Chapter 132: At Last Exposed, the Old Monkey's Resolve!

"Words without trust?"

Seeing the girl staring at him in shock, Fang Xu slowly opened his mouth to speak.

"Who… who said I lack trust!" The girl pouted and muttered: "Boring…"

"Come on, I'll take you there."

As she spoke, she grabbed Fang Xu's arm in one swift motion, bypassed the long line ahead, and headed straight for the checkpoint.

"Line up at the back!"

The martial artists at the checkpoint, upon seeing someone approaching, immediately drew their waist weapons and shouted in rebuke.

"You blind dogs!"

The girl angrily scolded while holding up the black jade token.

Several martial artists, upon seeing the token, were slightly startled, then their attitudes did a complete 180-degree turn!

Hurriedly sheathing their weapons, they slightly clasped their hands and said: "Greetings, Princess Linglong."

"The current Emperor Yu is this princess's grandfather, her father is the Great Prince of Yu State, and Yu State is the Yu State of the Li family!"

"Alright, let's go."

As they walked toward the next checkpoint, Li Linglong fumed on the side.

It was somewhat hard to understand what this lofty princess of the Yu Dynasty was thinking inside.

"Rules?"

"But these two…"

Facing the questioning, the martial artist's expression turned somewhat grim: "This… there isn't any."

Li Linglong brandished the long sword in her hand and snarled: "Any blind fool who dares to block me, this princess will surely turn him into a sieve!"

"Dare to lay hands on this princess!"

"They are this princess's lifesavers!"

Fang Xu's expression turned strange.

"The rules of Yu State can only be set by my Li family!"

He hadn't expected that his casual act back then would actually save a princess of Yu State, and that she would today help him so greatly.

Li Linglong turned around arrogantly and said: "How so? Not like it?"

"Whose rules!?"

"Move aside!"

"Good!"

"Princess, thank you this time." Fang Xu slightly clasped his hands and said.

Leading Fang Xu and the Old Monkey, furious and charging, they stormed into the next checkpoint; the martial artists guarding here seemed to have already received notice, dared not block them, and simply let them pass.

With this girl leading the way, perhaps I can truly enter Huayang Mountain before the Insect Pill fails.

That martial artist flashed sideways to block the path again, reached out to stop her, and said: "All major clans have issued orders—anyone wishing to enter Huayang Mountain must undergo inspection according to the rules..."

Clang!

Suddenly drawing her ornate long sword from her waist, Li Linglong pointed her sword at the martial artist and said: "If you don't move aside, this princess will kill you!"

"You lot set up checkpoints here to intercept martial artists wishing to take the Immortal Ascension Assembly entrance exam—do you have the Holy Edict of your Royal Grandfather!?"

Li Linglong reached out again to shove this martial artist aside.

"Enough! Enough!" Li Linglong flicked her hand dismissively, smiling playfully: "This princess still prefers your previous unruly, mischievous little demon king demeanor."

"Princess!"

Facing the sharp long sword, this martial artist who had reached the Eighth Level of Warrior dared not resist in the slightest.

Upon hearing her words, the martial artist glanced awkwardly at Fang Xu and the Old Monkey beside Li Linglong and said: "If the princess wishes to pass, I naturally dare not block her."

Facing Li Linglong's shove, this time the other party's body remained utterly unmoving—instead, Li Linglong herself was shaken back several steps by a recoil force, nearly falling over.

Seeing this martial artist still trying to block, Li Linglong felt humiliated, violently shoved him aside, grabbed Fang Xu, and prepared to cross the checkpoint and head forward.

As Li Linglong pressed forward step by step, he could only keep retreating until the three had passed the checkpoint and disappeared into the distance; only then did his face darken as he watched their backs, turned, and left the checkpoint.

"When I turn back, I'll have my Royal Grandfather properly teach a lesson to these arrogant fellows!"

"Truly getting more and more arrogant!"

"Tuoba Xiong pays respects to Princess Linglong."

Li Linglong arrogantly put away her token and said coolly: "This princess wishes to pass—make way quickly!"

"You're the princess of Yu State?" Behind them, Fang Xu curiously asked.

Seeing the three approaching swiftly, several figures stepped forward to block their path.

"Get lost!"

Fang Xu gave an embarrassed smile and said nothing.

The three proceeded without obstruction until they reached the final checkpoint, fifty li from Huayang Mountain.

"Then what rules did you and this princess speak of!?"

