The moment they saw the enormous creature, everyone understood why Zhao Wuji had suddenly changed just moments earlier.
It was like a moving mountain, its entire body covered in black fur. Even on all fours, it stood over seven meters tall. If it rose upright, it would probably be twice as tall.
It looked like a gigantic black gorilla, with two eyes as large as lanterns,
and each breath from its nostrils stirred a gust of wind that everyone could feel.
"King of the Forest!"
"Titan Giant Ape!"
Zhao Wuji's heart sank. How had this thing appeared on the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest?
"Respected King of the Forest, we mean no offense. We'll leave at once."
He spoke respectfully to the Titan Giant Ape.
The Titan Giant Ape didn't even glance at Zhao Wuji. It simply took one slow step forward, but that single step was enough to shock everyone.
"I'll hold it off!"
"Hurry and use Oscar's Mushroom Sausages to get out of here!"
Zhao Wuji's Spirit Rings blazed with powerful light. Combining several skills, he charged at the Titan Giant Ape.
"Ye Lin, cover everyone's escape!"
"I'm going to help Teacher Zhao!"
Dai Mubai used three Soul Skills at once and charged after him toward the Titan Giant Ape.
"Tang San, take everyone and go,"
Ye Lin called to Tang San, then hurried forward with the Immortal Sword in hand.
There was nothing for her to fear. No one would die here, and even injuries would be minor. After all, Xiao Wu would communicate with the Titan Giant Ape.
"Okay!"
"I'll lead everyone out!"
Tang San agreed at once.
"Everyone, follow me and retreat quickly!"
He remembered Yu Xiaogang's teachings: if you had plenty of spirits and bones, fight with all your might; if you had few spirits and bones, run for your life!
This was obviously the second situation.
Tang San used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to race away, leaping several times before vanishing from sight.
Ye Lin hadn't expected Tang San to run as soon as she saw him take off.
Tang San really ran!
She'd originally planned to alter the plot. Now she didn't even need to do anything—Tang San had run off on his own?
[ Ding, plot alteration complete. Tang San escaped the Titan Giant Ape's attack. Reward: Tang San's speed when using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track at full strength during the first Spirit Ring stage.]
The system's voice sounded, leaving her completely baffled again. She hadn't seemed to do anything at all, yet the plot had changed?
Ye Lin immediately felt her body grow lighter.
Tang San's Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track was certainly impressive, though it consumed some of the user's strength.
But what she'd gained was a pure boost to her speed, a physical enhancement that came with no cost and even increased her stamina.
"San Gui!"
"You ran too!"
Ma Hongjun was utterly dumbfounded.
He cursed furiously,
"You good-for-nothing San Gui! If I survive this, I'll skin you alive!"
Ma Hongjun quickly used Martial Soul Possession. His First Spirit Ring flashed, and a Phoenix Fire Line shot toward the Titan Giant Ape, aimed especially at its most vulnerable parts.
That pervert's way of attacking wasn't any better.
The others didn't stand idle, either.
Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda quickly bestowed its support on Zhao Wuji, Ye Lin, and Dai Mubai.
Those were the three strongest fighters present, and they could make the most of her support.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing moved in from opposite sides, while Oscar repeatedly used his Third Soul Skill to summon Flying Mushroom Sausages and help everyone escape.
Zhao Wuji's tremendous attack crashed into the Titan Giant Ape. Caught off guard, the ape had also underestimated him, and its body rocked backward slightly.
But in the next instant, Zhao Wuji was flung away like a cannonball.
"Roar!"
The Titan Giant Ape let out a furious roar, and a wave of black energy spread rapidly in every direction.
Everyone struck by the black wave was sent flying.
It reached out with its right hand and caught Xiao Wu as she was thrown through the air.
"Xiao Wu!"
Ye Lin shouted. Her First Spirit Ring flashed, and a massive dragon's roar rang out. A phantom dragon head appeared, more than two meters long.
A sword blade slashed straight toward the Titan Giant Ape's lower body.
"Whoosh!"
The blade swept past, scattering only a few strands of black fur. It couldn't hurt the Titan Giant Ape at all.
When Zhao Wuji saw the Titan Giant Ape holding Xiao Wu in its palm, his heart sank. His Seventh Spirit Ring flashed.
A fierce black light erupted from his body,
and Zhao Wuji transformed into a five-meter-tall, brown bear.
Martial Soul Avatar: Vajra Bear!
The Vajra Bear leapt fiercely toward the Titan Giant Ape.
Zhao Wuji's Martial Soul Avatar finally caught the Titan Giant Ape's attention. It lifted its left arm and sent the Vajra Bear flying with a slap, making it crash heavily to the ground.
Martial Soul Avatar—
By contrast, the Titan Giant Ape had swatted it away as easily as a mosquito.
"Xiao Wu!"
"Don't!"
Ye Lin shouted.
The Titan Giant Ape glanced at Xiao Wu in its hand and let out a low growl.
It leapt toward the depths of the Star Dou Forest. Its huge form landed a hundred meters away before disappearing into the woods.
Zhao Wuji got to his feet and immediately chased after the Titan Giant Ape, but the gap between their speeds was enormous. And even if he caught up, he would be no match for it. They weren't in the same league.
The others were in bad shape, too.
The black wave had badly injured them.
They were all covered in dust, especially Ning Rongrong. She had always been frail, and even though Oscar had shielded her, she had still fainted.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ma Hongjun were also extremely weak and had sunk to the ground.
Only Dai Mubai and Ye Lin were still standing.
Zhao Wuji angrily slammed his right hand into the ground, then spat out a mouthful of blood.
He slowly turned to Ye Lin.
"Ye Lin, try to accept it."
Ye Lin looked calm, and she felt calm, too. Since she knew the story, she knew that Xiao Wu would be fine.
"Xiao Wu's all right."
"Ah," Zhao Wuji sighed. "Let's rest here for now. The Titan Giant Ape won't come back. Then we can discuss what to do next."
"Everyone's all right. That's wonderful..."
A voice sounded from behind them.
Everyone except the unconscious Ning Rongrong turned toward it.
Tang San slowly poked his head out from behind a tree.
"Good, you're all right, too. You did the right thing just now. You knew when to run."
Zhao Wuji left it at that and said no more. He took a Recovery Sausage from Oscar and began eating.
A string of curses rang out.
"San Gui!"
"You actually dared to come back!"
"I'll skin you alive today!"
Before you continue