Eternal Sacred King 16 to 20

 Chapter 16: Scarlet Flame Fruit

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“Miss Die?”

Su Zimo was startled awake and immediately refuted this thought.

A tall, large and strong-built figure was approaching him. He was covered in long hair and smelled nauseating. How could that be Die Yue?

Su Zimo struggled to open his eyes to catch a clearer glimpse of the person’s looks.

However, a gush of fatigue overtook him. Su Zimo’s vision was getting increasingly blurry.

He could vaguely see the dark figure grabbing onto things and swinging to and fro above the valley; his movements extremely swift, agile and light. Shortly after, he had reached the hill top of the valley and got away from the wolf packs encirclement.

“Ga! Ga!”

The black figure looked back at the numerous wolves in the valley and gave out an eerie laughter. Thereafter, carrying Su Zimo, with two to three moves at a time, he disappeared into the forest.

...

Not knowing how long had passed, Su Zimo gradually regained his consciousness and struggled to sit up. He was in pain all over and his muscles were numb and aching.

Su Zimo looked down and saw that some unknown herbs had been applied on his wounds. They felt light and cool.

The rest of the body parts without injuries had also been smeared with some unknown material that emitted a foul and repulsive stench.

Su Zimo drew his brows and looked around.

This was a rather wide and spacious cave without an extraordinary appearance. However, many wolf skins were hanging on the walls.

At this moment, gurgling sounds could be heard coming from the entrance of the cave. A tall and big figure snuggled in. The way he walked was a little odd. He seemed to be tip-toeing and leaping.

Su Zimo focused his sight and was stunned on the spot.

What came in was not a man but a monkey...

He had actually been saved by a monkey?

Su Zimo’s mood was a little complicated. During the past six months at Cang Lang Mountain Range, there were at least 800 to 1000 spirit beasts that died in his hands. He did not expect himself to be saved by a spirit monkey in the end.

This spirit monkey looked very ordinary. It had super long forelimbs that exceeded the knees when hung down. A dot of red light was swirling in the depths of his eyes. It was a little strange and mysterious.

“Thank you.”

Su Zimo cupped his fists at the spirit monkey.

The spirit monkey pursed his lips in a human-like manner. He did not reciprocate Su Zimo’s gratitude. It waved its hands, pointed at the wolf skins on the wall and chattered ‘Walawala’ for some time.

Lastly, the spirit monkey pointed at Su Zimo, extended one of it’s fingers and swaying it from side to side in a mocking manner.

It was spiritually enlightened!

Besides not knowing how to speak, this spirit monkey was no different from an ordinary man.

The spirit monkey could convey the emotions of an adult perfectly with gestures and expressions.

Su Zimo could not stifle his laughter. He tried to probe by asking, “Do you mean to say that you didn’t wish to save me at all? It is because you have an enmity with these wolves?”

The spirit monkey opened his mouth and smiled. It nodded.

“Since that is the case, we have a common enemy. We can join forces in the future.”

Su Zimo had been enduring loneliness in the Cang Lang Mountain Range for the past six months. He also wished to have someone that he could talk to. The spirit monkey before him was extremely intelligent and was no different from a human. It would make an excellent confidant.

“Spat!”

The spirit monkey spat and gave a disdainful look. He made a gesture, showing his contempt to Su Zimo, seemingly mocking Su Zimo for being too weak.

“... ”

Su Zimo was stunned and speechless. He had been looked down on by a monkey.

After all, it was his savior ‘monkey’. Hence, it was not good for Su Zimo to say anything. He looked a little awkward.

Su Zimo glanced at the sky through the cave entrance. Suddenly, a doubt arose in his heart.

He had been unconscious for at least one day. This time, the wolf packs actually did not chase over?

At the smell of that pungent stench on his body, Su Zimo’s eyes shone. He could not help asking, “Do you have a way to cover my body smell to avoid the wolves’ sense of smell?”

“Gagagaga!”

Upon hearing this question, the spirit monkey opened his big mouth and laughed complacently. His eyes were filled with mockery and laughter.

Looking at the spirit monkey, Su Zimo suddenly had a bad premonition.

Thereafter, he saw the spirit monkey bending and squatting down, showing the posture of passing motion and placing his palms to catch something below his butt. He then wiped the mess all over his body.

“The thing that is smeared on my body is your poop?” Su Zimo turned pale. He asked after much difficulty.

“Gagaga!”

The spirit beast lifted his head and laughed out loud. He waved his arms and skipped around, as if he had done something proud and great.

“... ”

Su Zimo had the feeling of being struck by lightning. He endured the the urge to sprout profanities, gnash his teeth and say, word-by-word, “You.... this damn money. I... ”

At the sight of Su Zimo’s disgust, the spirit monkey looked even more delighted. He chattered ‘Wo!Wo!’ non-stop and was extremely thrilled.

Su Zimo gritted his teeth and said, “Damn monkey, I will definitely fight with you when I fully recover!”

The spirit monkey did not seem to care. It only stood on the same spot and laughed arrogantly while crossing its arms.

Su Zimo was covered in pain and wounds. He could not do anything to the monkey for the time being. He lay down swiftly on the ground and tried to calm down.

Just as he lay down, not far from his head, Su Zimo saw a red and lush fruit hanging and swaying slowly. It looked juicy and shiny and emitted a tempting fragrance.

Su Zimo was thirsty and his mouth dry. Without thinking much, he stretched out his hands and stuffed the red fruit into his mouth.

The flesh of the fruit softened as soon as it entered his mouth. The juice was refreshing and sweet, transforming into a surge of warmth into his tummy.

The spirit monkey inadvertently witnessed this scene. It’s pupils shrank. Sounds of it’s laughter ceased abruptly.

Su Zimo sucked his lips, savoring the good taste of this fruit. When he wanted to look for another one of it, he suddenly sensed a murderous aura in the cave!

The atmosphere seemed to have turned stiff.

“Mmm?”

Su Zimo was stunned. He instinctively sat up but nearly bumped into that big face of the spirit monkey.

The spirit monkey glared at Su Zimo with bloodshot eyes, gnashing and clenching it’s teeth, panting heavily. It looked like it could not wait to tear Su Zimo apart alive!

