Chapter 87: Platinum Leader, Titan Ape King

At the heart of the secret realm lay a lake, encircled by towering trees. Its surface was as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the azure sky above. Beside the lake stood a colossal tree, its branches stretching skyward, leaves unfurling in the breeze.

Boom... Boom...

The ground trembled ever so slightly. A gigantic gorilla, standing several dozen meters tall, strode from afar, each step deep and deliberate. It paused at the lakeside, gently scooping a handful of water. Ripples spread across the placid surface.

Not far from the lake, hidden among the trees, two men cloaked in black robes and wide hoods lurked in silence. The younger of the pair glanced up at the enormous gorilla and whispered, "Protector, is that the beast king of the secret realm?"

The older man, his hair streaked with gray, nodded. "Indeed. That is the strongest leader-class beast in the freshman secret realm of Dragon University—the Titan Ape King. It's a platinum-level beast leader."

A look of awe filled the younger man's eyes. This was a platinum-level leader! Ordinary people might never witness such a creature in their lifetime. Every platinum leader possessed terrifying power, capable of obliterating a thousand-man squad with ease. Even artillery and other modern weapons were useless against them. Only powerful professionals could hope to challenge them.

A ruthless glint flashed in the middle-aged man's eyes. "This time, the Church has spared no expense to send us into the secret realm, all for the purpose of injecting the Rage Potion into that beast. Once it goes berserk, it will attack the prodigies of Dragon University. The pain of death will haunt them for life, and many talents will be stopped here."

"This mission must succeed. Failure is not an option. Your only task is to get close to the Titan Ape King and inject the potion. Prepare yourself."

"Yes," the younger man replied solemnly, nodding. He reached into his pocket and produced a glass syringe, filled with a blood-red liquid. Hunching his shoulders, he crept quietly towards the Titan Ape King.

The beast was drinking from the lake, unaware of the intruder behind it. The young man rejoiced inwardly. Excellent! The Titan Ape King had not noticed him. All he needed was a single, swift strike.

However, when he closed to within fifty meters, the Titan Ape King suddenly spun around. Its crimson eyes locked onto him with deadly intensity. The young man's body stiffened. Though he was a third-tier fighter, he was utterly outmatched by the Titan Ape King.

He gritted his teeth and stomped his foot, launching himself like a cannonball toward the beast.

"Roar!"

The Titan Ape King let loose an enraged bellow.

Someone dared trespass upon its territory! Fury blazed within it. It raised its arm and swung a massive palm at the young man.

Staring at the titanic hand blotting out the sky, the young man's expression changed. If that blow landed, he would be flattened into a pulp. He dodged swiftly to the left.

Boom!

The palm struck the ground, sending tremors through the earth. The hard rocky surface was left with a deep imprint, several centimeters thick. The beast whirled around, just in time to see the young man descending from mid-air.

A ferocious snarl twisted its features as it reached with its other hand.

Bang!

In mid-air, the young man had nowhere to escape and was caught squarely by the Titan Ape King.

Crack!

The beast clenched its fist. With a sharp snap, wood chips fell from its palm. It had caught a wooden decoy.

Meanwhile, the young man had circled behind the Titan Ape King. A slight smile appeared on his face. Beasts were beasts—slow-witted. He tossed the syringe, sending it flying toward the creature's neck.

Sss!

The sharp needle pierced its neck, and the blood-like liquid was injected into its body. The Titan Ape King stiffened, then its eyes glowed blood-red.

"Roar!"

It howled at the sky, murderous intent billowing forth. It spun to glare at the young man behind it.

The young man's expression faltered. Not good! He had become the target. He retreated toward his companion with all his might, but a fist larger than a grown man's body was already barreling toward him.

Thud!

He was flung back like a broken kite, crashing into the trunk of a giant tree. A mouthful of blood burst from his lips. His limbs twisted unnaturally, all broken. His life force was nearly spent.

The older man smiled. "It's done. Now, let these prodigies taste the power of a platinum-level beast leader!"

He hoisted the young man and crushed a red sphere in his hand.

The sphere exploded, shrouding them in smoke.

"Roar!"

The Titan Ape King, enraged, charged toward the red mist like a speeding locomotive.

Boom!

A dozen trees toppled in its wake. Yet, within the red mist, no figures remained.

"ROAR!"

Mad with fury, the Titan Ape King pounded its chest. It sniffed the air—human scent! More human scent! It turned left and thundered off in pursuit.

...

Within the woods, Flower Dancer and her companions moved forward.

"Flower Dancer, what level is the beast at the heart of the secret realm?" Dong Yan asked curiously.

Flower Dancer strode lightly ahead, a smile on her face, as if on a spring outing. "Platinum-level leader—the Titan Ape King."

Everyone stopped in their tracks. Dou Wenle furrowed his brow. "Platinum-level leader? Are we really going to provoke such a creature? What if it turns on us?"

Flower Dancer smiled, eyes twinkling. "Don't worry. That big brute is strong, but not very smart. With a little temptation, it'll go after Xu Han instead. As long as Xu Han is badly wounded, we can take his wristband."

Hearing this, Dou Wenle's tension eased a little.

Rumble—

Suddenly, the earth began to shake as if struck by an earthquake.

"What’s happening? Is this an earthquake?" Dong Yan exclaimed, grabbing a nearby tree to steady himself.

Wang Mo quickly looked up, his eyes wary. "Something’s coming!"

Everyone drew their weapons, preparing for battle.

Boom!

A towering figure, several dozen meters tall, burst from the woods and crashed to the ground. The earth shook violently, dust rising in clouds.

All stared wide-eyed at the monstrous beast before them. Its eyes glowed scarlet, its breath heavy and ragged. Murderous aura radiated from its body, pressure like a mountain weighing upon them.

They stood frozen, gaping at the giant ape.

Flower Dancer cried out, "It’s the Titan Ape King!"