Chapter 368 - 170: Great Advancement in Cultivation

Liang Cheng stood before the fissure, his gaze locked on the massive silhouette coiled in the darkness.

’Tier Nine?’

’No.’

He narrowed his eyes, extending his Divine Sense to probe it carefully.

Although the silhouette was enormous and its aura terrifyingly powerful, a closer inspection revealed it was not a true Tier Nine Fierce Beast. It was at the Tier Eight Peak, on the verge of a breakthrough.

It had likely been stuck at its bottleneck for many years, accumulating a vast aura. It was just one step away.

But even so, it was extremely dangerous—far stronger than the Horned Dragon Lizard from before.

Liang Cheng did not act rashly.

He used Concealment to hide his aura and circled around to a large boulder beside the fissure, observing quietly.

From the fissure, Fierce Beasts poured out in a ceaseless stream.

Most were Tier Four and Tier Five, with some Tier Six visible.

After emerging, they scattered in all directions. Some fought amongst themselves, while others charged straight into the distance.

But the behemoth remained coiled in the depths of the fissure, completely motionless.

Just then—

ROAR!!!

A world-shaking roar echoed from the depths of the fissure!

The behemoth was finally moving!

It slowly rose, its massive body causing the fissure itself to tremble.

Liang Cheng finally got a clear look at it—

It was a Giant Ape!

Its entire body was covered in jet-black fur, each strand as thick as an arm and glinting with a cold, metallic luster. Its head, however, was unlike that of an ordinary ape—it had three eyes!

The eye in the center was shut tight, but even so, one could feel the terrifying power contained within it.

’A Three-Eyed Demon Ape!’

’And a Tier Eight Peak at that!’

A chill ran down Liang Cheng’s spine.

’This thing is far more troublesome than the Horned Dragon Lizard.’

The Three-Eyed Demon Ape was an Ancient Exotic Species with an extremely high-grade bloodline.

Legend had it that once they opened their third eye, they could unleash their Talent Divine Abilities.

Void-Breaking Demonic Light.

Wherever that demonic light passed, it could shatter anything.

Liang Cheng focused his gaze.

He saw the Three-Eyed Demon Ape stride deeper into the fissure, where a cluster of light faintly flickered, hinting at the presence of something.

Liang Cheng’s pupils contracted.

’That’s—’

’A Treasure of Heaven and Earth!’

’And one that even a Tier Eight Fierce Beast would covet!’

The Three-Eyed Demon Ape walked up to the light and stopped. It raised its enormous palm, cautiously reaching out to touch the cluster of light.

The very instant its fingertip made contact—

BZZZMM!!!

The light flared violently!

A visible shockwave rippled out from within the light!

Wherever the shockwave passed, the fissure began to tremble violently!

The Three-Eyed Demon Ape was knocked back two steps and let out a furious roar.

But it didn’t give up and reached out again.

This time, it finally used its Talent Divine Abilities.

Its third eye opened into a narrow slit!

A jet-black beam of demonic light shot out from the slit, striking the cluster of light!

The light flickered violently!

The two forces began to struggle against each other!

Liang Cheng continued to conceal his aura, observing quietly.

An incense stick’s worth of time went by.

Then a second.

And a third.

The struggle between the Three-Eyed Demon Ape and the cluster of light was still ongoing.

The Demon Ape’s third eye opened wider and wider, the demonic light growing stronger.

Meanwhile, the cluster of light began to dim.

Finally—

BOOM!!!

With a tremendous bang!

The light exploded!

A fist-sized lotus flower flew out from the blast of light!

It was completely transparent, as if carved from crystal, and spatial ripples faintly pulsed across its petals.

The Three-Eyed Demon Ape was overjoyed, but just as it reached out to grab it—

A flash of sword light descended from the heavens!

The sword light was incomparably sharp, slashing straight for the Demon Ape’s arm!

The Demon Ape roared, retracting its arm to dodge.

The sword light grazed its arm and struck the wall of the fissure, leaving behind a gash several yards deep!

"Beast, you are not worthy of this."

A cold, clear female voice rang out.

Liang Cheng looked toward the source of the voice.

Above the fissure, a figure in green robes stood, suspended in mid-air.

’Liu Qingli!’

’What is she doing here?’

A jolt went through Liang Cheng’s heart.

Liu Qingli held a long, cyan sword, her body enveloped in a flowing Sword Intent that radiated a sharp edge.

She stared at the Three-Eyed Demon Ape, her gaze icy.

The Three-Eyed Demon Ape roared and swatted with its palm!

’This is my chance to evolve.’

’Beyond Tier Nine is equivalent to the Human Race’s Golden Core Realm.’

’I’ll no longer be called a beast, but a spirit!’

A giant palm made of black Demon Qi crushed down toward Liu Qingli!

Liu Qingli sneered and slashed out with her sword!

The sword light formed a brilliant arc as it struck the giant palm!

BOOM!!!

The giant palm exploded!

The sword light also dissipated!

The human and the ape were evenly matched!

But Liang Cheng could see clearly that Liu Qingli’s aura was slightly unstable; she was clearly not as relaxed as she appeared. As for the Three-Eyed Demon Ape, it had expended a great deal of energy fighting the Void Spirit Lotus and was no longer at its Peak.

’Both sides are just putting up a strong front!’

’Whoever breaks first, loses!’

The Void Spirit Lotus hovered in the center of the fissure, blooming quietly.

The two humans and the ape stood in a standoff, neither side making the first move.

Liang Cheng remained hidden behind the boulder, holding his breath and focusing his concentration.

Time flowed by.

One breath.

Ten breaths.

Thirty breaths.

Suddenly, Liu Qingli moved!

She took a step forward, her body transforming into a streak of light as she went straight for the Void Spirit Lotus!

The Three-Eyed Demon Ape roared and swatted its palm at her!

But Liu Qingli’s move was a feint. She twisted her body, evading the Demon Ape’s attack, and her sword light flared again, slashing toward the Demon Ape’s third eye!

The Demon Ape was shocked, but it was a step too slow. The sword light flashed past, leaving a bloody gash on its brow!

Although its third eye was not destroyed, it had sustained a minor injury!

Driven mad by the pain, the Demon Ape went berserk!

It threw its head back and howled, and the black light around its body intensified!

Its third eye snapped open!

A beam of jet-black demonic light shot toward Liu Qingli, tearing space itself as it passed!

Liu Qingli’s expression changed. Her sword strike had not achieved its full purpose, and she could only retreat hastily!

But the demonic light was too fast; she couldn’t dodge it at all!

BOOM!!!

The demonic light struck her left shoulder!