Chapter 881: Mountainous Dead End

A golden flash enveloped Zhao Ruizhi, instantly tearing off several tentacles from his body. Unfortunately, the giant octopus had too many tentacles; as soon as they were torn off, they regenerated, seemingly endless.

A chill ran down Zhao Ruizhi's spine. In his prime, he would have had no fear, but now he felt his strength waning, and his desire to retreat grew stronger.

He raised his arm, unleashing bursts of golden light that severed all the tentacles around him, then rapidly retreated backward.

Just then, two exceptionally thick tentacles suddenly wrapped around his arms.

He struggled fiercely, but these two thick tentacles did not break easily as the others had.

In that instant, countless red tentacles coiled around him.

Then, the massive octopus monster suddenly shot out a third thick tentacle directly at his head. If struck, even someone with the Emperor's cultivation level would likely perish instantly.

Zhao Ruizhi roared, forcing his two arms, still entangled in tentacles, together. In the nick of time, he seized the oncoming tentacle.

Veins bulged on his forehead, clear evidence that he was exerting all his might.

The massive tentacle could not advance for the moment, and both sides fell into a stalemate.

The others watched in stunned silence. Bi Linglong couldn't help but turn away, looking nauseated, and even Mi Li frowned repeatedly. It was clear that girls naturally harbored a fear of such slimy, tentacled creatures.

Zu An, by contrast, fared much better, having been desensitized by countless tentacle-themed adult animations in his previous life.

However, he didn't understand why Xu Fu, a perfectly normal alchemist, had transformed into an octopus monster.

He suddenly recalled Mi Li mentioning that Xu Fu had spent a long time at sea searching for the elixir of immortality for Qin Shihuang, killing giant monstrous fish along the way, and even bringing back a mermaid queen or princess—he couldn't remember which. It seemed Xu Fu had spent most of his life dealing with the ocean, so it wasn't surprising that he possessed some sea creature-related abilities.

But he had no time to ponder this now. Instead, he scooped up Bi Linglong with one arm and pulled Mi Li close with the other, intent on leaving the area.

With two "gods" battling it out, why would he not seize the opportunity to escape? Was he to wait for them to finish their fight and then deal with him?

Feeling his hand around her waist, Mi Li's elegant eyebrows subtly arched. However, she possessed enough rationality not to protest at this moment. Instead, she made her spirit form more substantial, making it easier for him to hold her.

Zu An used his "Great Wind" technique to sprint outwards. The octopus monster nearby seemed to notice their departure, but it was too busy dealing with Zhao Ruizhi to spare any effort to stop them.

Zu An's heart swelled with joy. He had reached the exit. In just a few breaths, he would be far away from here. By then, neither Xu Fu nor Zhao Ruizhi would be able to find him.

At that moment, Mi Li, still in his arms, let out a muffled groan. Zu An looked back to see her form flickering, her expression one of immense pain.

"What's wrong?" Zu An exclaimed, his face paling.

Mi Li frowned. "I'm being pulled by the grand formation here. I'm afraid I can't leave. You take this girl and go first."

Although her cultivation was strong, being a soul body meant she could be restrained by certain unique forces.

Clearly, this Five Elements Yin-Yang Grand Formation was precisely that type of force.

Zu An said gravely, "If you stay here, won't you be doomed?"

In her current state, suppressed by the formation, she could barely move; staying meant certain death.

Mi Li said calmly, "I've lived for such a long time, there's nothing left to cling to anyway. So many old acquaintances are here, and this familiar palace... dying here wouldn't be so bad."

Hearing her words, Zu An couldn't help but get angry. "Nonsense! You still have me!"

Mi Li was startled, a complex look in her eyes. But she still said, "Your staying here is meaningless; it would only be dying together. Go quickly. Many others are waiting for you outside; don't let them be sad."

Having been with him for so long, she naturally knew about his numerous romantic entanglements.

Zu An ignored her words. Instead, he took out a collection of healing medicines and some weapons and magical artifacts he had previously collected, handing them to Bi Linglong. "You leave here first, find a place to hide, and wait for me to find you."

