"Roar..."
The Lazy Giant Ape let out a low growl, its massive fangs bared in frustration. It hadn't expected that its powerful strike wouldn't even scratch Qian Renxue. A dangerous glint flashed across its enormous pupils.
Furious, the Lazy Giant Ape raised its palm again, intending to launch a surprise counterattack. But Qian Renxue saw through its move. Her first soul ring lit up as she shouted:
"First Soul Skill: Angel Assault!"
A brilliant yellow ring shone beneath her, and a golden aura surged to her fist. She struck forward, forming a radiant golden shield that smashed directly into the ape's palm. The beast immediately felt its soul power being suppressed—no, even dissolved! By the time it tried to react, it was too late.
Boom! Boom boom boom!
The Lazy Giant Ape's massive palm faltered and was knocked back. It was blasted away by Qian Renxue's power!
But Qian Renxue wasn't unscathed. The powerful outburst drained her instantly—her delicate figure trembled in midair and nearly fell.
By the time she stabilized herself, the Lazy Giant Ape had already recovered. Qian Renxue had just narrowly avoided its attack using her soul skill's unique properties, even suppressing the beast's energy temporarily. But even with this edge, she was close to exhaustion, while the ape remained virtually unharmed!
The pain it felt was minimal, but that was enough to enrage the Lazy Giant Ape.
What had it done to deserve this?
It had just woken up from a nap and wanted a meal. Normally, when other soul beasts saw it, they would flee. Even its father, back in the core region, never suffered when facing two rabbits, a giant snake, or a gorilla. So when had it, the Lazy Giant Ape, ever suffered such humiliation?
"ROAR!"
It might be lazy, but it was still a wild and fearsome soul beast. It couldn't possibly ignore Qian Renxue's provocation!
Boom! Boom boom boom!
Raising its other hand, the ape slammed down with terrifying force. The wind pressure alone flattened a section of forest!
Qian Renxue's face turned pale. Her second and third soul rings lit up, but her soul power was already more than half depleted!
Bang!
Her second soul skill, Wings of Nothingness, could fully block physical damage and even reduce energy damage by fifty percent. But this time, the ape's palm was infused with vast soul power. Even with the damage halved, the remaining force was enough to seriously injure her.
Like a cannonball, Qian Renxue crashed into the ground, sending up a cloud of dust!
A crater formed at the impact site. Were it not for her third soul skill's protection, she likely wouldn't even be able to stand. Even so, blood seeped from the corner of her lips, her face was deathly pale, and crimson spots dotted her snow-white wings.
Qian Renxue staggered to her feet, biting down on her silver teeth, her eyes filled with unyielding resolve.
Han Feng... he was the first person she had ever truly cared about. Maybe the last. She refused to let anything happen to him!
The Lazy Giant Ape was surprised to see Qian Renxue still alive, but its lazy nature prevented it from overthinking. Its simple, brute-force logic kicked in: If one punch isn't enough, try two. If two fail, make it three!
With that, it clenched its massive fist, preparing to strike again. It had no intention of sparing her just because she was beautiful!
But at that moment—despite appearing drained and beaten—Qian Renxue showed no panic. She gently placed a hand over the pendant on her chest. A faint golden light flickered.
The Lazy Giant Ape suddenly felt... uneasy.
Qian Renxue still had a trump card.
If not for Han Feng, she never would've used it. She would've rather died than reveal it. But now? She didn't want to die. Even if it meant bowing her head to Bibi Dong... she wanted to live!
"Sister Qian!"
Just as she was about to activate the secret life-saving technique given by Bibi Dong, a familiar voice echoed behind her.
Han Feng!
Startled, Qian Renxue froze. That split-second hesitation cost her the best chance to fight back!
---
Meanwhile, Han Feng had just finished absorbing his second soul ring. He hadn't even had time to gauge the strength of his soul power when he saw Qian Renxue—battered and barely standing in a crater, her snowy wings tainted with blood—being overshadowed by a giant figure.
A mountain-sized shadow loomed over her. A fist the size of a building descended from the sky!
Han Feng's eyes turned bloodshot with rage.
To Qian Renxue, Han Feng was her guiding light. To Han Feng, Qian Renxue was his first true friend.
As her fragile figure was about to be crushed beneath that monstrous fist, Han Feng didn't even know where his courage came from. He roared in defiance.
"Second Soul Skill: Fixed Point Guard!"
"First Soul Skill: Shield of Life!"
In a flash, his body was engulfed in crimson flames. Two yellow soul rings glowed brightly. Even his hair turned a fiery red!
"Whoosh!"
In the next moment, Han Feng appeared in front of Qian Renxue.
To her astonishment, a small figure stood between her and the enormous beast. A blazing red shield materialized before them, and her cold, drained body suddenly felt warm—whether from the fire or something else, she didn't know.
"Xiaofeng! Get out of the way!"
BOOM!!
Qian Renxue screamed, reaching out with a trembling hand to pull him away. But it was too late.
The Lazy Giant Ape's fist slammed into the crimson shield!
Han Feng was incredibly lucky.
Although the ape was powerful, it lacked the concept of "all-out effort." Its blow, while fierce, hadn't reached the level of a Soul Emperor. That was just enough for Shield of Life to trigger—a 25% chance of completely negating the attack!
To Qian Renxue's shock, the blow was actually blocked!
The fiery crimson shield, though thin, held firm against the giant's terrifying punch.
But Han Feng wasn't in good shape.
Even though the shield absorbed the impact, the force was still immense. The ape's fist was bigger than both of them combined. The sheer pressure forced Han Feng backward.
Clenching his teeth, he resisted with all his might. But he was still just an eight-year-old child, even if he was a Soul Grandmaster. How could he hold on?
Realizing Han Feng's struggle, Qian Renxue pressed both palms to his back, channeling what little soul power she had left into him.
Still... it wasn't enough!
"Aaaahhh... ROAR!!"
With a desperate roar, Han Feng's willpower surged.
Amidst the chaos, an external soul bone awakened—a bone-white, eerie bull-headed mask appeared on Han Feng's head!
His power and soul energy rose again.
A fierce and violent aura erupted from the mask. Han Feng's pupils turned blood-red. Not only did he stop the ape's force, he also gathered dark red energy between the mask's horns.
As the pressure lifted—
ZAP!
A crimson beam of energy shot forward—King's Hollow Flash!
The laser pierced through the Blazing Heaven Shield, aiming directly at the Lazy Giant Ape's eyes!
The ape instinctively tilted its head, dodging at the last second. The beam grazed its cheek, leaving a thin cut!
Qian Renxue's eyes widened in awe.
Han Feng had not only blocked the beast's attack—he had fought back!