Chapter 116: Chapter 116: Rank 4 Spirit Beast

The Red Flame Mountain Range, a mountain chain spanning the north and south, coiled quietly amidst clouds and mist like a sleeping dragon.

Mists swirled through the lush, verdant mountain forests—a manifestation of tangible Spiritual Power, a testament to its sheer abundance in this place.

Amidst the mountains, Shen Haoran and his two companions leaped carefully from one ancient, verdant tree to the next. They moved with extreme stealth, for this was the middle ring of the Red Flame Mountain Range, where Tier Four and Tier Five Spirit Beasts appeared with frightening frequency. The slightest carelessness could plunge them into peril.

Shen Haoran’s group of three had a plan before they entered. With two Spirit Generals—no, with Shen Haoran’s freakish combat prowess, he could be counted as a Spirit General as well—three Spirit Generals could certainly kill an ordinary Tier Four Spirit Beast. They had already chosen their target: an Iron-Armed Demon Ape. This Tier Four Spirit Beast had an enormous body and astonishing strength, but it was extremely slow. Among Tier Four Spirit Beasts, its intelligence was the lowest. For the three of them, taking it down would be more than enough.

"Stop!" As the three of them advanced, Shen Haoran suddenly made a gesture for silence, signaling for the other two to hide.

"We’re here. That’s the Iron-Armed Demon Ape’s lair!" Shen Haoran said, pointing to a massive cave ahead. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Long Mo frowned and asked, "This doesn’t seem like the Iron-Armed Demon Ape’s usual territory. How do you know this is its lair?"

Hearing this, Shen Haoran smiled and pointed to several rotting Spirit Beast carcasses at the cave’s entrance. "The Iron-Armed Demon Ape is ferocious by nature. In the Magic Beast Realm, it’s known as the Bloodthirsty Ape Demon. Look at those carcasses. Their bodies are torn to shreds. This has to be the Iron-Armed Demon Ape’s lair, no doubt about it!"

Upon hearing this, Ji Lingxuan blushed and turned her head away, looking a bit embarrassed. Meanwhile, a dark expression crossed Long Mo’s face. ’You’ve got to be kidding me. That’s how he knew?’

"Alright, now that we’ve found our target, let’s stick to the plan! I’ll lure it out, Ling Xuan will be in charge of harassment and control, and Senior Brother Long will prepare for the killing blow!" Shen Haoran said, clenching his fists, his face filled with fighting spirit.

"Alright!" the two agreed. These were the roles they had assigned on the way here. Long Mo admitted he couldn’t match Shen Haoran’s phantom-like speed. With Ji Lingxuan’s Ice Attribute Spiritual Power, combined with her Nine Nether Qi, slowing down the Iron-Armed Demon Ape would be a simple task. And Long Mo’s ferocious Fire Attribute attacks would provide the finishing power. Their roles were clearly defined.

"I’m going in!" Shen Haoran whispered. His figure vanished, reappearing at the mouth of the cave. After a quick look around, he casually hoisted up a nearby rotting Spirit Beast carcass and hurled it directly into the cave.

"Hey, you big oaf, get out here! Today, Grandmaster Shen is here to deliver justice! Come out and die!" Shen Haoran bellowed, his voice, amplified by Spiritual Thought, echoing thunderously through the cave.

Hearing Shen Haoran’s cry, Long Mo looked away. ’What kind of taunt is that? He sounds like a kid picking a fight!’

The taunt may have been a bit lacking, but it was remarkably effective. A moment later, a heaven-shaking roar erupted from the cave. The powerful sonic wave caused the nearby rock faces to crumble, and a blast of wind laced with a foul stench shot toward Shen Haoran, making his robes whip and snap.

ROAR! A mountain-like figure leaped from the cave, blocking out the sun as it smashed down viciously onto the spot where Shen Haoran stood.

Shen Haoran was prepared. The instant the dark shadow hit the ground, his figure drifted away like a falling leaf, landing steadily over twenty meters from the Iron-Armed Demon Ape.