Su Zimo’s heart stirred. He vaguely guessed that the fruit that he had eaten earlier was probably not ordinary.

“Hey, you disgusted me once. I ate your fruit. We are even now.” Su Zimo felt a little guilty.

“Oh! Oh!”

At the sound of Su Zimo’s words, the spirit monkey was fuming with anger. He was so furious that he jumped up and pounded his chest, making deafening ‘Guang! Guang!’ sounds.

The spirit monkey dashed towards the mountain wall beside him and hit his head against the wall. Rocks shattered and flew all over. The sound was terrifying.

Su Zimo was secretly shocked.

This spirit monkey was very powerful. He might not be it’s opponent even if he were to recover fully and was in his best condition.

Fortunately, the spirit monkey did not vent it’s frustration on him. He continued to pound the mountain rocks and almost punched through the mountain walls.

At this very moment, Su Zimo suddenly felt his belly warming up and turning boiling hot. Flows of warm air surged towards his limbs and bones, emitting endless flows of heat.

Su Zimo’s skin began to redden. It was as if a huge stove was inside him and barbecuing his body. The pain was unbearable.

“Psst!”

Su Zimo exhaled and looked down. He saw the flesh and blood surrounding his wounds throbbing, integrating and healing at a speed that was visible to the naked eye. Only the scars remained thereafter.

In the blink of an eye, the scars came off and the skin was rejuvenated to be like before.

Even the piece of flesh on the thigh that had been torn by the wolves was repairing itself rapidly at this moment.

“Ah!”

Su Zimo hollered at the sky. He felt like he was exploding!

“This is bad. This energy is too strong. My body will burst if this continues!”

Su Zimo did not have the time to think. He circulated Body Tempering and Tendons Transformation immediately and carried out the breathing and expiration techniques.

At the same time, Su Zimo leaped up vertically with the Plow Heaven Stride. He crazily dashed around the mountain cave, constantly practicing the styles of The Mystic Classic of the Twelve Demon Kings of the Great Wilderness. He wanted to vent out this surge of energy.

The spirit monkey seemed to be shocked by this scene. He stopped rampaging all over the place. Stunned and with his jaws-dropping, it stared at Su Zimo, who seemed even crazier than him.

A huge surge of unbearable essence energy ran wildly in Su Zimo’s body, constantly nourishing his body, refining, hardening his skin and stretching his large tendons.

He was advancing tremendously in the Body Tempering and Tendons Transformation Realms!

Zeng! Zeng! Zeng!

The large tendons in Su Zimo’s body throbbed. Sounds of bowstring vibrations could be heard.

Initial success of Tendons Transformation!

The body’s flexibility and agility had improved. His steps were apparently much swifter and lighter than before. His strength rose rapidly!

According to Die Yue, as long as he attained initial success of Tendons Transformation, Su Zimo’s power was enough to be a threat to a Level 8 Qi Refinement Warrior!

Despite the case, Su Zimo still could not transform the huge source of essence in his body.

Su Zimo’s skin was torn apart and blood stains covered his body densely. It was a menacing and gruesome scene.

“What exactly is this thing?!”

Su Zimo was terrified. He did not expect that casually taking a fruit almost caused him to lose his life.

In fact, this red fruit was famous in the cultivation world. It was the spirit item, Scarlet Flame Fruit, whose flowers bloomed and bore fruit only once in a thousand years.

The Scarlet Flame Fruit contained strong and powerful essence. It was a huge tonic. It’s medicinal properties were akin to fire. It was heaty, dry and explosive. No one dared to take it in its raw form. Most people would supplement it with other spirit medicine and refine it into elixirs to moderate the effect and make it convenient to consume too.

If not for the fact that Su Zimo was cultivating The Mystic Classic of the Twelve Demon Kings of the Great Wilderness and had a strong and powerful physique, he would have been consumed by the heat in the fruit and burnt to ashes the moment that he swallowed the Scarlet Flame Fruit.

The spirit monkey had guarded the Scarlet Flame Fruit for many years. He was waiting for the Scarlet Flame Fruit to turn ripe in these few days.

It initially intended to pick a date and consume this Scarlet Flame Fruit. Unexpectedly, it had been devoured by Su Zimo in one gulp. Neither the fruit nor skin was left.

One could imagine how frustrated and upset the spirit monkey was earlier.

It was just that, now, at the sight that Su Zimo was in so much pain, the spirit monkey was frightened.

The spirit monkey was extremely intelligent. He could tell that if he was the one who consumed this Scarlet Flame Fruit, he would not end up in a better state. Most likely, he would perish.

At the thought of this, the spirit monkey felt a little guilty.

No matter what, this calamity of Su Zimo was caused by him.

The spirit monkey scratched his ears and cheeks and looked at Su Zimo, who was in extraordinary pain and red all over. However, he could not think of any solution.

Chapter 17: Under the Cold Lake

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Under the impact of the Scarlet Flame Fruit’s searing essence, Su Zimo’s blood was already boiling. Each time he breathed out, his nose would release a scarlet airstream.

The life span of the Perfected Golden Core was at most 500 years.

A flower that blooms and bear only one fruit in a thousand years – What kind of concept would this spirit item possess?

This flow of energy was rich and massive. Su Zimo could not endure it at all. He should count his blessings on having sustained for five minutes with The Mystic Classic of the Twelve Demon Kings of the Great Wilderness.

“Ah!”

Su Zimo hollered at the sky. He had no place to vent out the energy in his body. It was such a torture that he wished to die.

“Bang!”

Su Zimo circulated all the energy in his body and executed Mountain Pressing. He bumped against the stone walls in the cave with all his might. One-by-one, many rocks cracked and fell to the ground.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Both Su Zimo’s eyes were red. He repeatedly bumped against the stone walls, seemingly wanting to release all the energy in his body.

Each time he bumped against the wall, the cave would shake violently, plummeting gravel. The cave looked like it was going to collapse at any point in time.

If the cave were to collapse, it would be akin to a hill top or object weighing up to ten thousands of pounds crashing down. No matter how strong one’s body was, he would be crushed into mud. Death in this place was imminent for a man and a monkey!

Su Zimo had already lost his sanity but not the spirit monkey.

Obviously, Su Zimo was going to die. He was neither relative nor acquaintance to the spirit monkey. They only met by chance. Escaping from this place as soon as possible would be the wisest option for the spirit monkey.

