89: The spirit monkey offers fruit in exchange for the Great Dao.

Using pure True Essence supplemented by his subtle control over the power of earth qi through the [earth vein suppression talisman], Li Muchen spent nearly an hour barely channeling and neutralizing most of the destructive counter-forces of the earth veins and the lingering power of the lightning that were entangled within the Yao Beast's body.

This process was not easy. The power of the earth veins was deep and heavy, while the power of the lightning was violent and masculine; both had invaded deep into the Yao Beast's organs and Meridians. A single misstep could trigger an even more severe backlash, which would not only cost the Yao Beast its life but might also affect him. He had to act like a top-tier physician, using his Divine Thought as a needle and his True Essence as a guide to carefully peel away and dissolve the energy, then lead the residual energy to dissipate gently.

By the time the last wisp of stubborn lightning was ground down within the Yao Beast's Meridians and dissipated into a harmless, warm breath, Li Muchen’s forehead was beaded with sweat, his face was slightly pale, and the True Essence in his body was once again nearly half-depleted. He slowly withdrew his palm, took two steps back, and regulated his breathing.

The Yao Beast let out a low, long sigh of relief. It lowered its massive body; although the wounds on its chest and ribs were still hideous, the continuous tearing pain from within and the burning sensation of the energy conflict had vanished. The remaining pain was mostly external flesh wounds; with its powerful demonic body and the nourishment of the abundant Earth Fire Essence here, recovery was only a matter of time.

It raised its head. Its giant eyes, which were originally filled with tyranny and a crimson, fierce light, were now significantly clearer and more peaceful, though still intimidating. The way it looked at Li Muchen no longer held its previous hostility or madness, but instead carried an indescribable complexity—there was gratitude, awe, confusion, and even a trace of... a faint, fledgling-like attachment and expectation?

Li Muchen sat cross-legged, took out a Qi-Replenishing Pill and swallowed it, then closed his eyes to regulate his breath for a moment. The Yao Beast lay quietly in place without disturbing him, only occasionally rolling its giant eyeballs to curiously observe this human Cultivator who was completely different from its previous perceptions.

Once his strength had partially recovered, Li Muchen opened his eyes, looked at the Yao Beast, and said, "Our agreement has begun. Most of the foreign energy in your body has been removed; for the remaining injuries, you must use the Earth Fire to heal yourself. I hope you keep those three conditions in mind."

The Yao Beast made a low, understanding gurgle in its throat and nodded its massive head.

For a moment, the cave fell into a strange silence. There was only the occasional sound of bubbles bursting in the lava lake and the increasingly rich fragrance and spiritual resonance emanating from the Crimson Flame Vermilion Fruit tree.

The Yao Beast's gaze involuntarily turned back toward the center of the lava lake, toward those three shimmering, ruby-red Vermilion Fruits. Within its crimson eyes, it revealed unconcealed desire and a hint of anxiety. The Vermilion Fruits were about to ripen; for it, this was the key Opportunity to break through its current Bottleneck, perhaps even unlock higher intelligence and pursue the true 'Yao Dao'.

It looked at Li Muchen, who was regulating his breath with closed eyes, and after hesitating for a moment, it suddenly extended a thick forelimb. Carefully and with a bit of clumsiness, it pointed at the Vermilion Fruit tree, then at Li Muchen, and then made a 'gifting' gesture, letting out a low cry of ambiguous meaning that carried a sense of entreaty.

Li Muchen raised an eyebrow slightly. "You want to... give the Vermilion Fruit to me?"

The Yao Beast nodded vigorously, its crimson eyes fixed on him. Besides entreaty, there seemed to be a deeper longing in its gaze that it perhaps did not fully understand itself.

Li Muchen was somewhat surprised. The importance of the Vermilion Fruit to the Yao Beast went without saying; it was a supreme treasure it had guarded for many years. To proactively offer it meant that what it sought must be even greater.

"What do you want?" Li Muchen asked straightforwardly.

Hearing this, the Yao Beast appeared somewhat excited. It stood up, paced anxiously in place for two circles, and then gestured with its front claws, pointing at its own head, then toward the sky. Finally, it actually imitated a human, awkwardly and with great difficulty, making a 'palms together and bowing' gesture toward Li Muchen—though it looked incredibly comical given its massive body and ape-like structure, the piety and prayer inherent in that posture were unmistakably clear!

It wanted the 'Dao'! It wanted 'guidance'! It wanted to 'transcend' this muddled life of a Yao Beast that relied only on instinct and brute force to kill!

Li Muchen's heart was shaken. He never expected that deep within the intelligence of this seemingly tyrannical and fierce Demon Ape, such a clear and strong desire to 'seek the Dao' had already sprouted! It was offering the Vermilion Fruit it valued as much as its own life, yet what it sought was not power or treasures, but... that ethereal yet real 'guidance toward the Great Dao'!

This caused his view of the Demon Ape to instantly rise to a new level. To be able to spontaneously develop a heart for the Dao while in a state of ignorance meant that this ape's innate Spiritual Root likely far surpassed that of ordinary Yao Beasts. Its occupation of this Earth Fire spiritual cave and its protection of the Vermilion Fruit were likely not just for the sake of appetite or power enhancement, but also a pursuit of that trace of ancient spiritual resonance in the environment that might help it achieve 'enlightenment'.

Seeing Li Muchen remain silent, a flash of apprehension and urgency crossed the Demon Ape's eyes. It let out a low roar and, no longer hesitating, turned toward the lava lake. It opened its massive mouth and emitted a series of low, ancient, and strangely accented roars, as if chanting some broken incantation derived from Bloodline instinct.

Following its roars, the Crimson Flame Vermilion Fruit tree in the lava lake began to glow brilliantly! The three ruby-like fruits at the top trembled slightly, creating a strange resonance with the Demon Ape's roars.

Finally, after reaching a certain critical point, one of the fruits let out a soft 'pop' and naturally detached from the branch!

However, it did not fall into the scorching lava below. Instead, it was held up by an invisible force, slowly rising and flying across several yards before finally hovering in front of the Demon Ape's massive palm.

The Demon Ape carefully used two relatively 'slender' fingers to pinch the Vermilion Fruit, which was only about the size of a fist but contained a majestic essence of fire spirit and vitality. It held it like the most precious treasure in the world, turned around, and faced Li Muchen once more.

It slowly knelt, lowered its massive head, and held the palm carrying the Vermilion Fruit extremely respectfully above its head, presenting it to Li Muchen.

In its crimson eyes, all the violence, cruelty, and anxiety had vanished, leaving only a pure, almost pilgrimage-like piety and longing.

It was using its most precious possession as a gift and the most humble posture as a ritual to seek that single thread of... the light of the 'Dao' that might illuminate its endless dark and ignorant life.

Li Muchen quietly watched this incredible scene unfold before him.

The lava reflected, and the red light danced. A massive, hideous Demon Ape knelt with its head bowed, respectfully offering fruit. A young, green-robed Daoist sat cross-legged before it, his expression solemn.

This scene was filled with primal tension and a certain sense of sacred ritual.