Xuantian Immortal Cultivation Record

Actually, the thought had crossed Zhang Yuanjing's mind as well, but the current situation was different, with an obviously tense atmosphere permeating Dragon Mountain Marsh. Therefore, he didn't rashly bring it up.

Fire Crow Daoist smiled and said, "It's only natural for Brother Ape to worry about his clan. We're already here; going to Azurefall Valley won't take much time."

He certainly remembered Ape Twelve's invitation from back then, but to avoid complications, he naturally wouldn't say a word unless Zhang Yuanjing brought it up first.

Moreover, he had a concern: Azurefall Valley might have already been ransacked by the six sects' cultivators. Ape Twelve and that Azure-Eyed Suanni beast might have fled, or been dismembered into a pile of spirit materials. If Ape Thirteen couldn't find Ape Twelve and insisted on searching for him, that would be troublesome.

However, since Zhang Yuanjing had spoken, he couldn't very well stop him, lest Ape Thirteen feel unhappy and embarrass Zhang Yuanjing. After all, this Golden-Backed Giant Ape was exceptionally strong and had a special dependent relationship with Zhang Yuanjing.

Azurefall Valley was located in a mountain range in the northern part of the western section of Dragon Mountain Marsh, surrounded by several powerful demonic beasts. Three of Yuan Zhilin's "eight demonic heads, very arrogant" were in that area.

The group headed north, first crossing a thousand-zhang-deep ravine and engaging in a chaotic battle with over a hundred birds that flew out from below. After escaping, they entered a dense forest.

Dragon Mountain Marsh had a rule against entering deep valleys, but this also included dense forests. Deep valleys were avoided because they were highly likely to harbor powerful demonic beasts, while dense forests often contained swarms of demonic birds or insects.

Their choice to pass through the forest was also out of necessity. On either side of the dense forest were two powerful demonic beasts that would take considerable effort to deal with, and might cause a big commotion, attracting other cultivators.

Within the dense forest were some gregarious demonic beasts, but they wouldn't be too strong. Cleaning them up would also be concealed by the foliage, so they wouldn't be easily noticed from a distance.

Fortunately, their luck wasn't too bad. The creatures inhabiting the forest were a type of insect called Drum Locusts. They were extremely numerous but weak. Fire Crow Daoist summoned his Black Iron Gourd, collecting as many as he could, replenishing a massive amount of beast fire.

After passing through the dense forest, they entered a deep grassland, with flat terrain and a wide field of vision. Fortunately, the deep grass provided cover, concealing them from prying eyes. About three hundred miles ahead were continuous, towering mountains.

The group climbed over three peaks, and a narrow river valley appeared ahead. The winding stream flowed from the southern mountains, becoming gentle in the valley. Lush trees, bright flowers, and dense vegetation filled the valley, with the sound of flowing water creating a beautiful and tranquil scene, unlike typical demonic beast territories, giving it a unique flavor.

At that moment, Fire Crow Daoist suddenly stopped, stood with his hands behind his back on the hillside, and said with a smile, "The Suanni beast is here!"

Along the way, Zhang Yuanjing had told everyone about Ape Twelve and the Azure-Eyed Suanni beast.

Zhang Yu was most curious about the Suanni beast and immediately chirped, "Where is it? I want to see how divine and majestic this demonic beast is!"

Zhang Yuanjing smiled and said, "This spiritual beast is quite alert; it probably detected our movements from a hundred miles away. With this beast, neither Core Formation cultivators nor Demon Core demonic beasts can launch a surprise attack on Azurefall Valley."

As he spoke, a completely black demonic beast, shaped like a lion, darted out of the dense forest in the valley and rushed up the grass-covered hillside. In an instant, it ran to them, looking at them with a pair of eyes like azure gemstones.

Zhang Yu's eyes lit up, and she said joyfully, "What a beautiful demonic beast! I wonder if it has any cubs; I'd love to raise one!"

Zhang Yuanjing lightly scolded, "Yu'er, don't be rude!"

After speaking, he bowed to the Azure-Eyed Suanni beast and said respectfully, "My disciple is impetuous; please don't take offense. We've come to visit Clan Leader Ape and you. I wonder if Clan Leader Ape is present."

The Azure-Eyed Suanni beast examined Zhang Yu's face for a moment, then nodded to Zhang Yuanjing and made several "squeak" sounds.

Ape Thirteen conveyed the thought that the Suanni beast was inviting them to enter the valley.

Azurefall Valley was a hundred miles long, but its widest point was only a dozen miles, and its narrowest point was less than five miles. For two Demon Core demonic beasts, this territory was indeed small.

Ape Twelve had opened his cave in the northern part of the valley's center, where the mountain walls were steep, almost vertical, and very precipitous. The surrounding trees were tall and the forest dense, making it very hidden.

Ape Twelve was overjoyed to see Zhang Yuanjing and Ape Thirteen, welcoming them out of the cave, chattering incessantly.

Ape Thirteen's reaction was much calmer. It simply grinned, squeaked a few times in the middle, but didn't leave Zhang Yuanjing's side to rush up and hug him as it had done at Ghost Earth Mountain.

After many lessons, Ape Thirteen had made great progress in controlling its emotions and desires, and could more clearly understand its duty as Zhang Yuanjing's battle partner.

Ape Twelve arrived quickly. His face was full of smiles as he first bowed to Zhang Yuanjing, then to Fire Crow Daoist, and then to everyone else, being more polite than even human cultivators. Finally, he hugged Ape Thirteen, chattering non-stop.

His performance stunned not only Zhang Yu, Zhang Jun, and Han Ji, the three juniors, but also Yuan Zhilin, Liu Jinglong, and Mei Zhenyi.

After everyone exchanged greetings, Ape Twelve led them into his cave. His cave was dug into the mountain wall, extending more than twenty zhang deep, divided into ten or so stone chambers. Whether in structure or layout, it was similar to a human cultivator's cave.

After they sat down as guests and hosts and exchanged brief pleasantries, Fire Crow Daoist asked, "We've been traveling west in Dragon Mountain Marsh, and we've seen many cultivators hunting demonic beasts along the way. Have any cultivators come here?"

Ape Twelve nodded and said, "They've come three times. The Azure-Eyed Suanni beast discovered them each time. We knew we weren't a match, so we avoided them in advance. We returned here after they left. However, two of the surrounding Demon Core demonic beasts have been killed, and another one was injured and fled."

After Ape Thirteen relayed his words to Zhang Yuanjing, it said, "Yuanjing, please advise my grandfather to not stay here anymore, it's too dangerous!"

Zhang Yuanjing then asked, "Clan Leader Ape, when did cultivators start entering the mountains to hunt demonic beasts more frequently?"

Ape Twelve scratched his head and said, "I'm not sure exactly when it started, but it definitely hasn't been less than ten years."

Zhang Yuanjing said, "Clan Leader Ape, this place is close to Six Peaks Immortal City. Why not head east to the more central area of Dragon Mountain Marsh? Is it safer there?"

Ape Twelve hesitated for a moment before saying, "The Azure-Eyed Suanni beast needs to devour some demonic beasts with inherited bloodlines to break through its realm. It has its eye on a White Tiger, but this beast is extremely strong. I've fought it seven times, but haven't succeeded. Now that you're here, could you please have Thirteen help me once and go with me to kill that White Tiger!"