Chapter 16: The Unspeakable Secret of the Chi Huo Mo Yuan Clan

The giant ape roared, violent fire energy gathering on its fist, and it looked as if it were about to smash Zhang Yi into a meat patty.

Just at this critical moment, a fiery red figure "whooshed" and darted under the giant ape's fist.

"Squeak, squeak, squeak! Squeak!"

The Chi Huo Mo Yuan You Zai waved its furry arms, yelling and jumping at the giant ape, looking exactly like it was directing traffic.

The giant ape was stunned, subconsciously pulling back its fist, and looked down at its child in confusion.

This little guy was usually as obedient as a kitten in front of it; why was it suddenly so brave today?

Seeing its father stop, the Chi Huo Mo Yuan You Zai hurriedly ran to Zhang Yi's side, rubbed its head against him, and pointed at the giant ape, seemingly explaining something.

"Roar, roar—??"

The giant ape was even more confused; could this little bird be a friend of this little guy?

Next, the Chi Huo Mo Yuan You Zai began to perform its exquisite "ape-style pantomime."

It first imitated Zhang Yi's posture of releasing energy, then imitated how its own body grew larger after absorbing energy, and finally exaggeratedly fell to the ground, clutching its stomach and rolling around to indicate that it had almost starved to death earlier.

Watching its child's over-the-top performance, the giant ape's copper-bell-like eyes gradually widened, as if it had understood something.

"Roar—!!!"

The giant ape let out an earth-shattering roar, but this time it was not out of anger, but sudden realization.

So this little bird hadn't come to snatch its child, but to save it?

And it had even shared its own food with this gluttonous cub?

With the misunderstanding cleared, the giant ape's gaze toward Zhang Yi immediately softened, carrying a bit of gratitude and apology.

It said in a muffled voice: "Roar, roar, roar, roar!"

Zhang Yi naturally could not understand the giant ape's language, but judging from the other party's expression and tone, it probably wasn't anything bad.

At this moment, the Chi Huo Mo Yuan You Zai "squeaked" a few more times and affectionately rubbed against Zhang Yi.

"Are you saying your father is inviting us to be guests in your territory?"

Zhang Yi asked tentatively.

"Squeak!"

The Chi Huo Mo Yuan You Zai nodded excitedly.

Zhang Yi's heart stirred; this was a pretty good suggestion.

He was currently severely injured, his mother also needed to recuperate, and he didn't know when those giant eagles would catch up.

The Chi Huo Mo Yuan clan was notoriously difficult to provoke in this region; with their protection, even if those giant eagles caught up, they wouldn't dare to act rashly.

"Then I shall respectfully accept your invitation."

Zhang Yi nodded and said to the giant ape.

The giant ape grinned, revealing a smile that was uglier than crying, then bent down, signaling for Zhang Yi, the Ju Niao Mu Qin, and the Empress Sister to follow it.

Zhang Yi did not stand on ceremony and immediately followed along with the Nudi and his mother.

The Chi Huo Mo Yuan You Zai "squeaked" excitedly, leading the way in front.

Thus, the family of three, who had barely escaped death, set off in a grand procession toward the territory of the Chi Huo Mo Yuan.

……

The territory of the Chi Huo Mo Yuan was located in a valley surrounded by rivers of magma; the climate in the valley was scorching, and the air was filled with a heavy smell of sulfur, making it impossible for ordinary people to survive here.

Hundreds of massive Chi Huo Mo Yuan were active in the valley; some were bathing in the magma, some were playing with each other, and others were gathered together, plotting something unknown.

Seeing the giant ape return with Zhang Yi's family, the Chi Huo Mo Yuan gathered around one after another, curiously sizing up these two strange guests.

"Roar, roar!"

The giant ape explained a few things to its clansmen, focusing on how Zhang Yi had saved its child and how he had been generous enough to share precious "food" with the Chi Huo Mo Yuan You Zai.

After listening to the giant ape's account, the gazes the Chi Huo Mo Yuan directed at Zhang Yi were filled with admiration and gratitude.

"This little bird is quite righteous!"

"Yeah, if it weren't for it, our young clan leader would have been in danger."

"From now on, it's our friend; whoever dares to bully it is going against our entire Chi Huo Mo Yuan clan!"

Zhang Yi felt a bit embarrassed hearing these blatant "flatteries" and hurriedly said a few humble words.

The giant ape clan leader warmly hosted Zhang Yi's family and found the best healer in the clan to treat the Ju Niao Mu Qin's injuries.

During the healing period, Zhang Yi had nothing to do, so he wandered around the valley, observing the living habits of the Chi Huo Mo Yuan clan.

However, as his observations deepened, Zhang Yi discovered a strange phenomenon.

Many Chi Huo Mo Yuan had wisps of black aura emanating from their bodies; these auras were faint, but they gave people an extremely uncomfortable feeling.

"What are those black auras?"

Zhang Yi was puzzled and couldn't help but ask a Chi Huo Mo Yuan beside him.

"Roar, roar……"

That Chi Huo Mo Yuan's expression immediately turned dim, and its tone was filled with pain and helplessness.

"That is fire poison; since our Chi Huo Mo Yuan clan has lived here for years, more or less everyone will have some fire poison remaining in their bodies……"

"Fire poison?"

Zhang Yi tilted his head, looking at the gloomy Chi Huo Mo Yuan in front of him, and asked curiously.

"Is that thing very scary?"

"Don't you Chi Huo Mo Yuan love fire-attribute energy the most?"

"It's just mere fire poison; can't you even solve that?"

Hearing this, the Chi Huo Mo Yuan could only smile bitterly and shake its head.

"Roar, roar, fire poison is different from fire-attribute energy; this thing will slowly erode our bodies, making us weak, and even…… even make us go mad!"

"This is also the fundamental reason why our Red Fire Demon Ape clan is born with such explosive tempers!"

As it spoke, it rolled up its arm, revealing hideous and terrifying black patterns upon it; those patterns seemed like living creatures, wriggling under the skin and flesh, making Zhang Yi's scalp tingle for a moment.

"Then why didn't you say so earlier? If you had said so earlier, I could have just helped you suck it out, couldn't I!"

Zhang Yi patted his chest, assuming a heroic posture of "leave it to me."

"Suck... suck it out?"

That Red Fire Demon Ape's eyes widened into perfect circles, as if it had heard something inconceivable.

"You... are you sure you can handle this fire poison?"

"Nonsense, don't you know who this young master is!"

Zhang Yi tilted his head back, his tone filled with pride.

"Back in the day..."

He had just wanted to brag about his own glorious deeds.

Suddenly remembering that he was currently just a "weak, pitiful, and helpless" little bird, he hurriedly changed the subject: "In any case, bring all the other clansmen over; today, this bird will let you all witness what a 'toxin vacuum cleaner' is!"

The Red Fire Demon Ape was half-doubting, but seeing Zhang Yi's confident appearance, it still skeptically gathered its clansmen.

Very quickly, several hundred Red Fire Demon Apes surrounded Zhang Yi, their copper-bell-like eyes staring at him curiously, as if looking at some rare novelty.

Zhang Yi cleared his throat, preparing to begin his "performance."

Suddenly, he felt a familiar scent coming from behind him.

Immediately following that, a voice with a hint of disdain rang out in his ear.

"Count me in, I want to help too!"