Ning Zhui stood upon the broad, sturdy shoulders of the mechanical ape, and pried open the construct’s cranium.

Then, from his storage belt, he retrieved a component.

It was a drum.

The drum’s body was like a short, thick cylinder.

Its crimson surface was smooth, evidently lacquered, and possessed an ancient, solemn air.

The drum had two tanned, leathery faces, stretched taut, thick, and resilient.

A ring of copper studs, each with a rounded head, encircled the drumheads.

Upon the drum’s surface were numerous patterns and designs. These depicted a battlefield scene, with opposing warriors locked in bloody combat, all sharing a common trait: they were roaring with all their might.

It was the reward Ning Zhui had claimed from the Magma Immortal Palace – the mechanical component known as the Frenzied Rampage Drum.

When struck, this drum emitted a low, resonant sound that reverberated within the mind, capable of generating all sorts of frenzied, violent thoughts and emotions.

Its orthodox usage was to beat it in battle, affecting nearby enemies, plunging them into a state of unbridled rage, causing them to lose reason and create openings.

However, Ning Zhui conceived of using this drum to aid the mechanical ape in its thought processes.

Even frenzied, violent thoughts were still thoughts. It was only that the conclusions of such thinking often involved savage assaults and reckless abandon, determined to destroy the enemy at any cost, even self-destruction!

“That’s not a problem.”

“Yuan Dasheng’s spirit has already advanced to the Wise Spirit stage, granting it a significant capacity for thought.”

“Yuan Dasheng’s intellect can suppress the rampaging thoughts, preventing a complete descent into madness.”

“Of course, prolonged drumming would still flood the mind with violent notions, suppressing Yuan Dasheng’s rationality.”

But this was precisely the state Ning Zhui sought.

At that point, Yuan Dasheng would be utterly berserk. According to the mechanisms installed within its body, it would unleash at least double its normal combat prowess!

Ning Zhui had already lifted the mechanical ape’s skull. After taking out the Frenzied Rampage Drum, he first inspected it, confirmed its integrity, and then carefully placed it inside the ape’s head.

A prepared base was already in place within the skull.

The Frenzied Rampage Drum was set upon the pedestal.

Ning Zhui withdrew a dozen or so round rods, each capable of being folded in the middle. He inserted the rods into the base, then bent them at their midpoints, attaching the other ends into designated apertures on the drum’s body.

Ning Zhui channeled his spiritual power, gently activating the device, and a muffled drumbeat immediately echoed within the skull.

After confirming all was well, Ning Zhui began to work on the inner walls of the cranium.

He took out his talisman brush and began to paint upon the interior surface, then retrieved dozens of talismans from his pouch, affixing them everywhere, even the inner surface of the skullcap.

Having completed these preparations, he carefully replaced the skullcap.

“I should have set up an echo formation, but for now, these talismans will have to suffice.”

Ning Zhui was drenched in sweat, laboring tirelessly, without a moment to rest.

“Elder Brother Sun is in danger; I must race against time, exerting all my strength to buy him as much time as possible!”

“Alas, Elder Brother is likely being affected because of me.”

“My lifeline is suspended over his head. If I am impacted, he will be involved as collateral.”

“In truth, if it weren’t for me, he could have left Fire Persimmon City long ago.”

“But he has remained here, wanting to help me, to protect me.”

“Given his personality, being cooped up in these underground bases is worse than death to him. But he has endured it until now, without a single complaint.”

“He’ll be alright, he’ll be alright!”

“In recent days, I have striven to make a name for myself, to gain recognition and plant lifelines on many people.”

“My divine ability is now complete, capable of drawing upon the fortunes of others. I now possess a vast foundation of fortune, enough to resist misfortune.”

“Therefore, Elder Brother, you will be alright!”

“Elder Brother, please don’t let anything happen to you.”

While urgently upgrading the mechanical ape, Ning Zhui also worked hard to manage his own emotions.

Underground base.

Within the vortex of ghostly mist.

“Hehehe, I’ve got you, Sun Lingtong!” Yang Chanyu’s face was filled with infatuation, the affection in her eyes almost tangible, enough to stir the hearts of any.

“Yang Chanyu, calm down, calm down!” Sun Lingtong was embraced tightly by Yang Chanyu, struggling with all his might, yet unable to break free.

“Wait, let me go, let me go, I can’t breathe!”

His face was buried in Yang Chanyu’s bosom, nearly suffocating him.

Yang Chanyu giggled, squeezing Sun Lingtong tightly, rocking her body from side to side as if trying to press him into herself.

Ghostly energy enshrouded Yang Chanyu’s body, filling her mind with boundless lust, leaving her with no reason.

In this moment of life or death, Sun Lingtong was driven to desperate measures, achieving a breakthrough!

“Emptiness Seal!!” He squeezed every last ounce of strength, calling upon the Emptiness Treasure Seal’s mark in an unprecedented, frantic manner.

The mark emitted a faint radiance, flowing from Sun Lingtong’s body, enveloping Yang Chanyu.

It was effective!

Yang Chanyu’s face immediately showed signs of struggle and hesitation. The bewitching ghost energy that had penetrated her body was largely repelled.

Yang Chanyu released Sun Lingtong, but her hands still gripped his arms tightly.

“It’s going to break, it’s going to break!” Sun Lingtong cried out, “Yang Chanyu, quickly wake up.”

Yang Chanyu’s expression constantly shifted, alternating between infatuation and clarity.

Sun Lingtong, suppressed by the ghostly mist and imprisoned by Yang Chanyu, remained unable to escape his bonds and regain his freedom.

