"It's too old, it doesn't have many years left. It has been sleeping away its days, barely clinging to life. This time, we've awakened it."
"Hurry, go ask the City Lord for help!"
As everyone communicated rapidly through telepathy, the Nascent Soul Demon Ape fully opened its eyes.
It didn't attack, but changed its sleeping posture, revealing its drooping chest and swollen abdomen.
It made a series of chirping sounds, scanning the human Golden Core cultivators with a selective gaze.
Zhu Xuanji and the others were taken aback.
They were quite familiar with the Magma Demon Ape, as the Golden Core cultivators of the three families lived in Fire Persimmon Immortal City and had numerous encounters with it. Zhu Xuanji, a Divine Hunter and a member of the Royal Family, had conducted thorough investigations and read extensive intelligence reports before coming to Fire Persimmon Immortal City.
So, when they saw the behavior of the Nascent Soul level Demon Ape, they communicated through telepathy while exclaiming in shock: "This female ape is in heat!"
In the Magma Demon Ape population, the number of female apes was extremely scarce, with the number of male apes at least eighty times that of females.
Therefore, in each ape group, the female ape was the most precious asset and the guarantee of the group's future.
This group of Magma Demon Apes was particularly unique, as one of the female apes had grown to the Nascent Soul level, possessing a status higher than the previous Golden Core Demon Ape King.
No wonder its dwelling was so heavily guarded by the demon apes.
Zhu Xuanji hurriedly communicated through telepathy: "Don't attack!"
"The female ape being in heat is actually our opportunity."
"It seems to have mistaken us for the mates chosen by the ape group."
Zheng Shuanggou, holding his twin hooks, his expression changed: "Lord Zhu, what do you mean by this?"
Zhu Xuanji responded: "As long as one of us is chosen by it and mates with it, our relationship with the ape group will transform from enemies to allies."
"At that time, not only will the Demon General Mechanism be neutralized, but the ape group will also voluntarily offer numerous treasures."
"You all live in Fire Persimmon Mountain and are unfamiliar with this behavior?"
Indeed.
Female apes were insatiable, and male apes of the same level often perished during mating.
Sometimes, when a female ape's life level was too high and it went into heat, the male apes wouldn't dare approach and would capture male apes from other groups or human males to satiate the powerful female ape's intense needs.
If a male ape or a man satisfied the female ape and survived, they would be treated well by the ape group. Voluntarily offering treasures was a common way to express gratitude.
After hearing Zhu Xuanji's words, Zheng Shuanggou and the others felt a chill in their hearts.
Zhou Nongying's expression turned ugly: "Lord Zhu, do you know what you're talking about?"
Zhu Xuanji spread his hands: "The situation is as it is. Waiting for Meng Kui's support might be possible, but you all forget about it."
"We are in a desperate situation, and the only way to survive is to abandon all reservations!"
"The good news is: the female ape selects only one target each time it mates. Only if the selected target dies halfway and the female ape still has strong needs will it choose a second one."
"It means it will pick only one of us."
"At that time, whoever is chosen, even if it's me, will have to go through with it."
"For survival, it is not disgraceful at all!"
"Do you want to live, or do you want to die?"
Zhu Xuanji's words made the Golden Core cultivators show various expressions.
Zheng Danlian sighed: "Naturally, we want to live."
Ning Jiufan felt his chance of being selected was the lowest and said resolutely: "I support Lord Zhu's plan!"
No one else spoke.
Zhu Xuanji clapped his hands: "That's settled then!"
"Whoever gets chosen, the rest of us must keep this matter strictly confidential."
The rest of the Golden Core cultivators strongly agreed.
The Nascent Soul level female ape exposed its chest, continuously making chirping sounds. Its gaze swept back and forth, making the Golden Core cultivators pale and their hearts race.
Suddenly, the female ape's gaze paused, and it pointed its finger at—
The Ning Family Ancestor.
Ning Jiufan!
The female ape beckoned him with its finger.
Ning Jiufan was dumbfounded, his face filled with disbelief.
"Me?"
"Why me?!"
He couldn't understand at all.
In comparison, Zheng Shuanggou and Zheng Danlian were clearly more robust, fitting the Magma Demon Ape's aesthetic.
Even though the Zhou Family's Golden Core cultivator was a bit thin, their cultivation technique wasn't ice-based.
Ning Jiufan primarily cultivated the Ice Heart Technique, which had a naturally repellent and aversive effect on the Magma Demon Ape due to its cold aura.
"Why?"
"Why?!"
Ning Jiufan shook his head, muttering repeatedly.
"There's no reason. Since it's chosen you, Brother Ning, please bear with it." Zheng Shuanggou suddenly relaxed, taking out Nine Yang Yellow Bull Ointment.
"Swallow some quickly, and apply some to the crucial areas!" Zheng Shuanggou instructed.
Ning Jiufan still found it hard to believe and accept, but a bottle of ointment was forced into his hands.
Soon after, Zhu Xuanji and the others dipped into their pouches, offering Ning Jiufan strong support.
The Zhou Family's Golden Core cultivator took out some elixirs: "This is a Spring Radiance Pill. After taking it, it will massively boost your energy and stamina."
Zheng Danlian then fished out a ring-shaped magical treasure from his storage bag: "Shamefully, I obtained this Dragon Yang Essence Ring after killing an evil cultivator from the Flower-picking Sect long ago. I've never been able to sell it, but it comes in handy now."
Reminded of this, Zhu Xuanji also took out a sachet: "I once captured a female demon and obtained a Spring Dream Sachet. Originally, I planned to use it as a clue for further investigations, but you can have it now."
Ning Jiufan clearly resisted, but the other Golden Core cultivators were resolute, forcibly handing him elixirs and magical treasures.
"Go now!"
