"Hmm?"

"Not good!"

Gu Yuan was shocked in his heart.

He was still shrouded in the Void Nether Jade, making it difficult for anyone below the Qi Refining Ninth Layer to perceive his presence.

Yet an attack was coming; could it be a Tribulation Cultivator of the Qi Refining Ninth Layer?

Without delay, Gu Yuan activated the Cloud Mist Treasure Robe, casting down rays of glow to protect himself. Simultaneously, the Eight Wind Treasure Ring hummed, trying to imprison any incoming Dharma Artifacts.

But no Dharma Artifacts appeared in the air; the Eight Wind Treasure Ring found no target to confine.

And the Cloud Mist Treasure Robe failed to protect Gu Yuan’s figure.

The "cover" in the air didn’t encase Gu Yuan, but rather the world within ten feet around him.

Like an invisible prison, it locked this tiny realm.

In Gu Yuan’s dantian, several Dharma Seals buzzed, cautiously observing their surroundings.

"Hahaha, stop looking; this is my race’s unique ’Water Prison Celestial Seal,’ capable of sealing a ten-foot realm and concealing signs of Magical Combat. Unless your cultivation surpasses mine by a great realm, the only way out is to kill me!"

As Gu Yuan looked around cautiously, a booming voice suddenly echoed in the water.

Soon the currents surged, and a six-foot-tall ape with green hair and a blue tail and a pair of golden pupils emerged from the water.

"Jade Water Fire-Eyed Ape!"

Gu Yuan looked at the peculiar-looking ape in front of him and couldn’t help but be surprised.

The one ambushing him turned out to be a Jade Water Fire-Eyed Ape!

This ape was not in the Red Moon River, why was it here?

Wasn’t it afraid of being hunted by experts from the Daoist School?

No, the Jade Water Fire-Eyed Ape’s eyes, though striking with golden glow like the Great Sun, lacked divine light, suggesting impure bloodline and not a true Jade Water Fire-Eyed Ape.

Perceiving the thought in Gu Yuan’s eyes, the Jade Water Fire-Eyed Ape’s face turned furious, roaring: "Impure bloodline can still kill you!"

"Kid, hand over the Fire Eye Pill and your Storage Bag now, and I might spare your life!"

"Otherwise, I will tear you to pieces, making you unable to reincarnate forever!"

It seemed extremely angry, staring intently at Gu Yuan.

But now Gu Yuan had already calmed down.

The Jade Water Fire-Eyed Ape is an Exotic Species, born with Third-Layer Qi Refining cultivation. Within ten years, it can reach Sixth-Layer Qi Refining cultivation, and after another ten years, it can achieve Qi Refining Ninth Layer. If it were a purebred Jade Water Fire-Eyed Ape, it would have Foundation Establishment power in twenty years.

A grown Jade Water Fire-Eyed Ape is usually Late-stage Foundation Establishment.

Stronger ones can become Golden Core.

But the impure Jade Water Fire-Eyed Ape before him, though unknown how many years it grew, its strength was only around the Qi Refining Seventh Layer. Gu Yuan immediately calmed down.

And hearing the ape’s yell, Gu Yuan frowned:

"Fire Eye Pill?"

"I do not have this pill. You must not be deceived by others; it could cost you your life."’

The Fire Eye Pill appeared only at the auction; however, I did not buy it. How could this ape come after me?

Gu Yuan was also puzzled, sensing a whiff of conspiracy.

He had thought it might be disciples of the Sunset Glow Sect ambushing him, but unexpectedly, the situation involved an impure Jade Water Fire-Eyed Ape and a Fire Eye Pill.

"Haha, do you know who provided that Fire Eye Pill?"

"The pill was sold by me, and the spiritual materials within were left by my mother’s eyes. Even through the Storage Bag, I can smell the scent, how can you deceive me?"

"Kid, quickly hand over the pill and offer up the Storage Bag, and I may spare your life. Otherwise, you will only lose your life in vain!"

