The sphere was as enormous as a small mountain. Due to its surface being covered with arms and the fact that the interior of the sphere was a tangled mass of intertwined arms, it resembled a spiky, furry ball from a distance, bouncing swiftly towards the group.
After splitting into two smaller teams, Lu Chu and the others formed a “V” shape, charging towards the giant sphere without any evasion.
They were waiting, anticipating which group the giant sphere would target. When the sphere attacked, the targeted group would draw its attention, allowing the other group to quickly make their way to the tower and prepare to assist.
This strategy meant that the targeted group faced significantly more danger, but it was a necessary risk. From the moment Lu Chu saw the sphere, he understood that the possibility of killing this giant was almost non-existent.
Since they couldn’t kill it, their only option was to evade it.
In the forest, the numerous obstacles severely hindered their movement. However, the giant sphere advanced in a straightforward and brutal manner, knocking down or uprooting every tree in its path, leaving nothing capable of obstructing it.
As the distance between them and the sphere decreased, the tension among Lu Chu and his companions reached its peak.
Suddenly, the sphere deviated from its original path.
Song Gui’s pupils contracted as he shouted, “Lu Chu, it’s coming towards you!”
After responding to Song Gui, Lu Chu exchanged glances with 7, understanding each other’s intentions instantly. They quickened their pace, moving slightly ahead to shield Yuan Kejie.
Lu Chu turned slightly and said to Yuan Kejie, “Once Song Gui’s team gets close to the tower, we’ll distract the monster. You look for an opportunity to join Song Gui’s team.”
“Understood,” Yuan Kejie nodded, knowing her strength wasn’t in combat. Following Lu Chu’s advice was the best course of action.
The next moment, the giant sphere was already upon them. Song Gui’s team seized the opportunity to move around the sphere, continuing their sprint towards the tower. On Lu Chu’s side, the three of them deftly dodged the sphere’s attack, leading it away from its original path.
Due to the sphere’s immense size, its rolling motion could easily crush all three of them. The vibrations from its movement made it difficult for them to keep their balance.
Meanwhile, Song Gui’s team was closing in on the tower. Sensing the right moment, Song Gui shouted towards Lu Chu’s group, “Come over!”
Lu Chu immediately instructed Yuan Kejie, “Run!”
As he spoke, Lu Chu picked up a stone from the ground and hurled it at the giant sphere.
The stone wasn’t powerful enough to harm the monster but succeeded in enraging it. Originally heading towards the three of them without a specific target, the sphere now quivered all over, its numerous arms flailing. It locked onto Lu Chu and charged at him. In the blink of an eye, Lu Chu dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the sphere’s attack.
Simultaneously, upon hearing Lu Chu’s command, Yuan Kejie ran in the opposite direction, heading towards the tower once the sphere’s attention was on Lu Chu.
The sight of the sphere’s entwined, writhing arms and the bodies beneath its flesh-covered exterior was visually unsettling to Lu Chu.
Meanwhile, as the sphere began attacking Lu Chu, 7 positioned himself opposite Lu Chu, throwing a stone to provoke the sphere and draw its attack towards himself.
The two of them coordinated seamlessly, continuously angering the sphere to give Yuan Kejie a chance to escape. Fortunately, in the previous level, Lu Chu had learned many combat techniques from 7 and had significantly improved his physical fitness and reflexes through training. Though he had little practical experience, Lu Chu began to handle the battle with increasing ease.
Yuan Kejie didn’t hesitate, quickly reaching the tower and signaling Lu Chu and 7.
Lu Chu and 7 exchanged glances.
At that moment, 7 was entangled with the sphere, unable to break free. Seeing this, Lu Chu provoked the sphere once more. As it turned towards Lu Chu, 7 leaped up, kicking the sphere with such force that it broke one of its arms.
The sphere was infuriated, while Lu Chu and 7 sprinted towards the tower.
The sphere, now completely enraged, trembled violently, its numerous arms shaking. It momentarily forgot to pursue them. By the time it regained its senses, Lu Chu and 7 were close to the tower, with Luo Qi and Yuan Kejie already inside. Song Gui and Qian Zhen stood outside, ready to assist.
