A bolt of lightning was nothing to the Eight-Tailed White Fox.
But what about two, three, or even dozens combined?
Even a proud creature like the Eight-Tailed White Fox found it unbearable.
Thus, it fled in injury.
Crimson blood stained its pristine white fur.
The rage in its eyes burned redder than its blood-stained chest.
"Xu Yi! Xu Yi!"
Before leaving, it repeatedly murmured Xu Yi's name, as if etching it into its soul.
The Black Fur Ape leader stood stunned for a long while before snapping back to attention. It quickly walked to Xu Yi's side, examining her with shock.
Xu Yi smiled at it. "Black Fur Ape leader, we meet again."
The Black Fur Ape leader let out a heavy sigh. "Xu Yi, you... alas!"
It had a thousand words unspoken, but none could be properly expressed, resulting in a mere sigh.
An attack that the Eight-Tailed White Fox could not withstand would have been far more tragic for itself.
Recalling Xu Yi's last visit, it had rather looked down upon her.
Yet, in just a few short years, the other had changed so drastically.
The Black Fur Ape leader couldn't help but wonder if all humans were as formidable as Xu Yi.
Not only did they possess exceptional talent, but they also had endless treasures and the audacity to challenge Great Cultivation Stage great demons at a higher level.
The Black Fur Ape leader began to feel fortunate that it had never considered becoming an enemy of humanity.
Xu Yi thought little of it and pointed to the downed beasts behind her. "These demonic beasts are here to seek refuge with Monkey King Mountain."
The Black Fur Ape leader blinked in surprise. "You came here to escort them?"
"It was on the way."
Traces of lightning strikes still lingered on Xu Yi's face as she spoke with an air of casualness, her eyes shining brightly.
At that moment, the Black Fur Ape leader finally understood why the Monkey King had shown her such favor.
It let out a long, resonant roar.
The clear cry pierced through the clouds.
Before long, Xu Yi heard the answering roars erupting from the direction of Monkey King Mountain.
"You don't need to worry about these demonic beasts. Can you still walk?"
The Black Fur Ape leader frowned, pondering whether to carry Xu Yi back with one arm or to hoist her over its shoulder.
Xu Yi staggered to her feet. "I'm fine."
After successfully overcoming the tribulation, her exhausted body had been cleansed by spiritual energy.
Though her appearance was battered, her internal state had largely recovered, posing no hindrance to her movement.
Seeing that she wasn't feigning strength, the Black Fur Ape leader nodded and invited her to Monkey King Mountain.
Xu Yi readily accepted.
The appearance of the Black Fur Ape leader and Xu Yi at Monkey King Mountain sent shockwaves through the resident demonic beasts.
Demonic beasts, upon reaching a certain cultivation level, could transform into human form.
While most demonic beasts preferred their original forms, there were still eccentric individuals among them. Thus, it was not uncommon to encounter such "humans" within Shenzhou.
However, these "humans," despite their human-like appearances, exuded overwhelming demonic energy and possessed crude mannerisms, making it easy for other demonic beasts to recognize them as kin.
It was precisely because of these precedents that they could immediately tell Xu Yi was different from those "humans."
Setting aside the faint aura of righteousness Xu Yi emanated, the effortless grace in her every movement was something that even the most skilled demonic beast could not replicate.
Therefore, the fact that Xu Yi was human did not need any deliberate declaration; it spread like wildfire among the assembled beasts.
Many of them had already connected Xu Yi with the lingering thunderclouds that had blanketed the sky earlier.
Since when had a human appeared on demonic territory?
Why had she come?
What was her connection to the Monkey King and the monkey demons?
These questions left the demonic beasts uneasy.
They had not wished to pledge allegiance to the Eight-Tailed White Fox, but that did not mean they were willing to join the human faction.
Since ancient times, humans and demons had been at odds.
If the Monkey King were to demand they turn their allegiance and confront the Eight-Tailed White Fox, how should they react?
The demonic beasts were filled with worry as Xu Yi and the Black Fur Ape leader reached the mountain peak.
"Xu Yi? Hahahaha, it's really you! What happened to you? You look so disheveled!"
The Golden Fur Ape, Jin Gang, had been anxiously awaiting the Black Fur Ape leader.
It had sensed its leader's aura and also detected a scent of blood. Without seeing the Black Fur Ape leader in its true form, it could not be at ease.
However, upon seeing the Black Fur Ape leader, its attention was completely captivated by Xu Yi.
Xu Yi's current state was truly quite pathetic.
Furthermore, due to the Four-Winged Blood Horse and the Snow Leopard, its relationship with Xu Yi was much closer than that of the Black Fur Ape leader, and it spoke without reservation.
Xu Yi rolled her eyes at Jin Gang. "If you want to know, I'll call you next time I undergo a tribulation and let you try it yourself."
The smile on Jin Gang's face stiffened, and it rubbed the back of its head. "There's no need to be so polite."
The Black Fur Ape leader impatiently waved at it. "Go watch the little ones move the demonic beasts from outside and find a place to settle them."
Jin Gang pouted, knowing its leader was deliberately sending it away, and reluctantly began to descend.
After only a couple of steps, it was called back by the Black Fur Ape leader.
"Right, remember to categorize them according to their habits when settling them. Don't put the meat-eaters and the grass-eaters together, or it'll cause trouble out of nowhere."
"Got it."
Jin Gang replied, and then trudged downwards again.
After Jin Gang had left, the Black Fur Ape leader led Xu Yi towards the cave, but Xu Yi refused.
"The cave is dimly lit. It would be better to talk here."
Xu Yi gestured towards the large rock where the Black Fur Ape leader had been sitting.
"That would be agreeable."
The Black Fur Ape leader also disliked staying in caves year-round, so it did not refuse.
After Xu Yi sat down, the Black Fur Ape leader thought for a moment, asked Xu Yi to wait, turned, and fetched a pile of spiritual fruits from Monkey King Mountain, wrapped in a large leaf, and placed them before Xu Yi.
Xu Yi did not stand on ceremony.
Having just completed her tribulation, her body had a significant deficit in spiritual energy, and she needed to replenish it.
Thus, she casually picked up a spiritual fruit, ate it in a few bites, and then asked solemnly, "Black Fur Ape leader, the current situation in Shenzhou... does not seem very good."
Xu Yi tried to phrase her words delicately.
The Black Fur Ape leader responded bitterly, "It's more than just 'not very good.'"
It would rather describe it as terrible.
Over fifty percent of Shenzhou's territory had fallen into the hands of the Eight-Tailed White Fox. Of the remaining half, another half was held by the Eight-Tailed White Fox's allies, leaving only a small portion not yet occupied by them, though it was unlikely to hold out for much longer.
Without the Monkey King, Monkey King Mountain could only fend for itself, lacking the ability to offer aid to other regions.
Just like now, while they could accept the demonic beasts seeking refuge, it was merely a last resort.
Countless hidden dangers had already been sown between the monkey demons of Monkey King Mountain and the demonic beasts residing there.
When these hidden dangers erupted, even the Black Fur Ape leader could not imagine the consequences.
It sighed once more.
Shenzhou falling into the hands of the Eight-Tailed White Fox was already a foregone conclusion.