ROAR! Seeing that its opponent was a mere human Martial Artist, the Iron-Armed Demon Ape roared again, staring contemptuously at Shen Haoran. It didn’t sense the slightest threat from him.

But this little thing that it had so easily dismissed then did something that infuriated it.

Shen Haoran picked up a stone from the ground and hurled it hard at the Iron-Armed Demon Ape’s head. Although the ape’s hide was tough and its flesh thick, making the small stone utterly painless, it was still a provocation. An insult!

The Iron-Armed Demon Ape could take it no longer. It bellowed, wanting nothing more than to tear this little creature to pieces and chew on its body.

ROAR! The Iron-Armed Demon Ape’s eyes turned blood-red. It swung its arms, as thick as an elephant’s legs, smashing them down toward Shen Haoran.

Seeing the nearly frenzied Iron-Armed Demon Ape, the corners of Shen Haoran’s lips curled up slightly. His objective was achieved: he had successfully drawn its attention.

However, this was also the most difficult moment. A frenzied Iron-Armed Demon Ape was not to be trifled with. Shen Haoran had to be on full alert. If he took even a single hit, his life would likely be over.

"Icebound Ten Thousand Miles!" Fortunately, Ji Lingxuan acted at the perfect moment. Without warning, snowflakes began to fall from the sky. Rings of icy patterns spread out from under the Iron-Armed Demon Ape’s feet, and flecks of ice appeared on its body, causing its movements to slow.

With Ji Lingxuan making her move, Long Mo didn’t wait either. His body was enveloped in purple Thunder Flame as he transformed into a streak of purple lightning, repeatedly striking at the Iron-Armed Demon Ape’s forehead—its only weak point.

The trio’s attacks connected in an instant, catching the Iron-Armed Demon Ape completely off guard. It could only raise its thick iron arms to passively defend itself.

ROAR! After blocking another of Long Mo’s strikes, the Iron-Armed Demon Ape roared in fury. Its fur was now scorched, and its earlier imposing manner was gone. It bellowed, glaring at Shen Haoran’s group. How dare these lowly ants challenge its majesty!

"Watch out! It’s about to activate its bloodline Talent!" Shen Haoran shouted, seeing the Iron-Armed Demon Ape grow more savage.

ROAR! With another furious roar, the Iron-Armed Demon Ape’s body began to change. Its originally brown fur turned an iron-gray color, as if it had been cast from molten iron.

This was the Iron-Armed Demon Ape’s bloodline Talent. Any Spirit Beast that could reach Tier Four had some special ability, and the Iron-Armed Demon Ape’s was to strengthen its own body. This enhancement included not only its defense and strength but also its speed!

ROAR! Having awakened its bloodline Talent, the Iron-Armed Demon Ape went berserk. Its two great iron arms began to spin like a windmill. Shen Haoran’s body swayed precariously under the frenzied assault, looking as if he could be struck at any moment.

SWOOSH! Shen Haoran focused his concentration to its absolute peak, constantly weaving and dodging through the narrow gaps in the attack, searching for an opening. He was incredibly thankful that he had mastered the basics of the Nine Heavens Shocking Cloud Step before setting out. Otherwise, against the Iron-Armed Demon Ape’s current onslaught, even ten of him wouldn’t be enough to survive.

"Senior Brother Long, I can’t hold on for much longer! It’s all up to you now!" Shen Haoran shouted, finding a brief moment while dodging. Indeed, given the current depth of his Spiritual Power, he truly couldn’t last much longer under the Iron-Armed Demon Ape’s relentless attacks.

"Got it!" Long Mo responded, immediately withdrawing from the battlefield. The previous level of his attacks was like trying to scratch an itch for the Iron-Armed Demon Ape after it had activated its bloodline Talent; they had almost no effect. His only option was to charge up a single, all-powerful strike.

Long Mo closed his eyes, and the purple Thunder Flame surrounding his body began to churn. A moment later, the winds and clouds began to stir, and Celestial Thunder rumbled. Long Mo’s attack was actually summoning the Divine Power of heaven and earth!