However, there was a flash of worry in the spirit monkey’s eyes at this juncture.

The spirit monkey hesitated for a moment and did not choose to leave.

Standing by the side, he was on pins and needles. He blinked his eyes constantly, seemingly hoping for a miracle to happen.

“Bang! Boom! Boom!”

At this moment, deafening sounds could be heard coming from the stone walls. The entire mountain trembled for a while!

“Oh?”

The eyes of the spirit monkey shone. He discovered that Su Zimo’s knock on this occasion had actually broke the cave’s stone walls and he had fallen into another cave.

There was a cave within the cave!

The spirit monkey quickened his steps and caught up with Su Zimo. The second cave was narrow and small and there was a small lake in the middle. The air was chilling and icy coldness penetrated one’s bones.

Before he could approach the cave, the spirit monkey was already shivering in the cold. He quickly halted his steps.

The cool air emitted by the pond was extremely strong and even a little creepy. When the spirit monkey inched closer, a layer of frost appeared and was spreading slowly on his body’s hair. Coldness penetrated him, as if countless steel needles were piercing through his blood and flesh!

At this moment, Su Zimo was burning all over. When he sensed the bone-chilling coldness, he did not resist. Instead, he stepped towards the cold lake.

The coldness was overwhelming and unbearable.

However, Su Zimo, who had eaten the Scarlet Flame Fruit by mistake, seemed to have innumerable flames burning in his body, that could coincidentally offset the effect of the cold.

Su Zimo jumped directly into the cold lake. Thereafter, sizzling sounds could be heard as if a striking hot iron bar had been immersed into the icy water.

Cold and hot, ice and fire, these two distinct forces collided in Su Zimo’s body.

Su Zimo rose and fell in the cold lake, his figure submerged and reappearing from time to time. Vapor rose and mist enshrouded. It felt like an immortal land.

The spirit monkey stood and watched this scene from afar. He faintly guessed that Su Zimo had already survived this calamity under a twist of circumstances.

As the ancient saying goes, the antidote to any venomous poison will always be present in the latter’s vicinity.

Everything in the world mutually reinforced or countered each other. This was the order of nature that would never change.

Since the cave had bred such a radical fruit like the Scarlet Flame Fruit, a contrasted and radically cold item should be growing within the vicinity in accompaniment.

Su Zimo had taken the Scarlet Flame Fruit by mistake and could not endure the massive energy. Nevertheless, he discovered the cold lake by chance and borrowed the coldness to suppress the searing essence and sealed it into every inch of his flesh and blood!

These searing essence had not yet been dissipated from Su Zimo’s body.

However, a huge treasure trove had been sealed in his body. Each time he cultivated, he would refine the essence within him until he drained the energy of the Scarlet Flame Fruit!

This was greatly beneficial to Su Zimo in advancing in the realms in the future.

From the moment that he leaped into the cold lake, Su Zimo had already regained his senses.

Soon after, he realized that the energy of the Scarlet Flame Fruit no longer posed a threat as it had been sealed in his body. Su Zimo wanted to jump out of the cold lake but his heart suddenly wavered.

Since this place could breed the Scarlet Flame Fruit, could there be other such fruits breeding around the cold lake?

The cave where the cold lake was situated was small and narrow. One could see everything in it at a mere glance. Su Zimo did not discover anything. If he had guessed correctly, there was a high possibility that they would be at the bottom of the lake!

Su Zimo took a deep breath and plunged into the cold lake.

The cold lake was extremely cold. Oddly, there were no signs of freezing. Su Zimo dived deeper and deeper, withstanding the intensifying pressure as he dived. The lakes waters were also getting colder and colder!

After cultivating The Mystic Classic of the Twelve Demon Kings of the Great Wilderness, Su Zimo’s ability to hold his breath was very strong. He could hold it for fifteen minutes long.

However, as Su Zimo dived deeper, the coldness in his body intensified, his limbs gradually turned cold and his blood circulation slowed down.

This cold lake seemed bottomless. Su Zimo realized that he would freeze to death before he could see the bottom of it if he were to continue to swim.

At this moment, a beam of red light suddenly streaked across the depths of the corner of the cold lake suddenly.

Su Zimo focused his gaze towards the light but he could not see it clearly as the lakes waters were blocking his view. He could only vaguely see a rock with four words engraved present in the deeper waters. The words were very blurry.

Su Zimo slid both his arms and dived downwards again. After covering some distance, he had already reached the limit of his physique.

Su Zimo opened his eyes wide and looked at that piece of huge rock.

Fire!

Su Zimo distinctively saw ‘fire’, one of the four words on the rock.

The other three words still looked blurry.

Coldness entered his body and Su Zimo shivered all over.

“If this continues, I’m afraid I’m going to die!”

Su Zimo dared not continue. He moved all his four limbs and swam towards the surface of the water.

Soon after, Su Zimo climbed out of the cold lake. There was a layer of frost on his hair and brows. His lips were purplish and his face was ghastly pale.

Swoosh!

Su Zimo panted heavily, white clouds of vapor rising from the top of his head.

“Wowowo!”

Not far away, the spirit monkey chattered while staring at him. He was gesturing to Su Zimo anxiously, seemingly asking how Su Zimo was doing.

“I am fine.”

Su Zimo smiled. After resting for a while, he stood up and left the cold lake.

After this round of ‘torture’, Su Zimo had gained something from the misfortune. He had not only achieved initial success for the Tendons Transformation section but also sealed a massive energy source in his body.

This meant that, henceforth, Su Zimo could cultivate at any point in time to refine and absorb the essence sealed in his body without the need to consume any food or drinks.

Su Zimo’s mood improved tremendously. He patted the shoulders of the spirit monkey and said smilingly, “Damn monkey. Thanks.”

“Chey!”

The spirit monkey glanced at the sky and snorted ‘Hurmp!’. He did reciprocate Su Zimo’s gratitude.

Su Zimo could not stifle his laughter.

This monkey was very proud. Su Zimo understood it’s temperament a little.

Su Zimo stood aside. He stood with his legs apart, parallel to his shoulders, in preparation to cultivate the three styles of Tendons Transformation – Sanguine Ape Tri-style.

