273: Chapter 273 Insidious Water Mine

The black-clothed assassin remained silent, moving stealthily to form an angle with Ah Fu, blocking one direction the Dragon Ape might use to escape with Ye Tian. His cold gaze was fixed on the Dragon Ape, especially its strange right claw, clearly assessing the strength and weaknesses of this suddenly appearing Sea Transformation Realm Yao Beast.

The Dragon Ape slowly turned its head, its golden pupils looking at Ah Fu and the black-clothed assassin. The rage in its eyes hadn't diminished at all; instead, it grew colder because its "revenge" had been interrupted.

It spoke in human tongue: "Wanren Sword Pavilion? Shadow Calamity Tower? Those who harm my master deserve to die! Begone! Or else, die!"

Its words were simple and blunt, filled with dominance and killing intent.

Generous rewards or powerful factions were nothing in its heart compared to avenging Ye Tian and taking him away safely.

Ah Fu's expression darkened. He hadn't expected this Yao Beast to be so unwilling to give Face, completely unyielding.

He secretly signaled the black-clothed assassin with his eyes.

The black-clothed assassin gave a nearly imperceptible nod.

"Since the Ape King refuses to be flexible, then excuse our rudeness!"

Ah Fu suddenly bellowed, and a khaki spirit tortoise shield appeared in his hand, instantly expanding to block in front of him as he retreated rapidly!

Simultaneously, the two guards behind him threw several Talismans flickering with thunderlight, which transformed into a net of lightning that swept toward the Dragon Ape!

This was a probe and a diversion!

The real killing blow came from the black-clothed assassin!

The moment Ah Fu spoke, he had already moved!

His figure was like a phantom, splitting into three Clones, lunging from three directions with his pair of damaged dark blue Water-Dividing Spikes toward the Dragon Ape's eyes, throat, and right claw joint!

His speed was even faster and more sinister than when he had assassinated Ye Tian!

He had clearly used some secret method to stimulate his potential, aiming to interfere with or even heavily wound this terrifying Yao Beast in one strike, creating an opportunity for Ah Fu to seize Ye Tian!

Facing this sudden combined attack, a flash of rage at being provoked by ants appeared in the Dragon Ape's eyes.

It allowed the lightning net to fall on its body; with a swirl of pale flames, the lightning was swallowed and purified.

As for the three Clone thrusts from the black-clothed assassin, it simply raised its left claw and struck forward fiercely!

"Boom!"

A terrifying Yao power erupted!

The air in front was forcefully struck into a depression!

The three figures were like hitting a steel wall; two of them instantly shattered and vanished, while the true body was sent flying back even faster than he had come. He coughed up blood repeatedly in mid-air, the Water-Dividing Spikes in his hands completely shattered, his Aura plummeting again as he crashed onto the distant pebble beach, struggling for a moment, unable to get up.

The aftershock of the Dragon Ape's claw strike swept toward the retreating Ah Fu like a hurricane.

Ah Fu's Face changed drastically. He let out a wild roar, pouring all his true essence into the spirit tortoise shield. The shield's surface glowed with a heavy khaki light, forming a barrier.

"Bang!!"

The wind from the claw struck the spirit tortoise shield, making a muffled thud.

The light of the spirit tortoise shield flickered wildly, making "crackling" sounds as cracks appeared on its surface!

Ah Fu suffered a heavy blow, grunted, and blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. He and the shield were blasted back over a dozen yards, plowing two deep furrows into the ground before he managed to stand firm. His Face was pale, and his eyes were filled with horror.

His Profound Rank High Grade defensive Spiritual Artifact had almost been smashed by a single claw strike!

This Yao Beast's strength was too terrifying!

With one strike, the Dragon Ape forced back two great experts, its Aura growing even stronger.

It paid no more attention to Ah Fu or the heavily injured black-clothed assassin. It turned around, its golden pupils once again locking onto the dying, despair-filled One-eyed Man on the ground.

Seeing the Dragon Ape's emotionless eyes, the One-eyed Man completely broke down, tears and snot flowing as he pleaded hoarsely for mercy: "Spare me! Ape King, spare me! This lowly one was blind to offend your master! I don't want the ancient sword pill anymore, I'll give you all my savings! Just spare my life!"

However, there was no mercy in the Dragon Ape's eyes, only cold killing intent.

It was these people who had wounded its master so severely!

It slowly raised its right claw, the pale and blood-colored flames rising once more, about to deliver the final blow to the One-eyed Man.

At that moment, no one noticed that the Lanky Water Ghost—who had been hit by the Dragon Ape's flame blade earlier, lost an arm, and fallen into the lake—had actually quietly sneaked back from underwater near the shore!

His Face was deathly pale, his severed arm crudely bandaged, but his eyes flickered with a crazed, venomous malice.

