Chapter 165: Monkey Wine

“Daring to covet my sacred herbs—have you all forgotten how your ancestors perished?” The golden monkey was utterly domineering, pointing his golden war spear forward as he faced all his adversaries.

“Die, you damned monkey!” A crimson bull wreathed in raging flames charged forth, magma boiling beneath its hooves, the scorching liquid surging with unbearable heat.

“That old bull was no match for me, and you think you can challenge me? Instead of hunting pure-blooded creatures, you dare set your sights on me? You’re courting death!” The Divine Monkey’s temper flared, his body radiating golden light as he leaped hundreds of feet into the air, wielding his spear like a massive staff and slamming it downward.

**BOOM!**

The crimson magma surged like tidal waves, splashing hundreds of feet high. The golden spear clashed against a scarlet blade with a metallic **clang**. The bull demon had transformed, standing upright like a man, gripping a massive blood-red cleaver. Though it managed to block the strike, the force sent it stumbling backward, coughing blood.

“Fellow warriors, what are you waiting for? Seize this monkey! Once he’s dead, the Spirit Lake, the Pure Land, and the four sacred herbs will be ours!”

In the sky, a streak of five-colored divine light flashed as a massive peacock dove toward the depths of the mountain range, bypassing the battle entirely and heading straight for the Spirit Lake to claim the sacred herbs.

“Rise!” The monkey roared, thrusting his spear downward. The crimson bull had no choice but to defend with all its might. Yet the Divine Monkey used the force to propel himself skyward, landing atop a colossal multicolored bird to pursue the five-colored peacock.

**BOOM!**

The bull bellowed as the earth beneath it cracked, magma surging like a tide to engulf it. It staggered back, blood trickling from its mouth.

“Monkey, you’re too tyrannical! Years ago, you slaughtered our elders and stole the sacred herbs, leaving none for others. Do you not fear all the kings uniting against you?” the five-colored peacock shouted, spitting out a five-colored treasure seal wreathed in runes, hurling it forward.

“The weak submit, the strong rule—that has always been the way. If I weren’t powerful enough, I would have been devoured long ago. No need for words.” The golden monkey, though not tall, exuded overwhelming might. His golden spear thrust forward, unleashing a storm of golden light.

**CLANG!**

Sparks exploded as divine radiance surged. The treasure seal was sent flying, growing larger until it smashed through a mountain range, scattering auspicious light.

“Kill!”

From afar, a golden roc descended, its wings blotting out the sky. Its massive body gleamed with golden brilliance, its divine wings sweeping forward with unstoppable force.

**BOOM!**

The very heavens seemed to shatter. Its physique was peerless, making the monkey look like an insignificant insect in comparison.

“ROAR!”

The golden monkey bellowed, leaping from the multicolored bird. His body rapidly expanded, towering like a golden mountain amidst the peaks. His aura, his sheer dominance, sent chills down the spines of all the kings.

With unmatched ferocity, the monkey punched toward the roc’s wing. Golden light erupted, and the clash unleashed a storm that ravaged the mountains. Boulders and shattered trees spiraled into a tornado, sending debris flying as the entire mountain range trembled.

The golden-winged roc’s body was incomparably tough, yet the Divine Monkey, empowered by a secret technique, matched it in size and might, his combat prowess unstoppable.

“So strong!” A distant red bird shrank back, awed by the sheer power of these two titans, far beyond its own level.

“That’s the **Law Manifestation** technique!” Little Rascal’s eyes gleamed as he stared at the monkey’s colossal form. “What a pity—if Mao Qiu’s runes weren’t erased, he’d know even more profound techniques!”

**WHOOSH!**

The golden roc circled and dove again, spitting out a golden divine sword wreathed in auspicious light, slashing downward.

The Divine Monkey sneered, gripping his enlarged spear and thrusting forward. Ten thousand runes blazed—this was a clash of raw power and profound Dao techniques.

