Chapter 38 : The Desperate Chase

Witnessing this scene, the eyes of the group widened, and they instinctively surged forward to give chase.

However, the few remaining First Rank High Grade demonic apes rushed over, desperately trying to block their path.

"Protect Second Elder! Leave that fiend to me!"

At this critical moment, Eldrin Chen left these words behind and swiftly pursued the fleeing creature.

The Second-Rank Demon Ape could not yet fly. Although the Foundation Establishment Demonic Ape was incredibly fast, its grievous wounds gradually began to slow its desperate flight.

Eldrin Chen pursued for the time it takes an incense stick to burn [a conventional short duration, roughly fifteen to thirty minutes]. He repeatedly harassed the beast with his Verdant Leaf Sword and Golden Light Blade. While these attacks failed to deliver a fatal blow, they steadily drained its lifeblood, leaving it weaker with each passing moment.

After a chase of nearly one hundred Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], the demon ape could endure no more. It whirled around, its remaining fury focused solely on him.

Yet, Eldrin Chen had no intention of meeting its desperate charge head-on. He understood this was merely the last, furious struggle of a cornered beast.

The ape's mana was spent, the power of its inner core greatly diminished, and its formidable physique crippled by the loss of an arm. The longer this stalemate lasted, the more frantic the beast would become, and the greater Eldrin's chance to exploit a fatal opening and secure victory.

And so, Eldrin Chen retreated strategically, all the while driving his Golden Light Blade and Verdant Leaf Sword forward in relentless strikes. The ape could neither catch him nor escape the assault, trapped in a cycle of futile rage and passive suffering. Discover more cultivation stories at audio-novel*com.

Thus they battled for a full half a Ke-time [one Ke-time equals fifteen minutes]. Seeing that he could not subdue Eldrin Chen, the demonic ape grew restless once more and spat forth its Demonic Core [the condensed energy core of a demonic beast] to blast towards him.

"Perfect timing."

A flash of sharp intensity crossed Eldrin Chen's gaze; he had long been guarding against this move.

The moment the ape expelled its core, he summoned the Crimson Iron Blade Embryo and slashed out. The blade embryo transformed into a crimson arc that cleaved through the air, striking the demonic ape's core squarely.

Having already clashed head-on with the Blazing Solar Skyfire Formation, the core's potency was diminished by more than sixty percent. Now struck by the Crimson Iron Blade Embryo, its radiance was instantly extinguished, and it fell to the ground, its power utterly spent.

With its core shattered, the demonic ape lost its final means of ranged attack and was forced into a purely defensive posture.

After several dozen more exchanges, the Foundation Establishment Demonic Ape finally reached its limit. Having lost too much blood, the beast felt its mind grow dim and its legs nearly buckled beneath it.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen knew the moment had arrived. Seizing the opportunity, he unleashed the crimson iron blade radiance in a decisive strike.

The demonic ape recoiled in terror, twisting its body to evade. But suddenly, a numbing paralysis shot through its leg, and in that instant of vulnerability, the crimson blade radiance descended, severing its head from its shoulders.

"Hah..."

The demonic beast was slain, and Eldrin Chen let out a sigh of relief.

He circulated his True Qi [the refined spiritual energy cultivated within a practitioner's body] and retrieved the Golden Ray Heart-Locking Needle from the ape's leg. It was this magical treasure that had delivered the crucial strike, allowing him to land the final, fatal blow.

Not lingering, he placed the ape's carcass, its inner core, and other materials into his Storage Bag and headed back toward the valley. Midway, he encountered the group coming to his aid. Meeting their questioning gazes, he nodded with a faint smile.

"The mission is accomplished."

"Excellent! Truly excellent!"

The Third Elder laughed heartily, and a palpable wave of relief washed over everyone present.

Eldrin Chen's smile faded as he turned his gaze to the Second Elder, his expression turning grave.

"How is Uncle Riverius's condition?"

"He has narrowly escaped death," the Third Elder sighed. "But his lungs and internal organs are grievously wounded. The internal injuries are severe; he will likely require over a decade of convalescence."

"And even after he recovers... I fear it may have shaved years from his natural lifespan."

Eldrin Chen sighed inwardly. For Riverius Chen to have survived after forcibly activating the Bell of Nine Echoes [a powerful magical bell] multiple times to clash head-on with the demonic ape while only at the Qi Refinement Stage was, in truth, an exceptionally fortunate outcome.

Although the Bell of Nine Echoes possessed formidable power, the most suitable person to wield it was none other than the Second Elder.