Sanguine Ape Fist Seal, Sanguine Ape Fruit Offering and Sanguine Ape Transformation.

The first two styles were killing moves while the third style was the core move. Die Yue once told Su Zimo that one could not casually execute the Sanguine Ape Transformation unless he was on the brink of death.

When he was surrounded by the packs of wolves in the valley, Su Zimo did not release the Sanguine Ape Transformation because he had not attained initial success of Tendons Transformation. If he were to do so, his large tendons would split, his body would explode and he would die on the spot.

Anaconda’s tendons were flexible and resilient whereas ape’s tendons were both strong and soft. The outcome of cultivating ape first would cause the large tendons to burst and split, for they could not withstand the vigorous forces of the constant tugs and vibration. One would become paralyzed.

This was the reason for the need to cultivate the anaconda prior to the ape styles.

Su Zimo rested for a while. His body straightened. With his left fist guarding his chest, his right fist drew an arc in mid-air and smashed downwards.

Sanguine Ape Fist Seal!

Right on the heels of that, Su Zimo retracted his fists, bent his knees and shrunk his body like an agile monkey. Seemingly kneeling with one knee, he put his palms together as if he was holding a fruit and lifted them upwards.

Sanguine Ape Fruit Offering!

Be it name or posture, these two styles did not seem like killing moves.

Su Zimo was baffled. He could not figured it out and had a hunch that he seemed to be missing something.

“Gagagaga!”

At this very moment, a fearless and bold laughter rang in his ears.

Su Zimo looked back. He saw that spirit monkey sitting on the ground, laughing out loud and pointing at Su Zimo. His eyes were filled with contempt. He was only short of writing the word ‘fool’ and similar words on his face.

“I have been looked down upon by this damn monkey again.”

Su Zimo glared at him and said, “What is wrong with you again?”

The spirit monkey stopped mocking. Leaping up, he suddenly dashed towards Su Zimo like an arrow. Both his hands were guarding the chest, his right hand cupped into a fist, drawing an arc in mid-air, charging and aiming at Su Zimo’s head.

“Mmm?”

Su Zimo’s expression changed greatly.

The Spirit monkey’s punch was completely the style of Sanguine Ape Fist Seal. It was exactly the same and even more vicious, filled with a murderous and imposing aura!

Su Zimo did not understand the meaning of the word ‘seal’ in Sanguine Ape Fist Seal previously.

He had a moment of realization at the sight of the spirit monkey smashing down his fist.

The spirit monkey clenched his fist. It’s greenish-black large tendons protruded, it’s flesh and blood expanding. The fist that swelled up like a huge seal suddenly dropped!

There was an explosive sound in the air with this punch!

So, that was the case.

After easing the tendons, one could make use of the strength of the tendons to tighten the flesh and skin. When the tendons and flesh were knitted together, one would use the fist as a seal. This was the essence of the Sanguine Ape Fist Seal!

How much force could a human create by smashing his fist?

However, if a huge seal were to smash directly in the face, what would be the outcome?

Both Su Zimo and the spirit monkey used the same style but at two completely different levels, there was a world of a difference in impact.

Chapter 18: One Year On

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

The spirit monkey suddenly executed such a ferocious Sanguine Ape Fist Seal. Su Zimo was taken aback.

Su Zimo was suddenly enlightened on the gist of this style. Slightly distracted, he was hit right in the face by the spirit monkey’s punch.

The blow was severe. Su Zimo was caught off guard. He was flung out and he bumped onto the stone walls in the cave, causing a huge dent on it. Dense cracks started to appear around the stone wall.

“I... ”

Su Zimo was dazed by the hit.

At one moment, this monkey was laughing in such a carefree manner. In the next moment, he turned hostile and attacked. It was completely illogical.

In fact, although the spirit monkey was intelligent and psychic, it did not understand the way humans interacted with one another. Hence, it was not influenced by the fighting and scheming as well as deceiving and blackmailing means in the mortal world.

In the forest, the only communication between the demon clan was combat

The spirit monkey was simple and innocent. It retained the most primitive instinct of survival. It would fight or smile when it felt like it. He saved Su Zimo only because of it’s enmity with the wolves. He completely did not care whether Su Zimo was human or demon.

When it released it’s punch, the spirit monkey had not even thought of retracting it.

If Su Zimo had not cultivated The Mystic Classic of the Twelve Demon Kings of the Great Wilderness and consumed the Scarlet Flame Fruit, attained initial success with Body Tempering and Tendons Transformation, this Sanguine Ape Fist Seal style would most probably make him half dead!

Su Zimo touched the blood flowing out of his nostrils. His face darkened as he said, “Damn monkey, do you wish to fight?”

“Wowowo!”

The spirit monkey was full of disdain. He curled his fingers at Su Zimo and provoked the latter, chattering continuously.

Without a word, Su Zimo got up and released the Plow Heaven Stride. In the blink of an eye, he appeared before the spirit monkey, turned his palm in the posture of rupturing the ground and landed it!

“Wo?”

The spirit monkey shivered all over, seemingly shocked by the prowess of the Plow Heaven Stride combined with the Ground-rupturing Palm.

The spirit monkey seemed to have sensed the powers of the Ground-rupturing Palm. Hence, it did not continue with the fight. It tip-toed and retreated with lightning speed and agility.

It was an empty hit but Su Zimo did not take it to heart. He followed on closely.

After six months of life and death experiences, Su Zimo had not only cultivated spirit perception but also mastered close combat ability and various kinds of fighting techniques.

Su Zimo followed on closely, clenching both fists below his belly. Knuckles protruded, and it was as if a pair of horns was piercing towards the chest of the spirit monkey!

At the sight of this, the spirit monkey did not retreat. It attacked instead. It’s body curled, one knee seemingly. At the same time that he dodged the Bovine’s Moon-gazing, both of it’s palms seemed to be holding onto a fruit and lifting it up.

Sanguine Ape Fruit Offering!

When the spirit monkey executed this style, Su Zimo could not sense the slightest bit of murderous intent.

The posture of Sanguine Ape Fruit Offering looked like someone kneeling on one knee and paying respects obediently.

However, for some unknown reason, Su Zimo suddenly felt his scalp blistering and also goosebumps breaking out all over his body.

