I am the Arcane Archer, and all my skills are self-created.

Li Wu and Hua Zitong finally arrived at the center of the forging hall, in front of the huge black iron forging furnace.

The furnace is tens of meters high, with countless pipes and mechanical structures wrapped around it, and crimson magma churning at the bottom, radiating suffocating heat.

The heavy knocking sound came from the core of the furnace.

"Clang...clang...clang..."

Each strike sent tremors through the entire cave.

"It's inside," Hua Zitong said, pointing to the furnace. Her expression was more solemn than ever before.

Li Wu's gaze fell on the core of the furnace, where a huge mechanical arm was hammering a red-hot metal ingot, again and again. Each time the ingot was hammered, sparks flew everywhere, and waves of scorching heat swept over it.

"Is this it?" Li Wu asked, knowing that this robotic arm was definitely not an ordinary one.

"It's just... an outer shell," Hua Zitong said. "The real body is still inside. It's an existence formed by the dwarven resentment and the core power of the forge. A... Dark Iron Dwarven Overlord."

Just as Hua Zitong finished speaking, a piercing metallic scraping sound suddenly came from the core of the furnace.

"Boom!"

The massive robotic arm suddenly stopped, then slowly separated to the sides.

A colossal figure slowly rose from the scorching lava and steam.

It stands over five meters tall, its entire body forged from dark steel, with white steam rising from its joints, and a massive lava core radiating a dark red glow embedded in its chest.

Its eyes were two leaping flames, and it held a huge warhammer that was still dripping with lava.

【The Corruptor - Black Iron Warlord (Elite BOSS)】

[Level: LV25]

[HP: 30000/30000]

Attack: 500

[Skills: Iron Body (Passive, immune to all control effects), Lava Stomp, Summon Apprentice, Corrosive Hammer, ???]

[Description: Once the Dark Iron Dwarven Overlord, he died in a mining accident and plague. His resentment merged with the core of the forge in the Forge, transforming him into the immortal Corruptor. He will forever guard this forging ground, tearing apart any who dare to trespass.]

"Thirty thousand HP!" Li Wu was shocked. This amount of HP was more than the previous four guardians combined. Moreover, it had 500 attack power and was immune to all control effects.

This is not someone to be trifled with.

"Watch out for its lava stomp!" Hua Zitong shouted. "That's an area-of-effect attack; it will cause burning and slowing effects!"

Before Li Wu could react, the Black Iron Overseer had already swung his massive warhammer and slammed it into the ground.

"boom!"

A scorching shockwave emanated from the warlord and spread outwards. Li Wu and Hua Zitong were both forced back several steps, the ground beneath their feet trembling.

[System notification: You have been hit by Lava Stomp, losing 350 health points.]

[System notification: You have been affected by the burning effect, losing 50 health points per second for 5 seconds.]

[System notification: You have been slowed by 30% for 5 seconds.]

Li Wu's health dropped by more than half in an instant. He knew that his small frame couldn't withstand a second attack like that.

"Hua Zitong, you hold them off!" Li Wu shouted. "I'll deal damage!"

Without hesitation, Hua Zitong raised the Guardian Barrier and charged towards the Black Iron Overlord.

"clang!"

The warhammer clashed with the shield, producing a deafening roar. Hua Zitong was jolted back several steps, but she gritted her teeth and steadied herself.

[System Notification: Seeking Mist Among Flowers has been attacked by the Hammer of Corrosion, losing 650 health points.]

[System Notification: The player "Seeking Mist Among Flowers" has been affected by an armor-piercing effect, reducing their physical defense by 20% for 10 seconds.]

Hua Zitong's health also dropped significantly. Although her physical defense was high, the warlord's attacks had an armor-piercing effect, which made her very uncomfortable.

Li Wu knew he had to unleash his power as quickly as possible. He drew back the Arcane Bow, and a Fusion Piercing Arrow shot out instantly.

"Whoosh!"

The pure white beam of light struck the Black Iron Warlord's lava core precisely in the chest.

-1850! (Weakness Critical Hit)

An astonishing damage number popped up.

The Black Iron Overseer let out an angry roar and swung its warhammer at Hua Zitong.

Hua Zitong managed to block, but the immense force forced her back again.

"Summon apprentices!"

The Black Iron Overseer let out a deep roar, and sparks rose from the bottom of the furnace.

Immediately afterwards, four small figures jumped out from the bottom of the furnace.

They were Black Iron Dwarf Apprentices, wielding small warhammers, charging towards Li Wu and Hua Zitong.

