However, the gaunt female cultivator struck even before Yuan Wu did.
The nine Corpse-Suppressing Nails rallied for another assault. Taking advantage of the moment when the Demon Ape activated its bloodline power, they turned into nine streaks of dim light and silently approached.
To everyone's astonishment, the nine Corpse-Suppressing Nails lost much of their power the instant they touched the dark red baleful aura radiating from the Demon Ape.
The nine Corpse-Suppressing Nails barely managed to pierce the blockade of baleful aura and close in, yet they left only shallow bloody marks on the Demon Ape's bristly hide before the bulging muscles beneath flung them away.
"What..."
Disbelief flashed in the gaunt female cultivator's eyes.
She was a late Tribulation Transcendence stage cultivator, yet her all-out sneak attack had failed to pierce even the Demon Ape's flesh, despite it making no attempt to defend itself.
Just then, Yuan Wu's long saber arrived, only to be knocked away by a casual swat from the Demon Ape.
At this sight, the gaunt female cultivator's eyes shifted toward the depths of the spirit fields.
Then her figure flickered. Without the slightest hesitation, she withdrew, disappearing into a cave deep within the spirit fields in an instant.
"Damn it! She actually ran!"
Xu Yi cursed aloud, then turned to look at Song Wen.
"Ye Hua, this is what you get for helping her-you've drawn fire onto yourself! If we can't defeat that Demon Ape, I, Xu Yi, will be the first to leave. You can cover our retreat!"
Xu Yi summoned a flying sword, unleashing countless strands of Sword Qi that swept toward the Demon Ape like a storm of blades.
Bi Yue also summoned her handleless curved blade, sending it straight toward the Demon Ape's blood-red eyes.
"Roar!"
Another roar erupted from the