The spirit perception that he cultivated told him that a huge killing move was concealed in this style!

Su Zimo closed his eyes and retreated rapidly. At the same time, he paid attention to the spirit monkey’s next moves.

Pang! Pang! Pang!

The initial curl of the spirit monkey’s body suddenly bounced open upon reaching right before Su Zimo. The large tendons in its body were pulsating, sounds of the bowstring ran. It was suddenly releasing and gushing with murderous intent!

Thoughts flashed across Su Zimo’s mind. He had faintly grasped the crux of the Sanguine Ape Fruit Offering.

On one hand, when his large tendons contracted and suddenly stretched, it would release greater powers.

On the other hand, Sanguine Ape Fist Seal first displayed weakness and restrained the murderous intent, followed by a counterattack.

Apes loved peach and fruits most but it offered the fruit at this point in time. Something was amiss. When it offered the fruit, it was evident that the ape already had a murderous intent!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Su Zimo and the spirit monkey sparred constantly in the cave, feet curling and colliding, palms moving like saber.

With Su Zimo’s combat techniques, he could receive and release blows freely. He was forceful and resilient, swift and flexible. He carried an aura that could block the heaven and split the earth.

Shortly after, he subdued the spirit monkey.

However, it was not easy for Su Zimo to defeat the spirit monkey.

The spirit monkey realized that it was difficult to gain the upper hand in the combat. Hence, it began to move in all directions and flee from Su Zimo with swift styles and agile steps.

Of course, from the beginning till the end, Su Zimo did not use all of his strength.

Hence, although the spirit monkey would occasionally scream loudly, gnashing his teeth, it could still get up and fight again when he was overturned by Su Zimo’s hit.

The spirit monkey was a good sparring partner. Su Zimo not only wanted to practice his martial skills but also comprehend the gist of the Sanguine Ape Tri-style as much as possible.

A human and a monkey did not interact much but they had an indescribable, tacit understanding with each other.

In the time to come, Su Zimo lived in this cave.

A man and a monkey occasionally went out to look for trouble with the wolf clan. After killing many wolves, they fled before the wolves could round them up.

Of course, Su Zimo refused to smear himself with the spirit monkey’s poop anymore. He found a type of herb that could conceal his smell and avoided the wolves.

Outside the cave, Su Zimo and the spirit monkey joined forces to kill wolves.

After returning to the cave, after just a few interactions, a human and a monkey would indulge in a sparring match.

Later on, when the spirit monkey realized that he could not gain the upper hand, it felt indignant and started to do sneak attacks.

Sometimes, when Su Zimo was resting, eating or sleeping, the spirit monkey would sneak up to punch him before turning and escaping, then make funny faces at Su Zimo from afar, laughing arrogantly and loudly as if it was the victor.

After some time, as Su Zimo’s spirit perception became increasingly acute, the spirit monkey found it hard to succeed in his sneak attacks.

In the blink of an eye, another five months passed.

The one year of test in Cang Lang Mountain Range was almost coming to an end.

During this period, Su Zimo had been refining the energy of the Scarlet Flame Fruit and devouring blood and flesh at the same time. The Body Tempering and Tendons Transformation Realms advanced continuously towards phenomenal success.

Su Zimo’s body was coordinated, it could be hard or soft; and his strides were as light as a raccoon. When he walked, there was no sound in the air and no traces in the snow. He leaped and shuttled in the dense forest like apes. Using the old tree branches as his support, his feet did not even need to touch the ground.

Of course, to Su Zimo, his close combat ability had improved the most.

In Cang Lang Mountain Range, there were not many spirit beasts that were Su Zimo’s match now.

A man and a monkey seemed to have become the lord of the place. Many spirit beasts would choose to retreat at the sight of them.

Su Zimo had a hunch that the cold lake in the cave was not ordinary. During this period, he dived into the cold lake countless times, wanting to explore it.

However, before Su Zimo could travel to the lakebed, bone-chilling coldness would penetrate his body and slow down his blood circulation, showing signs of freezing. He would return without any success each time.

Today, Su Zimo planned to check out the cold lake one last time before he left the Cang Lang Mountain Range.

Not long after, Su Zimo rose to the surface of the water. He could not hide the disappointment in his eyes and shook his head.

He still did not succeed.

Body Tempering and Tendons Transformation sections trained the flesh, blood and large tendons. In the deeper waters, the three body parts could endure the invasion of the cold but when the coldness penetrated the bones and seeped through the blood veins, Su Zimo could not endure it longer.

In The Mystic Classic of the Twelve Demon Kings of the Great Wilderness, the two sections after Tendons Transformation were Bones Strengthening and Marrow Cleansing.

“It seems that I have the capability to get close to the bottom of the lake only after cultivating the Marrow Cleansing section. I can come again and explore at that time.” Su Zimo said secretly.

He did not know where the spirit monkey went. Perhaps it went out to look for the wolf clan’s trouble.

Su Zimo was not worried.

The spirit monkey was extremely alert and intelligent. Although there were many spirit beasts in Cang Lang Mountain Range, it was difficult for them to hurt it.

Furthermore, during this period, the spirit monkey’s ability had improved much after sparring and fighting with Su Zimo.

Su Zimo was most curious of something. The spirit monkey seemed to have learned the Tendons Transformation section before.

The spirit monkey not only knew the Sanguine Ape Tri-style. His usual breathing and expiration was also similar to that in the Tendons Transformation section. Yet, it was a little different.

It seemed a little strange.

When Su Zimo questioned the spirit monkey, it seemed to be a taboo. It always averted his question.

Later on, Su Zimo no longer questioned him.

Today, Su Zimo did not leave the cave. He intended to bid farewell to the spirit monkey upon its return and then return to Ping Yang Town.

One year had passed. Su Zimo missed the Su family very much, especially his older brother and younger sister.

Of course, Su Zimo also look forward to meeting Die Yue again.

In the blink of an eye, the sun gradually descended and it was almost evening.

The spirit monkey had not returned.

Su Zimo furrowed his brows. There was a flash of worry in his eyes.

Cang Lang Mountain Range was very eerie at night. Scary spirit demons would often appear, looking for prey. Although Su Zimo and the spirit monkey were very powerful, they were not a match for spirit demons.

