"Roar..."
Suddenly, the Long-Arm Ape let out a roar. Its body shook violently, and its enormous physical form rapidly shrank.
Very soon, it returned to its original size.
However, its appearance had not changed, clearly indicating that it had failed the tribulation.
At that moment, its eyes suddenly flew open, releasing an astonishing intent to kill.
Gradually, that killing intent slowly receded into its body, causing the Long-Arm Ape's aura to undergo a tremendous transformation.
Only after more than ten breaths did the Long-Arm Ape restrain its aura. It suddenly raised its head and looked toward the Tribulation Clouds rapidly dispersing overhead.
"Hmph!"
"Heavenly Dao is unfair. So be it if I do not undergo this Transformation Thunder Tribulation!"
With a low growl, the Long-Arm Ape abruptly moved toward its Cave Dwelling.
As for the many demons outside its Cave Dwelling, most had already dispersed.
The Long-Arm Ape had no desire to concern itself with the remaining beings. It merely intended to return to its Cave Dwelling, enter seclusion, and recover properly.
"Interesting!"
"It actually turned misfortune into fortune and completely awakened the spirituality of the Chaos Demon Ape!"
"It just doesn't know how to be grateful!"
"Sigh, it really is an ungrateful wretch!"
"You don't want to undergo tribulation, and I don't want to send down Thunder Tribulation either!"
Mo Wen also sensed the Long-Arm Ape's roar through the walls of the Tribulation Thunder God Palace, revealing a trace of dissatisfaction.
It seemed that he had completely miscalculated this time.
Not only had the Thunder Tribulation failed, it had also failed to strike the Long-Arm Ape dead.
Now, he had gained someone who had awakened the spirituality of the Chaos Demon Ape and bore a grudge against him. There would surely be trouble in the future.
At this moment, Mo Wen was not the only one surprised. The many Great Powers who had previously probed the Tribulation Clouds also revealed traces of astonishment.
Inside the Demon Emperor Palace!
Di Jun's gaze flickered, as though he too had noticed the abnormality within the Long-Arm Ape.
"It seems Heavenly Dao still shows compassion for the people of our demon race!"
"Ji Meng!"
He called out toward the exterior of the Demon Emperor Palace, summoning the Demon God Ji Meng into the great hall.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. Greetings, Eastern Emperor!"
Very soon, a figure with a dragon's head and human body, radiating an astonishing aura, swiftly arrived and bowed to Di Jun and Taiyi.
"Though the Long-Arm Ape failed its tribulation this time, it has awakened the spirituality within its body. It may be recruited into the heavens!"
"Let it cultivate slowly by your side. In the future, it may yet welcome Thunder Tribulation once again!"
"Once this little fellow successfully transforms, it will surely become a capable general of our demon race!"
Di Jun spoke calmly, with no intention of personally meeting the Long-Arm Ape.
Under the present circumstances, they did not know whether the Long-Arm Ape's Transformation Thunder Tribulation would descend again.
They could only cast a wide net and raise it first.
If the Long-Arm Ape truly encountered Transformation Thunder Tribulation again in the future, the demon race would gain another general.
"I respectfully obey Your Majesty's Imperial Decree!"
Ji Meng naturally knew which Long-Arm Ape Di Jun meant. He hurriedly accepted the order and withdrew from the Demon Emperor Palace.
In the Primordial West, atop Mount Sumeru!
Zhunti could not help turning to look at Jieyin.
"Senior Brother, that Demon Monkey has already obtained the spirituality of the Chaos Demon Ape. Its karmic affinity with our Western Teachings does not seem to have completely faded!"
"Should I make a trip?"
If the Long-Arm Ape's spirituality had not awakened, Zhunti likely would not even have mentioned it.
But the current situation was somewhat special.
Though Western Teachings had recruited many disciples, if it wished to flourish greatly, it would ultimately need more disciples blessed with the Fortune of the Primordial World.
The Long-Arm Ape, which had awakened the spirituality of the Chaos Demon Ape, was one such disciple.
"Very well!"
"Since Junior Brother has spoken, then make the trip!"
