Gou Zai Wudao Shicheng Dao

The Great Rift Valley has steep, sheer walls and jagged rocks.

The wind rushed in from the mouth of the valley, howling like a sob.

The ground is covered with gullies of varying depths, the marks left by the ironback gibbons trampling over the years.

The air was thick with a fishy smell, making everyone tense.

Ning Tianyang rode the Azure Ox, standing on the high ground at the valley entrance, his gaze piercing.

Scanning the depths of the rift, his aura was as deep and unfathomable as he held the group back.

Ning Tianyang swept his gaze over the disciples and gave a deep order: "Ironback Apes are arrogant and tyrannical, with thick skin and immense strength. They are also quite intelligent and adept at group combat."

Ji Baiyue, Han Zhiqi, and Feng Heng, the three of you join forces to defeat that mid-level demon in the valley!

The remaining disciples, form a battle formation and advance to annihilate the remaining demonic beasts!

He paused, his voice carrying an undeniable authority: "Remember, do not be greedy for quick success or act rashly; your life is of utmost importance!"

"Yes, Master!" Ji Baiyue, Han Zhiqi, and Feng Heng responded in unison, leaping forward and heading into the depths of the rift valley.

The three of them exuded a powerful aura, revealing the inner cultivation of the Heavenly Ladder Realm. Their steps were steady, and their eyes were sharp.

Fang Xia, Lu Sheng, and Meng Zhang remained in a three-person group, following in the middle of the group.

He gripped his longsword tightly, and quietly activated his "Qi Sensing Technique," taking in all the movements around him.

From the depths of the rift valley came a muffled roar, filled with violence and rage.

It was the roar of the Ironback Ape monster that sent chills down one's spine.

"Watch out for both sides!" Fang Xia suddenly shouted a warning.

Before he finished speaking, several dark figures suddenly pounced out from behind the strange rocks on both sides!

It is indeed the Ironback Ape demon beast!

Saliva dripped from their mouths as they roared and swung their massive paws, sending whistling sounds through the air, as they slammed them down on the three of them.

Lu Sheng swung his sword to meet the attack, and with a crisp "clang!" sparks flew everywhere.

Lu Sheng's arm went numb from the shock, and he staggered back two steps, his face pale, exclaiming, "What tough flesh! These claws are practically made of refined iron!"

Seeing this, Meng Zhang swiftly swept his long staff, aiming straight for the knee of an iron-backed ape: "Take this!"

But the iron-backed ape was extremely agile. It suddenly dodged to the side, and its giant paw slapped towards Meng Zhang's chest with astonishing speed!

At this critical moment, Fang Xia moved like a ghost, cutting in from the side, his long sword transforming into a cold light, piercing straight for his left eye.

Caught off guard, the iron-backed ape was pierced in the left eye by the longsword, letting out a shrill scream as its massive body convulsed violently, blood gushing from its eyes.

With a flick of his wrist, Fang Xia drew his longsword and, with lightning speed, plunged it into the man's throat once more!

It completely extinguished its vitality.

Still shaken, Meng Zhang looked at Fang Xia's figure and exclaimed, "Such speed! Such perfect timing!"

His eyes were filled with astonishment; he had never imagined that Fang Xia would act so decisively, swiftly, and ruthlessly.

Without pausing, Fang Xia's gaze instantly locked onto another ironback ape that was locked in combat with Lu Sheng.

This one was even more ferocious, and Lu Sheng was gradually losing his strength.

"Junior Brother Lu, hang in there!"

Fang Xia pushed off with his feet, his figure flashing forward. He slashed with his longsword, dodging the giant paw of the Ironback Ape, the tip of the sword pointing directly at its neck. At the same time, he shouted, "Attack its lower body!"

The ironback ape felt pain in its neck, and its movements faltered.

Lu Sheng seized the opportunity and slashed his long sword hard across the back.

Fang Xia seized the opportunity to thrust out his longsword, once again accurately hitting his vital point!

The two iron-backed apes collapsed into pools of blood within moments.

Just then, the third ironback ape, seeing this, was completely enraged and abandoned its opponent.

It pounced on Fang Xia like a madman, its large paw slapping Fang Xia's head.

Fang Xia remained calm, her steps agile as she skillfully dodged the attack, while simultaneously circulating her qi and blood, integrating the "Qingyang Palm" into her sword techniques.