He paused, then added, "If you don't find me, this secret realm will eventually reopen someday. When it does, find a chance to escape. You'll be safe once you reach the academy's back mountain."

Bi Linglong pushed the items back, shaking her head. "I'm not leaving."

Zu An grew somewhat annoyed. "Don't be silly, leave quickly."

"You risked your life to save me before," Bi Linglong said, her voice soft but extremely firm. "How could I abandon you now? At worst, we die together."

Zu An said gravely, "But I'm staying for another woman."

Bi Linglong blinked. "She's your master. If you were to turn and leave, that would make you a despicable person who betrays his master and ancestors. How could such a person be the upright man I... I like?"

Zu An was silent for a moment, but then he laughed heartily, his voice remarkably carefree. "Very well then. If we cannot share a bed in life, sharing a grave in death is also good."

Rage points from Zhao Hao: 666,666,666...

"I, your legitimate husband, am practically dying, and you two are over there flirting! What a pair of adulterers!"

As he became distracted, the massive tentacle before him became harder to hold back, slowly inching closer to his head.

His heart tightened, and he quickly focused all his attention on resisting. Unfortunately, the tentacle was covered in slime, making it incredibly slippery to the touch. He soon realized he couldn't maintain his grip.

At this point, Zu An and the others also witnessed this scene. Bi Linglong asked, "Which side do we help?"

"Even if the Emperor isn't a good person, he's still human, right? What in the world is this bloody octopus?"

Regardless of who won, their group was most likely doomed. She pondered for a long time but couldn't figure out what to do, so she could only turn to Zu An for help.

Zu An hesitated for a moment, then still charged towards the giant octopus with his sword.

Bi Linglong nodded subtly; she actually agreed with this plan more.

After all, Zhao Ruizhi was already severely wounded. If he won, it would undoubtedly be a Pyrrhic victory, adding more injuries to his already grave state, so she might not fear him.

On the other hand, Xu Fu, the monster, was truly terrifying. His origins were completely unknown. If he defeated Zhao Ruizhi, he would surely retain most of his strength, and that would be impossible for them to deal with.

What's more, Mi Li was still trapped by his strange grand formation!

Seeing Zu An charge towards the octopus monster, a flicker of gratitude appeared in Zhao Ruizhi's eyes. He was truly at the end of his rope, and having this guy help, even a little, would relieve some pressure.

A thought even crossed his mind: if Zu An could help him kill this octopus monster, he could perhaps let go of their past grievances.

He felt no love for Bi Linglong, only a man's possessiveness. Giving her to Zu An wouldn't be a big deal.

However, this thought was ruthlessly extinguished as soon as it arose. "This boy has rebellious tendencies; he cannot be kept. After we deal with this octopus monster together, I must strike suddenly while he is still under the impression of cooperation. Otherwise, given my condition later, killing him might not be so easy."

Although Zu An's cultivation wasn't high, he possessed too many unique skills, making Zhao Ruizhi somewhat apprehensive.

As he was contemplating this, he suddenly noticed the octopus monster detaching several other tentacles and lashing them towards Zu An. He inwardly sneered, "This octopus monster truly underestimates Zu An's strength. How could these few tentacles stop him?"

But at that very moment, Zu An did not confront the tentacles directly. Instead, his figure flickered, reappearing dozens of yards away, and he unleashed a full-power strike towards the Yin-Yang fish pattern on the ground.

Zhao Ruizhi: "..."

"You motherf—!"

"This guy never intended to cooperate with me! He just wanted me to wear down the octopus monster so he could reap the benefits!"

Zu An drew his 40-meter-long flaming blade, but the Yin-Yang fish pattern on the ground merely rippled for a moment before returning to stillness.

Xu Fu's unrestrained laughter echoed. "It's useless. Now that this grand formation has been activated, how could it be destroyed by mortal power?"

Simultaneously, he controlled the thick tentacles, launching a fierce attack. Zhao Ruizhi could no longer hold on, watching helplessly as one of the tentacles extended directly into his mouth.