Chapter Twenty-One: The Iron-Black Giant Ape

Yang Qing did not resist in the slightest—she couldn't afford to. At such a critical moment, even wasting a single minute could mean the entire team would be wiped out.

Behind them, the ironclad rhinoceros herd had already come clearly into view of the Gale Squad. Their towering, burly bodies looked like gray hills, so intimidating that just the sight of them inspired dread. Each of their eyes, as large as an adult’s fist, was shot through with crimson veins, radiating a bloodthirsty hunger as if they could devour anyone in their path. Especially that single upright horn—like a sharp sword—one could imagine that even a slight thrust would pierce a person clean through.

The sound of their charge grew ever louder, like thunder rolling across flat ground, shaking the very air and making one’s eardrums ache. Their intermittent roars were enough to chill the heart.

Yang Qing’s legs had gone weak.

“Brother Li, do you think we still have a chance to live?”

“Don't be afraid, I’m here.”

Whether they would survive, or how many of them would, even Li Bofeng didn’t know. But he was the captain of the Gale Squad—he could not show a hint of despair.

“But what about Brother Luo?” Yang Qing glanced back, her trembling gaze fixed on the valley that seemed to shrink with every moment. Her heart shuddered. If the ironclad rhinoceroses hadn’t noticed Luo Tian, that would be fine, but if he were caught, the consequences would be unimaginable.

It’s all my fault. I’m the one who got Brother Luo into this.

Yang Qing’s face darkened with regret.

“Let him fend for himself,” Li Bofeng replied, betraying no emotion for Luo Tian. From a pragmatic point of view, giving up a newly initiated outer disciple at the Qi Condensation stage would do no harm to the team—perhaps even benefit them. Of course, such thoughts could not be voiced to Yang Qing; those who understood would understand, those who didn’t would never see the sense in it.

The captain’s choice was indeed wise. The Zhao brothers exchanged glances, their thoughts aligned, and nodded subtly in agreement.

As soon as Luo Tian entered the valley, he took in its entirety at a glance. Though he hadn’t spoken much with Yang Qing, he had inquired about some common demonic beasts. Now, faced with what lay ahead, bitterness welled up in his mouth.

The Black Iron Giant Ape.

Even among the early second-tier demonic beasts, this one was especially fierce and difficult to provoke—immense strength, massive build, and formidable defenses. Even someone as powerful as Li Bofeng, who had reached the mid-stage of Qi Condensation, could not guarantee its defeat. If it had any weaknesses, they were its eyes and mouth, where its hide did not cover, and its somewhat sluggish movement and turning speed. Yet, these flaws were small comfort—no one wished to cross paths with a Black Iron Giant Ape.

Besides, it wasn’t worth much dead.

But for Luo Tian, survival was the only thing that mattered.

Outside, the rumbling of the ironclad rhinoceroses was so close it felt like thunder in his ears. Stealing a glance, Luo Tian’s legs nearly buckled; the nearest of the beasts was only a few dozen meters from the valley. If he dared show himself, the grisly fate that awaited him would be far worse than anything the Black Iron Giant Ape could inflict.

It was fortunate this valley was not on the main path. Judging by the stampede, these beasts would rather trample everything in their way than make a detour.

Luo Tian clenched his fists.

Hold on.

He needed only to survive the Black Iron Giant Ape for a short while—once the herd had thundered past, he’d have a chance to escape.

He took a few steps forward, giving himself some room to dodge. Then, he fixed his gaze on the approaching Black Iron Giant Ape, its face fierce and murderous.

The ape reared up, towering over four meters tall. The metallic sheen of its muscles caught the light, dazzling and ominous. Every movement exuded raw power. It pounded its chest with its fists, the sound ringing out with a metallic clang.

He’d only crossed over two years ago, had yet to unravel the secrets of his divine sight, hadn’t even gotten used to being called “senior brother”—and now, death was already at his door?

Luo Tian took a deep breath and surveyed the terrain again.

Perhaps the ape’s massive size could be turned to his advantage, and the valley’s slope was not too steep—but climbing was out of the question unless he was desperate, lest he become a sitting target.

Before Luo Tian could devise a plan, the Black Iron Giant Ape grew impatient and charged. Demonic beasts were fiercely territorial; any intruder would be beaten to death without mercy.

What’s more—

The ape sniffed the lingering fragrance behind it, rage flaring—this hateful human was surely after its treasure!

Kill him!

Its massive steps made the ground tremble, the vibrations traveling to Luo Tian’s feet. Forcing himself to stay calm, Luo Tian screamed inwardly—Stay calm!

With a thunderous roar, the Black Iron Giant Ape swung a massive palm down at Luo Tian. If it hit, he’d be flattened into a bloody smear, a mere garnish for the ape’s dinner.

Damn it!

Luo Tian didn’t have time to hesitate; he rolled forward, slipping between the ape’s legs.

One day, when I make it big, I’ll cut this beast into pieces and avenge today’s humiliation!

Scoundrel!

He scrambled to his feet and put some distance between himself and the ape, aiming for the opposite cliff. At the same time, he activated his divine sight—not that it would guarantee victory, but at least he could anticipate the ape’s moves and prepare to evade.

Just then, a dense cluster of vital energy caught Luo Tian’s attention.

It was a short fruit tree—so small that even compared to the slender Luo Tian, it looked like a miniature. Barely a meter high, the tree had a single black trunk, at the tip of which hung a crimson fruit the size of a longan, glistening like a clotted drop of blood, vibrant and full of life.

This strange sight filled Luo Tian with curiosity—what was it?

Had the trunk not been covered in mysterious, intricate patterns and several prominent nodes, Luo Tian might have mistaken it for a sturdy weed.

Without his divine sight, even standing right before it, Luo Tian would not have sensed anything unusual within.

A furious roar erupted—the Black Iron Giant Ape, having failed to land a blow, was even angrier now. It turned with a bellow, ready to pounce again.

Hearing the noise, Luo Tian looked up quickly, but then noticed something else.

The solid, rugged cliff before him, under the gaze of his divine sight—

Was utterly empty.