Chapter 352: Chapter 348: Shall We Cooperate? No Need (Please Subscribe)
"Dong! Dong!"
The heavy footsteps of the third Strong Demon Ape sounded like drumbeats, striking at the hearts of everyone present.
The two Strong Demon Apes that had initially been confronting the group slightly turned their bodies, their heads lowered, revealing a human-like expression of reverence on their massive faces.
The third Strong Demon Ape let out a low growl, its gaze sweeping across its two companions before finally settling on the crowd of people on the ground.
The two sides stared at each other, the atmosphere terrifyingly still.
Pei Yong and Tang Qiang, who were leading the group, seemed steady like old dogs, but their hearts had already begun to panic.
They had initially thought that these two Commander-level Fierce Beasts would summon some Elite-level Fierce Beasts over. Though the situation would be tricky, it would still be better than what was currently happening.
Three Commander-level Fierce Beasts!
And the newcomer stood nearly thirty meters tall, definitely a high-level commander. Even if it were a low-level commander, facing three against two, they wouldn’t be able to manage.
As for Shen Si?
Does this guy have the strength to single-handedly fight a Commander-level Fierce Beast?
The four C-level Awakened behind them had long since lost all color in their faces, and some were even trembling in their knees.
What a joke?
Three Commander-level Fierce Beasts? And one of them is a high-level commander?
They had only two B-level Awakened among them, able to hold off two Commander-level Fierce Beasts. But against a third one, they couldn’t possibly rely on the C-level Awakened to block it.
That’s like lighting a lantern in the toilet, looking for death.
The most crucial point was that, judging by the situation, there might be one or two more Commander-level Fierce Beasts on their way.
"Brother Pei?"
One man looked at Pei Yong, trembling as he asked, "Should we retreat for now? There are three—three Commander-level Fierce Beasts here?"
He knew he might get scolded for saying this, but being scolded was better than getting squashed by these Strong Demon Apes later.
The other three C-level Awakened, though silent, shared the same thought in their eyes.
At the very least, they should leave this perilous place first.
Pei Yong remained silent.
His gaze was fixed on the central Strong Demon Ape, filled with unwillingness.
He had waited months for this day, and with the Celestial God Fruit about to mature, he was being asked to give up now? Impossible!
But if he didn’t give up, the likelihood of fatal consequences was high.
After a moment of thought, Tang Qiang sighed, "Old Pei, maybe we should retreat."
He glanced at the three Strong Demon Apes, "These three are holding back, possibly because they’re wary of us, or perhaps they’re awaiting reinforcements. Regardless, fighting three Strong Demon Apes ourselves is unrealistic. It’s better to pretend to leave and wait for an opportunity.
"Wait for an opportunity..."
Pei Yong muttered these four words.
It’s not so simple.
These three Strong Demon Apes aren’t stupid; they know that they might not genuinely leave and will stay vigilant.
"I should have called one or two more people from the start."
Regret filled his heart.
At that moment, a voice sounded.
"Friend, you see the situation now, why not consider collaborating with us?" Shen Si looked aside.
In an instant, everyone’s gaze shifted over.
Seeing who Shen Si was speaking to left everyone incredulous.
Even Chen Fan was stunned, "You’re talking to me?"
"Yes."
Shen Si forced a smile, "Friend, you see the current situation. There are three Commander-level Fierce Beasts opposite us, with one being a high-level commander. If we still want those twelve Celestial God Fruits, cooperation is likely the only way."
Hearing this, Pei Yong and the others showed disdain.
Shen Si was simply grasping at straws.
These are Commander-level Fierce Beasts, not just any high-level or Elite-level Fierce Beasts.
Could he really think that this mysterious guy has what it takes to fend off Commander-level Fierce Beasts?
Zhao Yan and the other martial artists felt immensely embarrassed.
Chairman Shen is really...
Actually, Shen Si knew this was a gamble.
Against Commander-level Fierce Beasts, martial artists at least need to be in the True Essence Realm, and Awakened need to be B-level or higher.
True Essence Realm Martial Artists were even rarer than B-level Awakened; even the headquarters didn’t have many.
But this wasn’t a blind gamble. He had reasons.
First, his Emperor’s Qi Observation Skill couldn’t detect this person’s Qi. Either this person’s power was unfathomable or he was skilled at hiding his Qi, making him extraordinary either way.
Second, he was arrogant.
When Shen Si arrived with others, this person was already there, plainly telling them to leave.
Even with Pei Yong’s arrival, the person’s attitude remained the same, with no hint of anxiety in his tone.
Could someone without real ability behave so confidently?
Thirdly, the most crucial point.