The Water Ape sneered, producing a green steel fork, glaring coldly at Gu Yuan.

Its greedy gaze fell upon the Storage Bag at Gu Yuan’s waist.

Its mother’s twin eyes?

The Fire Eye Pill turned out to be sold by the Water Ape?

But I clearly didn’t purchase the pill, so why is it forcing this on me?

Someone framing me?

Or is this ape intentionally doing so, its goal merely robbery and murder?

Upon hearing the ape’s words, Gu Yuan’s thoughts surged.

"I do not possess the Fire Eye Pill; there must be something strange going on."

"Why not release this prison, we can join forces to uncover the truth."

Gu Yuan’s mind spun, sensing the scent of conspiracy; his tone softened, trying to soothe the Water Ape before him.

"Alright, then toss over the Storage Bag, let me check it!"

The Water Ape sneered immediately.

Gu Yuan, hearing this, could only sigh deeply, then his gaze turned cold: "So be it, since there’s a plot, the mastermind behind it might not actually be of supreme power; I’ll kill you first, then find the culprit."

To throw the Storage Bag away is a foolish act.

Naturally, Gu Yuan would not do it.

"Hmph, boasting..."

The Water Ape sneered, raising the steel fork in its hand, poised to pounce on Gu Yuan.

"Rush!"

But within a mere instant, a heavy fog obscured everything, the area within ten feet was covered with thick fog and torrential rain, suppressing all senses and Techniques.

"Clang!"

Moreover, a golden ring suddenly flew out of the fog, firmly locking onto the steel fork in the Water Ape’s hand.

Just as the Dao Pattern on the steel fork began to glow, it was suppressed by a terrifying force, fading as if it were ordinary iron.

The Water Ape’s face turned pale.

The force of this fog and ring was extremely dominant, beyond its imagination.

"Picked the wrong opponent!"

The Water Ape grew anxious within, but its expression turned even more ferocious.

"So what, kid, today you’ll witness my race’s Divine Technique!"

After speaking, it took a deep breath, its demonic power surged, and its golden pupils suddenly brightened.

Although its bloodline was impure, it still had half Exotic Species blood, fully capable of activating the Fire Eye Technique.

The Fire Eye Pill must be consumed under blazing sun and fire, but the Human Race in front of it hadn’t yet met this condition.

It could win!

"Puff!"

Its demonic power surged, and the gold in its pupils became more intense.

"Boom!"

But just then, amidst the thick fog, the sound of thunder seemed to ring out; a brilliant bolt of lightning suddenly struck down, hitting its forehead.

"Boom!"

It staggered, the divine light in its eyes diminished significantly.

"Top-Grade Dharma Artifact!"

"Damn it!"

It roared furiously, extremely unwilling.

The steel fork in its hand seemed unremarkable but was crafted from Great River Treasured Iron, capable of controlling the Jade Water Great River. Unconfined, it was a Top-Grade Dharma Artifact, providing protection for it, allowing time to activate its Divine Technique.

But losing the steel fork was akin to losing its barrier.

"Whoo!"

As it braced against the lightning, preparing to activate the divine light again, another silver beam descended from above, landing on its body.

"This is..."

The beam’s effect was unknown by it, but its demonic power, Qi Blood, and Spiritual Sense quickly weakened, reminiscent of the state when its mother passed away while seated in meditation, frail beyond compare.

"Not good, another Top-Grade Dharma Artifact!"

Though it harbored Exotic Species blood, its physical body was firm, and only Top-Grade Dharma Artifacts could make it suffer so.

An unspoken fear surfaced in its heart.

This time, it truly picked the wrong fight.

"Hiss!"

Amidst the fog, forces akin to volcanic eruptions were instantly at hand, piercing through its forehead, extinguishing all its thoughts.

"Bang!"

The invisible cover shattered, once again revealing the vast world.

A handsome young man, looking at the suddenly ruptured water seal, had the smile on his lips frozen.