Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Deep into the Demon Beast Mountain Range
As she spoke, Si Ruyan turned her gaze back to Ji Chen and suddenly smiled, "Young Master Ji, you’re well-versed in the Array Dao. Perhaps you could help quell this chaos. On this venture into the Demon Beast Mountain Range, we need you to accompany us."
Hearing this, Ji Chen’s brows immediately furrowed. He wasn’t eager to take this risk.
The Demon Beast Mountain Range was filled with ancient species, extremely powerful. According to Nangong Ao, some special demon beasts could even cause trouble for those at the Celestial Essence or even the Void Realm.
With his mere Ninth Layer of the Spirit Transformation Realm, entering thus would be seeking trouble, wouldn’t it?
"Why? Is the young master finding it difficult?"
Seeing Ji Chen silent, Si Ruyan knew he was mostly unwilling, "Rest assured, with me and Young Master Ye accompanying you, you will be safe as we enter the Demon Beast Mountain Range."
Ye Yunge also looked over, "With the Imperial Ancestor’s Holy Halberd in my hand, the beasts in the mountain dare not come near. This journey isn’t as dangerous as Brother Ji imagines."
With the discussion at this point, Ji Chen no longer had a reason to refuse.
Besides, to put it bluntly, neither Kunlun nor the Ye Family was in the Profound Domain. They didn’t have to concern themselves with this beast tide disaster threatening the Profound Domain.
"It wouldn’t hurt to take a trip, but if anything truly threatens my life, I’ll leave the Demon Beast Mountain Range immediately." Ji Chen spoke.
He had no desire to be a hero, risking his life for the lives of those in the Profound Domain. What use was such vainglory?
The most important thing was to live.
Soon enough, after deliberation, it was decided that only Ye Yunge, Si Ruyan, and Ji Chen would venture deep into the Demon Beast Mountain Range.
After all, the mountain was full of beasts, and too many people would only cause unnecessary trouble.
"Be careful."
Before departure, Qu Luoning, with a solemn expression, gave her reminder to Ji Chen.
Having braved hardships together in the Saint’s Dojo for fifteen years, she naturally didn’t want anything to happen to Ji Chen.
Ji Chen nodded, and finally, under the guidance of Si Ruyan and Ye Yunge, he was lifted by a gust of wind, and together, they swiftly flew towards the Demon Beast Mountain Range.
It was hard to tell how much time had passed, but finally, they were in mid-air hundreds of miles away from Celestial Essence City.
Ji Chen and his two companions arrived there.
Ahead, a stretch of mountain range unfolded before them, its towering ancient trees flourishing.
"This is..."
Ji Chen frowned, looking down from above. It wasn’t hard to spot, within this mountain range, there was a fissure stretching from south to north, seemingly cutting through the earth, extending from one end of the Demon Beast Mountain Range to the other, at least a few hundred miles long.
The appearance of such a fissure unmistakably indicated something had happened inside the Demon Beast Mountain Range.
"Soaring through the air is too conspicuous, let’s walk in." Si Ruyan suggested.
After speaking, the three of them descended to the front of the Demon Beast Mountain Range.
"This fissure is likely what has led to the massive outpouring of demon beasts. If we follow the edge of the fissure inward, we might find the cause." Ye Yunge said.
The three nodded, and with that, they proceeded into the mountain together.
"Roar!"
Even at the outskirts, the number of demon beasts in the mountain was already shockingly high.
After only a short distance, Ji Chen and his companions constantly heard the furious roars of beasts in the distance.
Ye Yunge drew out the heavy black iron halberd, gripping it in his hand.
As he mentioned, although the mountain beasts lacked high intelligence, they had a sense of danger.
The aura of the Holy Halberd filled them with dread. Nowhere did any beasts dare to block their path; instead, they all avoided them.
This avoided a lot of unnecessary trouble for Ji Chen and his companions.
"The number of beasts in the mountain is much greater than we imagined. If they all poured out, not just the Profound Domain, but the entire Beiyou could be affected." Ye Yunge’s brows furrowed more deeply as they ventured deeper in.
Though no beasts blocked their path, he could sense that the number of beasts in the mountain far exceeded expectations.
"It is said that this Demon Beast Mountain Range has existed since the Desolate Ancient Era, one of the few perilous places in Beiyou. It wasn’t well-known because Emperor Ye sealed it a millennia ago, preventing chaos, thus escaping much attention over the years." Si Ruyan explained.
This was a frozen land since the Desolate Ancient Era until now, but because Emperor Ye sealed it, allowing it to remain peaceful for millennia, most people have forgotten its fierce reputation.
"Roar!"
Suddenly, after advancing several dozen miles, a deafening roar came from ahead of Ji Chen and his companions.
In sight was a giant ape covered in brown fur. Its massive body moved like a great mountain, each step causing the ground to tremble.
"Great Wilderness Demon Ape!"
Ye Yunge’s expression changed abruptly, "Such rare ancient species, thought to be extinct, appear in this Demon Beast Mountain Range!"
"Is it difficult to deal with?" Ji Chen asked, slightly frowning.
Even Ye Yunge, with the Holy Halberd in hand, showed such an expression, indicating that the so-called Great Wilderness Demon Ape was likely more terrifying than he imagined, requiring readiness to flee at any moment.
"It is said that every adult Ancient Demon Ape possesses the strength comparable to a Celestial Essence Realm expert, with formidable defenses that even a Void Realm power might find challenging." Si Ruyan added, frowning.
Hearing this, Ji Chen immediately suggested, "In that case, we should hurry on. Better not to be targeted by the demon ape."
Si Ruyan and Ye Yunge, with their Celestial Essence Realm strength, had enough self-protection capabilities against an Ancient Demon Ape, but Ji Chen was different. With only the Ninth Layer of Spirit Transformation Realm, not even having reached the Returning Ruins Realm, he could be in significant danger if targeted by the demon ape.
"Brother Ji, don’t be alarmed. While not easy to handle, the Ancient Demon Ape isn’t enough to threaten us."
Ye Yunge spoke, not out of arrogance, but because with the Holy Halberd in hand, he had the confidence to rely on.
"Buzz..."
As the words fell, Ye Yunge acted immediately.
He soared into the air, charging towards the Ancient Demon Ape, the Holy Halberd in his hand vibrating, brewing an astonishing aura.
In the next moment, a dark light flashed, appearing to sever the heavens, as the black Holy Halberd thrust towards the ape’s chest, piercing through it in the blink of an eye, slaying it on the spot.
"Boom!"
The giant ape’s massive body collapsed to the ground, like a mountain falling, causing the earth to quake.
Ji Chen was stunned, the power of the black iron heavy halberd truly surpassed his imagination.