Chapter 18: The Secret of the Red Fire Demon Ape Clan

"Roar—!"

A deafening roar echoed through the valley. A group of massive Red Fire Demon Apes bared their fangs, angrily pounding their chests. On their thick ape arms, crimson fur stood on end, resembling burning flames.

"This... what is happening?"

Ju Niao Mu Qin did not know why, but when she heard the commotion coming from outside, her massive body could not help but tremble slightly.

"Roar!"

The leading Red Fire Demon Ape was particularly huge, its fur a dark red, like congealed blood.

It glared at Zhang Yi, who was wrapped in flames, its eyes full of grief and rage: "What exactly are you trying to do?"

"We kindly invited you to be our guests, yet you dare to destroy the sacred ground our clan has guarded for generations!"

"Chief, this guy might be eroded by fire poison and has already gone mad!"

"Kill him!!"

"Defend the clan lands to the death!"

Among the ape crowd, it was unclear who let out that shout.

The next second, the indignant Red Fire Demon Apes could no longer suppress the anger in their hearts, waving their huge fists one after another and smashing them toward Zhang Yi!

"Oh no! This idiot has angered these big guys!"

Nudi, who was on the side, saw this and cried out in alarm.

Just then, Ju Niao Mu Qin, who had arrived upon hearing the noise, saw her child being besieged and immediately wanted to step forward to help.

However, before she could step forward, she was pulled back by Nudi, "Mother, don't go over there!"

"In this situation, you are just throwing your life away if you go!"

"But..."

"No more buts! My brother here is no ordinary bird; I believe in him. A lucky bird has its own protection, he will be fine!"

As they spoke, the Red Fire Demon Apes' attacks had already reached Zhang Yi.

"Boom—!"

"Boom—!"

"Boom—!"

The immense power seemed as if it would overturn the entire valley. However, Zhang Yi, who was at the center of the attack, remained completely unresponsive, still maintaining the posture of being wrapped in flames.

"It's over! My child!"

Perhaps unable to bear watching her child being besieged, Ju Niao Mu Qin subconsciously closed her eyes in despair.

"Haha! This stupid bird is dead for sure!"

"Overestimating yourself, wanting to destroy our clan's sacred ground—this is your end!"

Seeing this scene, the Red Fire Demon Apes let out roars of victory.

Meanwhile, on Zhang Yi's side at this moment, the system's notification sounds were ringing in his mind one after another.

【Ding! Detected that the host's life is threatened, the system has automatically activated the emergency defense mechanism!】

【Ding! Detected a large amount of fire-attribute energy intrusion, attempting to absorb and fuse...】

【Taotie Feast is being executed at full power!】

【Ding! Congratulations to the host, successfully absorbed the fire poison and fused it with your own Jinwu bloodline!】

【Ding! Congratulations to the host, obtained a brand new skill—Golden Crow Burning Heaven!】

A series of system notification sounds rang in Zhang Yi's mind. Before he could even react, an incomparably powerful force surged out from within his body!

"Boom—!"

Terrifying golden flames shot into the sky, resembling a small sun, instantly blasting all the surrounding Red Fire Demon Apes away!

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Those Red Fire Demon Apes, who had been so arrogant just a moment ago, were now like they had been struck by a giant hammer, falling heavily onto the ground in the distance, their wails rising one after another.

"This... what is going on?"

Seeing this scene, the entire crowd was instantly stunned.

"My child!"

Ju Niao Mu Qin was the first to react.

She called out, then hurriedly flew to Zhang Yi's side, looking her poor child up and down.

"Are... are you alright?"

The giant bird asked tentatively.

"I'm fine, I am truly sorry for making you worry."

Zhang Yi shook his still-dazed bird head.

At this moment, feeling the unprecedentedly powerful force within his body, he couldn't help but curl his beak into a smile.

"Thanks to these monkeys, I seem to have become stronger again!"

"You brat! As long as you're fine! As long as you're fine!"

At this time, Nudi also flew over in a hurry. Looking at the unscathed Zhang Yi, she revealed an expression of disbelief.

"No way!"

"You're actually fine?"

"What, are you disappointed that I didn't die?"

Zhang Yi was left between laughter and tears by this mother and daughter.

"Go to hell! You brat, is that any way to talk!"

Ju Niao Mu Qin laughed through her tears and slapped Zhang Yi on the head with a wing, "Your sister is just concerned about you, you stupid bird!"

"Fine, fine, fine, whatever you say, elder."

Regarding this mother, Zhang Yi was truly helpless, and in the end, he could only flap his wings a few times in resignation.

After pacifying this mother and daughter, he then turned his head to look at those Red Fire Demon Apes that had been sent flying by him unintentionally.

"But having said that, what is going on with these monkeys? Why did they suddenly go crazy?"

Hearing this, the Red Fire Demon Ape Patriarch struggled to climb up from the ground and looked at Zhang Yi with a complex expression.

"You fellow, you don't even remember what you just did, do you?"

"What did I do? Didn't I just help you all dispel some fire poison?"

Zhang Yi said with an innocent look on his face.

"Dispel fire poison?"

The Red Fire Demon Ape Patriarch awkwardly twitched the corners of his mouth: "You clearly just..."

"Patriarch!"

Before he could finish speaking, a Red Fire Demon Ape beside him hurriedly pulled at him.

"Don't say any more! This matter is of great importance and cannot let outsiders know!"

"But..."

"There are no 'buts'!"

That Red Fire Demon Ape interrupted his words. "The most important thing now is to figure out what is going on with this bird! Why does he possess that power!"

Hearing this, Zhang Yi's heart stirred, and he vaguely guessed something.

He turned his head to look at Ju Niao Mu Qin and asked, "Mother, do you know what these monkeys are talking about?"

"I..."

Ju Niao Mu Qin opened her mouth, seeming somewhat hesitant, but in the end, she still shook her head.

"I don't know either. But looking at their appearance, it seems to be related to your situation."

"My situation?"

Zhang Yi frowned slightly, his heart even more confused.

"Ahem, that..."

Just at this moment, the Red Fire Demon Ape Patriarch suddenly coughed twice, walked in front of Zhang Yi, and bowed deeply.

"I am truly sorry, we misunderstood you before. Please, sir, do not hold a grudge against us and do not lower yourself to our level."

"Uh..."

Seeing this attitude of his, Zhang Yi was instantly stunned.

"Patriarch, what is this?"

"I know you must have many doubts in your heart."

The Red Fire Demon Ape Patriarch raised his head and looked at Zhang Yi with sincere eyes.

"But please rest assured, we have no malice toward you. If you are willing, I can tell you everything."

"Oh? This is getting interesting."

Zhang Yi's mouth curled up slightly, and a trace of curiosity rose in his heart: "Then tell me, I would like to see what kind of secrets you all actually have."