A solution? What solution could there be?
Apart from Tian Zhiqian, the expressions of the other five flickered, yet none spoke.
Ling Yunhe and Yang Chengji were the first to sense the strangeness of this Three-Headed Giant Ape. In truth, the aura of this giant ape was only at the seventh rank, not reaching the level of an eighth-rank Nascent Soul cultivator. Yet, whether it was Spiritual Qi or Demonic Qi, neither could inflict any damage on the giant ape. It was as the saying went—impervious to swords and spears.
After a brief silence, Tian Zhiqian shouted again, "Hurry! I can't hold on much longer!"
At that moment, the Three-Headed Giant Ape had already approached the six of them. One of its arms reached toward them. Fortunately, Tian Zhiqian's formation was there. With a "hum," a thin Spiritual Qi Shield appeared around the six, blocking the arm.
The giant ape blinked, seemingly confused about what had happened. Then, apart from the two arms on its back, its other four arms all swung over.
"Boom!" The Spiritual Qi Shield collided with the arms, emitting a heavy sound.
Accompanying this loud noise, Tian Zhiqian's face paled. He cried out, "No good! The force is too great! It can only withstand five more hits at most!"
Ling Yunhe urgently asked, "Brother Tian, isn't your protective formation capable of withstanding several attacks from a Nascent Soul cultivator? Why this time..."
Another attack came. Tian Zhiqian gasped, "That may be so, but this monster's power is bizarre, it defies normal reasoning..."
"What should we do?" There was no time for detailed questioning. Ling Yunhe turned to ask the others.
Among those present, each was usually a person of strong opinions. Yet this time, Ling Yunhe received no suggestions.
Yang Chengji's Ghost-Faced Banner had already been used, to no avail. Ling Yunhe's Crescent Jade Blade was still lying outside, unrecovered. Mo Tiange's Heaven-Earth Fan couldn't trap it. Tian Can, a martial cultivator, had actually been thrown aside by it. Among those present, apart from Tian Zhiqian who was maintaining the formation, only Ling Yunfei hadn't made a move. His flying sword didn't seem particularly special either. Since the others were at a loss, presumably he was the same.
All six of them could be considered outstanding among Core Formation cultivators. Yet facing this monster before them, they were utterly helpless.
"Boom!" Another attack.
The faces of the group turned ashen. Ling Yunfei hesitantly spoke, "What exactly is this thing? Spiritual Qi, Demonic Qi, sharp weapons—nothing can harm it. Is it truly impossible to inflict any damage?"
Ling Yunhe's expression was grave as he added, "It can't even be trapped by an illusion formation. Fellow Daoist Qin, is that not so?"
Mo Tiange was taken aback. She hadn't expected Ling Yunhe to notice this detail even in such a critical moment. She nodded, "Correct. My Magical Treasure can produce an illusion formation, but this monster remains unaffected."
Hearing this, the others' expressions turned even uglier.
Whether cultivating the immortal or demonic path, the methods of attack were limited to a few categories. First, spell attacks using energies like Spiritual Qi or Demonic Qi. Second, weapon attacks relying on the sharpness of Magical Treasures. Third, deceptive attacks like formations. The attacks by Ling Yunhe and Yang Chengji had proven the first method useless. Tian Can had proven the second. If Mo Tiange had proven the third, then they truly had no way to deal with this giant ape.
"Boom!" The Spiritual Qi Shield around the six of them shook, its glow dimming considerably. Tian Zhiqian looked strained, beads of sweat sliding down his face. This was already the third hit. His formation's shield could only withstand two more.
"Scatter!" In the next moment, Ling Yunhe decisively ordered. He glanced at the others and said urgently, "I will lure this monster away. You all return to the valley entrance. If I'm unharmed, I'll come find you."
"Second Brother!" Ling Yunfei was shocked. "Then you..."
The others also showed looks of astonishment. Given this giant ape's abilities, luring it alone would likely mean more danger than safety. Was Ling Yunhe sacrificing himself to save the others?
"Boom!" The fourth hit.
Ling Yunhe had no time to explain. He only hurriedly said, "Yunfei, protect Brother Tian."
"Boom!" The fifth hit. As the Spiritual Qi Shield met the giant ape's arm, a dazzling white light erupted. Then, the shield teetered precariously, holding for a few breaths before finally shattering and vanishing without a trace.
In that instant, Ling Yunhe's right hand shot out. The Crescent Jade Blade that had fallen to the ground flew back into his hand. With a flick of his wrist, the jade blade shot toward the giant ape, trailing a sharp strand of Spiritual Qi.
With a "shhh" sound, the jade blade cut through the aura surrounding the giant ape. Immediately after, the giant ape raised a hand, and the jade blade halted before its arm.
Gritting his teeth, Ling Yunhe formed a hand seal. A stream of Spiritual Qi poured into the jade blade, which then advanced another half-inch, touching the giant ape's knuckle.
"Woo!" The giant ape let out a long howl, viciously swinging its arm and once again flinging the jade blade away.
"Pfft!" Ling Yunhe spat out another mouthful of blood. But this time, he had no chance to regulate his breathing. Grabbing some pills from his robe, he stuffed them into his mouth. His figure then shot forward, and simultaneously, the jade blade flew back into his hand.
The giant ape clumsily turned, its gaze following Ling Yunhe. Finally, it took steps, chasing after Ling Yunhe.