Among those present, aside from Eldrin Chen, he possessed the most profound and abundant mana, enabling him to unleash the Bell of Nine Echoes's full potential. Only thus could he withstand the ferocious assaults of the demonic beasts.

Meanwhile, Eldrin Chen was tasked with channeling the Crimson Iron Blade Embryo [an unrefined blade of crimson iron], bearing the crucial responsibility of slaying the demonic ape. He naturally had no spare energy to activate the Bell of Nine Echoes. Therefore, entrusting the bell to the Second Elder was the only viable choice.

Regardless, this battle had concluded in a resounding victory without a single casualty—a result far exceeding their expectations.

The group rested for one night. Only the next day, after the Second Elder's condition had stabilized somewhat, did they fashion a stretcher to carry him back. Support the author by reading on audio–novel.com.

Burdened with an injured companion, their return journey to the Green Sun Sect took three full months.

Upon their immediate return to the Green Sun Sect, the group headed straight for the Contribution Hall [the hall where sect contributions are recorded and rewards exchanged]. They presented their record of slaying the demonic ape to exchange for the Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm].

"To think your small group alone managed to slay the Verdant-Striped Ape [a powerful ape demon with green stripes]," the hall attendant remarked, his voice tinged with awe.

"Truly, the younger generation inspires both fear and admiration."

The steward Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their foundation in the Dao] at the Contribution Hall examined the record-keeping artifact, then glanced at the group with a beaming smile.

"Wait here for a moment. I shall go and retrieve the pill from Elder Wei."

With those words, he turned and headed into the rear hall, returning half a shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours] later.

Chen Corin eagerly stepped forward, his voice brimming with hope. "Elder Lin, were you able to obtain the elixir?"

"Obtain it, I did."

The Foundation Establishment Cultivator nodded, yet his gaze held a trace of pity as it settled on Chen Corin. As he spoke, he produced a jade case and offered it.

A smile of joy spread across Chen Corin's face. He took the case, opened it, and saw within a single, pale-green Spirit Medicine [a plant imbued with spiritual energy, used in cultivation].

"The Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm]!"

The others crowded around, their faces alight with excitement. Eldrin Chen took one look, however, and sensed something was amiss.

Having seen a Foundation Establishment Pill years before, and being an Alchemist [a master of the art of refining spiritual pills and elixirs] himself, he immediately discerned the abnormality in this particular pill.

"That is not right."

"This pill, it seems... not quite right." Eldrin Chen took the jade box and inquired on the spot, "A Foundation Establishment Pill [a pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm] should be a pure, pale cyan. Why does this one carry a trace of malignant aura?"

That Elder Lin gave Eldrin Chen a surprised look, then nodded, stroking his beard. "This Foundation Establishment Pill does indeed have a slight flaw."

"When Elder Liu was refining the pill, he inadvertently introduced a wisp of Earthfire Malignant Qi [a corrosive and unstable energy drawn from deep within the earth], and this pill was tainted by a trace of it."

"But it's only a trace. Elder Wei said the impact should be minimal."

Eldrin Chen's expression changed. He couldn't help but say, "For a Purple Mansion Ancestor [a cultivator who has reached the Purple Mansion realm], a wisp of Earthfire Malignant Qi entering the body can naturally be expelled. But for a Qi Refinement Cultivators [a cultivator in the Qi Refinement stage], the slightest mishap could mean mortal danger."

Hearing this, Elder Lin shook his head. "I am aware of what you say. But Elder Wei informed me that this year's supply of Foundation Establishment Pill is far too scarce. Only this single pill remains now. You can only blame yourselves for arriving too late."

"Do not say I give you no choice. If you do not want this Foundation Establishment Pill, then you may choose to forfeit it and wait another ten years for your selection."

Elder Lin stroked his long beard as he continued, "Of course, should you desire a Foundation Establishment Pill ten years hence, you would need to complete the mission requirement anew."

"This is unjust!" The hot-tempered Chen Alistair could no longer contain himself. He stepped forward and demanded, "Why are we given a defective product? Why must we perform the mission again after ten years?"

Elder Lin's gaze turned icy, his expression darkening. "Are you questioning me, an elder?" he demanded, his voice laced with frost.

"Alistair, you must not be disrespectful before a senior!"

Third Elder quickly pulled Chen Alistair back and hurriedly offered an apology to Elder Lin. "Esteemed Senior, please do not take offense. This matter is... difficult for us to accept all at once," he explained, his tone conciliatory.

"His transgression was born of urgent concern, not deliberate intent. We humbly beg for your understanding and forgiveness." Access the full story on audio-novel*com.