Chapter 25, The Diamond Ape

Translator: Raznick

 

Red Peach Ridge, Monkey Valley

 

Venturing deeper into the valley along the direction from which the Redtail Monkey group had come, the trio from the Zhou Clan soon reached the place where the Redtail Monkeys usually rested.

 

It was a cliffside close to the mountain, with sparse trees nearby. From various burn marks on the ground, it seemed that when these monkeys played with fire, they burned all the surrounding trees.

 

About then meters high above the ground, on a cliff, stood a tree resembling an orange tree, its roots firmly embedded in the rocky face. Upon its branches hung dozens of fruits of varying sizes, their hues ranging from deep red to bright yellow and tender green.

 

“It’s indeed the Scarlet Sun Fruit, but unfortunately, there isn’t even one fully ripe!”

 

Looking at the dozens of round fruits on the tree, Zhou Jiapeng first nodded in approval, then shook his head with a sigh of regret.

 

The Scarlet Sun Fruit was a rare plant that only occasionally bloomed and bore fruit, with its fruits typically taking decades—and in some cases, even longer—to fully mature.

 

Only when the Scarlet Sun Fruit was fully mature could it purify the bloodline and enhance cultivation for demon beasts like the Redtail Monkey.

 

Now, on the Scarlet Sun Fruit tree, all the ripe spiritual fruits had already been eaten by the Redtail Monkeys. The remaining fruit closest to ripeness would still need at least a year or two before it could mature.

 

The blow, however, was obviously too great for Zhou Zhengyong to handle, resulting in an expression of extreme disappointment appearing on his face.

 

Zhou Chun spoke up at this moment, saying, “I recall that the records mention the Scarlet Sun Fruit can be replanted. Even if we have to wait a couple more years, it’s better than going back empty-handed!”

 

Upon hearing these words, Zhou Zhengyong, who had been utterly dispirited, suddenly brightened up, reigniting his hope.

 

Zhou Jiapeng quickly shook his head. “Transplanting fruit trees is possible, but it will severely damage their vitality. Moreover, after transplantation, those Redtail Monkeys might abandon this place as well. Additionally, the preservation of the fruits ripping fruits remains uncertain.”

 

Zhou Zhengyong’s brows furrowed again, his face showing signs of deep contemplation.

 

Zhou Chun noticed this and gently patted his shoulder, softly comforting him: “Brother Yong need not worry. Even if the fruits on the tree aren’t preserved after replanting, it would still add a resource for the clan. The Clan Leader and Elders are sure to bestow rewards in recognition of that.”

 

At this point, he said softly: “When the time comes, as long as you express your intentions, the clan will definitely be happy to help and make it all work out.”

 

Upon hearing his words, not only did Zhou Zhengyong regain his confidence, but he also displayed a relaxed and happy expression.

 

Even Zhou Jiapeng appeared slightly surprised as he looked at him, nodding in agreement: “That is indeed a fair assessment. It’s unexpected that Zhengchun, despite your youth, have such profound insights.”

 

In fact, given Zhou Jiapeng’s experience and wisdom, he would inevitably come to realize this sooner or later.

 

Because Zhou Zhengyong was in a hurry to improve his spirit beast, he focused solely on the Scarlet Sun Fruit, not thinking about other aspects.

 

Whereas Zhou Chun, as an outsider, clearly perceived what was at stake and swiftly grasped both gains and losses, devising a more indirect strategy.

 

This sudden display of quick wit immediately caused Zhou Jiapeng to take the clan’s young prodigy in a whole new light, leaving an impressive impression.

 

Recalling Zhou Chun’s artifacts used during their previous magical duel and the spirit pets he had bred—they were all of exceptional quality.

 

He silently memorized Zhou Chun’s name in his heart, and his attitude toward her began to change as well.

 

Following that, Zhou Jiapeng rode Steel Plume Falcon back to his clan. There, he would seek out a clan elder to transplant the Scarlet Sun Fruit tree.

 

Zhou Chun and Zhou Zhengyong stayed behind to guard the fruit tree, warding off any possible return by those Redtail Monkeys and keeping other cultivators from entering and harvesting the fruits of victory here.

 

With its swift pace, the Steel Plume Falcon could ferry Zhou Jiapeng back to Zhou Clan within half a day’s journey of over two hundred miles.

 

It was still more than enough time, even factoring in the time it would take a clan elder to come over.

 

So Zhou Chun and Zhou Zhengyong, while waiting inside the Monkey Valley, did not feel that there was any danger.

 

However, what Zhou Jiapeng and the other person were completely unprepared for was that just two and a half hours after Zhou Jiapeng’s departure, those Redtail Monkeys once again launched an attack.

 

And not only did they return with a vengance, but they also brought reinforcements.

 

In the valley, six Redtail Monkeys, including the monkey king, all followed a golden-haired ape and surrounded Zhou Chun and his companion with fierce momentum.

 

“That’s terrible! It’s a superior first-grade demon beast, the Diamong Ape!”

 

Both of them fixed their eyes intently on the golden-haired ape, their faces darkening as they inwardly exclaimed, “This is bad!”

 

Although both were superior first-grade demon beasts, Diamond Ape’s strength was significantly stronger than that Redtail Monkey King.

 

This was akin to how a Ninth Layer Qi Refining cultivation also fell under late Qi Refining as a Twelfth Layer Qi Refining cultivationd did.

 

Moreover, unlike the Redtail Monkeys whose combat capabilities were just average, Diamond Apes were warriors among primates, extremely skilled in battle, and their strength far exceeded that of ordinary demons at the same level.