What he held in his hand was not a weapon, but a pitch-black cylindrical object covered in strange runes.

This was a one-time use "Insidious Water Mine" used by water bandits for mutual destruction or to deal with powerful water monsters. It was extremely powerful but had a very short range, usually making it difficult for the user to survive as well.

Taking advantage of the Dragon Ape's focus on the One-eyed Man, while Ah Fu and the black-clothed assassin were too injured to move and others watched from afar, he suddenly surged up from the shallow water. Using the last of his strength and true essence, he hurled the "Insidious Water Mine" hard at... Ye Tian, who lay unconscious on the ground behind the Dragon Ape!

At the same time, he roared hoarsely: "Let's die together!!"

He wasn't attacking the Dragon Ape, but the defenseless Ye Tian!

His intent was extremely malicious, clearly wanting to take Ye Tian down with him before he died, or force the Dragon Ape to rescue him, creating a slim chance to escape or seize the prize.

"Master!!"

The Dragon Ape's golden pupils suddenly constricted as rage and horror instantly filled its heart!

It never expected that this almost-ignored ant would launch such a venomous strike before dying!

The "Insidious Water Mine" was extremely fast, and it was about to explode right next to Ye Tian!

In Ye Tian's current state, if he were hit by this thing at close range, he would definitely die!

It was too late to swing a claw or breathe fire to save him!

In the blink of an eye, the Dragon Ape made its most instinctive reaction.

Its massive body lunged forward, using its broad back to shield Ye Tian firmly beneath it!

Simultaneously, its pale gold fur stood on end, and its vast Yao power and pale flames converged frantically on its back, forming a thick shield!

"Boom!"

A heavy explosion erupted on the Dragon Ape's back!

Black poisonous water mixed with violent yin-fiend energy instantly submerged the Dragon Ape's back!

The corrosive energy and yin-fiend Qi frantically eroded the Dragon Ape's protective Yao power and flames, making a "hissing" sound.

The Dragon Ape's massive body shook violently, and it let out a muffled groan of pain. Large patches of its pale gold fur were charred and fell off, its skin was torn open, revealing the blackened, poison-tainted flesh beneath, and even its bones were faintly visible!

The yin-fiend Qi even tried to drill into its body.

"Roar!"

The Dragon Ape whipped its head around to look at the Lanky Water Ghost, who had collapsed after throwing the mine, a venomous and strangely satisfied smile on his Face. Its killing intent was sky-high!

Ignoring the sharp pain and the yin-fiend erosion on its back, it made a fierce grabbing motion with its left claw from a distance!

"Pfft!"

The Lanky Water Ghost's head exploded like a watermelon, red and white matter splattering everywhere, deader than dead.

"Xiao Long..."

Just then, Ye Tian, who had been protected beneath the Dragon Ape and was in a semi-conscious state, seemed to be stimulated by the violent explosion and the Dragon Ape's cry of pain, regaining a sliver of weak consciousness.

He managed to open his eyes slightly and saw the Dragon Ape's bloody, poison-wreathed back. His heart ached, and he wanted to say something, but only coughed up several mouthfuls of stagnant blood.

"Master, don't move! I'm fine!"

The Dragon Ape quickly lowered its head and spoke, but its voice couldn't hide the pain.

It knew it had to leave this place immediately!

The injury on its back was not light, and the yin-fiend poison was still eroding it. More importantly, its master was in critical condition and could not afford any more delay!

As for the One-eyed Man with the broken leg, Ah Fu, and the others in the distance... it would remember them!

It carefully picked up Ye Tian with its left claw, placing him against its chest and forming a simple protective barrier with its remaining Yao power.

Then, it suddenly reared up on its hind legs and let out a sky-shaking roar filled with warning and killing intent at the hesitant Ah Fu and the struggling black-clothed assassin. The wound on its back split open because of the movement, leaking blackish-red poisonous blood, but it didn't care.

Then, its legs exerted sudden force, displaying incredible speed as it turned into a golden afterimage, charging directly toward the rolling Zhelong Hill behind Broken Jade Beach!

It intended to use the complex terrain to shake off any pursuit and heal Ye Tian as quickly as possible.

Ah Fu watched the Dragon Ape's receding figure disappear into the mountain forest, then looked at the mangled remains of the One-eyed Man and the mess by the lake. His Face was so dark it could drip ink.

He pulled out a communication jade Talisman and quickly reported the situation.

A Sea Transformation Realm Yao Beast protector, the target was heavily injured but rescued, escaped into Zhelong Hill...

This news had to be brought to the Pavilion Master's attention immediately!

The black-clothed assassin also silently took a Medicinal Pill, glanced coldly in the direction the Dragon Ape had left, and his figure slowly merged into the shadows and disappeared.