"Lü Sheng pays respects to Princess Linglong."

"We pay respects to Princess Linglong!"

Seeing the crowd blocking their path ahead, Li Linglong's expression shifted slightly, somewhat helplessly sheathed her long sword, bowed slightly, and said: "Linglong greets the two uncles."

As the daughter of the Great Prince and princess of Yu State, Li Linglong could act arrogantly toward other martial artists of the great clans, but facing Lü Sheng and Tuoba Xiong, the clan heads, she still had to restrain herself.

After all, even if her father saw these people, he would have to treat them with respect.

"Hehe… Princess, you've suffered injustice all along the way."

Lü Sheng chuckled hehe, and as he spoke, his gaze slowly swept over Fang Xu and the Old Monkey.

Facing his gaze, Fang Xu felt a little nervous.

The effects of the Gu Dan were wearing off, and he didn't know if he could still hide from the inspection of the head of the Lu family before him.

"Are you Hulutu?"

"I once had a few encounters with your elder brother Hulule; I don't know how he is now."

Lu Shengren has seen Hulule!?

Fang Xu's heart tightened; he didn't know whether this matter was true or not.

"My elder brother has already passed away."

Fang Xu said with clasped hands.

"Hulule is already dead!?" Lu Shengren's expression was very surprised, then he sighed: "What a pity."

"Your brother's spear skills still leave a deep impression on me; I originally planned to wait until I had time to visit the grasslands and exchange techniques with your brother, but I didn't expect that old friends are no more..."

Fang Xu said nothing.

Lu Shengren looked at the head of the Tuoba family, Tuoba Xiong, beside him and said: "Lu remembers that Princess Yan Yang, before marrying into the Tuoba family, greatly admired Princess Linglong."

"Tuoba brother, you should still take Princess Linglong to see Princess Yan Yang."

Hearing this, Li Linglong showed a hint of surprise on her face: "Aunt is also here!?"

Tuoba Xiong was slightly stunned, then grinned: "That's right, your uncle went to the ruins of Tilan Mountain a few days ago and hasn't returned yet; I happen to be coming to Zhongzhou, so she came along, saying she hasn't seen the princess and the various young masters in years and wants to pay a visit."

Upon hearing this, Li Linglong hurriedly said: "I also haven't seen my aunt for nearly ten years."

"In that case, Princess Linglong, please this way." Tuoba Xiong slightly clasped his hands and was about to take Li Linglong away.

"Hey, I'm going to see my aunt; you guys go to Huayang Mountain yourselves, I'll come find you later." Li Linglong shouted at Fang Xu, then followed Tuoba Xiong away from this place.

Watching Li Linglong's back, Fang Xu slowly turned his head and exchanged a glance with the old ape, his face solemn as he nodded slightly.

I've been exposed!

Lu Shengren had Tuoba Xiong take Li Linglong away, fearing that if they started fighting later, he might accidentally injure her, or perhaps worried that he would later use her as a hostage.

As for the reason of exposure, Fang Xu carefully recalled and thought it should have been the conversation just now.

"I cannot help but admire you." Seeing Li Linglong and Tuoba Xiong already gone, Lu Shengren slowly turned around, stared at Fang Xu, and said with a light smile: "From Tilan Mountain to Zhongzhou, our several great families and the various forces of Yu State have almost exhausted all their strength, laying nets of heaven and earth along the way."

"I didn't expect that you still managed to escape and come here."

Not rushing to act, Lu Shengren stood with his hands behind his back, in the posture of a victor, and said lightly: "Do you want to know how you were exposed?"

Fang Xu gave a slight smile: "I'm all ears."

Lu Shengren smiled and said: "Among the guards escorting Princess Linglong to Liangzhou, there are people from my Lu family."

"According to him, the person who rescued the princess that day was skilled in using a long staff."

"Also, I have never seen Hulule, but I know he is skilled in using double blades, not spear techniques."

"Fang Xu, tell me your first-rank martial art, and as the head of the Lu family, I will guarantee your safety."

A flicker of hard-to-conceal greed flashed in Lu Shengren's eyes as he spoke slowly.

Upon hearing this, Fang Xu sneered coldly in his heart.

He didn't believe a single word of what Lu Shengren said!

Let alone that he couldn't explain the Three Transformations of the Magic Ape; even if he could, he wouldn't tell Lu Shengren.

Once he spoke, the moment Lu Shengren obtained the martial art, he would strike and kill him.

