Chapter 140 - 16: Stealing Wine from the Back Mountain

This...?

Linglong Bloodline?

A weak Wishing Size?

The instant before the Vine Ball exploded, Zhang Deming’s expression changed, and he once again retreated at high speed.

During this process, the surrounding vines began to change constantly, shifting from tough and pliable to sharp and glossy.

Several vines snaked out of his pocket. One end coiled around his body like a serpent, while the other sharpened to a point and rose into the air.

In just an instant, Zhang Deming’s appearance changed drastically. Several sharp, spider-leg-like vine tips sprouted from his back, and vines slithered across his body, their ends glinting coldly.

Zhang Deming was lifted completely off the ground, supported by several vines, and hovered in the air, meeting the five-meter-tall Qiu Ape’s gaze.

From his shoulders, several more sharp vines glinted with a cold light.

Although Zhang Deming looked minuscule compared to the massive Qiu Ape, his presence was no less intimidating.

Zhang Deming watched his opponent coldly. Both possessed sharp combat instincts.

After just a brief exchange, both had already altered their tactics in response.

One had attempted to use brute force against the entangling vines, while the other had instantly changed his approach.

After a momentary standoff, the two clashed once more.

The Light Wings at Zhang Deming’s heels slowly faded, but in that same instant, all the vines around him were suffused with a faint Spirit Wind.

His agility instantly soared. With the tips of the vines flashing with a cold light, Zhang Deming now resembled some bizarre, spider-like creature.

"CLINK! CLANK! CLANG!"

As Zhang Deming dodged, he relentlessly attacked the Qiu Ape with the tips of his vines.

After its body swelled, the Qiu Ape’s agility decreased once more. However, its strength had not only increased, but its bulging muscles now gleamed with a metallic luster.

When Zhang Deming’s Vine Spears struck it, they produced a clanging sound and left only a faint white mark.

Of course, it wasn’t completely ineffective. With each attack, Zhang Deming could see the Qiu Ape’s expression twitch.

Evidently, even though the attacks didn’t break through its defense, they were still painful.

Right now, Zhang Deming was relying on his agility, as if he were dancing on a knife’s edge.

The creature’s immense power had yet to land a single blow; he had dodged every strike.

But he knew that if it hit him just once, his Shield would not only shatter, but he would also be injured.

After battling for a few more moments, Zhang Deming’s control over the vines in this form grew more and more adept, more and more effortless.

Boosted by the Agility Technique, Zhang Deming could now dodge with ease.

The Qiu Ape, already possessing an irascible temperament, was being driven into a frenzy by the intense pain from Zhang Deming’s incessant piercing attacks.

As its aura grew more violent, its eyes began to turn faintly red.

At the same time, it grew increasingly careless about Zhang Deming’s spikes, which were unable to penetrate its defenses.

’Now!’

In the heat of battle, a glint flashed in Zhang Deming’s eyes. The Enhancement Rune, a ball of light from within his Dantian, merged directly into his Growth Technique.

At that exact moment, the Qiu Ape also came to an abrupt halt.

The man and the beast made their moves at almost the same time.

"ROAR..."

The Qiu Ape threw its head back and roared. A strange ripple of energy spread out from its body, covering the area for hundreds of meters around.

As the ripple spread, all the surrounding plants drooped in unison, as if bowing their heads.

Zhang Deming also froze for a moment, his body suddenly forced down several inches.

’It has a gravity-type Bloodline ability, too?’

’You’ve got to be kidding me. Is this thing some kind of chosen one among Demon Beasts?’

Zhang Deming paused for only a fraction of a second before the Vine Spears on his shoulders, glinting with an eerie light, shot directly toward the creature’s chest.

At the same time, the Qiu Ape seized the opportunity created by Zhang Deming’s momentary hesitation from the sudden increase in gravity.

It threw a punch directly at Zhang Deming.

"PFFTCH..."

Several Vine Spears plunged into the creature’s chest in unison.

"CRACK..."

At that same moment, the creature’s massive fist smashed directly into Zhang Deming’s Spiritual Shield.