Chapter 37. Tempering the Demon Ape in Blazing Flames

By the time they had slain the second wave of Cyan-Striped Apes, they finally drew the attention of a Foundation Establishment demon beast.

The loss of over 30 Verdant-Patterned Apes was quickly noticed by the alpha beast, who led the entire clan in pursuit.

"Run, quickly."

Seeing the demonic ape charging forth with murderous rage, everyone hastily activated their Wind Riding Technique and fled toward the valley.

They were merely 30 li from the valley, and with their cultivation level, they could reach it in just 2 ke.

But the demon ape was incredibly swift. The group had only run a dozen or so miles when the Foundation Establishment demon ape caught up with them. Burning with towering rage, it immediately charged at them with bloodshot eyes.

The physical body of a Foundation Establishment demon beast was nearly as tough as refined iron. If it closed the distance, 1 would likely be torn in 2.

At this critical moment of life and death, the Second Elder summoned the Bell of 9 Echoes (Magic Treasure), unleashing a curtain of light that shielded everyone.

Clang—

A deafening roar erupted as the demonic ape crashed against the Bell of 9 Echoes (Magic Treasure) and was sent flying backward for over a 100 meters.

The Second Elder’s face flushed slightly as he suppressed a surge of rebellious blood, then said, “Go. Quickly.”

Without another moment’s hesitation, the group seized the opportunity while the demon ape was injured by the Bell of 9 Echoes (Magic Treasure), swiftly dashing toward the valley and putting distance between themselves and the beast.

In the frantic chase, the demonic ape closed in several times, but each assault was thwarted by the Bell of 9 Echoes (Magic Treasure). The group finally reached the mouth of the valley.

"Hurry inside."

The group swiftly entered the valley, luring the demonic apes inside.

At that moment, everyone realized the Foundation Establishment Ape Demon's extreme speed had created a vast distance between it and the first-tier ape demons.

"Perfect timing."

The group exchanged glances and immediately activated the Blazing Sun Heavenly Flame Formation. 6 formation banners fell into their hands, instantly unleashing roaring flames that transformed the entire valley into a living hell.

Especially since the crowd had spread dry firewood throughout the valley to amplify the formation’s power. These usually worthless materials now unexpectedly enhanced the formation’s might by 30 percent, causing the Foundation Building demon apes to howl in agony as they burned.

"Put your back into it, burn him to a crisp in 1 breath."

Witnessing this, everyone’s faces lit up with excitement as they channeled their energy into the array flags to refine the demon ape.

This second-tier formation possessed boundless power, its flames so fierce that the Foundation Establishment demon ape was utterly disoriented, thrashing wildly within the array in a most pitiful state.

Just as they had been burning for about a quarter of an hour, the main force of demon apes arrived. Dozens of them, hearing their patriarch’s agonized screams, cast all caution aside and charged frantically into the flames in a desperate attempt to rescue him—only to be consumed by the raging inferno.

These demonic apes.

Eldrin's expression shifted slightly. They had underestimated the Foundation Establishment Ape Demon, as well as the combined strength of nearly a 100 ape demons.

Although the Solar Flare Array was immensely powerful, incinerating such a vast number of demonic beasts at once was depleting their vital energy.

His vital energy was exceptionally profound, far surpassing that of ordinary individuals. However, the others appeared somewhat pale-faced, clearly having expended a significant amount of their energy.

Especially the Second Elder, who wielded the Bell of 9 Echoes (Magic Treasure), had previously clashed head-on with the demonic ape multiple times using the bell. He suffered backlash from the Bell of 9 Echoes (Magic Treasure) and had already sustained considerable internal injuries.

At this moment, his face was as pale as paper, clearly showing that his energy consumption had been excessive, aggravating his existing injuries.

Seeing the situation turning dire, Eldrin quickly handed an Energy Restoration Pill to the Second Elder. "Take it, now."

"Qi-Restoring Pill?"

The Second Elder took a moment to steady his breath before snatching the pill and swallowing it in 1 gulp.

This elixir could restore 70% of the true essence for a Qi Refinement, Late Stage cultivator, instantly replenishing the Second Elder's qi to its peak.

However, it seemed that the backlash from his earlier clash with the demon ape, when he had activated the Bell of 9 Echoes (Magic Treasure), had been quite severe, leaving his complexion still somewhat pale.

