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For Zhongli, this spirit beast was nothing. It wasn't even as strong as a Mitachurl.
Facing such an opponent required no preparation at all.
"Zhongli, Zhongli, what do we do?"
"A crisis is coming! Will we even make it back?"
Paimon was panicking, tugging at Zhongli's sleeve, her expression shifting dramatically.
Hearing this, Zhongli glanced sideways at her, somewhat speechless.
What to do?
With him here, was that even a question worth considering?
"No need to worry. It's just an ape," Zhongli said calmly, waving his hand.
If he wasn't mistaken, this ape was none other than Er Ming—the 100,000-year-old Titan Giant Ape.
Despite its ferocious appearance, this thing was actually a herbivore.
"Relax, this guy eats plants. He won't have any interest in Paimon."
He couldn't handle Hu Tao's antics, and Paimon was just as troublesome…
Sigh…
"Herbivore?"
Paimon froze, her mood shifting faster than flipping a page. She immediately let go of Zhongli's sleeve, placing her hands on her hips.
"That's great! Then we should be fine, right?"
"It won't attack us, will it?"
She asked tentatively. Even though she hadn't seen the creature yet, she trusted Zhongli unconditionally.
What else could she do?
She had no combat ability whatsoever. Without Zhongli, she'd probably starve to death.
Hearing this, Zhongli stroked his chin, thinking for a moment before replying, "Though it eats plants, it will still actively attack humans."
As the true gatekeeper of the core region, driving away or killing humans was the Titan Giant Ape's duty.
Because of Bibi Dong killing Xiao Wu's mother, the Titan Giant Ape held little goodwill toward humans.
It was hard to say whether the Titan Giant Ape was lucky or unlucky—from a very young age, it had been manipulated by certain people.
Its situation was almost identical to the Sky Azure Bull Python's.
After all, the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python were among the ranks of super spirit beasts.
Even at just a thousand years of cultivation, they could easily defeat ordinary ten-thousand-year spirit beasts.
Yet, Xiao Wu's mother had saved them…
The Soft Bone Rabbit was a top-tier existence among rabbit-type spirit beasts, but it was still just a Soft Bone Rabbit. If the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python couldn't handle a problem, how could she?
Unless Xiao Wu's mother had broken the limits of a 100,000-year spirit beast and used her power to save them.
Patting Paimon's head, Zhongli said gently, "Little one, did you forget what I said earlier?"
"Which part?"
Zhongli: "…"
Selective amnesia, huh?
Meanwhile, Qian Renxue gripped the holy sword formed by her spirit skill, her gaze locked onto the Radiant Tiger King.
Neither she nor Ci Xue had noticed the approaching crisis.
Ci Xue observed their surroundings, guarding against any potential threats. However, due to his relatively weaker strength, he failed to detect the impending danger.
The Radiant Tiger King was no weakling—Qian Renxue had to focus entirely to defeat it.
If even Ci Xue, a Title Douluo, couldn't sense the source of the crisis, how could she, a quasi-Spirit Emperor?
Time passed. After about half an incense stick's worth, Qian Renxue seized an opportunity.
In a flash, she appeared behind the Radiant Tiger King, holy light locking onto the back of its neck.
The tiger sensed something, but it was too late…
"As expected of the young lady. To single-handedly defeat a 27,000-year Radiant Tiger King—her strength is already comparable to mine when I was a quasi-Spirit Sage."
A quasi-Spirit Sage referred to a powerhouse who had reached level 70 but hadn't yet obtained their seventh spirit ring.
The Spirit Avatar was a watershed moment—its immense amplification made it nearly impossible to challenge someone of a higher rank under normal circumstances.
Ci Xue's voice wasn't loud, but it wasn't quiet either. Qian Renxue's lips curled slightly—she had every right to be proud.
As a quasi-Spirit Emperor, she could rival a quasi-Spirit Sage.
Once she reached Spirit Sage level, she'd be comparable to an ordinary Title Douluo!
That was when her martial soul's true invincibility would shine.
Suddenly, the ground trembled slightly. Ci Xue's expression changed.
For the tremors to reach them from such a distance—this was no small threat!
"Young lady, don't absorb the spirit ring yet! Something big is coming!"
Ci Xue immediately stepped forward, his face grave as he stared in the direction of the vibrations.
"Zhongli, didn't you say it wasn't scary?"
"Grandpa Ci Xue looks terrified!"
Seeing Ci Xue's reaction, Paimon couldn't help but comment.
Zhongli: "…"
Well, people's constitutions varied.
Sometimes, the gap between individuals was wider than that between a human and a dog.
Hearing this, Qian Renxue descended from the air, her expression shifting as the tremors intensified.
If even Ci Xue called it a "big one," it had to be at least an 80,000-year spirit beast!
In a one-on-one fight, Ci Xue might not even be a match for an 80,000-year spirit beast!
At that level, spirit beasts could rival ordinary Title Douluos.
Those with powerful races or bloodlines—even at just 80,000 years—were beyond what most Title Douluos could handle.
If they encountered something like a Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear, a Titan Giant Ape, or a Dark Demon Evil God Tiger… the only option was to run!
Boom—
Boom…
The footsteps grew closer, gradually creating a sensation of "the earth shaking and mountains trembling."
Soon, the figure appeared before them.
It stood about eight meters tall—like a moving hill.
"T-Titan Giant Ape?!"
Ci Xue was stunned. The Titan Giant Ape was recorded in the Spirit Hall's archives!
This giant ape's aura was overwhelming—it definitely wasn't a newly advanced ten-thousand-year spirit beast.
"I'll have to get serious!"
"Humans…"
Just as Ci Xue steeled himself, the Titan Giant Ape spoke!
His entire body stiffened in shock as he stared blankly at the ape.
It had spoken!
Only spirit beasts with 100,000 years of cultivation could speak human language!
In other words, this was a 100,000-year spirit beast!
Even if it were just a few ten-thousand-year spirit beast, he might not be able to defeat it, let alone a 100,000-year one!
Swallowing hard, Ci Xue cupped his hands toward the Titan Giant Ape.
"Great Beast King, we meant no trespass into your territory. We'll leave immediately."
"Humans… die!"
Without another word, the Titan Giant Ape swung a massive fist straight at Ci Xue.
"Young lady, run!"
Ci Xue roared, instantly activating his spirit fusion. Never in his wildest dreams did he expect that hunting at the edge of the core region would attract a 100,000-year spirit beast!
The Titan Giant Ape—King of the Forest.
Its terrifying strength left Ci Xue no room for carelessness.
"It really started fighting!"
"Why won't this ape listen to Grandpa Ci Xue's explanation?!"
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 55 on my patreon, go check it out.