Twin Cyclops

Just like that.

While the sky had yet to fully brighten and morning mist still shrouded everything in haze,

the three of them scrambled out of the Cyclops' habitat, using both hands and feet as they rolled and crawled.

The moment they left the crude fence's perimeter, none of them dared linger. They broke into a run through the dense forest.

They deliberately chose routes packed with trees and easy to conceal themselves in, terrified of being noticed by the returning main force.

Overwhelming tension and the instinct to flee for their lives made Zhua Yun and Long Zhanye lower their heads and sprint at full speed.

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

no earth-shaking sounds of pursuit came from behind them. Only then did the two slow down slightly.

However, right then,

an angry, breathless curse drifted over from far behind them:

"Y-you two little bastards! Running... running so fast, are you rushing to reincarnate?!"

"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, in their rush to save themselves, they had forgotten the frail and elderly Old Man Gu behind them!

When they looked back, they saw Old Man Gu hobbling after them with his cane.

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

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

They hurried back and supported Old Man Gu, one on either side.

"Elder Gu, sorry..."

"Master, are you all right?"

"Enough nonsense! Hurry... hurry up and move! We'll talk after we leave this area!" Old Man Gu urged breathlessly, having no time to scold them.

With the two supporting him, the three of them slowed considerably.

Still, they did not dare stop and continued retreating away from the Cyclops' habitat.

After struggling onward for several dozen more li,

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

Only then did the three stop.

They leaned against a massive ancient tree, gasping for breath.

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

Old Man Gu, however, was nearly collapsing. He slumped onto the ground, his chest heaving violently, his face pale, unable to say a word.

The three had just wanted to catch their breath and recover some Soul Power.

Yet before they could even catch their breath—

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Heavy, rapid footsteps, clearly heading in their direction, came from the way they had arrived.

They drew rapidly closer from far away!

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

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

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

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

The Soul Beast at the front was even more massive and robust than an ordinary Cyclops!

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

Huge crimson eyes, filled with savage fury and hatred!

A Double-Eyed Cyclops!

Two Cyclopes followed closely behind this Double-Eyed Cyclops.

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

They smashed through every obstacle in their path, charging directly toward where the three were hiding!

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

Old Man Gu forcibly suppressed his discomfort and struggled to his feet as well.

His cloudy old eyes fixed on the three rapidly approaching figures. Yet there was little panic on his face; instead, a cold, sharp glint flashed through his gaze.

"They must be... relatives of that crippled Cyclops from before. They tracked us here by following the scent of blood."

Old Man Gu's voice was hoarse, but his analysis remained exceptionally calm. "Good... Since they came to us on their own, don't blame us for showing no mercy!"

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

Then he turned to Zhua Yun. "Zhua Yun, estimate it. What cultivation does the leader have?"

Zhua Yun focused his senses and answered quickly, "Master, its aura is extremely powerful!

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

"Your disciple estimates its cultivation to be between forty-six thousand and forty-eight thousand years! The two behind it are both around thirty thousand years as well!"

Forty-six thousand to forty-eight thousand years!

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

"This Double-Eyed Cyclops is just right to become your Fourth Soul Ring! What do you say? Do you dare take it?"

Long Zhanye looked at the ever-approaching Double-Eyed Cyclops, his heart pounding wildly from tension.

But even more than that, his fighting spirit had been ignited! He had obtained three Soul Rings in succession and restored his strength to level fifty-two.

This powerful Soul Beast before him was dangerous, but its Soul Ring would undoubtedly take 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 promptly leaned against the trunk of a nearby tree, rubbed his aching old back, and panted. "I can't, I can't..."

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

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

Having said that,

he simply closed his eyes, as if he were truly exhausted and intending to seize the chance to rest awhile.

He looked entirely prepared to wash his hands of the fierce battle about to begin.

Zhua Yun seemed long accustomed to this. His expression did not change; he merely nodded.

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

But he also knew that Old Man Gu's condition was genuinely poor. That desperate run had probably pushed him to his limit.

Complaining was useless 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 ones in the back."

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

This arrangement was quite reasonable.

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

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

Before his words had even faded, Zhua Yun shot into the air once more!

With a clear goal in mind, he pounced 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!