**CLANG!**

The metallic resonance shook the battlefield, divine radiance scattering in all directions. Both treasures shone with mysterious symbols, their collision sending shockwaves that made the surrounding forests tremble, leaves exploding into dust.

The monkey bared his fangs, then kicked off the ground, soaring into the sky, spear whirling as he smashed toward his foe.

The golden roc, drained from the earlier clash, barely maintained control of its sword as it was sent flying. Now, as the monkey attacked again, it had no choice but to shriek, flapping its wings and summoning primal runes, forming a blazing sun that crashed downward.

**BOOM!**

The roc spat blood, sent tumbling through the air. The Divine Monkey’s eyes flashed coldly as he shrank back to normal size, landing atop his multicolored bird, surveying the battlefield with disdain.

**SHING!**

Suddenly, a blade of black wind slashed toward him—a **Hound-Beast** had appeared, its obsidian body covered in glowing runes as it lunged from the sky.

“None of you are my match unless those half-dead old monsters come out to fight me with their lives!” The monkey roared, exhaling a golden gale sharp as blades, slicing through the mountains ahead.

The black Hound-Beast howled in pain, blood streaking its body. Though its dark energy struck the monkey, it did no damage.

“You dare?!” The Divine Monkey bellowed, riding his multicolored bird toward the Pure Land in fury, his spear spinning like a windmill as he charged the five-colored peacock.

**CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!**

The massive peacock unleashed a storm of feathers, each transforming into a divine sword of five-colored light, raining down upon the monkey and his mount.

With a furious roar, the monkey erupted in radiant light, shielding himself and his steed behind a massive barrier that blocked every feather-sword.

Then—**THRUST!**

His spear stabbed forward, its tip adorned with shimmering stars, as if an entire galaxy swayed behind it. The strike carried the illusion of a falling Milky Way.

**CRACK!**

Countless feathers shattered. The five-colored peacock recalled its mountain-sized treasure seal to block the spear, but the impact still sent it coughing blood.

“Everyone, attack together! Forget the sacred herbs for now—if this monkey lives, justice is dead! Have you forgotten how he slaughtered our ancestors?”

A silver-scaled beast covered in spikes charged forth—a hybrid creature with a serpent’s head, a hedgehog’s body, and a crocodile’s tail. A **Spike Beast**, a fearsome ancient descendant.

At its call, the golden roc, the five-colored peacock, the black Hound-Beast, and the crimson bull all converged, launching a true group assault on the Divine Monkey.

The battlefield erupted into chaos. The clash blotted out the sky, the earth quaked, and disaster loomed. These creatures were too powerful—especially the Divine Monkey, who only grew fiercer, as if his strength was limitless.

“He’s terrifying,” murmured a Sealer beside Princess Huo Ling’er. “If he truly goes all out, he could rival kings who’ve cultivated for centuries.”

The princess nodded. This Divine Monkey was no ordinary creature—its cultivation had reached a terrifying level, worthy of a human emperor’s attention.

“They’ve infiltrated the Pure Land. They’re making their move.” The Nine-Headed Lion kept its focus on the Vermilion Bird, the Flood Dragon, and others.

“Don’t worry. The other monkeys aren’t pushovers either,” the Wandering Stone remarked.

Sure enough, as the intruders rushed in, a swarm of golden monkeys was alerted. Runes flared across the ground, activating traps as dozens of monkeys pounced.

“How are all these monkeys so strong?” Little Rascal gasped.

Not a single one was weak—each bared gleaming fangs, their golden bodies radiant as they swarmed the invaders. Their leaders were especially fearsome, forcing even the pure-blooded creatures to retreat, outmatched in cultivation.

Then—**action!**

The Demon Willow moved. The Rift Sky Butterfly appeared. Shi Yi emerged, cutting through the monkey horde, also aiming for the four small sacred herbs.