The longsword flashed with a cold light, aiming for the Ironback Ape's joints, throat, and other vital points.

Fang Xia calmly analyzed the situation: "This Ironback Ape is at the Stone Skin cultivation level; a direct confrontation is useless. We can only exhaust its stamina!"

Although his cultivation level appeared to be only at a superficially high level, his actual cultivation level was comparable to that of the demonic beast before him.

With his superb combat skills and the ability to predict danger and seek good fortune, Fang Xia was always able to narrowly avoid the Ironback Ape's fatal attacks and constantly deplete its stamina.

.......

Finally, after continuous exhaustion, the Ironback Ape demon beast began to pant and its movements slowed down.

A glint flashed in Fang Xia's eyes, and he shouted in a low voice, "Now!"

He suddenly closed in, his longsword flashing like a venomous snake's tongue, aimed straight for the man's throat! With a flick of his wrist, the sword pierced through his neck!

The ironback ape let out a mournful roar, then its body crashed to the ground, lifeless.

Fang Xia led the slaying of the three Ironback Ape demon beasts, each move perfectly timed.

Either attack their vital points or use their strength against them; there is not a single unnecessary movement.

The combat power they displayed was already no weaker than that of a Stone Skin Realm warrior.

Lu Sheng and Meng Zhang stood aside, looking at Fang Xia with admiration in their eyes.

Lu Sheng sincerely said, "Senior Brother Fang, your skills are absolutely amazing!"

Not far away, Lin You was fighting a steelback ape alone.

His palm strikes were powerful and forceful, his Qingyang Palm Technique was highly refined and his palm power was immense, causing the Iron-Backed Ape to retreat repeatedly.

But when he caught a glimpse of Fang Xia slaying three Ironback Apes in a row, his movements suddenly froze, his eyes first filled with disbelief, then replaced by a deep sense of solemnity.

His mind raced: "How is this possible? A high-level braggart... how could he possess such combat power? Could he really catch up with me?"

Lin You clenched his fists, and the composure on his face vanished.

He suddenly increased the force of his palm strike, slamming it into the iron-backed ape's chest and knocking it to the ground.

He then quickly stepped forward and ended its life with a single palm strike.

On the other side, Zhang Yuan was locked in combat with an iron-backed ape, and was in a sorry state with multiple injuries.

When he caught sight of Fang Xia slaying the three Ironback Apes, drawing admiring glances from the surrounding disciples, his face instantly darkened, and he was consumed by jealousy.

He glanced at Lin You instinctively, and seeing his grave expression, his resentment intensified. He secretly vowed, "Just you wait, Fang Xia, you'll pay sooner or later!"

Zhou Cheng was wielding a bronze whip, locked in combat with an iron-backed ape comparable to a Bone Gate Realm expert.

He was experienced and his whip technique was agile. Although he had the upper hand, he dared not be careless.

Seeing Fang Xia's performance, a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes, and he nodded slightly.

"Junior Brother Fang... good! With such combat talent, what does it matter if your physique is a little lacking? Your future is promising."

You Qian wielded his double hammers, causing the Iron-backed Ape of the Sinew Pass to retreat in defeat.

His chubby face was beaming with excitement. "Haha! Junior Brother Fang, well done! My investment was a brilliant move; it looks like it's really going to make me rich!"

On the high ground at the valley entrance, Ning Tianyang rode the Azure Ox, taking in all of this.

His gaze would occasionally fall on Fang Xia, a hint of approval and regret flashing in his eyes.

During the fierce battle just now, two disciples were attacked by the Ironback Ape in its dying moments and were in imminent danger.

All of this was achieved by Ning Tianyang striking from a distance, using his powerful qi and blood to repel the Ironback Ape and save his disciple's life.

Looking at Fang Xia's composed figure, he sighed inwardly, "A gem indeed... even with poor aptitude, his combat wisdom far surpasses that of ordinary people."

"If a high-level expert like Niu Pi possesses such combat power, what would happen if there were enough resources..."

But when he thought of the resource difficulties of Sanyangtang, Ning Tianyang's eyes became complicated, turning into a barely audible sigh.

"Alas... The Qingyun Gathering is imminent, the Baiyue are attempting to open their meridians and gather qi, and Lin You is honing his foundation. Resources are already stretched thin..."

Fang Xia, oh Fang Xia, even if you are a rough gem, I can only ask you to suffer...