 

To put it simply, even Zhou Chun and Zhou Zhengyong would need to team up to take it down.

 

“There’s no other way. I’m going to hold the Diamong Ape back for a while. You handle those Redtail Monkeys out of the valley and find a way to get out. I’ll have my own way to get out by then.”

 

Zhou Chun formulated his plan in his mind before the fight broke out. He spoke with urgency about his intentions, revealing his strategy to address the impending conflict.

 

The demon monkeys’ power was overwhelming; fighting them head-on offered no chance of victory. Escaping and securing one’s life first, was the only option left.

 

After Zhou Chun declared his intentions, he did not wait for Zhou Zhengyong’s response. He took the silver short sword artifact and tossed it into the air. Under his spiritual power’s urging, the blade transformed into a streak of cold light, piercing through the air with irresistible force, its tip gleaming like frost under the moonlight, aiming straight for the Diamond Ape.

 

At the same time, the Rock Turtle crouching beside him struck the ground with its paw, causing several sharp stone spikes to emerge from the earth. They instantly pierced through the abdomen of a average first-grade Redtail Monkey, pinning it to the ground.

 

Such fierce and ruthless behavior indeed captured their hatred instantly.

 

The Diamond Ape’s eyes flickered with anger and let out a piercing roar and instantly erupted with a protective golden light covering its body. With a single palm strike, it countered the incoming silver short sword.

 

But as the golden light and silver light suddenly collided in a blinding flash, they emitted a clear metallic resonance, harmonizing yet intensifying each other’s presence.

 

The silver short sword quickly exhausted its strength, and with a screetch, it was slapped away.

 

The Diamond Ape, however, was completely unharmed. With just a flick of his palm, it lunged forward with a hideous expression toward Zhou Chun.

 

It was not until now that Zhou Zhengyong realized what was happening and shouted at Zhou Chun, “Then, take care of yourself, Brother.”

 

After finishing his words, he and his own Redtail Monkey bolted toward the outside of the Monkey Valley.

 

As Zhou Chun had guessed, when the monkey king saw Zhou Zhengyong’s intention to escape, it immediately took off after him with the remaining few Redtail Monkeys in pursuit.

 

At the same time, facing the charging Diamond Ape, Zhou Chun gave a command, and Rock Turtle immediately shielded them with its thick shell.

 

As for the Diamond Ape’s confidence in its own strength to break the shell, it had none. Seeing that a giant turtle was blocking the way, not even a thought to detour occurred to it.

 

It leaped swiftly onto the Rock Turtle’s back and delivered a powerful strike to its head.

 

The Rock Turtle suddenly pulled its head back as if it had eyes in the back of its head, quickly retreating inside its shell.

 

At this time, Zhou Chun infused the silver dagger that was knocked away by the Diamond Ape with spiritual power, and sent the sword towards its head.

 

The Diamond Ape, upon seeing this, could only continue to swing its palm toward the silver short sword, daring not let the weapon actually land on it.

 

In this way, Zhou Chun managed to hold his own against the Diamond Ape with the help of Rock Turtle’s cooperation without being significantly overpowered.

 

However, such intense combat has heavily consumed his spiritual power.

 

With his current level, such an intense battle would likely deplete it within two hours and could not continue long.

 

After battling the Diamond Ape for about half an hour, Zhou Chun figured that Zhou Zhengyong was probably far enough away. He then took out an average first-grade Thorny Entanglement Talisman and directed it at the Diamond Ape.

 

Only seeing the talisman burning in midair, it instantly transformed into several black thorns, each as thick as a wrist, binding the ape in its place.

 

Zhou Chun took this opportunity to quickly step forward and put the turtle into the spirit beast bag. Then he waved his hand lightly, summoned a flying artifact shaped like a bamboo leaf, and stepped on it to rise straight into the sky.

 

Boom! Boom! Boom!

 

As soon as Zhou Chun had risen into the air less than a hundred meters, the Diamond Ape exerted strength to snap all the thorny vines entangling itself, then roared and raised its hand to strike at Zhou Chun. A streak of golden light instantly sliced through the air toward him.

 

However, at that moment, a dark black Metal Shield suddenly appeared out of nowhere, blocking the faint golden blade attack.

 

Zhou Chun took the opportunity to steadily increase his altitude, swiftly reaching a height of over a hundred meters.

 

At this altitude, the long-range attack of the Diamond Ape, even if they were within range, couldn’t lock onto a target for an attack.

 

At the same time, because the distance was far enough, Zhou Chun could dodge it more easily.

 

Therefore, Zhou Chun flew to this height but chose not to ascend further.

 

The flying artifact could indeed carry him up to a thousand meteres.

 

But at such great heights, maintaining a normal flight path required constant use of mystical arts to create a protective barrier against the fierce winds, which put an immense strain on one’s spiritual power reserves.

 

As for the height of one or two hundred meters, unless there was a strong wind, there was no need to cast a protective shield spell to protect yourself when flying.

 

At this point, as Zhou Chun took to the air on his artifact and fled towards the valley’s exit, the Diamond Ape was utterly enraged, dashing through the forests with furious pursuit, displaying an almost promethean zeal.

 

However, the terrain of Red Peach Ridge was intricate and complex. The ape incapable of flight could not hope to catch up with Zhou Chun.

 

Zhou Chun deliberately chose the most treacherous mountain passes and gorges to fly through. He didn’t take long before he shook off the Diamong Ape, then landed on a mountain peak to rest.