Hence, before the night arrived, they would return to the mountain cave.

The situation of the spirit monkey not returning for the entire day had never happened before.

Su Zimo felt very uneasy. He suddenly stood up and drew out the Thunderbolt Saber that was pierced in the stone wall. He tied it to his back and stepped out of the cave.Chapter 19: You Are the One Courting Death!

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

The sky gradually darkened. It was almost evening.

It was extremely dangerous to tread in Cang Lang Mountain Range at this hour. Even Su Zimo could not guarantee his own safety. If he were to encounter spirit demons, the odds would not be in his favor.

However, Su Zimo still decided to look for the spirit monkey.

The spirit monkey had not only saved his life but also was deeply bonded to him. After six months’ of interaction and numerous sparrings, a man and a monkey had gradually forged a close relationship.

Getting along with the spirit monkey was much easier than getting along with humans.

Mutual sincerity was the only requirement.

Although the spirit monkey loved to fight and poke fun at Su Zimo, it would not lie to or make use of him. There was neither mutual deceit and distrust nor plotting against each other.

It was easy to identify the spirit monkey through it’s awful body odor. After getting a few whiffs outside the cave, Su Zimo decided to dash towards a certain direction.

It was only later on did Su Zimo realize that this monkey had a special preference for its own poop. Hence, the fact that it was willing to smear it’s poop on Su Zimo meant that it had treated him as one of its own.

Along the way, Su Zimo encountered many spirit beasts.

However, Su Zimo did not engage in any fights with them. Instead, he detoured and continued to search for the spirit monkey via the latter’s body odor.

Most of these spirit beasts recognized Su Zimo. Hence, they would not court trouble by looking for him on their own accord.

Not long after, Su Zimo halted his steps. Both his ears wriggled and captured the faint sounds of weapons clashing against one another.

“Mmm?”

Su Zimo narrowed his eyes.

Why would there be sounds of weapons clashing in Cang Lang Mountain Range?

Even Connate Experts dared not venture deep into Cang Lang Mountain Range, especially when night was nearing.

Cultivator!

This word flashed across Su Zimo’s mind. His expression was as capricious as the weather.

If it were one year ago, like an aggressive and ignorant rookie, Su Zimo would be very eager and thrilled to fight them on.

However, having gone through a year of solid training, Su Zimo was not as immature and impetuous as before.

Most importantly, cultivators who dared to remain at Cang Lang Mountain Range in the evening were definitely at advanced realms. They could not possibly be Level 1 or 2 Qi Refinement Warriors!

Most of the spirit beasts in Cang Lang Mountain Range were not threats to the spirit monkey. However, the situation would be different if the spirit monkey were to encounter a cultivator.

At the thought of this, Su Zimo crawled on the ground with both his hands and legs. He was twisting and turning like an anaconda slithering across the forest without a single sound.

Anaconda Swath!

The first style of Tendons Transformation was to approach the opponent without a sound.

The sound of weapons clashing ahead were becoming increasingly clearer and intensive. In between the clashes, he could even hear the sounds of some men taunting and a woman snarling.

Under the dark and misty sky, Su Zimo lay in the grass and observed the battle that was occurring about ten feet from him.

The trees and plants surrounding the battle had already been cut by the weapons. A relatively wide and spacious open space could be seen. Five men dressed in taoist robes were surrounding and attacking a lady in yellow robe.

Each of the five men was controlling a flying sword and brandishing both hands. It was as if an invisible force was connecting the flying sword to the individual.

The yellow-robed lady was also controlling a flying sword. There was a layer of frost on the sword. Apparently, this sword was more superior than those in the hands of the five men.

The flying sword seemed very light and agile under the control of the yellow-robed lady.

The yellow-robed lady seemed to have some treasure with her. When she was occasionally pierced by the other party’s flying sword, a glowing shield would light up around her body. However, the shine of the shield got dimmer and dimmer as time passed.

The yellow-robed lady was fighting against five people. Her strides looked clumsy; it seemed that she could not hold up any longer. She was obviously disadvantaged now.

At the sight of the fighting and killing between the cultivators, Su Zimo felt that he had widened his horizons.

Su Zimo retracted his gaze and looked at the other side.

Beside the battlefield, two men were watching the fight. Their attires were completely the same as those five men on the battlefield. Obviously, they belonged to the same group.

There was a spirit monkey standing in between the two men. It was covered with injuries but looked arrogant and indignant; it’s eyes shining with a murderous aura.

Su Zimo focused his gaze. Both the fore and hind limbs of the spirit monkey had been cuffed tightly by two iron hoops. The sharp spikes inside the rim of the hoops had already pierced into it’s flesh.

The spirit monkey had completely lost its freedom. It was hard for it to move an inch!

Su Zimo had never fought with the cultivators and did not know their tactics. He was further unaware of the realms that these few cultivators were at.

However, a murderous intent rose in Su Zimo’s heart at the thought that the spirit monkey was in trouble. His gaze was cold and sinister.

Su Zimo pondered for a moment. He did not strike immediately. Instead, he lowered his body and hid himself more.

This was because he knew that once he strikes, he must kill his enemies at once. He could not give the opponent any time to react!

This was not a one-to-one combat.

He faced a total of seven cultivators!

A Qi Refinement Warrior with a gaunt and thin face smiled and said lustfully, “Young lady, your Augmentation Talisman won’t be able to hold out long. I advise you to surrender. Otherwise, you will suffer!”

“That’s right. Swords and daggers don’t have eyes. If they cut your little face accidentally, it will be such a pity.”

“Haha, you have been poisoned with our Pisces Aqua Powder. You can’t hang on for too long, even if you are a Foundation Establishment cultivator!”

The yellow-robed lady arched her brows in anger, her expression chilly and aloof. She said coldly, “The few of you are courting death. You’re just Qi Refinement Warriors. I’m a cultivator from Azure Frost Sect. If you know what is good for you, quickly surrender!”

Su Zimo was stunned.

He did not expect the yellow-robed lady to be a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

The frightening thing was that she was seemingly poisoned by the Pisces Aqua Powder. Hence, she would not be a match for these five Qi Refinement Warriors!

As to the Augmentation Talisman mentioned by that Qi Refinement Warrior, Su Zimo had heard about it.