“Little Zhui, Little Zhui, come and save me!”

Sun Lingtong’s pupils constricted as he saw Yang Chanyu losing the battle, her expression once again becoming infatuated. She giggled foolishly, pouting her lips towards Sun Lingtong.

Sun Lingtong quickly ducked his head to the right, avoiding the kiss.

Yang Chanyu withdrew, then leaned in again.

Sun Lingtong quickly ducked his head to the left, once more avoiding Yang Chanyu’s lips.

Yang Chanyu kissed and kissed, and Sun Lingtong dodged left and right.

After failing for a long time, Yang Chanyu gave a coy smile: “Little brother, I didn’t expect you to be so shy! But it’s useless!”

Saying that, she activated a secret technique – Extracting Yang to Replenish Yin!

“Something bad is going to happen, something bad is going to happen!” Sun Lingtong was anxiously flushed. He was bound, so he could only become a target.

“Something bad has happened!” A similar exclamation appeared in Zhu Xuanji’s mind.
He led three Core Formation cultivators deep into the Fire Persimmon Mountain, directly assaulting the Fire-Forged Demon Ape’s royal court den.

Not only were they ambushed, but now they were unable to break through, temporarily trapped in a corner by the ceaseless attacks of the demon apes.

Zhu Xuanji stood at the very front, a one-man bulwark!

Since the battle began, he had deployed a seemingly endless stream of magical treasures, his individual combat prowess far exceeding that of the three Core Formation cultivators.

His brow furrowed deeply, and after once again repelling an attacking Core Formation-level Fire-Forged Demon Ape, golden light blazed in his eyes as he stared at a cave entrance not far away.

“Look at that direction. There’s a cave entrance there. During previous skirmishes, when we tried to break through in that direction, the demon apes became extremely anxious, defending with all their might.”

“That cave likely leads to the outside world!”

Zhu Xuanji conveyed his conjecture through telepathic communication.

“It could also be the ape’s nursery,” Zhou Nongying, having retreated to the rear, supplemented while healing himself.

Zhu Xuanji continued to communicate: “In a moment, I will release a near-Core Formation level mechanical construct to rush towards that direction, attracting the demon apes’ defense.”

“When they become anxious, vulnerabilities will inevitably appear elsewhere. We will feint to the east and strike to the west, seize the opportunity, break through the encirclement, and return the way we came!”

Zhu Xuanji first prepared the three Core Formation cultivators, then began a telepathic countdown.

When he reached “One,” he shouted suddenly: “Move!”

Zhu Xuanji unleashed a tiger-shaped automaton, recklessly charging towards the cave.

As he expected, the Core Formation-level demon apes surrounding them grew visibly anxious, swarming to intercept the tiger automaton.

“Go!” Zhu Xuanji took the lead, seizing the opening in the demon apes’ formation and charging out with all his might.

In the next instant, the Fire-Forged Demon Ape King descended like a demonic god, blocking their path and forcefully halting Zhu Xuanji’s advance.

Seeing Zhu Xuanji stopped, the three Core Formation cultivators behind him attacked in unison.

Various spells and techniques struck the Demon Ape King, but with little effect. The power of their techniques was reduced by at least thirty percent.

This only served to ignite the Demon Ape King’s ferocity. It roared, striking with fists and feet, sending Zhu Xuanji flying.

Then, it lunged towards the three Core Formation cultivators.

The Core Formation cultivators’ hearts pounded in their chests. They scattered, leaving the Demon Ape King to strike empty air.

Suddenly, Zhu Xuanji shouted: “Do not resist me!”

As he spoke, he manipulated the tiger-shaped automaton that had been charging ahead.

The tiger automaton, besieged by several Core Formation-level demon apes, was already battered and on the verge of collapse.

Under Zhu Xuanji’s control, the automaton immediately emitted several beams of light.

The beams shone upon the human Core Formation cultivators, bringing upon them an immense and irresistible pulling force.

Because Zhu Xuanji had warned them in advance, the three Core Formation cultivators did not resist, allowing themselves to be drawn by the light.

The tiger automaton, having shone its beams upon all the human Core Formation cultivators, abruptly turned its head, shifting the beams to another direction.

“Hoooowl!!!”

The Fire-Forged Demon Apes roared in unison, falling into a frenzy.

As the human Core Formation cultivators were pulled by the light, their speed was astonishing. Almost in the blink of an eye, they reached the other side.

And that side was precisely the entrance of the cave.

“Hahaha. Lord Zhu, what skillful means!” Ning Jiufan laughed.

“Enter! Let these Fire-Forged Demon Apes be wary of harming their own!” Zhu Xuanji still took the lead.

Ever since the battle began, he had always been at the forefront. Such a noble attitude caused the three Core Formation cultivators to secretly admire him.

“Not good!” In the next moment, Zhu Xuanji abruptly stopped, exclaiming in a low voice.

The three Core Formation cultivators behind him raised their heads together, their expressions changing drastically.

They saw an old ape slumbering, and now it slowly opened its eyes. Its aura was clearly at the Nascent Soul level.

Howl, howl.

The Core Formation-level demon apes outside the cave huddled together, not one of them daring to rush into the cave.

The human Core Formation cultivators were blocked in the middle, with a Nascent Soul-level old ape in front and several Core Formation-level Fire-Forged Demon Apes behind. They were trapped in a dilemma.

“Terrible!”

“There’s actually a Nascent Soul-level demonic ape hidden among the demon apes!”

“Why didn’t it appear before, when the Molten Rock Immortal Palace was shaking?”

(End of Chapter)