As Lingxi State is a part of the Water and Wood Continent, it is rich in resources. There are numerous Tier One and Tier Two spiritual veins, easily over five hundred, occupied by various cultivation clans, small sects, and powerful loose cultivators.

However, Tier Three and above spiritual veins are rare and typically controlled by large sects.

Tier Five spiritual veins, by this level, are extremely rare, early on controlled by a few top forces, or cultivated using spirit stones, making them even more precious.

It was said that an elder of Taiqi Peak discovered a Tier Five spiritual vein and reported it to the sect. According to the Heaven-Facing Sect’s way of conduct, known for its uprightness, they naturally wouldn’t covet the spiritual veins of other human race forces.

This implies that the owner of this spiritual vein is likely not a human race cultivator.

Unclaimed, it’s definitely not possible.

Could it be that demonic beasts occupy this spiritual vein?

"It could be considered a force in its own right."

Taiqi Peak smiled slightly and said, "The ones occupying this spiritual vein are not our human race, but a group of Thorn Demon Apes."

Taiqi Peak began to explain in detail.

As a top sect, the Heaven-Facing Sect has various cultivation clans, local small sects, and factions attached to it, following its lead.

When these families or forces encounter difficult problems, they seek help from the Heaven-Facing Sect.

Therefore, like the Cyan Mountain Sect, to address the requests for help from subordinate forces, they typically set them as sect missions for sect disciples and elders to resolve.

This is not an uncommon occurrence and was the reason why this Tier Five spiritual vein was discovered.

A core disciple of the Heaven-Facing Sect went missing during an experience outside, prompting sect elders to investigate. They found that the sect disciple went missing at Po Mo Ridge, eventually leading to the discovery of this spiritual vein.

"Po Mo Ridge, that is the Tier Five spiritual vein. According to information within the sect, a large group of Thorn Demon Apes is entrenched there."

Taiqi Peak said, with a heavy expression on his face when mentioning this type of demon beast.

Thorn Demon Apes belong to Tier Four demon beasts, with the Ape King capable of reaching Tier Five, equivalent to Nascent Soul stage cultivators.

Compared to other monkey groups, Thorn Demon Apes possess stronger team combat ability, are intelligent, large, and agile. Ordinary Nascent Soul stage cultivators aren’t necessarily a match for them.

A Tier Five spiritual vein being occupied by such a demon beast group is understandable. Any external force wanting to covet it must deploy a Nascent Soul True Monarch as a leader, with at least ten Golden Core cultivators.

Looking across the entire Lingxi State, how many forces have such a foundation? And how many are willing to launch an attack?

"Upon learning about this Tier Five spiritual vein, I had no intention of coveting it. I only broke through to the Nascent Soul stage in the past two months, and my strength is not yet stable. Those Thorn Demon Apes, given the Heaven-Facing Sect’s current strength, are not easy to deal with. It would be better to just ignore it."

Taiqi Peak slowly said, looking at Lu Ping.

"This place is an excellent site for constructing a teleportation array, but first, we must clear out that group of Thorn Demon Apes."

"These Thorn Demon Apes are inherently violent, bloodthirsty, and battle-savvy, always at odds with other demon beasts. With their territorial expansion ambitions, if they are allowed to multiply unchecked, they will eventually occupy much more than just a Po Mo Ridge."

Taiqi Peak spoke slowly, noting these Thorn Demon Apes as a potential threat.

It’s just that, in the short term, like ten or twenty years, this threat won’t significantly impact the Heaven-Facing Sect or other sect powers.

Lu Ping nodded slowly upon hearing this.

In the long run, allowing a group of Thorn Demon Apes to expand their territory and proliferate will inevitably lead to them invading the Chu Kingdom or Qi Kingdom in the future.

How could small clans and sects stand against demon beasts of this magnitude? They would be annihilated in no time.

And as for extermination, how many within the Chu Kingdom and Qi Kingdom are capable of taking action?

Only the Cyan Mountain Sect has the strength, and even then, it must be Lu Ping to act.

"Take me to see this Po Mo Ridge."

Lu Ping said.

"Alright."

That afternoon, Taiqi Peak and Lu Ping departed from the Heaven-Facing Sect and headed towards Po Mo Ridge.

This mountain ridge is located at the northernmost part of the Chu Kingdom, hidden among vast mountain ranges, with a total area not large, about one hundred thousand square meters, presenting a long and narrow mountainous terrain.

Viewed from above, this ridge is dark in color, resembling a stroke of ink on the mountain, hence the name Po Mo Ridge.

Upon arriving at Po Mo Ridge, the two found this group of Thorn Demon Apes living in a valley, with numerous spirit fruits growing within.

The two used their divine sense to probe into the valley and quickly grasped the details of this group of Thorn Demon Apes. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

The leading Ape King already possesses Sixth-Layer Nascent Soul level strength, far beyond Taiqi Peak’s ability to handle.

The rest of the monkey group includes three at the Golden Core stage, with ninety percent at the Crystallization and Foundation Establishment stages.

Even if the Heaven-Facing Sect mobilized its entire force, it would not necessarily win against this group of Thorn Demon Apes.

"What is Lu Daoist’s opinion?"

Having uncovered the situation, Taiqi Peak asked with some expectation. In his view, Lu Ping’s strength is unfathomable, and dealing with these Thorn Demon Apes would surely be no problem.

Whether they can take Po Mo Ridge depends on Lu Ping’s decision.

"It’s not a big problem."

Lu Ping didn’t think too much.

Aside from this spiritual vein, acquiring another of the same tier would mean seizing it from other top forces in Lingxi State like the Dubhe Institute, Nine Cold Mountain, or the Celestial Saint Palace.

Clearly not an option.

It would be more worthwhile to eliminate these Thorn Demon Apes and secure Po Mo Ridge.

This kind of threat must eventually be eliminated.

"Alright."

Upon hearing Lu Ping’s reply, Taiqi Peak was evidently pleased, as it indicated Lu Ping’s intention to take action.

As for how to proceed, there was nothing much to discuss. Lu Ping intended a direct assault.

Taiqi Peak would assist by clearing out the Thorn Demon Apes below the Nascent Soul stage.

The two didn’t hide anything, directly unleashing their cultivation aura as they flew towards the valley.

No magical artifacts were utilized; under the simple awe of the Nascent Soul stage, the entire valley seemed to be on a cauldron, stirring the Thorn Demon Apes into panic, and they charged out in fear.

In appearance, they resemble apes, with the significant difference being their massive size, with thorn-like keratinized structures on their backs, arms, and heads.

Each Thorn Demon Ape charged out, eyes fierce, scanning the surroundings, searching for enemy traces.

Upon seeing Lu Ping and Taiqi Peak, a Golden Core-stage Thorn Demon Ape among them spoke, "Human race cultivators, this is not where you should be."

Just as the words fell, the next moment, perceiving the cultivation aura released by Lu Ping and Taiqi Peak, this Thorn Demon Ape’s expression dramatically changed.

"Nascent Soul stage!"