[Dark Iron Dwarf Apprentice (Normal)]

[Level: LV23]

[HP: 2000/2000]

Attack: 150

[Skill: Shocking Hammer Strike]

[Description: Loyal servants of the Black Iron Warlord; though small in number, they are numerous.]

"Damn it, there are more monsters!" Li Wu cursed inwardly.

The four apprentices, though low in health, use a concussive hammer attack that has a chance to stun. In this high-pressure battle, any crowd control effect can be fatal.

Li Wu knew he couldn't let these apprentices get close. Without hesitation, he drew his bow and fired two [Chain Lightning Arrows].

"Crack!"

Lightning bolts leaped between the four apprentices, causing a series of injuries.

-1400! -1350! -1380! -1420! ...

The four apprentices collapsed to the ground with a thud.

[System Notification: You have killed a Level 23 Dark Iron Dwarf Apprentice (Normal), gaining 55 experience points.]

[System Notification: You have killed a Level 23 Dark Iron Dwarf Apprentice (Normal), gaining 55 experience points.]

……

A series of system notifications flooded the screen. Li Wu's mana points dropped again.

"Li Wu, watch out for its corrosive hammer!" Hua Zitong shouted.

The Black Iron Warlord's warhammer, emitting green smoke, slammed down towards Hua Zitong.

"clang!"

Hua Zitong was knocked back again, her health dropped, and she was given a "Corrosion" debuff that caused her to lose health every second and reduce her defense.

"【Insightful Purification Arrow】!" Li Wu fired an arrow without hesitation.

The arrow struck Hua Zitong precisely, and the green corrosion debuff disappeared instantly.

"Thank you!" Hua Zitong said, rushing forward again to calm her aggression.

Li Wu's gaze swept over the warlord's health bar; 30,000 health points, and now less than 10,000 had been lost. There was still a long way to go.

He knew that this war of attrition was very disadvantageous for him. His mana was limited, while the Black Iron Warlord's skills had short cooldowns and he could summon apprentices very frequently.

"We must speed up the output!" Li Wu thought to himself.

He drew his bow again, and a Fusion Penetrating Arrow was fired.

-1900! (Weakness Critical Hit)

The Black Iron Warlord's health bar dropped again.

But then it launched Lava Stomp again.

"boom!"

Li Wu was knocked back again, his health dropped, and he was given a burning and slowing debuff.

"Damn it!" Li Wu cursed inwardly. He knew he couldn't keep taking this beating.

He had to find a more effective way, a way that would allow him to continue producing output while also ensuring his survival.

As he looked at the Black Iron Overseer and its constantly summoning apprentices, a bold idea suddenly popped into his head.

"Hua Zitong, how much longer can you hold on?" Li Wu asked.

"I'm fine!" Hua Zitong shouted, her voice tinged with exhaustion but still resolute.

Li Wu knew that Hua Zitong's health was running low. He couldn't wait any longer.

He closed his eyes, and the secret combination of the [Life Cycle Arrow] appeared in his mind.

This skill requires four runes, consumes a huge amount of mana, and he has never used it in actual combat. But he knows it is his only hope.

"Li Wu, watch out!" Hua Zitong's exclamation came from behind.

He opened his eyes abruptly; the Black Iron Warlord's warhammer was already within reach.

"Holy Light Protection!"

A golden light shone on Hua Zitong, instantly making her invincible. The warhammer slammed heavily onto her, producing a dull thud, but she was unharmed.

"Five seconds!" Hua Zitong shouted, "I only have five seconds of invincibility!"

Li Wu knew that this was Hua Zitong's life-saving skill, with a cooldown time of thirty minutes. She used this skill to buy him time.

Five seconds!

Li Wu gritted his teeth and concentrated all his mental energy.

He must succeed!

He closed his eyes again, and the combination of cryptic texts in his mind became even clearer.

[Glory!] The light of life is shining.

Healing! The power of healing is surging.

[Repost]! The laws of flow are in motion.

【Balance】! A balanced order is being established.

The four secret texts merged perfectly together in his spiritual sea.

He suddenly opened his eyes and drew back the Arcane Bow.

A dazzling, multicolored light shone on the bowstring.

"Go!" Li Wu released the bowstring.

A multicolored arrow, carrying an aura of holiness and solemnity, shot towards the Black Iron Warlord.

The arrow did not cause any damage when it hit the Black Iron Overseer, but instead formed a colorful field with a diameter of thirty meters around him.

Li Wu's mana was instantly depleted, and he felt weak.

But a victorious smile appeared on his face.

He knew he had made the right bet!