The great fire raged for a full half-hour before finally subsiding. The group swallowed some elixirs and absorbed energy from several spirit stones, managing to eliminate roughly 70 to 80 percent of the demonic apes.

"Press on! Aside from the Foundation Establishment Ape Demon, only a few remain now."

Seeing the considerable gains, everyone's faces lit up with joy.

But at that very moment, Eldrin's expression shifted abruptly as he shouted, "Watch out!"

Yet they saw the Blazing Sun Heavenly Flame Array tremble violently. At the heart of the flames, the Foundation Establishment demon ape spat out its demon core, unleashing a torrent of demonic power that crashed against the formation with overwhelming force.

The demon beast's inner core is the essence of its entire being, tied to its very life and existence. Generally, it would never be used lightly. Yet once unleashed, this object possesses earth-shattering, heaven-rending power.

The demon beast spat out its demon core, its radiance actually outshining the Blazing Sun Heavenly Fire, instantly shattering the Blazing Sun Heavenly Fire Formation into dissipating fragments.

However, after breaking through the formation, the demon core also dimmed, clearly having exhausted all its energy.

Seizing this opportunity, the Foundation Establishment demon ape leaped up and crashed out of the valley with earth-shaking force, lunging at them with ferocious brutality.

Witnessing the rampaging demon beasts, the hearts of all present trembled with a sudden shiver of fear.

"Do not hesitate!"

"The demonic ape, having endured the ordeal of the True Flame, had long exhausted its magical power. Now it relied solely on its physical strength to wreak havoc, making this the perfect opportunity to slay it."

At the critical moment, the Second Elder shouted loudly. As his voice fell, he summoned his signature magical artifact—the Red Copper Demon-Piercing Shuttle.

This magical artifact was merely a top-tier first-grade item, yet its power could be considered among the finest. As it thrust forward, it only managed to pierce a small opening in the demonic ape's skin, failing to even tear through the muscle tissue.

The magical instruments of the others could only inflict superficial wounds when they struck the demonic ape. Even Chen Qingwan's high-grade magic sword, whose power was comparatively weaker, produced a metallic clang upon impact with the creature's body, sending scattered sparks flying.

Chen Qingwan couldn't help but reveal a look of terror at this sight.

"This fiendish beast's body is forged of steel and iron, even a top-grade magical artifact cannot harm it!"

"Be careful."

In that very instant, the demonic ape endured the pain and forcibly withstood the assault of everyone's magical artifacts, lunging right before them.

At the critical moment, the Second Elder stepped forward once more and declared in a resonant voice:

"Stand behind me!"

No sooner had he spoken than he forcibly summoned the Bell of 9 Echoes (Magic Treasure) once more, transforming it into a vast, ancient bell that shielded the entire group before them.

Then the Foundation Establishment demon ape lunged forward, crashing against the Bell of 9 Echoes (Magic Treasure).

Clang—

A deafening roar erupted as the collision occurred in an instant. The Second Elder could no longer suppress his internal injuries, coughing up a mouthful of reverse-flowing blood before collapsing to the ground.

The illusory great bell formed by the Bell of 9 Echoes (Magic Treasure) shattered with a thunderous crash. The Foundation Establishment demon ape, its strength spent, was sent flying backward from the impact.

No matter how robust the physical body may be, it has its limits—it can never compare to a same-rank magical artifact tempered thousands of times within a refining furnace.

Having lost its magical power, this Foundation Establishment demon ape still dared to clash head-on with a second-tier magical treasure. It clearly suffered a severe blow, with several ribs shattered by the impact.

"Now!"

"Clang—"

In an instant, Eldrin seized the perfect moment to strike. He summoned the Crimson Iron Blade Embryo, which transformed into a scarlet blade light aimed directly at the Foundation Establishment demon ape’s throat.

However, it was, after all, a Second-Rank Demon Ape (Demon Beast). At the critical moment, it twisted its body aside, evading the fatal strike, yet Eldrin (Person Name) still managed to sever 1 of its arms with a single slash of his sword.

Suffering such a heavy blow, the demonic ape let out a piercing shriek and finally revealed a trace of fear in its eyes before turning to flee into the distance.

"Don't let it escape!"