Nie Li’s arrows flew with incredible speed, striking the gigantic Blue Arm Ape with precision, causing it to roar in pain.
The poison from the Violet Orchid Grass was more than these creatures could bear.
Chen Linjian and the Silver rankers drew their swords and attacked fiercely.
Blood sprayed everywhere, staining Chen Linjian and the others in crimson as they fought on.
Nie Li understood that this was merely a test by the spirit-ranked Blue Arm Ape.
Such creatures had astonishing intelligence and formidable strength.
Nie Li felt a bit uneasy, knowing that in his previous life, Ye Ziyun and her party hadn't encountered spirit-ranked demon beasts during their exploration of the Ancient Orchid City Ruins.
He concentrated on refining his dantian with the soul force seized from Chu Yuan.
If he could reach Bronze two-star, things might be safer.
“We need to lead it toward that stone fortress!” Nie Li shouted.
The fortress had strong defenses, which they could use to their advantage against this spirit-ranked Blue Arm Ape.
With a thunderous roar, the Blue Arm Ape charged, swinging its massive arms toward one of Chen Linjian’s men.
With a loud smack, the unlucky man was thrown into the air, hitting a large tree violently before collapsing, coughing up blood, with little hope left for survival.
Even though he was a Silver two-star rank, the sheer power of the spirit-ranked Blue Arm Ape was terrifying.
This kind of threat left the others pale with fear, unaccustomed to such intense battles.
The Blue Arm Ape didn’t immediately attack further.
It prowled around, eyes scanning for the next opportunity to strike.
“This beast is too strong,” Nie Li said, frowning. “It leads the Blue Arm Ape tribe, and its roars will attract more. We're too large a target; we need to split up!”
Chen Linjian nodded, “Alright, let's break into six groups and regroup at the fortress!”
The group quickly scattered into different directions.
Nie Li, Hu Yanruolan, Ye Ziyun, and a couple of attendants along with a girl familiar to Ye Ziyun, ran together.
Separated into different directions and speeds, six teams darted away, while the Blue Arm Ape narrowed its attention on Nie Li and his group.
Nie Li laughed bitterly.
Out of all six groups, it had decided to chase theirs!
“Go on ahead, quickly!” Nie Li barked, taking out several bottles of potions made from Violet Orchid Grass from his Spatial Ring.
Ye Ziyun hesitated, watching his back as he faced the Blue Arm Ape.
Her heartstrings tugged.
Hu Yanruolan's eyes reddened with emotion.
Here, in this perilous moment, Nie Li didn’t think about saving himself.
He wanted to protect them.
“Go!” Nie Li roared, “Don’t worry about me. I’ll manage. Split up, or none of us will make it!”
Ye Ziyun and Hu Yanruolan exchanged glances, blinking back tears.
After a moment’s pause, they rushed into the forest, their expressions fraught with worry.
The Blue Arm Ape lunged at Nie Li, its massive hand sweeping down.
Nie Li rolled just in time to avoid the strike.
The ground shattered where he’d been standing moments ago, stones flying about, cutting his arm as blood flowed.
The Blue Arm Ape pounded its chest, readying another crushing blow at Nie Li.
Nie Li's eyebrows twitched.
Knowing its weakness, he summoned his soul force, detecting the demon spirit housed in the Blue Arm Ape’s mind.
Its soul force protected its head like a dome.
“Break!” Nie Li roared, focusing his soul force into a spear, plunging it into the Blue Arm Ape’s head.
The creature’s demon spirit tremored violently, halting its movements.
Realizing he wasn’t its match, Nie Li knew his bronze two-star strength was inadequate to kill it directly.
But by using soul force, he had a chance.
As the Blue Arm Ape staggered, Nie Li turned and fled into the dense forest.
Shaking its head to clear the confusion from Nie Li's soul attack, the Blue Arm Ape began its chase anew, rampaging through the trees.
Nie Li sprinted, drawing closer to escape when he collided with a group of black-robed figures in the forest.
These shadowy figures, faces obscured save for their chins, bore intimidating dark motifs on their robes.
They seemed startled to see a child here, caught in the chase with the Blue Arm Ape’s roars drawing them in.
Nie Li recognized them instantly – the vile Dark Guild!
“That kid’s with those nobles, catch him!” the leader ordered.
Several closed in on Nie Li.
Nie Li's face lit with a mischievous grin.
The ground trembled as the Blue Arm Ape burst forth from the woods, targeting Nie Li.
Nie Li charged toward the black-robed figures.
The massive Blue Arm Ape, mistaking them for Nie Li’s allies, roared furiously and leapt.
Nie Li dodged aside, narrowly escaping.
The beast’s strike left his back stinging.
The Blue Arm Ape tumbled among the dark figures.
“Kill it!” ordered the leader coldly, as they engaged the beast fiercely.
Watching the fierce battle unfold, Nie Li sighed in relief and chuckled, “I’ve got a gift for you. I'm off!” Injured but undeterred, he sprinted back into the forest.
The fierce Blue Arm Ape clashed with the Dark Guild, ensuring they wouldn’t pursue Nie Li soon.
Furious, the leader fumed.
To be tricked by a mere child was unthinkable.
Meanwhile, Nie Li searched the forest for Ye Ziyun.
Anxious, he hoped she hadn’t run into trouble.
Then, through the trees, Ye Ziyun emerged.
“What are you still doing here?” Nie Li questioned, wondering why she hadn’t left as instructed.
“I couldn't abandon you! I stayed to help,” Ye Ziyun admitted, her face showing concern for his injuries.
Nie Li knew Ye Ziyun’s feelings were yet innocent, but her gesture meant the world.
Her actions reminded him of their past life when, during calamity, she had risked herself to save him.
She was noble, and it had moved Nie Li deeply then.
“We should hurry,” Nie Li advised, “Those people might follow.”
“Who?” Ye Ziyun asked.
“The Dark Guild. They’ll handle the Blue Arm Ape for now,” Nie Li explained, pulling her along.
Running through the dense woods, Ye Ziyun, her face flushed, struggled to keep up with Nie Li's brisk pace.
Despite attempting to pull away, his grip held firm.
Meanwhile, she secretly wondered about the unfamiliar warmth of his hand.
Fleeing through the woods, they headed for the rendezvous point.
As night fell, animal cries chilled the air, adding an eerie atmosphere to the forest.
Elsewhere, Hu Yanruolan cried quietly.
After hours of searching, she found no trace of Nie Li.
The dimming light left them with no choice but to head for the agreed spot, saddened and resigned.
Once, she had wanted to best Nie Li, but his selflessness changed that.
Now, her only wish was for his safety, blotting Ye Ziyun from her thoughts.
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