Translator: CinderTL
While the Blood-Eyed Giant Ape clashed with the Earth Barbarian Bull, Song Wen, Wei Qian, Ye Bing, and Xiao Ying seized the opportunity to flee eastward, toward the outer reaches of the mountain range.
The battle raging behind them was earth-shattering and cataclysmic, yet it failed to attract other demon beasts. This suggested that no stronger creatures lurked nearby. Moreover, the victor between the Giant Ape and the Bull might soon pursue them, leaving the four with no time for stealth. They pressed onward at full speed.
The group instinctively chose to stay together. If they encountered another powerful demon beast, at least some would be able to distract it. This shared understanding guided their actions.
"Fellow Daoist Gou Jun, you've been hiding your true strength remarkably well," Wei Qian remarked. "I never imagined you were a Divine Transformation Stage cultivator. You've kept us in the dark this entire journey."
Wei Qian's tone had softened considerably, shedding his earlier condescension.
"It was merely a temporary measure, Fellow Daoist Wei Qian," Song Wen replied. "Please forgive my deception."
Wei Qian said, "As cultivators, we must tread cautiously, as if walking on thin ice. I understand your actions perfectly, fellow daoist, so please don't worry about it. However, your method of concealing your aura is truly remarkable. I wonder if it relies on some kind of treasure or a specific cultivation technique?"
As soon as Wei Qian spoke, Xiao Ying and Ye Bing, though maintaining an air of indifference and continuing to focus on their journey, secretly sharpened their senses, awaiting Song Wen's response.
The aura concealment technique Song Wen had demonstrated was astonishing. It not only altered the strength of his aura but also its very essence, making him seem like an entirely different person.
This made it difficult for the trio to resist their curiosity.
Song Wen glanced at the three of them and said calmly, "That was a secret art I happened to acquire many years ago. If you're interested, fellow daoists, I'll gladly present it to you with both hands once we've left Rotting Miasma Ridge."
Xiao Ying and Ye Bing remained silent, maintaining their indifferent demeanor.
Wei Qian's eyes lit up slightly. "Then I won't stand on ceremony. However, I won't take your secret art for free. I'll offer a secret art of equal value in exchange."
As they spoke, the surrounding miasma suddenly thinned rapidly. The range of their Spirit Sense expanded swiftly, soon reaching approximately a hundred li.
"Have we... already crossed the mountain range and escaped the core of the Rotting Miasma Ridge?" Wei Qian asked, his voice tinged with surprise.
"It appears so," Ye Bing replied.
"Outside the Rotting Miasma Ridge's outer regions, apart from a few perilous zones, there are few threats remaining that could challenge us. In other words, have we actually succeeded in crossing the Rotting Miasma Ridge?" Wei Qian's voice trembled with barely concealed excitement.
Song Wen and Xiao Ying couldn't help but reveal faint smiles of relief.
Only Ye Bing cast a cold, sidelong glance at Xiao Ying.
Just then, a thunderous rumble shook the ground behind them. The four instinctively extended their divine sense, only to discover the Blood-Eyed Giant Ape charging toward them, already within a hundred li.
The Blood-Eyed Giant Ape sprinted on two legs across the ground, its speed surpassing even their aerial flight.
Each stride covered several li.
"What should we do?" The joy on Wei Qian's face vanished completely.
"The four of us will join forces and eliminate it," Ye Bing declared resolutely.
As she spoke, she subtly glanced at Xiao Ying.
"The Blood-Eyed Giant Ape possesses boundless strength and impenetrable hide. Based on our previous encounter, even with all four of us working together, defeating it will be extremely difficult," Wei Qian said hesitantly, clearly reluctant to engage the creature in a direct confrontation.
Ye Bing countered, "Earlier, the miasma in the mountains was too dense, severely hindering our divine sense. This forced us to fight with our hands tied, unable to unleash our true power. Now that the miasma has dissipated significantly, our divine sense range has greatly expanded. If we can truly cooperate, eliminating this vile beast should be far from impossible."
Ye Bing's words failed to fully alleviate Wei Qian's concerns.
While her logic held some merit, achieving genuine cooperation among the four of them was far from simple.
Even refraining from scheming against each other would be a remarkable feat.
After all, Wei Qian had been coveting Song Wen's secret art just moments ago!
Judge others by yourself! Wei Qian, who was plotting against others, couldn't help but remain wary of Song Wen and the other two.
Previously, their "cooperation" had stemmed from the need to traverse the Rotting Miasma Ridge, where each relied on the others' strength. Now, having successfully crossed the most perilous core of the ridge, their path ahead lay clear, provided they could shake off the Blood-Eyed Giant Ape pursuing them. The foundation for their alliance had crumbled.
Ye Bing, the most powerful among them, had proposed they join forces to confront the Blood-Eyed Giant Ape, further fueling Wei Qian's suspicions of ulterior motives.
Yet Wei Qian also knew that Ye Bing's plan was the most prudent course of action.
Only by repelling or slaying the Blood-Eyed Giant Ape could they secure their safety. If they scattered to flee, none of the four could confidently escape unscathed when facing the creature alone.
Torn between conflicting fears, Wei Qian hesitated.
Seeing his hesitation, Ye Bing added, "Since Fellow Daoist Wei Qian has no intention of confronting the Blood-Eyed Giant Ape, let us each rely on our own abilities to escape."
Before her words faded, Ye Bing's speed surged dramatically as she darted forward.
Her cultivation realm far surpassed the others—significantly higher than Xiao Ying and Wei Qian's mid-stage Divine Transformation realm, and Song Wen's early-stage Divine Transformation realm. Naturally, her escape speed was the fastest among them.
A flicker of anxiety crossed Wei Qian's eyes.
Before he could speak, Xiao Ying interjected, "
"Fellow Daoist Ye Bing, our journey here has been fraught with peril. We've only survived this far by supporting each other. How could we abandon each other now?"
"Very well, let's deal with this beast first."
Ye Bing abruptly halted her escape light, summoned her plum blossom fan, and whirled around to unleash a sweeping strike.
A blindingly white, bone-chilling aura erupted from the fan, instantly engulfing the surroundings.
A thick, deep azure ice wall materialized within the freezing mist, its form shimmering faintly.
No sooner had Ye Bing stopped than the Blood-Eyed Giant Ape closed the distance of several dozen li in an instant, bearing down on them.
The ape showed no sign of slowing. Its muscles tensed, power coalescing in its left shoulder as it charged headlong into the ice wall.
With a thunderous crash, the ice wall shattered like glass.
The Blood-Eyed Giant Ape plowed through the flying shards, continuing its relentless assault on Ye Bing.
Seeing Ye Bing suddenly engage the Blood-Eyed Giant Ape, Song Wen, Xiao Ying, and Wei Qian also halted their escape lights. Each unleashed their own techniques to confront the monstrous creature.
(End of the Chapter)
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