Afterward, he would tell other families and forces that he died resisting, that Lu Shengren accidentally killed him, and that the Lu family never obtained the so-called first-rank martial art.

"Yuan Bo?"

Turning his head to look at the old ape, Fang Xu shouted with a questioning tone.

The old ape slightly nodded, and suddenly a terrifying aura burst from his body!

The next moment, his figure instantly vanished, and when he reappeared, a huge fist fiercely smashed toward Lu Shengren's head!

The sudden change made Lu Shengren's expression change drastically; as he dodged backward, he continuously slapped out waves of force like clouds and mist!

The Lu family's Yunbo Jin!

Like waves, one force after another surged toward the old ape's fist, instantly resolving that domineering fist force!

"You are!?"

Having dodged this deadly blow, Lu Shengren looked at the old ape with a solemn expression.

He never expected that Fang Xu would be accompanied by a martial venerable of such terrifying strength!

From the old ape's movements and fist force just now, Lu Shengren could clearly feel that this old man's strength was slightly superior to his own!

"Kid, you go first!"

After forcing Lu Shengren back with one strike, the old ape immediately turned his head and shouted at Fang Xu, then lunged forward again!

Fang Xu hesitated not at all, directly flashing his body and rushing toward the distant Huayang Mountain!

In a battle of martial venerable level, he could not help at all; staying here would only drag the old ape down.

The old ape himself had exhausted his qi and blood, and the battle could not last long; he could not waste precious time.

"Want to run!?"

Seeing Fang Xu trying to flee, Lu Shengren did not continue fighting the old ape, but immediately flew toward Fang Xu!

Swish!

As Fang Xu ran, a flash of light appeared in his hand, and a black short spear instantly materialized!

Facing Lu Shengren, who came flying like an eagle hunting, he directly flung it out!

The sharp short spear, carrying an extremely terrifying force, pierced the air with explosive sounds, flying toward Lu Shengren in midair!

Lu Shengren was startled; in midair, he continuously slapped out palms, shattering that short spear!

But it was just this delay that allowed the old ape to rush in again, entangling him.

"Catch that kid!"

Entangled by the old ape, Lü Shengren let out a loud shout!

The clan warriors at the last checkpoint all rushed toward Fang Xu!

Most of these warriors were at the Martial Master realm, and many had already reached the ninth level of Martial Master or even Martial Master Great Perfection!

Nearly a hundred Martial Masters charged, and in the blink of an eye, they surrounded Fang Xu!

Seeing this, the old ape let out an explosive shout!

His aura surged again, his body could no longer maintain human form, and he directly revealed his true form as the Earthfiend Magic Ape!

"Roar!"

After revealing his true form, the old ape emitted overwhelming killing intent from his body, one punch sent Lü Shengren flying, and his massive body leapt straight to Fang Xu's side!

"Kid, old man will send you on your way!"

The old ape who entered the encirclement grabbed Fang Xu's body with one hand, violently swung, and directly flung Fang Xu away!

The surrounding Martial Masters, seeing this, still wanted to pursue.

But how could the old ape fulfill their wishes? His terrifying figure rampaged wildly among the martial artists!

Facing the old ape at this moment, these Martial Master-level warriors had no room to resist whatsoever, each one like fragile tiles and pottery, sent flying by a random punch or kick from the old ape!

Some Martial Masters even thought of distancing themselves from the old ape's body, using external energy projection to wear him down from afar, unaware how laughable this petty thought was to the old ape, whose strength had once neared the peak of Martial Sovereign!

Seeing not far away, martial artists slashing blade and sword lights at him, the old ape's mouth curled into a cruel smile, and his massive palm slapped directly forward!

Whoosh!

At this moment, the energy of heaven and earth rapidly condensed, a colossal palm phantom stretching ten zhang long accompanied the old ape's motion, and came crashing down from midair!

Several martial artists who had slashed sword and blade lights had no chance to resist, and were instantly slapped into a pile of mud!

"Beast!"

"Your opponent is me!"

Behind him, Lü Shengren's figure shot forward explosively!

Before he even arrived, wave after wave of energy like mist and water surged toward the old ape like a tide!

"Brother Lü, I come to assist you!"

At the same time, a rough voice sounded—Tuarba Xiong, who had just left, now also came charging from afar!

Two Martial Sovereign Seventh Level martial artists simultaneously launched an attack on the old ape!

A flicker of solemnity passed through the old ape's eyes.

