"Big monkey, take this!"
Zi Yan let out a delicate cry, stomped her foot in the air, and instantly vanished from Jiang Yun's side. She reappeared within half a meter of her opponent, raising her fair, tender fist and directly smashing it forward. As her punch landed, a tremor ran through the air, and the sheer force caused a sonic boom.
The Snow Sky Demonic Ape had now sobered up, and a flicker of fear crossed its crimson eyes. Only at this moment did it recall that this little one had thoroughly beaten it up last time.
This was someone it couldn't afford to provoke!
As a sense of crisis washed over it, the Snow Sky Demonic Ape displayed a flexibility unsuited to its massive body. Just as Zi Yan's fist was about to strike it, it dodged the punch by shifting its body.
"Rumble—"
A ripple of visible force suddenly spread out. As the force passed, the surrounding boulders cracked, developing numerous fissures.
"Hold on! Let's talk this over!"
Seeing the destructive power of Zi Yan's punch, a bead of cold sweat trickled down the Snow Sky Demonic Ape's forehead. It hastily raised its hands in surrender.
"Hmph—"
"Now you want to beg for mercy?"
"Too late—"
Facing the Snow Sky Demonic Ape's pleas, Zi Yan was relentless. Having provoked her, it wouldn't end so easily without a beating.
In the blink of an eye, the surrounding space rippled again, and Zi Yan's figure vanished once more.
"Where is she?"
The Snow Sky Demonic Ape was equally vigilant. Having suffered a loss to this transformed human girl once, it was extremely wary.
However, the gap in talent and race was simply unreasonable.
"Right here!" Zi Yan's voice rang out again. She had appeared in the Snow Sky Demonic Ape's embrace at some unknown point.
Zi Yan was only 1.4 meters tall, fair and tender, as delicate as a porcelain doll. The Snow Sky Demonic Ape, on the other hand, was a towering four zhang tall, with crimson eyes and an aura of ferocity radiating from its entire body.
The two appearing in the same frame created a stark contrast, making one worry that Zi Yan might be torn in half by the other party.
But the situation was entirely different.
Zi Yan's fair and tender little fist heavily struck the Snow Sky Demonic Ape's chest, producing a loud thud. Then, the Snow Sky Demonic Ape's body was seen flying horizontally, as if struck by a heavy blow, crashing into the mountain wall.
"Boom—"
Accompanied by a loud bang, rocks shattered and flew everywhere. The Snow Sky Demonic Ape's body was directly embedded in the mountain wall; its massive form had been punched right into the mountain by Zi Yan.
Truly a humanoid Tyrannosaurus Rex!
Zi Yan's physical strength was now enough to easily overpower ninety-nine percent of Dou Kings on the Dou Qi Continent!
Looking at this violent scene, Jiang Yun couldn't help but sigh with emotion. Although his own physical body was also terrifying, he was still unaccustomed to Zi Yan's violent fighting style.
"Big monkey, you're still so weak!"
Looking at the Snow Sky Demonic Ape, which she had knocked down with one punch, Zi Yan put her hands on her hips, looking displeased. She hadn't even used her full strength, and her opponent had already fallen. It wasn't as durable as last time!
"Roar—"
"You're going too far, ape—"
Fifth-rank Magical Beasts already possessed intelligence not inferior to humans. Moreover, this Snow Sky Demonic Ape, guardian of the Earth Core Tempering Milk, had intelligence even greater than that of ordinary sixth-rank Magical Beasts. Hearing Zi Yan's words, it immediately flew into a rage.
The Snow Sky Demonic Ape let out a furious roar, its snow-white fur suddenly turning red, and its already crimson eyes became entirely blood-red.
Its body abruptly grew several sizes taller, its muscles swelled further, and a blood-red energy spread outwards from its body, its aura rapidly strengthening.
If this Snow Sky Demonic Ape was only comparable to a three-star Dou King before, then the current Snow Sky Demonic Ape was strong enough to contend with a five-star Dou King.
"Bloodline power, it seems it's been pushed to its limit!" Seeing the opponent use its ultimate trump card, Jiang Yun knew the outcome would be decided soon.
But was he going to win by doing nothing again???
"Die!"
With its talent activated, the Snow Sky Demonic Ape's confidence surged. It roared, picked up a millstone-sized rock, and forcefully hurled it at Zi Yan. The rock, whistling through the air, struck the spot where Zi Yan had just been. More rocks rained down like a storm.
Even more terrifyingly, the rocks, like scattered flowers, carried a biting cold. As they continuously froze and expanded in mid-air, they also constantly exploded. If one of these terrifyingly cold rocks hit Zi Yan, even with the physical body of an Ancient Void Dragon, it would be extremely painful.