One of the Qi Refinement Warriors, who had a large face, sneered. “Hey, since we know that you are a cultivator of Azure Frost Sect, the more we can’t let you off. You have fallen into the Joyful Seven’s hands. We’ll make you feel so ecstatic that you will crave for death. Be obedient!”

Seemingly distracted by these words, the flying sword controlled by the yellow-robed lady halted for a moment. As a result, she was pierced by two other flying swords.

Clang! Clang!

A shield with a golden glow appeared around the yellow-robed lady and blocked the two flying swords. However, upon the impact of the blow, the shield was filled with cracks and looked like it would break at any point in time!

The yellow-robed lady pursed her red lips without saying a word. She defended with all her might and refused to concede defeat.

On the other hand, the bald-headed Qi Refinement Warrior beside the spirit monkey looked relaxed. He said smilingly, “We have gained a lot in this trip to Cang Lang Mountain Range. This lady definitely has a lot of treasures with her. Most importantly, be it face or figure, this lady is of supreme-grade. She will be a delight for the seven of us. Haha.”

“That said, if we don’t have the Beast Trapping Hoop that master passed down to us, we really won’t be able to take down this monkey,” said another Qi Refinement Warrior who was carrying a long rod. There was a lingering fear in his heart.

The bald-headed Qi Refinement Warrior sneered and said, “After we return, let’s torture this monkey and force it to pledge a blood oath. I don’t believe that we can’t subdue a beast!”

When the two saw that the outcome was quite certain, they could not help relaxing a little and chatting casually.

At this moment, there was a bloody shine in the spirit monkey’s eyes. Initially rooted to the ground, it suddenly turned its body and opened its mouth wide, revealing it’s sharp teeth as it bit the neck of the Qi Refinement Warrior beside him!

The spirit monkey’s limbs could not move as they had been bound. However, biting was an innate skill of it since the day it was born.

If it could successfully bite the Qi Refinement Warrior, the latter would not have any chance of surviving!

The spirit monkey was tall and big. It had to lower it’s head to bite the Qi Refinement Warrior who was relatively shorter. In addition, it’s body was restrained. As such, it’s action was slightly delayed and that person reacted in time.

The countenance of the Qi Refinement Warrior holding the rod changed. He quickly dodged.

Pierce!

Although he had avoided being bitten on the vital point of his neck, a big piece of flesh on his shoulder tip had been torn off by the spirit monkey. Fresh blood was spilling out from it!

“Ah!”

The Qi Refinement Warrior cried in pain, looking ghastly pale. He touched the small cloth bag below his waist and a porcelain bottle appeared in his palm.

He opened the bottle and took out a tuft of powder-like substance before applying it on his wound. This stopped the fresh blood from dripping. It was very amazing.

After the Qi Refinement Warrior managed his wound, he lifted his steel rod furiously. There was a flash of light and the rod landed hard on the knees of the spirit monkey. He scolded, “Bastard, kneel down!”

There was a loud thud on the ground.

The spirit monkey trembled. Flashes of pain could be seen in its eyes.

However, this hit by the rod did not make the spirit monkey kneel down. On the contrary, it provoked it’s murderous instinct!

The spirit monkey chewed the piece of torn flesh rampantly, revealing a ferocious and menacing glare. It then swallowed it in one gulp. Thereafter, it turned to face the Qi Refinement Warrior and laughed ‘gaga’ loudly with a mocking look in its eyes. He was untamed, obstinate and unyielding.

“Bastard, you’re courting death!”

At the sight of the spirit monkey’s behavior, the Qi Refinement Warrior’s fury intensified. He did not care whether his wound would burst open. He lifted the steel rod again and smash it towards the top of the spirit monkey’s head!

At this very moment, a cold voice rang in his ears.

“You’re the one courting death!”Chapter 20: Kill!

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

When this sound was heard, it was accompanied by a strong aura of death that almost suffocated him!

“Who is this? You actually sneaked up behind me quietly and I didn’t notice it?”

Before he could finish his thought, his head hurt and he lost consciousness immediately.

Initially, the Qi Refinement Warrior who was standing at the other side looked relaxed when he saw his comrade teach the spirit monkey a lesson agitatedly. He did not expect to see such a terrifying and eerie scene!

A distance away, the bush had moved a little but the bald-headed Qi Refinement Warrior did not take it to heart.

However, a figure mysteriously appeared behind his comrade in the next moment. Enshrouded by the misty and dark skies, the intruder exuded a towering murderous aura, as if he was a ghost from hell.

It happened too quickly and suddenly!

The intruder slammed his palm on the head of the Qi Refinement Warrior holding the rod. The latter was caught off guard and could not defend himself at all.

Poof! Poof! Poof!

The head of the Qi Refinement Warrior holding the rod was actually pressed directly into his chest. Blood-chilling sounds of flesh and blood bursting could be heard coming from the neck!

The bald-headed Qi Refinement Warrior looked aghast. Just as he was about to shout out loudly, he saw the intruder taking successive moves. The figure stretched his legs had reached him in just two strides.

The murderous aura was pervasive!

This overbearing aura forced the bald-headed Qi Refinement Warrior to swallow the words in his mouth back into his throat again.

The bald-headed Qi Refinement Warrior instinctively stretched out his hands towards the cloth bag on his waist. He calmed down slightly only when a flying sword landed in his hands.

However, before the Qi Refinement Warrior could draw out his flying sword, the intruder’s palm had already landed on him.

Pa!

The skull of the bald-headed Qi Refinement Warrior was smashed in just one hit. His brains split and he died on the spot!

In actual fact, when the spirit monkey tried to bite the Qi Refinement Warrior holding the rod, Su Zimo had already began taking action.

However, as both parties were about ten feet away from each other, Su Zimo dared not increase his speed, for fear of being discovered.

When Su Zimo reached these two Qi Refinement Warriors’s sides, they were destined to meet with a fatal calamity.

The entire process seemed very slow upon narration but in fact, it occurred in the split of a moment.

To top-notch martial experts, this moment was especially crucial!

“Ow! Ow!”

The spirit monkey recognized Su Zimo. His eyes lit up and he was overjoyed. He shouted loudly to express the excitement in his heart.