If I were at my peak, two petty Martial Sovereign Seventh Level martial artists could be slain backhanded!

But now, my Blood Qi Power is exhausted, my strength is nothing like before.

Moreover, having previously forced a human form, I had already drained my potential, and now my Blood Qi Power is rapidly depleting with each move I make.

Facing the combined attack of two Martial Sovereign Seventh Level martial artists, the old ape felt he could at most endure for fifteen minutes.

However...

Seeing Fang Xu racing swiftly toward Huayang Mountain, the old ape knew, fifteen minutes would be enough.

"Kid, coming to the mortal realm once, old man is quite happy."

"From now on, your path is yours to walk."

After smiling at Fang Xu's back, the old ape immediately turned, roared at the charging Tuarba Xiong and Lü Shengren, and his murderous aura actually manifested as substance, forming crimson mist that flowed across his body surface.

His massive body leapt forward, like Mount Tai pressing down, and smashed straight toward Lü Shengren!

Seeing this, Lü Shengren dared not be careless; after rapidly descending, he sent wave after wave of water-like energy pushing at the old ape in midair!

Tuarba Xiong had also closed in, and with a fierce swing of his horse-slaying saber, he unleashed two substance-like blade lights, slashing at the old ape's flank!

Boom!

The old ape's body suddenly plummeted!

While dodging the two blade lights, he threw a punch straight at Lü Shengren before him!

The massive fist swelled with the wind, and by the time it neared Lü Shengren, it had already reached nearly three zhang!

Lü Shengren wanted to dodge, but suddenly noticed the Lü and Tuarba family warriors behind him, his expression changed slightly!

If I dodge this punch, the family warriors behind me will surely be blown to death on the spot by this terrifying blow!

Even if I obtain a top-tier martial technique, what use is it if my family is all dead?

Gritting his teeth, Lü Shengren continuously blasted out waves of water-like energy while simultaneously performing a secret technique he had never used before!

His Blood Qi Power surged, and frost began to slowly appear on his body surface!

After the frost appeared, it instantly condensed into a suit of ice armor on his body surface!

Boom!

The massive fist shattered the water ripples like rotting wood, and directly struck Lü Shengren's body!

Crack!

The frost armor on his body surface emitted a crisp sound, and soon large cracks appeared across it.

Fortunately, it ultimately still blocked this punch!

Seeing this, the old ape felt a slight disappointment.

If I were at my peak, this punch would absolutely have blown this Lü family Martial Sovereign to pieces on the spot!

Seeing Lü Shengren with traces of blood at the corner of his mouth, the old ape also didn't bother with Tuarba Xiong nearby, preparing to first cripple one before speaking further!

Violent power erupted, his form like a cannonball fresh from the barrel, the old ape charged again at Lü Shengren!

At this moment, Lü Shengren was also extremely irritable.

He and Tuarba Xiong had joined forces in attack, but this damned old ape insisted on focusing solely on him!

If this continues, and I unfortunately die, then by the time it happens, my first-rank martial technique will have been cheaply given to others for nothing?

"Tuoba brother!"

Lu Shengren let out a great shout, his body instantly rushing toward Tuoba Xiong!

Speaking of Tuoba Xiong, I don't know if he is truly simple and honest, or just brainless; seeing Lu Shengren rush over, he actually accelerated his charge toward the old ape, trying to buy time for Lu Shengren.

Violent blade lights flew out one after another, plowing terrifying cracks into the surrounding earth!

Tuoba Xiong roared wildly, continuously charging at the old ape!

Lu Shengren gained a slight chance to catch his breath, adjusted the surging Blood Qi within his body, his expression shifting several times, then followed Tuoba Xiong in charging again.

The two joined forces, and for a time they fought the old ape to a standstill, neither able to gain the upper hand.

Feeling the Blood Qi Power within his body nearly exhausted, the old ape knew he could not hold on much longer.

Boom!

A punch shattered the blade light lunging straight at his face, yet the old ape was struck by Lu Shengren's strange Cloud Wave Force, his body instantly flung backward dozens of zhang!

Though this strange martial art, Cloud Wave Force, lacks strong explosive power, it is like a tide, wave after wave.

If struck by it and not dodging in time, the increasingly powerful follow-up attacks will cause instant severe injury.

"This beast's aura is weakening!"

After jointly repelling the old ape, Lu Shengren suddenly noticed the old ape's aura showed a trace of decline.

"I understand!"

"This beast is the Earth Evil Magic Ape that broke my father's legs back then!"

