Within the damaged third-tier defensive formation.
On the grass.
Wang Ba gently lowered the Wu Ape King's arm.
A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
"You've recovered well. You should be able to use the Third-Tier Inner Core now."
"Hee."
The Wu Ape King gave a delighted cry as well.
Anticipation could not help showing in its eyes.
Wang Ba rose and processed the Third-Tier Inner Core, then, as before, gave the Wu Ape King half to swallow and applied the other half externally.
As Wang Ba had expected, the Wu Ape King's body, whose transformation had stalled, began changing once more.
It shrank a little further, though not noticeably.
Its fur, however, turned entirely golden.
Soon.
Several hours later.
The Wu Ape King's presence faintly rose another level.
To Wang Ba, even if it had not reached the third tier, it was only a hair's breadth away.
Just then, Zhao Feng abruptly sensed something. His gaze passed through the third-tier defensive formation toward the outside, his expression growing slightly grave.
"The tribulation lightning is here."
Wang Ba soon sensed something unusual as well. It was as though a huge boulder pressed against his heart, bringing an inexplicable heaviness and suffocation.
With a thought, he opened a small gap at the top of the formation.
Sure enough, a black cloud was rapidly gathering overhead.
"Hee!"
The Wu Ape King also sensed the presence of tribulation lightning, and a trace of tension entered its calm eyes.
Its golden fur slowly stood on end.
Faint arcs of electricity danced over its body.
"Hee-hee!"
The Wu Ape King looked at Wang Ba, then rapidly gestured with both hands.
Having raised it for years, Wang Ba shared an understanding with it. He immediately grasped its meaning, and his brows furrowed.
"You want to face