**FLASH!**

A violet-haired girl struck, wielding a golden horn. With a single sweep, she dismantled entire arrays of runic traps, darting forward.

In the distance, the Divine Monkey’s eyes turned icy. Even as it fought, it watched the Pure Land, a cruel smirk forming.

“Pure-blooded creatures… I like them.”

Its adversaries also gleamed with greed. If they killed the monkey today, the rewards would be unimaginable—not just the four sacred herbs, but also the Flood Dragon, the Multi-Eyed Beast… an irresistible temptation.

**BOOM!**

Dozens of crimson roots shot forth like dragons, sealing the monkey’s movements. The Ironblood Ancient Tree had joined the fray, targeting the sacred herbs.

“It’s our turn. Stay hidden, fish in troubled waters,” the Divine Striking Stone advised.

The group agreed. Little Rascal already had his Cosmos Sack ready, poised to collect treasures.

Princess Huo Ling’er, breathtakingly beautiful, personally steered a divine carpet woven from Void Beast hide, slipping undetected into the Pure Land.

Then—**fidgeting!**

The little wolf in her arms squirmed, then leaped onto Little Rascal, clinging like a koala. Its nose twitched before it tugged the boy’s hair, pointing toward a cluster of ancient trees near the Spirit Lake.

The trees glowed, their bark shimmering with something peculiar—mushrooms shaped like monkey heads.

“Monkey Head Mushrooms!” Huo Ling’er gasped.

These luminous fungi, growing on the trunks, exuded spiritual energy—over a dozen of them, dazzlingly beautiful.

“Rumor says these are a rare delicacy, on par with Lion’s Head and Tiger Bone Soup. Spirit-enhanced Monkey Head Mushrooms must be divine!” Little Rascal’s eyes sparkled as he wiped drool.

“Wait here. I’ll pick them!” He hopped off the carpet, sneaking toward the trees.

The thick foliage made it impossible for the large carpet to follow. Unnoticed by the battling figures, he reached the trees, gleeful—until the little wolf stopped him.

It leaped down, clawing at an ancient trunk.

**BOOM!**

The wolf was blasted back—the tree was protected by terrifying runes.

“Woof! Woof!” It urged Little Rascal to act fast. Whatever was inside was priceless—even the Silver Immortal Peach Tree hadn’t excited it this much.

Without hesitation, Little Rascal drew his broken sword and slashed. The runes shattered. Tapping the trunk, he heard hollowness.

**SHING!**

He carved a small hole—**fragrance exploded**, intoxicatingly rich. The little wolf’s eyes widened in excitement.

Quickly, Little Rascal widened the hole. Misty radiance burst forth, a divine aroma flooding the area.

Inside—**a pool of crystalline liquid**, gleaming like jade marrow, its scent enough to make one drunk.

“Monkey Wine! A supreme treasure!” Huo Ling’er’s eyes widened in shock.

Little Rascal immediately summoned his Cosmos Sack, spreading it like a canopy to mask the scent.

“Is this alcohol? It smells amazing.” Unaware of its true value, he took a sip—**his head spun**, nearly knocking him out. Fragrance saturated his body, radiant light bursting from his pores.

“Such potent effects!” He was stunned.

In that instant, he tasted countless spirit herbs—Red Orchid, Black Jade Lotus, Snow Jade Ginseng, Crimson Flood Dragon Vine… all condensed into this brew.

“This is made from spirit herbs?!” His eyes bulged. This was an **invaluable treasure**!

“Hmm… peach flavor too?” He recognized the taste, glancing at the distant Immortal Peach Tree. Did this wine contain Silver Immortal Peaches?

This… was **priceless**!

Little Rascal knew—**he would soon open his ninth Heavenly Passage**. His body would undergo a metamorphosis. Perhaps even his **Supreme Bone** would regain vitality!

This tree’s worth of wine rivaled the four Immortal Peach Trees. An **unimaginable fortune** had fallen into his lap.