From the appearance of the first two Strong Demon Apes to the third, this person’s demeanor hadn’t changed at all. Shen Si had noticed the left hand holding the bow showed no signs of trembling.
Any one of these three points couldn’t confirm the person’s strength, but combined, he was 50-60% sure that this person wasn’t weaker than anyone present.
Furthermore, there was a 10% chance this person’s strength exceeded everyone’s combined.
And the remaining 30% chance was just overestimating.
But still, betting right had a 70% probability, which was sufficient.
"Is that so."
Chen Fan smiled, scanning the area, "Sorry, but I want all those Celestial God Fruits."
"What?"
Shen Si froze.
He hadn’t expected such a form of rejection.
"Such arrogance."
Pei Yong sneered, "I wonder who gave you the courage to say that."
"Indeed."
Tang Qiang coldly laughed, "Acting like we’re begging to cooperate with him. He wants all the Celestial God Fruits? I’d like to see how he plans on getting them."
Everyone else inwardly laughed as well.
This person was as arrogant as ever. Did he think he alone could take down three Commander-level Fierce Beasts?
Sheer fantasy.
"Roar."
"Roar."
Several hundred meters away, the three Strong Demon Apes occasional low growls, seeming to discuss something.
Unlike the non-intelligent Elite-level Fierce Beasts, these intelligent beings couldn’t discern whether the tiny figures below were truly powerful or just bluffing.
But the aura of the Celestial God Fruit was growing stronger, nearing maturity.
"Friend."
Despite his inner dissatisfaction, Shen Si didn’t want to forfeit the chance to compete for the Celestial God Fruit unless absolutely necessary, so he patiently tried to persuade, "Friend, how can you alone fight against three Commander-level Fierce Beasts? Even if you’re strong, can you guarantee no slip-ups? If something goes wrong, it’ll be too late to regret.
But if you’re willing to cooperate with us, with you included, we’ll have four against their three Commander-level Fierce Beasts, which puts us at an advantage.
We’ll hold them off while others pick the Celestial God Fruits. Once they’re all collected, we’ll retreat together and divide the fruits among ourselves. Isn’t that good? And about the distribution, rest assured, we won’t disappoint you, right, Brother Pei, Brother Tang?"
Shen Si spoke while giving Pei Yong and Tang Qiang a look.
He knew these two couldn’t stand the arrogant guy, but neither could he.
But given the circumstances, what choice did they have?
They couldn’t just give away so many Celestial God Fruits?
Pei Yong and Tang Qiang exchanged glances.
Shen Si was making sense.
But was this mysterious person a martial artist or an awakened? Did he truly have the strength to fend off Commander-level Fierce Beasts?
"Ahem."
Tang Qiang cleared his throat and finally spoke, "The Chairman Shen is right; three Commander-level Fierce Beasts, Old Pei and I can each handle a normal commander while you and Chairman Shen deal with the high-level commander."
"What?"
Shen Si’s jaw dropped, his eyes filled with disbelief.
He was supposed to deal with the high-level commander?
That’s a joke.
"Chairman Shen has concerns?" Pei Yong sneered, looking over at Chen Fan, "With him by your side, what’s there to fear? Didn’t you hear him say he wants all twelve Celestial God Fruits? Clearly, he doesn’t regard the three Commander-level Fierce Beasts."
"Indeed."
"Chairman Shen, the high-level commander will be your task along with him."
"Chairman Shen, don’t worry. As long as you hold them off, we will pick all the Celestial God Fruits and give you a satisfactory share."
Several C-level Awakened remarked cynically.
In their opinion, that bow-wielding guy and Shen Si couldn’t possibly hold off the high-level commander.
If they attempted, they’d likely meet a swift end.
But if they managed to hold it off, it wouldn’t be a bad outcome since they couldn’t rely on the Meridian Refining Realm martial artists to pick the Celestial God Fruits.
Pei Yong and Tang Qiang felt the same.
Holding it off wouldn’t be a loss; failing didn’t concern their lives.
Shen Si looked awkward.
He thought he and the mysterious man would fend off one Commander-level Fierce Beast while Pei Yong and Tang Qiang handled the high-level commander.
Who knew Pei Yong and Tang Qiang had other plans, leaving Shen Si to face grave danger?
Agreeing was out of the question.
"Ahem, Brother Pei..."
He began but stopped, his eyes widening.
Because he saw that the man in the distance had already drawn his longbow, his right hand now held a thick long arrow.
In an instant, the bow was fully drawn.
The arrow tip aimed directly at the three Commander-level Fierce Beasts.
"What?"
Shen Si’s jaw dropped wide open.