Facing the Snow Sky Demonic Ape's attack, a purple light flashed in Zi Yan's eyes. She suddenly took a deep breath, and from her abdomen, faint dragon roars could be heard!
A surge of dragon might instantly erupted from Zi Yan's body. Although Zi Yan's appearance was still somewhat childish at this moment, an invisible aura of majesty was released from her, causing the Snow Sky Demonic Ape opposite her to tremble slightly.
"This is…" Jiang Yun, who was watching the battle, suddenly felt a wave of pressure. It was the aura of a high-level predator. At this moment, his Nine Divine Meridians glowed faintly, seemingly displeased by this bloodline aura.
"Ang—"
A terrifying dragon roar emanated from Zi Yan's mouth, shaking the nine heavens. At this moment, Jiang Yun felt as if he saw a purple giant dragon awaken and let out a furious roar.
The dragon roar surged forth, its roar infused with dragon might capable of destroying everything, its dominant dragon might sweeping away all enemies in the world.
The Snow Sky Demonic Ape's attacks instantly crumbled at this moment. The ice-encased rocks simply couldn't withstand this sonic attack and shattered completely.
The Snow Sky Demonic Ape was also affected, with traces of blood trickling from its ears and the corners of its eyes.
At this moment, the Snow Sky Demonic Ape no longer had the ferocious appearance it had when activating its berserk bloodline; it had been terrified by Zi Yan's dragon roar.
The rest was simple. The terrified Snow Sky Demonic Ape was utterly defenseless against Zi Yan's immense strength, pinned to the ground and brutally beaten.
Zi Yan's small fists hammered down again and again, actually forcing the Snow Sky Demonic Ape out of its berserk state through sheer force. How fierce could she be?
"Hmph—, such an unteachable fellow." Zi Yan clapped her hands after the beating, feeling satisfied and content.
Looking at the bruised and swollen Snow Sky Demonic Ape, Jiang Yun felt no pity. The strong prey on the weak; this world was that real. They had already been very benevolent by not killing it.
"Let's go, it's time to collect our harvest!"
With Zi Yan, the 'treasure-hunting dragon,' present, they easily arrived at the location of the Earth Core Tempering Milk.
This was an underground world filled with exotic stalactites. Milky-white stalactites stretched endlessly, and a faint white light, like that of luminous pearls, emanated from within the stalactites and stalagmites, dispelling all darkness here.
Stalactites were everywhere, underfoot and overhead. Some even stretched for a hundred meters. Occasionally, drops of white liquid would fall, splashing milky-white water flowers on the ground.
"Over here!"
Just as Jiang Yun was marveling at the wonders of nature, Zi Yan shouted excitedly, pulling Jiang Yun and rushing towards the left.
That was precisely where the earth's energy was most concentrated in this world.
Soon, a giant inverted stalactite appeared before the two. One end connected to the ceiling of the cavern, while the other hung vertically downwards. Its massive size was over a hundred meters long, and its width was thick enough for two people to embrace.
A faint glow seeped from within the stalactite, rendering it as beautiful as a crystal pillar. This stalactite was undoubtedly the largest and most special one here, like the emperor among stalactites.
"Strange, I clearly remember taking it all last time, how did it reappear so quickly!" Just then, Zi Yan blinked her eyes in confusion, staring intently at one spot.
It was a massive bluestone, and at the top of the bluestone was a groove facing upwards. Water dripping on stone, this groove was carved out by the stalactite spiritual liquid over an unknown number of years.
In the less than half-foot deep groove lay some milky-white spiritual liquid emitting a faint glow, with a light white mist floating above it.
Upon approaching, a refreshing sensation immediately washed over them.
Zi Yan was currently looking at the re-gathered Earth Core Tempering Milk with confusion. She had clearly taken it all last time!
Could it be that this item wasn't as rare a treasure as Xiao Yun said? But the immense energy it contained couldn't be faked. With her many years of experience as a foodie, she could also discern the preciousness of some natural treasures.
"These aren't the real Earth Core Tempering Milk, but diluted versions. The real treasure is up there!"
Facing the 'underachiever' Zi Yan's question, 'top student' Jiang Yun chuckled and looked up at the cave ceiling.
"Hmph—"
"Whose fault is it that it's so well-hidden!"
Looking up, Zi Yan, uncharacteristically, blushed deeply and stomped her foot in exasperation, saying.
Jiang Yun chuckled and gently comforted her, "Alright, no matter how hidden it is, didn't it still escape Zi Yan's mouth?"
"Exactly, exactly!" Zi Yan nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, looking at Jiang Yun with praise. Xiao Yun truly understood her!
Was it that I couldn't find it? It was that I wanted to unveil this surprise with Xiao Yun, alright!
