Peerless Demon Immortal

The ape spirit didn’t return to the cave. After recent events, he realized it was no longer safe. Though he was reluctant to leave, he knew he couldn’t go back until he had the ability to protect himself. So, under the caterpillar’s guidance, he arrived at the caterpillar’s home.

This was also a cave, but its entrance was well-hidden. With a bit of camouflage, it was nearly impossible to spot even when standing right at the entrance.

Upon entering, the ape spirit found the cave surprisingly spacious, extending at least twenty meters deep and ten meters high. It was dry and free from any unpleasant odors, a testament to the caterpillar’s cleanliness.

Once home, the caterpillar could no longer hold on and curled up, breathing weakly. His once bright red eyes dimmed, startling the ape spirit.

Having just lost his closest ally, the old demon, and barely turning foes into friends with the caterpillar, the ape spirit was unwilling to lose another friend so soon. He quickly placed his hands on the caterpillar, hoping to use his essence to heal him. Unfortunately, after throwing the stone, he was exhausted, with hardly any essence or strength left.

But he refused to watch the caterpillar die, so he kept squeaking at him. The caterpillar, however, seemed oblivious, remaining motionless.

With no other option, the ape spirit dragged his weary body, exerting all his strength to pull the caterpillar outside. Though it was past noon, the sun was still shining. Finding a spot bathed in sunlight, the ape spirit inhaled a mouthful of sun essence and directed it into the caterpillar to aid in healing.

This method proved effective time and again. After about fifteen minutes, the caterpillar’s curled body slowly unfolded, his dim eyes regained their brightness, and his wounds were enveloped in a golden energy, healing visibly.

As the sun set and the moon rose, the ape spirit switched from sun essence to moon essence. The golden energy turned silver-white, and the caterpillar’s spines relaxed comfortably as he began absorbing moon essence, assisting the ape spirit.

After a night of effort, the caterpillar’s injuries stabilized, leaving only the need for rest to replenish lost blood.

Following a night of cultivation, the ape spirit was utterly exhausted. He had been helping the caterpillar heal while already drained, and though the sun and moon essence alleviated some physical fatigue, mental exhaustion was harder to recover from. He had only just begun cultivation and couldn’t yet go without sleep. So, after ensuring the caterpillar’s condition was stable, he leaned against him and fell asleep.

The caterpillar glanced at the ape spirit, slowly curling up to encircle him, and drifted off as well. He wasn’t too worried about attacks, as every demon beast had its territory, and the caterpillar’s strength was respectable among them, deterring others from causing trouble.

They slept for a full day and night.

Upon waking, the first task was finding food. Unfamiliar with the area, the ape spirit cautiously picked wild fruits, while the caterpillar ventured into the forest, returning with a rabbit and a wild boar impaled on his spines.

The rabbit was intended for the ape spirit, but he shook his head vigorously, refusing to eat. In the end, the caterpillar had no choice but to enjoy it himself. Watching the caterpillar’s massive mouth engulf the rabbit, hearing the crunch of bones, the ape spirit turned away, covering his ears to avoid the gruesome scene.

After eating, they resumed cultivation. The ape spirit chose a clearing, gazing skyward to absorb sun essence, while the caterpillar lay beside him, synchronizing his breathing with the ape spirit’s, marveling at the purity of the essence compared to his own cultivation.

Days passed with the two demon beasts alternating between hunting and cultivating, dedicating all other time to their practice. The caterpillar, having fully healed from his injuries, felt the stirrings of a breakthrough, a sign of entering the true peak of cultivation.

One day, the ape spirit sat at the cave entrance, deep in thought.

Suddenly, he picked up a small stone and tossed it forward. It flew only ten meters before dropping weakly.

Since the battle with the giant snake, the ape spirit realized he needed a means of self-defense to survive. Without sharp fangs or immense strength, he would be easy prey for other demon beasts.

After much contemplation, he decided that the stone he threw to defeat the giant snake could serve as a weapon. So, besides cultivation, he spent his time practicing stone throwing, even during meals. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t replicate the previous throw.

Today, he continued to recall the feeling from that moment, having thrown thirty stones already, leaving none around him.

As he pondered, he reached for another stone, only to find none left. He stood up to gather more, tossing them as he walked, lost in thought.

Gradually, he became oblivious to his surroundings, picking stones as if by instinct, and the stones he threw began to change.

Initially, they followed a simple arc, but as he entered a mysterious state, they started shooting straight, covering greater distances.

In his mind, time rewound to the battle with the giant snake. As he approached that moment, he felt his essence uniting, and the stones he threw gained power, now flying straight for nearly a hundred meters.

Returning from hunting, the caterpillar saw the ape spirit practicing and dared not disturb him, watching quietly.

The sound of stones striking trees echoed, causing the caterpillar to retreat unconsciously. He saw the ape spirit’s shadow merging with the memory of their battle against the giant snake.

Unaware of this, the ape spirit’s mind returned to the fight. As his thoughts aligned with his past self, his eyes flashed with intense light, briefly visible even to the distant caterpillar.

The ape spirit slowly raised his hand, holding a stone. His fur stirred without wind, a faint golden glow emanating from his arm, felt even by the caterpillar, whose spines stood on end.

As his essence perfectly united, a powerful aura erupted from him, and he hurled the stone. It flew so fast the caterpillar couldn’t see his arm move, the stone like a bullet, kicking up dust before piercing through three massive trees.

Awakening from his trance, the ape spirit saw the pierced trees and danced with excitement, squeaking joyfully, while the caterpillar watched with a mix of awe and fear.