"As Saints of Heavenly Dao, we should ultimately act on behalf of Heavenly Dao. Bring that Demon Monkey back and seal it within Mount Sumeru. That may also count as punishment for tearing apart the Tribulation Clouds!"
Jieyin also responded, as though the earlier words that it had no affinity with Western Teachings had not come from him.
Kunlun Mountain, Three Purities Hall!
Tongtian had also returned and stepped into the great hall.
At this moment, Taiqing and Yuanshi were frowning deeply. It seemed their earlier investigation had not yielded the result they wanted.
"Third Brother, having gone there personally this time, did you discover any abnormalities within the Tribulation Clouds?"
Yuanshi raised his head, glanced at Tongtian, and asked calmly.
"Neither Second Brother nor Eldest Brother discovered any information. How could I possibly have found any abnormalities?"
"However, that final Thunder Dragon was somewhat strange!"
"It did not seem to be punishment. It seemed more like it had specifically awakened the demon ape spirituality within the Long-Arm Ape!"
"If Heavenly Dao intended punishment, there likely would not have been only one Thunder Dragon!"
"..."
Tongtian muttered to himself, seemingly answering Yuanshi, yet also seeming to question and answer himself.
"There is indeed something suspicious about it, but we cannot determine the reason behind it!"
Yuanshi also sighed.
Originally, he had planned to sternly reprimand Tongtian after Tongtian brought the Long-Arm Ape back.
Now that Tongtian had returned alone, it would be somewhat inappropriate for him, as an elder brother, to speak harshly again.
"Second Brother, Third Brother!"
"This investigation cannot be accomplished overnight!"
"However, among your disciples, there are already quite a few who can undergo the Transformation Thunder Tribulation!"
"Let us brothers petition Heavenly Dao and see how it responds before conducting further investigation. What do you think?"
Taiqing seemed to have come up with an idea. He spoke directly to Yuanshi and Tongtian, apparently intending to use the disciples of the Chan Sect and Interception Sect as bait to see what secrets were hidden within the Transformation Thunder Tribulation.
Upon hearing this, Tongtian's brows furrowed.
"Eldest Brother, I fear that would be inappropriate, would it not?"
"This Transformation Thunder Tribulation has been unpredictably strong and weak. There must be some issue with it. Why not wait a while?"
Tongtian did not want his disciples to become sacrifices.
Thus, he did not approve of Taiqing's scheme.
"Hmph!"
"Third Brother, most of your disciples are furred and horned creatures, born damp or hatched from eggs. They already carry tribulations upon them, so this is the perfect time for them to undergo tribulation!"
"Could it be that you intend to have my disciples undergo tribulation first?"
Yuanshi cast Tongtian a glance, his voice carrying a trace of displeasure.
His Third Brother had always left him deeply dissatisfied when it came to accepting disciples.
Tongtian accepted disciples indiscriminately and believed in teaching all without distinction, which did not suit Yuanshi's wishes.
Especially since most of Tongtian's disciples were mountain spirits and wild monsters, furred and horned creatures, born damp or hatched from eggs. They acted ruthlessly and without the slightest sense of propriety. If this continued, would they not ruin the prestige of the Mystic Gate?
"Second Brother, you have gone too far!"
"Are your own disciples not the same?"
"Could it be that the flourishing Fortune of my Interception Sect has made Second Brother dissatisfied?"
Tongtian had always possessed a fiery temper. After Yuanshi spoke thus, he naturally could not save face and immediately retorted.
"Third Brother, how can you speak to your Second Brother like that?"
"What I said earlier was merely a discussion with you both. Why must you be so confrontational?"
"If my Human Sect did not have only one disciple, why would the disciples of the Chan Sect and Interception Sect need to undergo the Transformation Thunder Tribulation?"
"..."
At this moment, Taiqing also slowly rose to his feet and reprimanded Tongtian.
Before Taiqing spoke, Tongtian had only felt a little displeased.
But the moment Taiqing opened his mouth, Tongtian immediately felt a surge of indignation.
Yuanshi had clearly mocked him first, yet in the end, it had somehow become his fault. Was that not favoritism?
PS: Let me explain the update schedule.
Updates will be a little slower these next few days. Normal updates will resume next week.
Rest assured, everyone. Read with confidence and do not worry!
Before you continue