and dashed into the bug swarm with a few strong strides.

[Chirp Chirp Chirp!] xN

Seeing the assailant of their kindred rush in, the needle aphids all swarmed around.

However, they soon discovered a frightening fact: the scarecrow before them was completely unafraid of their stings!

No matter where or from what angle they stabbed, it was as if they were stabbing into the air, causing no harm at all!

While the scarecrow was punching and kicking, bashing their heads in one by one!

[Grass!]

[Chirp Chirp Chirp!]

[Grass Grass!]

[Chirp Chirp Chirp!]

[Grass Grass Grass!]

[Chirp Chirp Chirp!]

On one side was the resounding grass roar, while on the other was the increasingly weakened resistance noise.

The scarecrow felt it had never been so formidable before, like a mighty grass boss.

"Hey, hey, don't break their needles."

But the voice from outside reminded it that there was someone else in charge.

Thud!

At that moment, a particularly large needle aphid got smashed by the scarecrow.

It seemed something dropped out.

...

...

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