Chapter 1208 Thunder Leopard

"Follow me!" Shangguan Mo's consciousness transformed into a beam of light, rushing towards the beast soul. He grasped the Thunder Leopard's claws, merging his chakra with its lightning technique, and together they charged towards the core of the evil spirit. The moment their combined power shattered the evil spirit, the chaotic space suddenly dissipated, and the refining array in reality erupted with a dazzling light.

When the light faded, everyone was stunned. The Thunder Leopard had doubled in size, its silver-gray fur covered in a layer of pale blue iron crystal armor. The iron crystals on its back formed a sharp spine. The wound on its left foreleg had disappeared, replaced by an iron crystal claw that gleamed with lightning. Its eyes no longer held the anxiety, but instead held a determination similar to Shangguan Mo's. It slowly walked over to him and nuzzled his palm with its head.

"Success!" Ah Ji jumped up excitedly. Shangguan Mo smiled and patted the Thunder Leopard's head. A line of words flashed before his eyes on the system panel (the relic inheritance he had accidentally acquired): [Summoned Beast "Crystal Iron Thunder Leopard" successfully synthesized. Abilities: Thunder Release Amplification, Iron Crystal Defense, Spine Blade Assault, Contract Bond 100%].

At that moment, the sound of horse hooves could be heard in the distance, and the rebel ninja's flag loomed in the dust. Shangguan Mo turned and mounted his Crystal Iron Thunder Leopard, his kunai gathering lightning chakra. "Aji, tell the villagers to take shelter in the tunnels! Leave this to me!"

The Crystal Iron Thunder Leopard roared, its hooves spurting silvery lightning as it charged toward the rebel ninjas. The leader, seeing the half-beast, half-crystal monster, flashed a flicker of disdain in his eyes. "What kind of monster dares to stop us?" He raised his broadsword and slashed at the Crystal Iron Thunder Leopard.

"Now!" Shangguan Mo shouted, and the Crystal Iron Thunder Leopard's spine suddenly erupted with a faint blue light, blocking the broadsword. At the moment of collision, silver-white lightning traveled along the broadsword into the rebel ninja's body, causing him to convulse. The Crystal Iron Thunder Leopard seized the opportunity, raising its iron crystal claws and knocking the rebel ninja's broadsword away with one claw, simultaneously knocking him back with its head.

The following rebel ninjas swarmed forward, but the Crystal Thunder Leopard's iron crystal armor blocked all their attacks—kunai and shurikens slashed against the armor, leaving only white marks, and were instead struck by the rebounding lightning. Shangguan Mo manipulated his Lightning Release chakra, resonating with the Crystal Thunder Leopard's lightning, and unleashed "Lightning Release: Crystal Thunder Cannon." The dark blue lightning cannon instantly blasted away the rebel ninjas, and the remaining ones, frightened by the scene, turned and fled.

After the battle, the Crystal Iron Thunder Leopard's armor gradually retracted, returning to its silver-gray fur. Only a small iron crystal mark remained on its forehead. Shangguan Mo jumped off its back and examined its body. "Thank you for your hard work." The Crystal Iron Thunder Leopard rubbed his palm and let out a gentle purr.

The villagers emerged from the tunnel and cheered for Shangguan Mo and Jingtie Leibao. Aji handed him a bowl of hot soup and said, "Brother Mo, you're amazing! With Jingtie Leibao here, no one will dare to bully us anymore!"

Shangguan Mo took the soup and looked at the Crystal Iron Thunder Leopard beside him. He suddenly understood—a summoned beast wasn't just a tool, but a partner in battle. The risky synthesis wasn't just to protect the village, but also to give the Thunder Leopard a chance to grow stronger, to overcome the self-esteem it felt after being injured. And now, they had achieved it, using the bond of "human-beast unity" to create their own miracle.

Under the setting sun, Shangguan Mo patrolled the village border on his Crystal Iron Thunder Leopard. A silver-gray figure darted through the afterglow. Occasionally, a bird flew by, and the Crystal Iron Thunder Leopard would lift its head and gently touch it with its lightning-tipped nose, looking gentle and endearing. A smile crossed Shangguan Mo's lips. He knew this was just the beginning, and that more challenges lay ahead. But as long as the Crystal Iron Thunder Leopard was by his side, he had the confidence to protect this home and everyone around him.

And that once ice-cold Netherworld Iron Crystal has now become a part of the Crystal Iron Thunder Leopard's body. It is no longer a mineral filled with evil spirits, but a core of power that carries "protection" and "bonds" - this is the best result that Shangguan Mo and the Crystal Iron Thunder Leopard have exchanged for their lives and trust.