Demon king, Fury fist ape

As she reached the Sword Palace outer gate, leaving the sect, she found her elder brothers and sisters waiting right outside.

She walked toward them and said "Hi, senior brothers and sisters, I'm here."

"You're late. What kept you so long?" one of her elder brothers from the Sixth Peak asked.

"Sorry, I was doing something important," she replied calmly.

"What could be more important than this moment?" the elder brother said, frowning. "This is a very important mission, given by the palace mastee himself. It's of the utmost importance!"

"Zhong Chen, don't be so harsh on your little junior sister," she scolded him lightly. "Don't worry, junior sister, he's just grumpy because he lost to Yi Jin in a game of rock-paper-scissors."

"Oh, you guys play such games?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Just every once in a while, when we can't make decisions," the senior sister replied with a smile.

"Okay, let's go. We don't have time to dilly-dally," Zhong Ming said, his tone serious.

"Then let's set out immediately," the others agreed, and they flew into the sky.

Xing'er, however, lagged behind, her speed not matching the others.

The group traveled at high speed, each of them covering thousands of miles per hour. Their destination was a million miles away, and it would take several days to reach it.

...

Fourteenth days passed in the blink of an eye, and the group reached their destination after traveling a million miles, only stopping to rest.

As they reached the edge of a dense forest, they stopped and looked at the view before them.

The forest was unlike any they had seen before. The trees grew to a staggering 100 to 150 meters in height, making the surrounding trees look like mere grass.

As they marveled at the grand Everlasting Forest, their leader took out a map.

"The sect master gave me this map to the Sun Flower. We can go in through this path," he said, leading the way.

The group followed closely behind, Xing'er trailing as they navigated through several paths and twists. They passed through the dense forest, a sense of danger in the air.

As they neared their destination, the atmosphere changed. The forest grew dark and gloomy, the weight of grief in the air. It felt like a place where sorrow itself lingered.

But they pressed on, unfazed, walking with uncanny steps.

Several miles away, atop a steep hill, stood a jagged cliff opposite a massive mountain. At its peak bloomed the Heavenly Sun Flower.

The sun was at its zenith, yet the flower remained vibrant, unaffected by the death rays.

Near the flower, on a nearby tree, an ape slept soundly, its aura that of a Fourth Turn, Sixth Level Beast King.

Its eyes were closed, but its senses were alert, its divine sense covering the entire area, ready for any disturbances.

As the group of Sword Palace disciples approached the mountain edge, the eldest brother spoke, "We are close to the flower. We will reach it in several miles. Let's continue forward."

The group pressed onward, resolute. Xing'er kept a calm pace, lost in her thoughts as she gazed at the eternal forest.

They were now only ten miles from the Heavenly Sun Flower, and their divine senses reached out to sense its presence.

The senior brothers and sisters, feeling the proximity of their goal, shot forward with incredible speed, leaving Xing'er behind.

As she watched them speed ahead, she walked calmly, thinking the hardest part was over—just a simple matter of eliminating the demon beast guarding the flower.

But then, as her pace quickened, she heard a sudden scream—"Aaaahhh!"

Her heart raced. "What's happening? Why did one of my sisters scream?" she thought frantically.

She quickened her pace, running toward the group.

...

Just before the group reached the Heavenly Sun Flower, they traveled at high speed, not pausing for breath.

The eldest brother was the first to arrive at the flower. The others followed shortly after.

They all stared at the Heavenly Sun Flower, and the eldest brother said, "Take out the Thousand-Year Wooden Box. We need to collect it gently and not harm the flower."

"Okay, Brother Zhong Pen," one of the senior sisters replied.

She took out the wooden box, lined with soft pillows, and carefully uprooted the flower, making sure not to damage it.

They placed it in the box with great care. As they prepared to leave, a sudden sound interrupted their actions—footsteps.

One of them turned and saw a three-meter-tall ape emerging from the shadows. Its red fur stood out starkly against the green forest. Yet, it was its aura, undeniably strong, that truly caught their attention.

"I'll handle this," Zhong Ming said, stepping forward without hesitation.

He walked straight toward the beast king, and as their eyes met, the demon beast king spoke.

"Humans, it's been a while since I've seen your race come into the Eternal Forest."

"Maybe you weren't looking hard enough," Zhong Ming retorted.

"Hahaha, who led you here to my turf?" the demon beast king laughed, stepping forward. "Was it that human spying on me several days ago?"

"That's none of your business. The dead don't need to know such things," Zhong Ming replied coldly, releasing his spiritual power—a Sixth-Level Heaven's Master.

"Right…" the demon beast king said coldly. "The dead don't need to know."

Before Zhong Ming could react, the beast king pulled back its hand and swung a devastating backfist, striking him square on the face.

The force was unstoppable. Zhong Ming flew back, spitting out a mouthful of blood, his expression grim as he quickly retreated to the group.

"Zhong Ming! What happened? How could you let it hit you like that?" Ember asked, concern etched on her face.

Zhong Ming, teeth clenched, gasped for breath. "This demon beast isn't what it seems. It's stronger than you think."

"If it's that strong, let me have a try," zhong Pen said, his fighting intent flaring as he strode forward.

He eyed the Tyrant Fist Ape, his gaze burning with determination.

"You seem to be a worthy opponent for my blade. Please introduce yourself, so I can remember your name when I strike you down."

The demon beast king chuckled.

"My name? I am Ten Jiang, but you can call me the Tyrant Fist Ape. You won't be remembered by me, though. You're not worth it."

Zhong Pen tightened his grip on his sword, eyes wide with fury.

"If that's the case… then die!"

With lightning speed, he drew his blade and sliced downward in a vertical slash, his sword intent surging through the blade.

But in a flash, the ape flicked its finger, sending the sword flying out of Zhong Pen's hands.

Before he could react, Ten Jiang grabbed him by the head and asked, "Any last words?"

"You're not a Sixth-Level Beast King… You're a Seventh-Level Demon Beast King!" Zhong Pen gasped, horror creeping into his voice.

"Brother Zhong Pen, Brother Yi Jin, let's save him!" Ailin cried out, but when she turned to her team leader, she froze.

Zhong Pen's body lay lifeless on the ground, his head crushed, brain matter spilling out in a grotesque display.

Ailin's face went pale as she turned away, her feet stumbling back. "I can't take this… I'm leaving!"

But before she could retreat, a sword pierced her abdomen. Yi Jin stood before her, his eyes pitch-black as he said,

"No one is leaving. We fight together, or we leave together."

Yi Jin stepped forward, assuming his sword stance. The others followed suit, all of them ready for the fight.

"You're all waiting for me? I'm flattered," Ten Jiang said, and in an instant, his body transformed into a human form.

A man now stood before them, modestly built, yet with a physique larger than any ordinary cultivator. Red-patterned tattoos covered his body, especially his arms, which resembled fire dragons swimming in magma.

His hair was fiery red, with yellow flames flickering like sparks. His eyes burned with a brilliant heat, and his hands were covered in iron gauntlets that reached up to his wrists.

The air around him burned with pure fire essence.

With a nonchalant gaze, he said, "Better make this fun." He took a step forward, clenching his fist tightly, then pulled his hand back and shouted,

"Blazing Tyrant's Strike!"

Fire essence surged into his right hand, focused to the extreme. With a single, explosive push forward, the essence shot out at incredible speed, creating a tremendous blast.