After comforting herself mentally, Zi Yan wrapped her arms under Jiang Yun's armpits, and with a flutter of her purple Dou Qi wings, she flew upwards along the massive, hundred-meter-long vertical stalactite.
Soon, the two flew to the top of the cavern. Around them, there were also some stalactites hanging from the cavern ceiling, emitting a faint light like lamps, illuminating the entire underground world.
At the point where the giant stalactite met the cavern ceiling, a faint glow surged from all directions, making it appear as beautiful as transparent crystal. This was where the greatest treasure was truly hidden.
"Move closer!" Jiang Yun directed Zi Yan to slowly approach the target. Once they were in a suitable position, he took out a piece of fine green jade from his Storage Ring, enveloped it in Dou Qi, and carefully cut into the bottom of the stalactite.
Under Jiang Yun's excellent soul perception, he perfectly cut a small circular hole in it. Inside the stalactite, a viscous, emerald-colored liquid floated.
This mass of liquid seemed to possess sentience, slowly flowing within the stalactite. The pure energy it contained was more than ten times denser than that in the groove below.
"Quick, quick, Xiao Yun!!!"
At this moment, Zi Yan, whose hands were useless, stared at the Earth Core Tempering Milk, drooling. If she weren't holding Jiang Yun, she would have rushed over without hesitation.
Jiang Yun didn't let Zi Yan fret. He took out a jade piece and collected more than half of the Earth Core Tempering Milk. The crystal stalactite naturally dimmed considerably. However, as long as the source remained, this rare treasure would be re-nurtured here countless years later, though who the next fated person would be was unknown.
After everything was done, Jiang Yun handed a bottle of Earth Core Tempering Milk to Zi Yan.
"I suggest you don't drink it yet. This Earth Core Tempering Milk contains the immense Earth's power condensed by this stalactite over thousands of years. Its energy is incredibly vast. You are already close to the peak of the fifth rank, and breaking through to the sixth rank requires an enormous amount of energy. This Earth Core Tempering Milk can serve as a perfect aid."
Looking at Zi Yan, who was eager to enjoy it, Jiang Yun offered his suggestion at the opportune moment.
"Hmm?" Zi Yan looked at the jade bottle in her hand, somewhat conflicted, her little face almost scrunched up into a frown, showing both reluctance and struggle.
A moment later, Zi Yan gritted her teeth, handed the jade bottle to Jiang Yun, and said through clenched teeth, "Xiao Yun, please keep it safe for me. I'll reach the peak of the fifth rank very soon."
Jiang Yun accepted the jade bottle and ruffled Zi Yan's head: "Let's go, let's see what good things are outside. It's rare to come out, it would be a pity to go back just like this!"
"Let's go!" Zi Yan's eyes immediately lit up, and she excitedly pulled Jiang Yun, rushing outside.
"I want to grow up, I want natural treasures."
"Have you heard? A Dou Zun Secret Realm has appeared in the Black-Corner Region's Great Plains."
"Dou Zun—"
"How many years has it been since a Dou Zun appeared in the Black-Corner Region? Won't those big figures go crazy?!"
"No wonder there have been so many humans here recently. So they came treasure hunting!"
"Hmph—, that secret realm is adjacent to the Magical Beast Forest, so it should also have a share for us."
"That's right, let's go, we'll go together!"
Before long, two massive beast figures soared into the sky, flying into the distance. Judging by their aura, both were sixth-rank Magical Beasts, comparable to human Dou Emperors.
Shortly after the two beasts left, a dark shadow suddenly flashed into a dense thicket. The thicket stirred slightly, and two small heads poked out.
"Did you hear that?" Zi Yan looked at Jiang Yun with some excitement at this moment. A secret realm! A secret realm meant treasures, and she loved treasures the most.
Jiang Yun, however, was somewhat different; he considered things more thoroughly. This Dou Zun Secret Realm would definitely stir up the entire Black-Corner Region. There would certainly be many Dou Emperors, rarely seen normally, and even Dou Zong would personally get involved.
Honestly, the two of them were a bit too weak!
"Zi Yan, that is a place of trouble. There will definitely be no shortage of Dou Emperors and Dou Zongs. If we go, we cannot guarantee our safety."
"Ah~~~" Jiang Yun objected, and Zi Yan immediately deflated like a punctured ball, disappointment evident on her face.
"Go!" Just as Jiang Yun was about to take Zi Yan back to the Inner Court, a familiar voice appeared in his mind.
Jiang Yun was somewhat surprised, because this was Qing Ming's voice. It was well known that Qing Ming usually adopted a hands-off approach to Jiang Yun, rarely speaking, so this was quite unexpected.
"Is there something different about that secret realm?"
At this moment, the only thing Jiang Yun could think of was that secret realm. Was there something special about it that caught Qing Ming's attention?