"Brother Ning, we will remember your sacrifice and ensure it won't be in vain."
"After we return to the city, I will treat you to a meal!"
Ning Jiufan shook his head repeatedly: "I don't need a meal; I don't want these things. I believe we can come up with a more long-term plan."
But in the next moment, an invisible force pulled him out of the crowd.
It turned out that the Nascent Soul female ape had grown impatient and took matters into its own hands!
Ning Jiufan's eyes widened in anger.
He was stroked on the face by the female ape.
Ning Jiufan's eyes widened in anger.
His clothes were stripped off.
Ning Jiufan's eyes widened in anger.
He suddenly realized and looked up at the sky with a long sigh, his eyes filled with red veins. From between his clenched teeth, he uttered: "Forced into this situation, what can I do? I can only comply, only comply."
"Brother Ning, such selflessness!" Zhu Xuanji was visibly moved.
The other Golden Core cultivators, with sorrowful expressions, offered praises and supportive words.
Ning Jiufan suddenly said: "No, I must form a contract with you all."
"Especially with Lord Zhu, I'm completely doing this because of you."
"From now on, the Ning Family must be part of Fire Persimmon Immortal City…"
He quickly communicated a series of conditions through telepathy.
Ning Jiufan, while being forced, also compelled the other two Golden Core families and Zhu Xuanji to make an alliance.
In a short time, he forced the other Golden Core cultivators to sign an alliance contract with him.
The contract guaranteed the Ning Family's position and future interests in Fire Persimmon Immortal City. Ning Jiufan also secured many resources suitable for his cultivation.
The Nascent Soul female ape, now excited, pinned down Ning Jiufan.
Ning Jiufan painfully closed his eyes, while waving his hands to activate a magical treasure that released an icy mist, enveloping himself and the female ape.
This disappointed the Zheng Family's Golden Core cultivators who wanted to watch.
The two Zhou Family Golden Core cultivators quietly retracted the jade slips from their sleeves, feeling extremely regretful for not being able to record the scene.
This was a peculiar, long battle!
Ning Jiufan, sweating profusely, struggled to ward off attacks, his face paling and rapidly weakening.
The female ape let out a satisfied roar.
"Brother Ning, hang in there!" The human Golden Core cultivators sincerely cheered for Ning Jiufan.
"Why did the female ape eventually choose Brother Ning?" Zhou Nongying expressed doubt.
The others shared the same doubt.
Zheng Danlian speculated: "Perhaps this female ape has lived long enough and wants to try something new?"
Zhu Xuanji suddenly had an idea and said: "It must be the External Peach Blossom Core, right?"
"Back then, Meng Kui used his divine skills to manipulate the fortune field covering all of Fire Persimmon Mountain."
"The only tool he could use was the External Peach Blossom Core."
"He could use it without causing any fortune turbulence affecting him because it carried strong peach blossom luck."
"Strictly speaking, the External Peach Blossom Core is a magical treasure that adds peach blossom luck. Its attack power, which can hurt others, is simply a side effect."
Everyone suddenly understood: "So that's it."
"No wonder the female ape didn't choose anyone else but Brother Ning."
"Brother Ning also, carrying the External Peach Blossom Core into the Immortal Palace without us, and now, it's just karmic retribution, isn't it?"
With that explanation, their sympathy for Ning Jiufan's predicament decreased significantly.
In the underground base.
Ning Zhuo wiped the sweat from his face with his sleeve.
"It's done!" He looked at the Mechanical Monkey.
Thanks to Ning Zhuo's frantic assembly process, the Mechanical Monkey was now fully repaired.
Its head contained the Rampant Thoughts Chaotic Drum, and its chest housed the Mechanical Heart Ball Furnace·Fire Essence.
The lower half, previously just a skeleton, had also been fitted with mechanical parts to give a complete appearance.
Ning Zhuo extracted Yuan Dasheng's spiritual nature and placed it inside the Mechanical Monkey.
The Mechanical Monkey activated on its own, opened its eyes, moved its limbs, and then knelt on one knee with the Push Gold Mountain Topple Jade Pillar gesture, respectfully greeting Ning Zhuo: "This general pays respects to my lord."
"Take this; it will help you conceal all your auras!"
Ning Zhuo extended his tongue.
A mark quickly surfaced from the base of his tongue.
Soon, the mark protruded, transforming into a cloud-like mist, floating out.
The cloud mist formed a pure white bud in mid-air, entirely composed of vapor, with wisps of cloud gently escaping its edges.
Cloud Concealed Bud!
Ning Zhuo manipulated the bud, inserting it deep into the body of the Mechanical Monkey.
The bud made of mist transformed back into the previous mark, embedding itself on the surface of the Mechanical Monkey's Heart Ball Furnace.
The Mechanical Monkey's overwhelming aura receded into nothingness.
"Yuan Dasheng, I command you to break through the ghost mist and rescue Elder Sun!"
"Yes, this general obeys."
The Mechanical Monkey reached its destination.
Fei Si hadn't noticed.
Chi Dun suddenly exclaimed: "Who's there?!"
Without delay, the Mechanical Monkey charged through the ghost mist.
Though it possessed Golden Core level strength, the ghost mist, influenced by lust, was countered by the mechanisms.
The ghost mist was partially dispelled, but Sun Lingtong remained trapped.
He was tightly embraced by Yang Chanyu, who had already activated the evil technique of Sunrise Yin Replenishment!
"Elder!" Ning Zhuo's voice transmitted directly to Sun Lingtong's heart through the Life Hanging Thread.
Sun Lingtong rejoiced: "Little brother, you're finally here!"
"Quick, lend me some Yang energy to cope with this situation."
"Otherwise, my cultivation will be ruined!"
Ning Zhuo: "What?!"