As the tower drew nearer, 7 naturally stepped back, positioning himself behind Lu Chu.
Just as they were about to enter the tower with Song Gui and Qian Zhen’s assistance, the furious monster leaped high, crashing down and creating several craters in the ground. Countless trees were crushed and broken, the deafening noise piercing their ears. In response to the sphere’s rage, a centipede-like figure leaped out from behind it, lunging towards Lu Chu and 7.
“Watch out!” Song Gui shouted to Lu Chu and 7.
7 reacted swiftly, delivering a kick that sent the approaching monster flying, then drew his katana to stand guard.
The black figure quickly regained its footing. Only then did Lu Chu see it clearly—it was the centipede-like skeleton.
Covered in flesh, its numerous arms extended irregularly from its sides, supporting its body. Lu Chu noticed its torso lay face-up, without ears, nose, or mouth, just a smooth, pale pink surface.
The sound of bones cracking and resetting sent chills down his spine as the centipede-like monster stretched its arms. The giant sphere, too, rushed towards them. 7 grabbed Lu Chu and dodged the sphere’s attack, then ran with him to the tower’s entrance.
Seeing them arrive safely, Song Gui and Qian Zhen immediately entered the tower. At that moment, the sphere mustered all its strength and hurled itself at them. In an instant, 7 pushed Lu Chu into the tower, just as the sphere enveloped him.
For the first time, Lu Chu felt a piercing fear and terror, far more intense and painful than when he himself was in danger. In that moment, he only managed to shout, “Qi Li!”
Time seemed to stretch, each second passing slowly and clearly. The terror in Lu Chu’s eyes gradually turned to despair. He even forgot that stepping back into the tower would ensure his safety.
At that moment, safety had lost its meaning.
The centipede-like monster, too, targeted the stunned Lu Chu.
Just as despair filled Lu Chu’s eyes, making him oblivious to the centipede monster charging at him, a katana and several severed arms flew out from one side of the sphere. The next moment, the tall, handsome man, covered in blood, rolled out from where the sword had flown.
The man didn’t pause. Seeing Lu Chu in imminent danger, his aura intensified. His eyes, having witnessed countless battles and bloodshed, became piercingly sharp. He rushed towards Lu Chu, restraining the centipede monster with his bare hands and thrusting his other hand through its chest.
However, the centipede monster had no heart, so while it felt pain, it wasn’t hindered.
7 anticipated this and remained calm. He dragged the centipede monster a few meters away, picked up the fallen katana, and skillfully severed two of its arms.
As expected, the arms were its core. The centipede monster’s body convulsed violently, its movements slowed, and its attacks weakened by nearly half. Seizing the opportunity, 7 continued to slice, completely separating the centipede monster’s arms from its body.
Meanwhile, although the sphere lost a few arms, it grew even more frenzied due to its nature of being a fusion.
7 calmly pulled the katana from the centipede monster, turned, and stood in front of Lu Chu, facing the enormous, hideous creature.
A fierce battle loomed, the tension palpable.
Lu Chu stood behind 7, looking at his incredibly strong back, feeling a sense of unreality.
As Lu Chu was lost in thought, 7 had already sprung into action before the sphere could move, charging directly at the monstrous giant.
7’s speed was so incredible that his movements were barely visible. In the blood-red sunset, Lu Chu could only see a shadow darting across the sphere, slicing. One arm after another fell from the creature, the bright red blood contrasting sharply with the evening glow.
Strangely, the monster’s blood was also red.
Lu Chu didn’t know what he was thinking. It felt like he was watching a movie, with grand scenes and an invincible hero.
The hero dismembered the monster, completing a macabre and magnificent tableau.
When it was over, the once formidable sphere had lost all its arms. Blood flowed from its rounded body, seeping into the soil, staining it a dark, eerie red under the twilight. The body trembled continuously but could no longer move. Countless severed arms lay scattered, some fingers still twitching slightly.
The powerful man named “7” stood atop the monstrous body.
