Twin Cyclops

Just like that.

Before the sky had fully brightened, while the morning mist still shrouded everything in haze,

the three of them used both hands and feet, scrambling and tumbling as they rushed out of the Cyclops' habitat.

The moment they left the crude fence behind, none of them dared pause for even an instant. They spread their legs and jogged all the way through the dense forest.

They deliberately chose routes thick with trees, where they could better conceal themselves, terrified of being spotted by the returning main force.

Driven by extreme tension and the instinct to flee for their lives, Zhua Yun and Long Zhanye lowered their heads and ran wildly, pushing their speed to the limit.

After running for about the time it took to burn an incense stick,

there was no earth-shaking sound of pursuit from behind them, and only then did the two of them slow down slightly.

However, just then,

an exasperated curse, breathless and furious, drifted over from far behind them:

"Y-you little brats! R-running so fast, are you in such a hurry to die?!"

"W-wait for this old man! Damn it... I'm exhausted... cough, cough..."

It was Old Man Gu!

Only then did the two suddenly realize that, so focused on saving their own lives, they had actually forgotten the frail and elderly Old Man Gu behind them!

When they turned around, they saw Old Man Gu leaning on his cane as he staggered after them.

His face was flushed red, and he panted like an ox. That mad dash just now had nearly cost him his life.

A wry smile flashed across both Long Zhanye's and Zhua Yun's faces.

The two hurried back, each supporting one of Old Man Gu's arms.

"Elder Gu, sorry..."

"Master, are you all right?"

"Enough nonsense! Go... go! Let's get out of this area first!" Old Man Gu had no time to scold them and urged them on breathlessly.

With the two supporting him, the three of them were much slower.

But they still did not dare stop and continued retreating away from the Cyclops' habitat.

After struggling onward for several dozen more li,

they felt they had completely left the basin behind and entered the depths of a relatively unfamiliar forest.

Only then did the three finally stop.

Leaning against a massive ancient tree, they gasped for breath.

Long Zhanye and Zhua Yun were all right, merely drained of Soul Power and exhausted physically.

Old Man Gu, however, was nearly spent. He collapsed onto the ground, his chest heaving violently, his face pale, unable to utter a word.

Just as the three were about to relax and recover some Soul Power,

before they could even catch their breath—

"Thud! Thud! Thud!"

A series of heavy, urgent footsteps, clearly heading in their direction, came from the way they had arrived.

From far away to close at hand, they rapidly approached!

These footsteps differed from the chaotic rumble of the Cyclops' main force. They were more concentrated and more purposeful!

Long Zhanye's heart tightened, and he abruptly turned to look behind him.

Through the gaps between layer upon layer of trees, he saw three enormous figures rapidly growing larger!

"What?!" Long Zhanye's pupils contracted as he blurted out in shock.

The Soul Beast leading them was even more massive and powerfully built than an ordinary Cyclops!

Most terrifying of all, it had two heads, each with a single eye on its forehead!

Huge, crimson eyes filled with savage hatred!

A Double-Eyed Cyclops!

Behind this Double-Eyed Cyclops, two more Cyclopes followed close behind.

Their eyes were equally vicious. White vapor burst from their heavy nostrils as they charged through the forest on all fours at astonishing speed.

They crushed every obstacle in their path, barreling straight toward the place where the three were hiding!

"Damn it! They've caught up!" Zhua Yun's expression darkened as he swiftly assumed a fighting stance.

Old Man Gu forced down his discomfort and struggled to his feet.

His clouded old eyes fixed on the three rapidly approaching figures. Yet there was little panic on his face; instead, a trace of icy sharpness flashed through his gaze.

"They must be relatives of that crippled Cyclops from before, tracking us all the way by the scent of blood."

Old Man Gu's voice was hoarse, but his analysis remained exceptionally calm. "Fine... Since they've come to us themselves, don't blame us for showing no mercy!"

His gaze swept over the Double-Eyed Cyclops charging at the front.

Turning to Zhua Yun, he asked, "Zhua Yun, assess it. What cultivation does the leader have?"

Zhua Yun focused his senses and answered swiftly, "Master, its aura is very strong!

"Far stronger than that forty-thousand-year-old one we encountered before."

"This disciple judges its cultivation to be somewhere between forty-six thousand and forty-eight thousand years! The two behind it are both at the thirty-thousand-year level as well!"

Forty-six thousand to forty-eight thousand years!

Old Man Gu nodded, then turned his gaze to Long Zhanye, a hint of resolve in his tone. "Kid."

"This Double-Eyed Cyclops is just right to serve as your Fourth Soul Ring! Well? Do you dare take it?"

Long Zhanye watched the Double-Eyed Cyclops draw ever nearer, his heart pounding wildly from tension.

But what surged even more strongly within him was battle intent, ignited to a blaze! He had obtained three Soul Rings in succession, restoring his strength to level fifty-two.

Though the powerful Soul Beast before him was dangerous, its Soul Ring would undoubtedly raise his strength to another level!

Without the slightest hesitation, Long Zhanye answered decisively:

"Sure! Elder Gu, Senior Brother, let's work together and keep them here!"

The instant he finished speaking,

Old Man Gu let out a weak "Aiyo."

He immediately leaned against the trunk of a nearby tree, rubbed his aching old back, and panted heavily. "I can't, I can't..."

"These old bones of mine used up all their strength running for our lives just now. I can't even move anymore..."

"The rest is up to you two young men. Zhua Yun, take care of your junior brother, cough, cough..."

After saying that,

he simply closed his eyes, as though he were truly too exhausted to bear it and intended to rest for a while.

He looked utterly ready to wash his hands of the fierce battle about to begin.

Zhua Yun seemed long accustomed to this. His face remained expressionless as he merely nodded.

Long Zhanye, however, stared in disbelief, filled with helplessness. He's obviously just slacking off!

But he also knew that Old Man Gu's condition truly was poor. That mad dash had probably pushed him to his limit.

There was no use complaining now. With powerful enemies before them, they could only rely on themselves.

"Junior Brother," Zhua Yun's voice reached Long Zhanye.

"I'll handle the two thirty-thousand-year-old ones in the back."

"You hold off the Double-Eyed Cyclops in front. Stall it as much as possible and buy me time to deal with those two. Once I free up my hands, I'll immediately come back to help you!"

This arrangement was quite reasonable.

Zhua Yun was stronger. He would face less pressure against two thirty-thousand-year Soul Beasts and could quickly create a two-against-one advantage.

"Got it, Senior Brother!" Long Zhanye stared intently at the approaching Double-Eyed Cyclops.

Before his words had even faded,

Zhua Yun shot into the air once more!

With a clear target in mind, he lunged toward the two Cyclopes!

At the same time,

the Double-Eyed Cyclops let out a roar. Its giant eyes locked tightly onto Long Zhanye as its enormous body accelerated toward him!