Lu Shengren seemed to suddenly recall something, sneering as he spoke: "Old fogey, back then I was taught a lesson by my grandfather, couldn't beat him, so I took it out on my father."

"You have your day today too!"

"Tuoba brother, this old fogey bears a grudge against my Lu family; later, do not kill him directly—I want to take him to Qingzhou and slowly torture him to avenge my father's broken legs."

Lu Shengren said fiercely.

"No problem."

Tuoba Xiong gave a light smile; although an awakened demon beast is precious, compared to a first-rank martial technique, it amounts to nothing.

The old ape steadied his retreating form, just about to charge again, when a faint weakness spread from within, causing his face to slightly change.

In the end, could he not even hold on for a quarter of an hour?

"Little..."

Just as he was preparing to turn and see if Fang Xu had successfully reached Huayang Mountain, the old ape saw a figure swiftly flying toward him!

"Stupid brat!"

"You..."

"Ape Uncle, I'm not at ease with you." Fang Xu flew to the old ape's side, looked up at his somewhat weary face, and smiled.

Meeting Fang Xu's sincere gaze, the old ape grinned, then immediately put on a stern face: "You brat, how can you be so insensible!"

"I risked my life to buy you time, why do you still come back to throw away your life!?"

"Hurry up and leave!"

Saying this, he immediately moved to grab Fang Xu and throw him away.

"Ape Uncle!"

Stopping the old ape, Fang Xu said solemnly: "In this world between heaven and earth, one must have things to do and things not to do."

"You accompanied this brat all the way from the depths of Tilan Mountain, downstream, across the Mu Yun Grassland, stormed Liangzhou City, and crossed the perilous Sea of Death..."

"In this brat's heart, you are his elder, his closest kin."

Gently stroking the old ape's massive palm, Fang Xu turned his head to look at Lu Shengren and Tuoba Xiong: "Want a first-rank martial technique?"

"Come on."

Tuoba Xiong and Lu Shengren exchanged a glance, then directly charged at Fang Xu and the old ape.

"Ape Uncle, this is for you."

Fang Xu's hand flashed with light, revealing several porcelain bottles filled with medicinal pills.

These bottles contained fourth-rank Blood Qi Pills, fourth-rank Yuan Nourishing Pills, and fourth-rank Essence Yuan Pills, among others.

Blood Qi Pills replenish Blood Qi, Essence Yuan Pills replenish expended energy, and Yuan Nourishing Pills are naturally used for healing injuries.

The old ape glanced at those bottles, grabbed them all, and dumped the pills into his mouth like eating beans!

A massive surge of medicinal power instantly spread through his body!

The Blood Qi Power that was about to exhaust was instantly replenished to full after receiving a large dose of fourth-rank Blood Qi Pills.

The old ape's aura instantly returned to its peak in the blink of an eye!

"Lu brother, this beast cannot sustain itself long with medicinal pills; we should not clash head-on first, but delay it!"

The Blood Qi Power brought by the Blood Qi Pill is not one's own original power; while maintaining one's Blood Qi, it also dissipates rapidly.

The old ape himself understands this; after swallowing a large amount of Blood Qi Pills, he directly charged at the two.

But the two had already decided to wear him down, so they did not engage, instead relying on speed to circle around Fang Xu, occasionally striking at him to draw the old ape's attention.

Seeing through their plan, Fang Xu shouted: "Ape Uncle, I will hold one of them off for you later—quickly disable the other!"

The old ape nodded; though he did not know what method Fang Xu had to hold off a seventh-rank Martial Lord, he knew that to break the stalemate now, he could only trust him.

Opposite them, Tuoba Xiong and Lu Shengren naturally also heard Fang Xu's words, and both felt curiosity rise.

A mere eighth-rank Martial Apprentice brat actually dares to claim he can hold off one of them?

What is his reliance?

The two did not take Fang Xu's words to heart, merely thinking he was spouting nonsense, and continued circling him.

Seeing Tuoba Xiong again preparing to strike, forcing the old ape to turn and rush to assist, Fang Xu's body suddenly erupted with a violent aura!

The next moment!

A blood-red demon ape phantom, two zhang tall, instantly appeared behind him!

Roar!

After the demon ape phantom appeared, it let out a soul-shaking roar at the attacking Tuoba Bear, then followed Fang Xu's movements, raising its massive fist and smashing toward the attacking Tuoba Bear!

(End of Chapter)