Xie Yue stopped his younger sister, who still wanted to move forward. Suddenly visiting someone else's campsite late at night was hardly good behavior.
Besides, anyone who could make it here was clearly no ordinary person.
Hearing her brother's words, Hu Liena nodded in understanding. "Fine, then let's go somewhere else. If we don't set up camp soon, these damned mosquitoes are going to suck me dry."
Yan followed behind them and replied in a muffled voice, "I saw a water source over there earlier. Nana, I'll fetch you some water. Once we set up camp, you can wash up, and there won't be any mosquitoes."
Seeing his goddess feeling uncomfortable, Yan, that old simp, hurried over to show his concern. But his goddess did not appreciate it.
Not far away, a tall, alluring man gazed thoughtfully toward the firelight.
"Why are people from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect here? What a coincidence." Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes shifted as he decided to sneak over and take a look.
Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan, formed a hand seal to conceal his Soul Power and moved toward the firelight, keeping close to the shadows of the trees.
When he was still twenty paces from the campsite, he heard Chen Xin's voice. It was cold and stern, carrying the sharp edge unique to sword martial soul masters. "We leave at the hour of the tiger tomorrow. We'll continue into the core area. The chances of finding it there are greater."
"That old bastard Chen Xin really did come for the soul beasts in the core area," Chrysanthemum Douluo muttered to himself. A wisp of petal-like Soul Power quietly condensed at his fingertips and drifted toward the camp with the wind, intending to attach itself to someone so he could track their movements.
The instant the petal touched the edge of the campsite, it was knocked back by an overwhelmingly powerful aura.
Chrysanthemum Douluo's pupils contracted. He hurriedly withdrew his Soul Power, cold sweat seeping down his back. "What powerful Soul Power! At least a late-stage Titled Douluo. Could this be a hidden trump card of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"
He did not dare approach any closer. Retreating behind an ancient pine, he continued peering into the campsite through the gaps in the needles.
Ao Tian sat beside the bonfire, idly playing with a black stone as he rested with his eyes closed. Chen Chu leaned against a tree trunk in meditation, while the three distant Soul Sages sat around the fire, sorting their packs and preparing for tomorrow's operation.
"No wonder they dared enter the core area with so few people. They have a tough one with them." Chrysanthemum Douluo stroked his chin, then suddenly thought of Hu Liena's group. "Those three little ones are still looking for a third soul ring. If they run into this group or encounter soul beasts from the core area, they could be in trouble."
As he considered whether to warn Hu Liena, Chen Chu's voice came from the campsite. "Senior, there seemed to be a Soul Power fluctuation just now."
Ao Tian raised his eyes and swept his gaze toward Chrysanthemum Douluo's hiding place, but did not linger. He merely said, "Probably a passing soul beast. I'll go take a look."
Chrysanthemum Douluo's heart tightened. He did not dare remain any longer and quietly retreated, turning toward Hu Liena's group.
He moved extremely quickly. Before long, he saw the pine forest ahead, where a small cluster of firelight marked the campsite Hu Liena and the others had chosen.
Before he even approached, he heard Yan's booming voice. "Nana, these pine needles will make the tent nice and soft. You'll definitely sleep comfortably tonight."
Hu Liena's irritated voice answered, "I know. Hurry up and make the fire bigger. It's almost gone out."
Chrysanthemum Douluo slowed down and observed from the darkness. Hu Liena sat on a rock, poking at the bonfire with a branch. Xie Yue leaned against a tree trunk, sharpening the short blade at his waist with a whetstone.
Yan crouched nearby, adding dead branches to the fire. From time to time, he secretly glanced at Hu Liena, his eyes full of eagerness to please.
"These three little ones still have the mood to bicker." Chrysanthemum Douluo shook his head helplessly. "Should I remind them to change direction? What if they run into..."
Forget it. They hadn't offended anyone, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wouldn't know them. There shouldn't be any danger. I'm the one being overly nervous.
With that thought, Yue Guan concealed himself in the darkness once more.
Early the next morning, Chen Chu's group finally reached the lake and finally saw the Titan Giant Ape, towering like a massive mountain.
"So it really is here." Chen Chu was overjoyed when he saw it. After searching for so many days, they had finally found it.
"Senior Sword Douluo, there's also a Sky Azure Bull Python beneath the lake. You only need to hold it off. Senior Ao Tian and I will lure the Titan Giant Ape away and kill it."
Chen Chu gave everyone their instructions according to the original plan.
Chen Xin gripped the Seven Kill Sword tightly, his gaze sweeping over the lake's surface. "The Sky Azure Bull Python is no weakling. I can't hold it back for long. End this fight quickly."
Ao Tian looked excitedly at the giant ape. "Don't worry. Taking it down will be easy for me. You only need to stop it for two hours. Then you can withdraw."
As soon as he finished speaking, the three Soul Sages immediately dispersed and concealed themselves by the lake in a triangular formation, Soul Power gathered in their palms as they prepared for any sudden development.
Chen Chu activated Martial Soul Possession, his twin scythes gleaming with cold light. "Senior, be careful. The Titan Giant Ape's strength is immense. A direct clash would put you at a disadvantage."
Ao Tian nodded and flashed onto the open ground across the lake. He raised his hand and struck the ground with his palm, sending shattered stones flying. His roar pierced the air. "Titan Giant Ape, come out!"
The lake surface suddenly trembled, and the trees along the shore rustled violently. The water at the center of the lake exploded as a black figure shot into the sky—the Titan Giant Ape. It stood more than ten meters tall, its black fur like steel needles and its fists like boulders. When it landed, the ground split with web-like cracks.
"Human, you dare come here? You're courting death!" the Titan Giant Ape roared, smashing a fist at Ao Tian.
Ao Tian dodged sideways. The force of the punch snapped the ancient tree behind him in half at the waist. He used the momentum to retreat, shouting to Chen Chu at the same time, "Move!"
Chen Chu and Chen Xin immediately charged forward. Chen Xin swung the Seven Kill Sword, its sword energy like a silver ribbon as it slashed toward the Titan Giant Ape's knee, its weak point.
Sensing danger, the Titan Giant Ape kicked toward Chen Xin. Chen Xin spun aside, and his sword energy grazed the ape's leg, cutting away a patch of black fur.
Chen Chu circled behind the giant ape, his twin scythes striking at the joint of its hind leg. "Sixth Spirit Ability—Nether Sky Slash Soaring Sword!" As his words fell, Sagros summoned a gigantic energy sword and launched a powerful slash at the Titan Giant Ape.
The giant ape howled in pain, taking the attack head-on. It roared and turned, slapping a massive palm toward Chen Chu. Chen Chu leaped into the air and landed on its shoulder, repeatedly driving Solitary Moon Slash into its neck.
Streams of black blood gushed out. The Titan Giant Ape let out a shrill scream and reached for Chen Chu.
"Get down!" Ao Tian shouted, striking the giant ape's chest with his palm at the same time. The giant ape's body stiffened, and Chen Chu seized the chance to leap down beside Ao Tian. The Titan Giant Ape staggered back several steps, a vicious gleam flashing in its eyes as it unleashed its innate ability, Gravity Domain, before charging again.
At that moment, enormous waves suddenly surged across the lake. A blue figure shot from the water—it was the Sky Azure Bull Python. Its body stretched over a hundred meters long, its scales glimmering blue, and bull-like horns grew from its head. It opened its huge jaws and bit toward Chen Xin.
"Just as expected!" Chen Xin had long been prepared. He raised his sword to block the Sky Azure Bull Python's attack. "My Body is Like a Sword!"
Before you continue