Chapter 231: Prepare to Provide Support!

"Hongda, prepare to provide support." He ordered in a low voice, while gripping the Qi Gun in his hand, "Be ready to assist at any moment."

Right in the southeast, Jinfeng Popo suddenly took a step forward. A kind smile was on her face, as if she were in front of an old friend she hadn't seen in years: "Do you still remember me? Ten years ago, it was I who took care of you in this valley."

However, what responded to her were two fierce attacks. The Golden Silk Monkeys did not stop; instead, the murderous intent in their eyes grew even more intense. Their forms turned into two streaks of golden light in the air, pouncing toward Xia Liuqing and Chai Yan respectively.

The speed was astonishingly fast, so much so that even the experienced Xia Liuqing almost failed to react in time. She barely raised her black staff to block, but the strength of the Golden Silk Monkey was so great that it made the web between the thumb and index finger of this expert, who was quite famous in the Outsider world, go numb, and she had to retreat several steps before barely standing firm.

"How is this possible..." Xia Liuqing gasped, the terrifying, sharp pain coming from her arm giving her a shock, "How could there be such immense power!"

On the other side, Chai Yan's situation was even more dangerous. The attacks from that Golden Silk Monkey were lethal with every move, giving him absolutely no chance to catch his breath. Even his movement technique, which he prided himself on, appeared pale and powerless at this moment, and he could only struggle to maneuver under the claws of the Golden Silk Monkey.

"Let me try!" Seeing the situation was critical, Xia He gritted her teeth and stood out. Her entire body radiated a pink-colored Qi. In past battles, this ability had almost never failed.

Yet this time, those two Golden Silk Monkeys seemed to completely ignore her ability. Not only that, but one of them even struck a fierce palm directly at her. If not for Xia Liuqing acting in time, Xia He would likely have lost her life on the spot.

"This is impossible!" Xia He's face was as pale as paper, her voice carrying a trace of disbelief, "They are actually able to completely immunize themselves against my ability! This has already completely exceeded the scope of wild beasts!"

Jinfeng Popo stood to the side, her eyes filled with astonishment and shock. How could those two innocent and cute little monkeys from many years ago have turned into this current state? Not only had their power surged, but their intelligence also far exceeded the past. More importantly, there was not a trace of the former closeness in the eyes with which they looked at her.

Under the critical situation, Xia Liuqing finally made up her mind and took the God-Graced Mask from her bosom: "It seems I must use my real skills!"

The moment the mask was applied, a majestic divine power instantly surged into her body. Her aura changed, and her whole person radiated an extraordinary pressure.

"Heed my command, Nezha protect the body!" Xia Liuqing gave a sharp shout, and the black staff in her hand, under the reinforcement of the divine power, instantly transformed into the shape of a Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear.

However, although the cultivation was to invite a deity to possess her, the situation still did not fundamentally rebound. The power of those two Golden Silk Monkeys seemed to far exceed her imagination; no matter what moves Xia Liuqing used, they could always find the flaws to counter them.

Seeing that fighting alone could not lead to victory, Chai Yan also stopped caring about holding back his strength and tried his best to unleash his strongest ultimate technique. The three of them barely formed a combined attack formation, attempting to win through a joint effort.

"Now is the time!" Xia Liuqing seized the fleeting opportunity, holding the Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear with the momentum of splitting heaven and earth, and slashed down at the head of one Golden Silk Monkey. This strike poured out all her strength, and even the air was split with distorted traces.

Yet the reaction of the Golden Silk Monkey was unbelievably fast; not only did it easily detect this lethal strike, but it also countered with a fierce counterattack. Even with the divine power protecting her body, the power of this strike still made Xia Liuqing feel terrified. She clearly felt that if it weren't for the divine power protecting her, this strike would have been enough to cause her heavy injury.

"It's no use," Chai Yan panted heavily, his voice carrying a deep sense of powerlessness, "Their strength has completely exceeded the range we can handle. Continuing to fight will only waste our strength in vain."

Gong Qing also saw the urgency of the situation: "Retreat!" There was rarely a trace of anxiety in his voice.

Meanwhile, Ilya and the group, hiding at a safe distance, could not help but sigh as they watched this scene.

"Is this their strength?" Kate was somewhat disappointed, "It doesn't look like much."

Hongda, however, reminded her: "Don't underestimate them; being able to hold on for so long under those two monsters is already quite remarkable. Haven't you noticed? The power of those two monkeys has already completely exceeded that of normal creatures."

Gong Qing and his group fought while retreating, but those two Golden Silk Monkeys pursued relentlessly, every strike carrying lethal power. The group was forced to retreat step by step, and in the end, they had no choice but to retreat back to the valley entrance.

Not until the group exited the range of the valley entrance did those two Golden Silk Monkeys stop their pursuit and turn back into the valley. But the look in their eyes before they left made everyone feel a chill. That look not only contained a warning but also carried a hint of obvious contempt, as if saying: with just you people, wanting to step into the holy land, go back and practice more.

"Jinfeng Popo," after confirming they were safe, Gong Qing turned to Jinfeng Popo, "What exactly is going on? Do those two monkeys really not recognize you at all?"

Jinfeng Popo's expression was grave: "They are indeed the two from back then, but now..." she answered faintly, a trace of desolation flashing in her eyes, "They have clearly recognized a new master."

"A new master?" Xia Liuqing said in surprise, "What kind of person could make these two such powerful Golden Silk Monkeys willingly submit? How strong must that person be?"

"Could it be Lao Tianshi?" Xia He suddenly proposed a hypothesis, "With his Dao practice..."

However, Gong Qing shook his head and interrupted her directly: "It cannot be Lao Tianshi. If it were him, it wouldn't be this situation. And..." his gaze became deep and profound, "The aura on these two monkeys is very special, giving one an indescribable feeling."

"Special? Special in what way?" Chai Yan asked eagerly.

"It's as if..." Gong Qing weighed his words, "They are favored by some great Qi Luck of heaven and earth."

This discovery left everyone present in deep thought. Being able to make two Golden Silk Monkeys comparable to first-class experts submit, and being able to bring them such a huge improvement—who exactly is this mysterious master? I am afraid that apart from those two monkeys, no one else can know...

The night was like ink, and the bonfire outside the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley flickered constantly in the cold wind. Gong Qing looked at the huge claw marks left by those two Golden Silk Monkeys in the firelight, and a sense of unprecedented frustration welled up in his heart. As a high-level member of Quanxing, he had experienced countless life-and-death battles, yet he had never encountered such a thorny opponent.

"This path is not going to work," he turned to Jinfeng Popo, his voice carrying a trace of rare exhaustion, "Popo, you are familiar with this valley, you should still know other paths, right?"

Under the reflection of the bonfire, a complex expression appeared on Jinfeng Popo's face. Her gaze passed through the dancing flames, as if she saw the past events of fifty years ago. At that time, there were not so many taboos in the valley, and those two Golden Silk Monkeys were still innocent and naive little fellows.