The forest was ablaze with crimson.
The ground was covered with a thick layer of fallen leaves, which rustled underfoot. A faint fruity fragrance mingled with the scent of earth filled the air.
The group rushed straight into the forest. Without the Fire Crystal Ape blocking their way, they approached the central area of the forest quite easily.
"Everyone be careful, something's off about the atmosphere here," Yuan Fang warned.
Luo Heng nodded; he had sensed it too.
"There's something ahead," Luo Heng said.
He had barely finished speaking when a startled cry suddenly came from ahead.
It Ying Huanhuan!
Luo Heng appeared beside the latter in a flash.
At this moment, Ying Huanhuan stared wide-eyed, her pretty face filled with astonishment, looking ahead.
Luo Heng followed her gaze—
Before them lay a patch of crimson earth, but now the ground had been torn open, and a section of black tree had burst forth from the soil.
On the black wood, branches crisscrossed, gleaming with a cold, steel-like luster.
On those trees, one could see some ancient Talisman Rune that seemed to have formed naturally, and faintly, an unusual fluctuation was quietly spreading out.
Moreover, what is most striking is that on the black tree hang five crimson fruits that seem to burn like flames, teetering precariously as if about to fall off.
The fruit was entirely crimson, with flame-like patterns flowing across its surface, emitting an enticing fragrance. Just smelling that fragrance made Luo Heng feel his internal Primal Energy circulating faster.
" The Immortal Yuan Ancient Tree."
Ying Huanhuan lightly covered her lips with her hand, her large eyes filled with deep shock.
"How could something like this appear here?" Jiang Kun and his companion were also dumbfounded, muttering to themselves.
The forest was silent, and everyone's attention was drawn to the black trees that had burst from the ground.
Immortal Yuan Ancient Tree.
Luo Heng silently repeated the name in his mind.
I had seen this thing in the Original Work in my previous life, but I never expected to see the real thing so soon.
He examined the black tree that had sprouted from the ground. The trunk was only about ten feet tall, with crisscrossing branches. The tree was pitch black, yet it gleamed with a cold, steely luster.
The ancient Talisman Rune on the tree trunk, seemingly formed naturally, swirled faintly under the crimson light, emanating a strange and inexplicable fluctuation.
The most eye-catching thing is the five bright red fruits hanging on the branch.
The fruits were about the size of a fist, with flame-like patterns all over them, and their fragrance filled the air, instantly invigorating anyone who smelled them.
"Five, they're almost ripe," Luo Heng said.
Ying Huanhuan stared at the black tree with immense joy, her big eyes filled with excitement, and exclaimed, " Immortal Yuan Ancient Tree! This is actually Immortal Yuan Ancient Tree! Such a treasure is hidden here!"
Yuan Fang was also utterly shocked, muttering, "This... how is this possible? We've explored this area countless times and have never found any trace of the Immortal Yuan Ancient Tree..."
"It's probably only recently emerged from the ground," Luo Heng said calmly. "These kinds of rare and precious materials often only appear just before they mature. It's normal that they were buried deep underground before, so it's not detectable."
Ying Huanhuan nodded and couldn't resist walking forward.
However, just as she was about to take a step, Luo Heng frowned, grabbed her smooth wrist, and pulled her back.
Hmm, it's quite soft.
But the thought only flashed through his mind for a moment before Luo Heng sensed the unusual movement ahead.
He instinctively Ying Huanhuan behind him, his inner Primal Energy surging instantly, and he raised his hand to deliver a Primal Energy slap!
This palm strike wasn't delivered with full force; it was merely a probing attack.
But just as the Primal Energy Palm was about to strike the black tree, a giant fiery red palm appeared out of thin air and collided fiercely with Luo Heng's Primal Energy Palm!
boom!
The two palm strikes collided, producing a muffled boom, and the shockwave spread outwards, lifting a layer of the surrounding crimson earth.
Luo Heng's Primal Energy palm remained unmoved and continued to advance!
The fiery red giant hand couldn't even last a second before it shattered under Luo Heng's palm force, turning into countless sparks that scattered in all directions.
"Um?"
Luo Heng raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze sharpening.
A massive, fiery red shadow appeared in front of the black trees.
It was a giant ape with a dark red body, more than twice the size of the previous Fire Crystal Ape. Its body was covered with thick, fiery red crystal armor, and its muscles were bulging. Standing there, it was like a small mountain, exuding a terrifying aura of ferocity!
Its eyes were scarlet, flashing with a cunning and ferocity similar to that of a human, clearly indicating that it possessed extremely high intelligence.
Luo Heng's Primal Energy slap continued its momentum, heading straight for the giant ape!
The giant ape roared and slammed out its palms, unleashing another fiery red palm strike—this time, it was clearly going all out!
Another loud bang!
The two palm strikes collided again. This time, Luo Heng's Primal Energy palm strike was finally exhausted and dissipated into the air.
But the giant ape was also badly affected; its massive body was forced back several steps, leaving two deep furrows in the ground.
" Fire Crystal Ape King?!"
Ying Huanhuan peeked out from behind Luo Heng and her pretty face changed slightly after she saw what the giant ape looked like.
Yuan Fang's expression was also solemn. He said, "It's actually the Fire Crystal Ape King! No wonder those Fire Crystal Ape outside are gathered here; it turns out the Ape King is in command!"
Luo Heng scrutinized the giant ape, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Demon Beast at the Seven Yuan Nirvana Realm.
However, given the advantages of Demon Beast's innate bloodline, the true combat strength of this Fire Crystal Ape King is probably no weaker than that of a human powerhouse at the Eight Yuan Nirvana Stage.
but--
They are no match for him.
A very typical example of waste.
The Fire Crystal Ape King steadied itself, its scarlet eyes fixed on Luo Heng, a hint of fear flashing in them.
It clearly hadn't expected that this seemingly young boy would possess such power in a single palm strike.
"Get out of my way, all of you! I was the one who found this place first!"
The Fire Crystal Ape King swung its enormous hand in front of it, sending a gust of wind blowing away all the dust. Its scarlet eyes stared at Luo Heng and the others, and it let out a furious roar filled with murderous intent.
Having cultivated to this level, the Fire Crystal Ape King is clearly no less intelligent than a human. If its bloodline weren't not too pure, it would probably have already possessed the power to transform into human form.
"What a joke! This Mine Vein belongs to my Dao Sect. When did it become your place to lay your hands on these things?" Yuan Fang sneered and said sharply, " Fire Crystal Ape King, if you know what's good for you, you'd better take your lackeys and get back to the mountains as soon as possible. Otherwise, when the experts of my Dao Sect arrive, all your hard work over the years will probably be for naught!"
"Hey, what haven't I seen over the years? Don't try to fool me with your Dao Sect!" The Fire Crystal Ape King's scarlet eyes flashed, and he sneered, "If you want me to obediently retreat, you greenhorns aren't qualified!"
"What arrogance!"
A flash of anger crossed Ying Huanhuan's big eyes as she stepped out from behind Luo Heng and shouted, "You big guy are only at the Seven Yuan Nirvana Realm, you're not qualified to be so arrogant in front of us!"
Her voice was clear and crisp, but her tone carried an undeniable sharpness.
Although Demon Beast are known for their formidable fighting power, and this Fire Crystal Ape King, despite being only at the Seven Yuan Nirvana Realm, clearly possesses combat strength no weaker than Eight Yuan Nirvana Stage expert, so what?
They have Luo Heng as a major asset!