Chapter 2858: Chapter 2858
After Zhuque and Chilien consumed the Golden Spiritual Demon Fruit, Ye Liuyun advised them not to rush their breakthrough.
Their true essence was still unstable, making this the perfect opportunity to refine it—a rare chance they shouldn’t waste. The two obediently heeded his advice, channeling the energy into consolidating their essence rather than advancing their cultivation.
Meanwhile, Qiong Qi was the first to break through a minor realm, followed swiftly by Liesun, Little Lanbing, the Dragon Maiden, Baihu, and Shiyuan. Even Li Xinran’s cultivation surged to the ninth level of the Dominator Realm.
Only Ye Liuyun and his doppelgänger, after consuming their share, merely progressed to the late stage of the sixth level of the Dominator Realm—not even reaching its peak.
His profound essence, having absorbed the mystic energy of this place, had grown far denser, demanding even more energy for breakthroughs. Thus, despite the Golden Spirit Fruit’s abundant power—enough to nearly manifest a spirit—it still fell short of pushing him further.
Moreover, both he and his doppelgänger needed to advance simultaneously, meaning the energy couldn’t be allocated to just one. Unless they each received another portion—but the Golden Spirit Fruit was already stretched thin, with none left for those in the Unity Realm.
So he didn’t force the issue. Watching the others grow stronger brought him joy; after all, they fought alongside him, and their progress was his as well.
Curious, Li Xinran sent him a mental message: *Why didn’t you break through?*
"My true essence is too refined—it requires far more energy to advance," Ye Liuyun explained.
"Then why did you share the fruit?" she pressed, baffled.
"These demon beasts have been with me for so long, they’re like family. I can’t just prioritize myself and neglect them," he replied.
He added, "One day, when you have demon beasts of your own and truly see them as partners, you’ll understand."
Li Xinran nodded, then quickly thanked him. "I’m grateful. You gave me resources you yourself lacked."
"No need for thanks," Ye Liuyun chuckled. "You’ve helped me plenty—capturing powerful foes, for one. I should be thanking *you*."
But deep down, Li Xinran knew better. Bound by his slave seal, she had no right to protest if he’d withheld the fruit. Worse, she’d contributed little. In every battle, it was Ye Liuyun and his beasts who risked their lives—sometimes even shielding her.
So she remained deeply grateful to Ye Liuyun in her heart.
She was also concerned about his breakthrough.
“What about you? When will you break through?”
“Haha, I’ll leave it for last! The expedition isn’t over yet—there’ll be more resources ahead. No rush!” Ye Liuyun was remarkably carefree.
After that, he withdrew all the demon beasts into his avatar’s spatial world to let them consolidate their realms. Meanwhile, he continued forward with Devil Vine, Black Mountain, Black Tiger, and Liao Tianyang, escorting Li Xinran as they explored.
Their battles against the feral beast grew increasingly intense, and Ye Liuyun suggested that Li Xinran recall her guards, replacing them with the Unity Realm experts Lin Qing’ao had brought. Li Xinran promptly handed her guards over to Ye Liuyun.
Now, apart from Ye Liuyun and Li Xinran, their entire team consisted of Unity Realm powerhouses. Though they numbered only ten, their strength had significantly increased.
Their progress quickened as they headed straight for the next destination. Ye Liuyun had previously identified five locations he couldn’t fully discern—this time, they were approaching a vast valley.
“Could this be a herb field?”
The sheer scale of the area made Ye Liuyun suspect it might be a medicinal plantation.
Moreover, the beasts guarding this place were all from the ape tribes, known for their skill in cultivating herbs. Some lower-realm apes were playing outside the valley, but the moment they spotted Ye Liuyun’s group, they immediately scurried back inside the formation to alert the others.
Ye Liuyun released Qiong Qi again to help dismantle the formation. By now, Dragon Girl, Stone Ape, White Tiger, Scarlet Lash, Crimson Sparrow, Falcon, and Little Blue Ice had all stabilized their realms and emerged to test their skills. Thunderclap and the Nine-Headed Netherdragon, however, were still absorbing bloodline energy with his avatar.
Before Qiong Qi could even act, over a dozen colossal Diamond Apes charged out from the formation, roaring as they barreled toward them. These beasts were all around the sixth level of the Dominator Realm—no pushovers. Towering even taller than Stone Ape, each stood over a hundred zhang high. Even without relying on their cultivation, a single brute-force punch from one of them might be more than Li Xinran could withstand.
Their stampede alone made the earth tremble, and their combined roars reverberated so violently that ears rang from the deafening noise.
“Scarlet Lash, absorb their bloodline energy—all of it goes to Stone Ape! The rest of you, don’t kill these Diamond Apes. Subdue them alive and leave them for Scarlet Lash!”
Ye Liuyun issued a command and led the charge, instructing the Demon Vine to stay behind and guard the Qiong Qi, wrapping it tightly in tendrils to ensure its undisturbed breakthrough of the formation.
The Dragon Girl was the first to rush forward, relying on her formidable physical strength to grapple with one of the Prince Kong Apes. She coiled around it and held fast, locking it in a stalemate.
The others joined the fray, each doing their part to restrain the remaining King Kong Apes.
Meanwhile, Chilian transformed into a crimson serpent and wound herself around the Stone Ape’s neck. As the Stone Ape fought, she siphoned the bloodline energy from their enemies and channeled it directly into him.
The power of bloodline of these King Kong Apes was particularly suited for the Stone Ape to absorb. Moreover, Chilian had now reached the ninth level of the Dominator Realm, allowing her to drain bloodline energy at an astonishing rate. Even the massive size of these beasts couldn’t withstand her rapid absorption.
Almost every King Kong Ape lasted only a move or two against the Stone Ape before their power of bloodline plummeted, leaving them defenseless. The Stone Ape would seize them, draining them dry before moving on to the next target, relieving his allies one by one.
In no time, over a dozen towering King Kong Apes lay lifeless on the ground, reduced to desiccated husks.
With a thunderous roar, the Stone Ape beat his chest, challenging the ape tribe within the formation.
A defiant howl answered him from inside the barrier.
Then, a black Ironback Silver Ape leaped out from the formation. Its chest was adorned with a patch of white fur, and it wielded a massive iron staff in one hand and a broad cleaver in the other, baring its fangs at the Stone Ape.
Its cultivation matched the Stone Ape’s—both at the seventh level of the Dominator Realm, freshly broken through.
The Stone Ape’s battle spirit flared. With a roar, he manifested three heads and six arms, brandishing six weapons as he charged.
The Ironback Silver Ape faltered momentarily at the sight of the Stone Ape’s transformation but quickly recovered, swinging its iron staff to meet the assault.
Ye Liuyun observed the Ironback Silver Ape’s movements and immediately spotted the flaw. The massive iron staff was better suited for two-handed combat, allowing greater flexibility, and the same went for the broad cleaver—it was meant to be wielded with both hands for maximum force.
Both were heavy weapons, and though it was unclear where the Ironback Silver Ape had acquired them, every clash with the Stone Ape’s weapons left noticeable chips and cracks in its own.
