The atmosphere in Withered Pine Ravine had grown unbearably oppressive.
Hovering in midair, Wrathful Youth watched the changes in the Preaching Squad below. A crack finally appeared in his young, malice-filled expression.
"You..."
"You ants who don't know what's good for you!"
"Since you refuse the offered wine and insist on drinking the wine of punishment, I'll tear away all pretense!"
"Acala manifestation, fully... reveal yourself!"
With the youth's furious roar, the Acala manifestation behind him instantly swelled to several times its size, losing its youthful appearance.
"Crush them... to death!"
In an instant, a terrifying pressure capable of pulverizing mountains surged wildly from the manifestation.
The space within Withered Pine Ravine seemed about to burst under that power!
"This is bad!"
Tang Sanzang's expression changed.
"Everyone, be careful!"
Yet, just as the battle hung on the verge of erupting—
A figure suddenly shot forward!
"Kid, you don't want to be a youth anymore? Did you ask old Zhu first?"
It was Zhu Bajie who had made his move!
Braving that terrifying pressure, he actually forced his way right up to the Acala manifestation.
"Diligence makes up for shortcomings—Iron Arms Embrace Mountain!"
Over this period, he had been using the system to continually evolve his arm strength.
Now was precisely the time to put it to use.
"Let old Zhu... hold you tight!"
Zhu Bajie flung his arms wide and clamped them around the Acala manifestation like two enormous iron pincers!
Hum.
The manifestation shuddered violently. The sudden force around its waist instantly threw it off rhythm.
"You're courting death!"
The youth flew into a rage and tried to shake Zhu Bajie off.
But Zhu Bajie clung like a medicinal plaster that could not be peeled away, cinching the manifestation's waist tightly, his muscles taut and his veins bulging.
"I'll