Monkey King Mountain.
The monkeys, who usually lay around basking in the sun, were gathered together, furiously repelling the surging tide of demonic beasts.
Stronger monkeys wielded their fists, fending off beast after beast, while the nimble ones used whatever they could find to harass the attackers, widening the advantage for their companions.
The roars of beasts, the dull thuds of flesh meeting flesh, and the sharp cracks of breaking bones intertwined.
Blood stained Monkey King Mountain, and the monkeys' habitat was quickly transformed into a chaotic battlefield.
Black Fur Ape Boss surveyed the scene of disarray, a pang of pain striking his heart. Veins bulged on his powerful arms, and his human-like eyes were bloodshot with rage.
This was their monkey clan's ancestral home, and it was being destroyed.
"Black Fur Ape, you still have the mind to care about other things at a time like this? You truly don't respect us three brothers."
Beside Black Fur Ape Boss stood three black bears of slightly different sizes, encircling him.
Black Fur Ape Boss turned his gaze to the speaking black bear, the fury in his chest surging towards his head.
He recognized this black bear.
The other party was under the command of the Heaven Swallowing Python.
Black Fur Ape Boss had interacted with this black bear a few times when following the Monkey King outside.
The black bear appeared憨厚 (hān hòu - honest and simple) and straightforward on the outside, but was actually cunning, fierce, and brutal.
The two demonic beasts had a few minor skirmishes before, but out of respect for their respective leaders, they never allowed the friction to escalate into conflict.
However, at this moment, the black bear finally revealed its true colors.
Black Fur Ape Boss endured the roars around him, suppressing his anger, and said in a deep voice, "Black Bear, Monkey King Mountain is the Monkey King's territory. If you don't quickly take these rampaging demonic beasts and leave, you'll only have your lives to leave behind."
Upon hearing the words "Monkey King," the eyes of the three black bears flickered unnaturally.
The Monkey King's renown in the Divine Continent was no less than that of the Five Great Sects on the Nine Provinces Continent.
The Monkey King was the God of War personally appointed by the previous Demon King. Even great demons like the Heaven Swallowing Python and the Nine-Tailed White Fox had to retreat three paces and avoid its锋芒 (fēng máng - sharp edge/brilliance) when facing it.
In the past, the three black bears would never have dared to trespass onto the Monkey King's territory to court death.
But times were different now. The Monkey King's reputation remained, but its strength...
The leading black bear looked at Black Fur Ape Boss and let out a scornful sneer, "Black Fur Ape, there's no need for you to bluff us anymore. We already know the Monkey King's situation, otherwise we wouldn't dare to stand here."
Black Fur Ape Boss's heart sank.
His earlier words were both a test and a threat.
He had a vague suspicion of what was happening but dared not confirm it. Now, the black bear's words completely confirmed his guess.
News of the Monkey King's misfortune had somehow leaked.
Black Fur Ape Boss knew this day would come, but seeing it happen before his eyes still made him incandescent with rage.
"Black Bear, I don't understand what you're talking about. However, to deal with the three of you, the Monkey King doesn't need to lift a finger. Since you don't want to leave, then stay here and nourish the fruit trees of Monkey Mountain!"
As he finished speaking, Black Fur Ape Boss stomped his right foot heavily on the ground, his body launching like an arrow shot from a bow towards the black bear's face.
The black bear was startled at first, then let out a roar. It neither dodged nor evaded, and its right palm struck out at the empty air.
Boom—
A powerful gust of wind tore through the sky, emitting a sharp whistling sound.
Two black arms collided, immediately unleashing earth-shattering roars.
Many demonic beasts were startled by the tremendous noise and retreated, looking towards Black Fur Ape Boss and the black bear with uncertainty.
Black Fur Ape Boss's figure flickered, but his footing remained exceptionally stable.
The black bear, however, let out a pained grunt and stumbled back several paces.
It was clear at a glance who was superior between the two demonic beasts.
The black bear's expression contorted for a moment, but it soon burst into laughter.
Black Fur Ape Boss, as the Monkey King's foremost general, indeed possessed some ability.
But no matter how powerful he was, he couldn't defeat three demonic beasts with comparable cultivation.
The black bear exchanged a look with its companions on the left and right, and the three demonic beasts advanced simultaneously.
Black Fur Ape Boss spread his arms and let out another powerful roar. The fur on his body stood up like steel needles, and the sound of bones grinding could be heard within him.
"Attack!"
Seeing this, the black bear's heart suddenly trembled for some reason. Without further hesitation, it immediately launched its assault.
The three black bears roared and charged at Black Fur Ape Boss. The ground trembled violently, splitting into numerous cracks.
"Roar!"
"Roar roar!"
"Roar roar roar!"
The battles between demonic beasts were much simpler and more direct than those of cultivators, and also considerably more brutal.
Their bodies were their most formidable weapons.
In the collisions, blood-stained fur fluttered down, carpeting the ground.
Black Fur Ape Boss's strength far surpassed any single one of the three black bears.
However, facing the combined assault of the three black bears, even Black Fur Ape Boss found his fists unable to fend off all four of them, and he soon fell into a disadvantage.
Bang!
Black Fur Ape Boss was struck in the abdomen by a black bear's palm. The terrifying force, weakened by the beast's fur, surged into his body.
"Hmph!"
Black Fur Ape Boss was sent flying, crashing through more than ten large trees before he could finally stop himself.
As he finally managed to regain his footing, the three black bears were already running back towards him, leaping high into the air, preparing to deliver a fatal blow.
"Aaaargh!!!"
Angry roars accompanied by powerful airwaves caused the three black bears' movements to momentarily falter.
They looked up and saw a shadowy figure rapidly approaching them. The three black bears had no choice but to halt their attack and dodge.
Rumble!
Dust billowed, and a deep pit several zhang (a Chinese unit of length, approximately 3.33 meters) deep appeared in front of Black Fur Ape Boss. At the bottom of the pit lay a massive boulder.
A hint of suspicion flickered in the eyes of the leading black bear, and its confusion was answered the next moment.
Because a massive figure crashed down opposite the three black bears with a thud.
"Who dares touch my boss! I'll fight you to the death!"
Black Fur Ape King, breathing heavily, glared at the three black bears with hatred.
Black Fur Ape Boss looked at his brother who had finally arrived, letting out a sigh of relief while also feeling indignant.
He had sensed a subtle shift in the atmosphere of the Divine Continent recently, which was why he had forcefully ordered the monkeys on Monkey King Mountain not to go out, fearing unforeseen events.
But this brother of his was a reckless fool. Not only did he disregard his orders, but he also ran off at this most critical juncture.
Thinking of this, Black Fur Ape Boss trembled with rage. The movement agitated the wound in his abdomen, causing him to gasp, and his gaze towards Black Fur Ape King was filled with killing intent.
Black Fur Ape King's tail twitched, and he suppressed the urge to turn his head, continuing to roar at the three black bears.
But this time, his emotions were no longer solely anger; other feelings were mixed in.
He had grown up with his boss, and without even thinking, he could guess what his boss was thinking with his toes.
Therefore, this was the best opportunity for him to atone for his mistakes.
As long as he performed well, even if he was punished after everything was over, his boss would at least spare his life.
For this reason alone, Black Fur Ape King would give it his all.