As the others breathed a sigh of relief, they immediately scattered in all directions, each choosing a path to flee. Among them, Ling Yunfei consistently protected Tian Zhiqian, advancing and retreating together.
Mo Tiange also randomly chose a direction. Just as she had flown several dozen li, Feifei's voice sounded in her ear, "Master, I'm going to take a look."
Earlier, she hadn't fastened her spirit beast pouch properly. By the time it spoke, it had already jumped out and was running back.
"Feifei!" Mo Tiange halted, chasing after it. "What are you doing?"
"Master, don't move," Feifei turned, looking at her. "I won't be in danger, but if you go, it might be different."
"..." Watching Feifei turn again, its agile figure disappearing among the scattered rocks, Mo Tiange helplessly patted her head. How could she have forgotten? Feifei wasn't the Feifei of before. Now, it was her, the master, who was being looked down upon.
However, since Feifei said so, it probably wouldn't be in danger, right? Feifei could coexist peacefully with other spirit beasts, even ferocious ones. But this giant ape was clearly a monster. Who knew if it fell within the category of spirit beasts...
Thinking this, Mo Tiange hesitated for a moment, then still flew back, just slowing her speed.
When she returned to the original location, there was no one around. The others had already scattered to save themselves. Feifei and that giant ape were also nowhere to be seen.
Mo Tiange thought for a moment, set up a defensive formation around herself, and sat down cross-legged.
She trusted Feifei's abilities. Even if something happened, she was here and could provide some support.
After a while, the aura of a cultivator appeared around her again. The cultivation level should be at the middle stage of Core Formation.
A black figure flew closer and closer. It was Tian Can.
Seeing Mo Tiange, he hesitated before approaching. "Fellow Daoist Qin, you didn't leave?"
"..." Not knowing how to explain the current situation, Mo Tiange said, "No, I just returned. Why has Fellow Daoist Tian Can also come back?"
Tian Can looked around and said, "I waited for a long time, thought it might be safer, so came back to check. Fellow Daoist Qin, how long have you been back? What's the situation?"
Mo Tiange shook her head. "I haven't been back long. There's been no movement. I don't know what's going on."
Tian Can fell silent. After a moment, he also sat down beside her, waiting together.
The two sat cross-legged, waiting for a long time. At the edge of their spiritual sense, the aura of a cultivator appeared again.
This time, it was Yang Chengji who returned. His face was ashen, blood at the corner of his mouth, his steps unsteady. Seeing Mo Tiange and Tian Can, he was momentarily stunned, then narrowed his eyes, a flash of wariness within. "Why have you two fellow Daoists returned?"
"Didn't Fellow Daoist Yang also return?" Tian Can snorted, his attitude displeased.
Pricked by Tian Can's words, Yang Chengji's attitude actually softened. He said, "I encountered a sixth-rank demonic beast about a hundred li from here. Injured as I was, I could only barely manage to kill it. If I kept flying forward, who knows what other bizarre things I'd encounter, so I simply turned back."
No wonder he looked so disheveled. It seemed he had gone through another bitter battle.
Mo Tiange looked at Yang Chengji's condition and asked, "Is Fellow Daoist Yang's injury alright?"
Hearing her question, Yang Chengji glanced at her warily. "It's nothing serious. I just need to rest for a while."
Mo Tiange nodded. "Then Fellow Daoist Yang should take advantage of the relative safety now to rest for a bit."
Yang Chengji cautiously observed the two of them for a good while, until Tian Can impatiently said, "What are you afraid of? Killing you now wouldn't do us any good. Even if we got your Magical Treasures, it'd be pointless if we can't get out!"
Hearing this, Yang Chengji's expression improved somewhat. He nodded to Mo Tiange and sat down within her formation, swallowing pills to heal his injuries.
Mo Tiange watched, helplessly shaking her head before turning her gaze away. This Yang Chengji was even more suspicious than she was. When others spoke to him politely, he didn't dare trust them easily. When Tian Can treated him without courtesy, his suspicions actually faded.
The three of them sat for another half a day. There was still no movement. Neither Ling Yunhe returned, nor did the giant ape come back.
"Fellow Daoist Qin," Tian Can called out, "in your opinion, what's the current situation?"
Mo Tiange opened her eyes, pondered for a moment, and said, "No news is good news."
Tian Can was taken aback, then sighed and nodded.
She was right. In the current situation, if there was news, eighty percent of the time it wouldn't be good news—they had all witnessed the giant ape's abilities firsthand. Ling Yunhe luring it alone was definitely no match for it. Even if he could escape safely, it was impossible for him to be completely unscathed.
Thinking of this, all three fell into a daze.
They had all worried before that Ling Yunhe would turn on them afterward. They never expected that in the face of danger, he would be willing to draw the threat away. Did he have a secret method to escape, or was this person truly trustworthy?
After thinking it over for a while, Mo Tiange secretly sighed inwardly. The higher one's cultivation, the more cautious one became in handling matters, and the harder it was to believe in others' possible goodwill. When danger had struck earlier, if everyone had just fled for their lives, perhaps they wouldn't be so conflicted now. After all, although they were invited by Ling Yunhe, they had all received benefits. It was just a transaction, without any personal ties.
Of course, thinking of Feifei, Mo Tiange felt that Ling Yunhe was probably eighty percent still alive. But she also couldn't figure out what reason lay behind Ling Yunhe's decision.
In this world of cultivation, believing that others acted out of simple goodwill was far too difficult.