Su Zimo ignored the spirit monkey. Without a word and carrying a calm demeanor, he had slayed the bald-headed Qi Refinement Warrior. Twisting and moving, he charged straight to the other battlefield.

Long before he attacked, Su Zimo had already made the preparations.

Once he attacked, he had to give it his best shot and crumble the other party in lighting speed.

Putting aside the obvious point that these seven Qi Refinement Warriors were ill-intentioned, the painful torture that they administered to the spirit monkey alone had already provoked Su Zimo’s murderous instinct.

Most importantly, if he were to let off any one of them, they would become a source of endless trouble!

Su Zimo heard very clearly that these seven individuals were from the Joyful Clan. Who knew what strong and powerful cultivators were in this clan? Would they hunt him down?

On the other battlefield, five Qi Refinement Warriors from the Joyful Clan jumped in shock at the sudden change in circumstances.

Who would have thought that two of their clan mates would die grievously in a matter of moments?

The most perplexing thing was that the intruder was clad in skins of beast and full of black stubble on his face. He looked like an uncivilized, primitive wild man. They also could not sense any flow of spirit qi from his body.

He was not a cultivator?

Such a barbarian could actually kill two Level 6 Qi Refinement Warriors in the blink of an eye?

The five of them already did not have the time to think, because this barbarian had already dashed to them with a pervasive murderous intent and monstrous aura!

There was a flash of cruelty in the eyes of the fat-faced Qi Refinement Warrior who was facing Su Zimo. He smiled grimly, “Where did this barbarian come from? You have no sense of danger!”

“Jee!”

This fellow snarled and directed his flying sword to the oncoming Su Zimo.

A beam of light shone from the flying sword. The sword’s aura intensified. It was so extraordinary.

Su Zimo closed his eyes briefly. Facing this flying sword, he had initially planned to use the Bovine-tongued Saber to shatter or hurl away the sword.

However, Su Zimo’s acute spirit perception told him that this sword was very powerful and might possibly injure him.

Su Zimo charged forward in lighting speed. However, the flying sword was lunging at him at an even faster speed.

If it was one year ago, Su Zimo would not be able to react in time, let alone dodge this flying sword.

However, today, Su Zimo suddenly lowered his body. All of his four limbs exerted strength as he twisted his body, staying close to the ground. Agile and swift, he had a close shave with the flying sword. In a matter of moments, he appeared in front of the fat-faced Qi Refinement Warrior.

The Qi Refinement Warrior was stunned; the colors on his face drained.

Su Zimo suddenly got up. His body and four limbs became as soft and flexible as an anaconda. It coiled onto the plump body of this man. Large tendons pulsated, flesh and blood expanded and the entire body exploded with energy!

After Anaconda Swath, he executed another killing move of Tendons Transformation – Anaconda Strangle!

All the spirit beasts in the Cang Lang Mountain Range were aware. After being bitten by the anaconda, one might still escape. However, if one’s body were to be coiled by the anaconda, they would die for sure!

Even if one’s body was strong enough to wrestle with the anaconda, he would eventually die of suffocation.

In the past six months, although the spirit monkey often sparred with Su Zimo, it had never dared to allow Su Zimo to close up on and coil it.

This Qi Refinement Warrior did not have a body that was as strong and resilient as the spirit monkey. After Su Zimo wrapped and strangled it, all the bones in his body were crushed. Deafening sounds of ‘Pa! Pa!” could be heard. It was horrible and gruesome.

Poof!

Bloody fog filled the air. Under the watchful eyes of everyone, a burly figure burst open on the spot and turned into a puddle of fleshy mud.

This was the true powers of The Mystic Classic of the Twelve Demon Kings of the Great Wilderness!

After killing this man, Su Zimo did not stop. He used Plow Heaven Stride and headed towards another Qi Refinement Warrior with a gaunt and frail face.

Although Su Zimo was unaware of the cultivation realm of the five Qi Refinement Warriors present, using his spirit perception, he could vaguely sense that the fat-faced Qi Refinement Warrior who died earlier and the one before him right now were the greatest threats to him.

He could reduce the chances of an accident to the lowest if he could kill the two of them first.

At the sight of Su Zimo killing three people, the skinny Qi Refinement Warrior wore a grave expression. He instantly became cautious. A ray of light burst out from his fingertip and entered the flying sword. The flying sword flickered and shone brightly.

“Go!”

This flying sword dashed towards Su Zimo, it’s movements as swift as thunder and as fast as lighting.

One of the three Qi Refinement Warriors who were attacking the yellow-robed lady also came forward and directed his flying sword to pierce the middle of Su Zimo’s back.

The two Qi Refinement Warriors concentrated on rounding up and attacking Su Zimo!

Su Zimo seemed to have eyes grown on his back. Without even turning back, as he was charging forward, he dodged and got away from the flying sword piercing towards his back.

Simultaneously, Su Zimo used his backhand to grip the Thunderbolt Saber on his back, spread his arms and slashed towards the flying sword coming towards him.

“Clang!”

Ear-piercing sounds of weapons clashing could be heard. The Thunderbolt Saber chipped off after colliding with the flying sword. Cracks appeared around the chip. Obviously, the saber was ruined and could no longer be used.

Su Zimo was stunned.

Since he got hold of the Thunderbolt Saber, it had always been of use to him. It could even slash the skin, hair, flesh and blood of spirit beasts. Unexpectedly, it almost shattered into pieces after colliding with the agile, long and slim flying sword of the cultivator!

Su Zimo’s expression did not change. He was not bothered.

This was because he had already achieved his objective. The Thunderbolt Saber had hit the flying sword, Riding on the shocking energy that exploded from his body, it had already sent the flying sword on a deviated route that was some distance away.

The flying sword that should initially pierce into Su Zimo’s skull only passed through the passage beside his cheek.

Right from the beginning, Su Zimo had never paused his attacks for a single moment. His speed only increased!

He was closing in!

Su Zimo used the Thunderbolt Saber to block the flying sword so that he could shorten the distance between he and the thin and frail Qi Refinement Warrior.

Su Zimo remembered Die Yue’s words by heart. Most of the cultivators’ bodies are relatively weak. As long as you can avert their first wave of attack and take the chance to shorten the distance between both of you, you will be able to make use of the strong and powerful close combat ability of the demon clan to slay them!