Chapter 1683: Zhenhai Ape

The three of them flew continuously for four days and nights, encountering only a handful of islands along the way. Each of these islands was already occupied by formidable sea creatures, their auras overwhelmingly powerful.

Though these auras weren’t strong enough to send the trio fleeing in terror, they were clearly far more intimidating than the giant octopus they had faced earlier. Even working together, the three weren’t confident they could easily subdue such creatures.

This made Liu Shui’er and Shi Kun inwardly grateful they had heeded Han Li’s advice. Had they not, they might have had no choice but to wait until reaching land to practice their joint attack technique. Yet, finding a safe spot on land was no easy task either.

On the morning of the fifth day, a dark line finally appeared on the distant horizon—land. The sight brought visible relief to all three.

“Finally, we’ve escaped this strange sea,” Shi Kun laughed heartily.

“Brother Shi, it’s best to remain cautious. According to past experiences, the dangers on land far surpass those at sea. Once ashore, we should further suppress our auras to avoid attracting any ancient beasts,” Liu Shui’er reminded, though she too was pleased.

“Rest assured, Fairy Liu. Though I enjoy a good fight, I know my limits,” Shi Kun replied dismissively.

Hearing this, the cloaked woman relaxed slightly. Given his cultivation and experience, such warnings shouldn’t have been necessary. But Shi Kun’s combative nature had prompted her to speak up.

Han Li, observing this exchange, smiled faintly and was about to add his own thoughts when a sudden gale erupted over the distant sea. A thick white mist surged from the water, rapidly spreading outward.

“What’s that?” Han Li blurted, his intended words forgotten.

Liu Shui’er and Shi Kun also noticed the anomaly and exchanged uneasy glances.

Without a word, the trio halted their flight, revealing their true forms as they stared toward the distant shore.

Almost simultaneously, a piercing screech echoed from the coastline. The white mist, now spanning several acres, churned violently as the sea beneath it roiled. A savage, primordial aura erupted from beneath the fog, soaring into the sky.

Then, a monstrous creature emerged—a beast several times larger than the giant octopus they had encountered earlier. It resembled a colossal, shaggy ape with a single horn on its head.

The moment it surfaced, the beast raised its head and let out another ear-splitting screech, its voice grating and shrill.

The sound struck Han Li and his companions like a physical blow. Their ears rang painfully, their eardrums stinging as their blood churned violently, leaving their limbs weak and unsteady.

Alarmed, the trio immediately summoned protective barriers, their faces pale with fear. Yet, this was only the beginning.

The beast’s screech abruptly shifted into a thunderous roar, shaking the sky and sea alike. The sound waves dispersed the surrounding mist and churned the ocean into countless whirlpools. Countless fish floated belly-up, killed instantly by the sheer force of the roar.

Within moments, the sea for miles around was littered with lifeless fish.

Han Li and his companions, caught within the roar’s range, found their protective barriers trembling violently under the assault. Liu Shui’er’s face turned deathly pale beneath her hood, her body trembling as if she might plummet from the sky at any moment.

Shi Kun, though outwardly steady, had veins bulging on his forehead, his eyes bulging as if straining against an immense force.

Han Li appeared the least affected, though even he paled slightly.

Strangely, despite the overwhelming pressure, none of them could move—as if rooted in place.

The beast’s roar intensified, and soon, a visible shockwave erupted from its maw, spreading outward in all directions. Where the wave passed, the sea sank by dozens of feet, forming a massive depression that expanded at terrifying speed.

Gigantic waves, hundreds of feet high, surged outward, threatening to engulf even Han Li’s group, still dozens of miles away.

Liu Shui’er and Shi Kun’s eyes widened in horror, yet they remained frozen in place.

As the shockwave closed in, Shi Kun gritted his teeth, his body flickering with yellow light, but he still couldn’t move. Sweat poured down his forehead in frustration.

Liu Shui’er, equally helpless, could only watch as death approached.

Just as the shockwave was about to engulf them, Han Li’s face flashed with golden light, and he let out a cold snort.

Though the sound was soft, it jolted Liu Shui’er and Shi Kun like an electric shock. Their bodies flickered with spiritual light, and their faces lit up with relief.

Shi Kun stomped the air and shot backward as a streak of yellow light.

Liu Shui’er formed a hand seal, vanishing momentarily before reappearing over a hundred yards away. In a series of such teleportations, she quickly outpaced Shi Kun, covering miles in seconds.

Han Li, meanwhile, had already transformed into a golden streak, speeding away the moment he snorted.

By the time the trio stopped, thirty or forty miles later, the shockwave had dissipated harmlessly behind them.

Unbeknownst to them, the ape-like beast had briefly glanced in their direction as they fled, its lantern-like eyes gleaming with malice before it turned back to the shore, its roars unceasing.

—

“What kind of sea beast is that? Its roar alone immobilized both our bodies and spiritual power. Could it be the legendary Mountain-Splitting Ape?” Shi Kun gasped, still shaken.

“Impossible. If it were a true spirit like that, we’d have perished with its first roar. Even if it’s not a true spirit, it’s far beyond our capabilities. I suspect it’s the ancient beast known as the ‘Sea-Quelling Ape,’” Liu Shui’er replied firmly.

“Sea-Quelling Ape? The monster said to tear flood dragons apart and devour Saint-tier beings?” Shi Kun inhaled sharply.

“Most likely. Its Heaven-Shaking Roar was infamous even in ancient times. The only reason we survived is that its attack wasn’t aimed at us—we were merely caught in the crossfire,” Liu Shui’er said wryly.

“If that’s true, we’re incredibly lucky. Still, without Brother Han’s intervention, Fairy Liu and I would’ve perished,” Shi Kun admitted, giving Han Li a curious look.

“Indeed. I never expected Brother Han to possess such power, capable of countering the Sea-Quelling Ape’s roar,” Liu Shui’er added, her tone tinged with suspicion.

“It’s nothing special. I happened to cultivate a mental defense technique that offered some resistance. Besides, we were far enough away and only grazed by its attack. Otherwise, I’d have been helpless too,” Han Li replied dismissively.

Liu Shui’er and Shi Kun exchanged skeptical glances but didn’t press further.

“Regardless, Brother Han saved us both. We owe you a debt,” Liu Shui’er said with a smile.

“Agreed. I’ll repay this favor one day,” Shi Kun added gruffly.

“There’s no need for formalities. The Profound Sky Realm is fraught with dangers, and creatures like the Sea-Quelling Ape may not be the worst we face. Next time, I may need your aid,” Han Li said lightly.

“Brother Han, you—” Liu Shui’er began, but her words were cut short.

From the distance, the beast’s roars were suddenly joined by another sound—a melodious, almost divine cry.

Startled, the trio turned their gaze back to the horizon.

Though the white mist had dissipated, the distance made details unclear.

A massive purple bird, seemingly as large as the ape, had appeared from the shore, its beautiful cries ringing out as it fearlessly charged toward the roaring beast.