Chapter 38 : The Demon Ape's Last Stand

Witnessing this scene, everyone's pupils contracted, and they instinctively wanted to give chase.

However, the few remaining First Rank Upper Grade Demon Apes rushed over, desperately trying to block their path.

"You all protect Second Elder. Leave that fiend to me."

At this critical moment, Eldrin Chen left these words and swiftly pursued.

Second Rank Demon Apes cannot yet fly. Though the Foundation Establishment Demon Ape was extremely fast, its grievous wounds gradually began to slow its pace.

Eldrin Chen pursued for one Ke-time [one Ke-time equals fifteen minutes], intermittently activating his Verdant Leaf Sword and Golden Light Blade to harass the beast. While these attacks failed to deliver a fatal blow, they caused the creature to bleed more profusely, sapping its strength with each passing moment.

After a chase of nearly one hundred Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], the Demon Ape could endure no longer. It whirled around, intent on a final, desperate struggle.

Yet, Eldrin Chen had no intention of meeting its fury head-on. He understood clearly that this Demon Ape was merely a cornered beast making its last stand.

Now, the Demon Ape's spiritual energy [the vital energy used for cultivation techniques] was exhausted, its Inner Pill [a condensed core of spiritual power within high-level demon beasts] greatly diminished in potency. Its formidable physical body, its last remaining asset, had been crippled by the loss of an arm. The longer this stalemate dragged on, the more agitated the beast would become, and the greater Eldrin Chen's chance of finding a fatal opening, thereby securing victory.

Thus, Eldrin Chen adopted a strategy of controlled retreat, continuously directing attacks with his Golden Light Blade and Verdant Leaf Sword. The Demon Ape could neither catch him nor escape, trapped in a helpless cycle of evading blows it could not return. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio-novel dot com.

Thus, the battle raged on for a full half Ke-time [one Ke-time equals fifteen minutes]. Seeing that he could not subdue Eldrin Chen, the Demon Ape grew restless once more and spat out its Inner Pill [the condensed core of a demon beast's power] to bombard him.

"Perfect timing."

A sharp glint flashed in Eldrin Chen's eyes; he had long been prepared for this move.

The moment the Demon Ape expelled its Inner Pill, he summoned forth the Crimson Iron Saber Embryo [an unrefined magical saber brimming with crimson energy] and slashed. The saber embryo transformed into a streak of crimson light that shot across the sky, striking the Demon Ape's Inner Pill squarely.

Having already clashed head-on with the Blazing Sun Heavenly Flame Formation [a formation of searing solar flames], the Inner Pill had lost over sixty percent of its potency. Now, struck by the Crimson Iron Saber Embryo, its radiance instantly faded, and it fell to the ground, its power utterly spent.

With its Inner Pill shattered, the Demon Ape was stripped of its final means of long-range attack, forced into a purely defensive posture.

After several dozen more exchanges, the Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation] Demon Ape could endure no longer. Severely weakened by blood loss, the beast's vision swam with darkness, its legs nearly buckling beneath it.

Witnessing this, Eldrin Chen knew the moment had arrived. Seizing the opportunity, he unleashed the crimson iron saber radiance in a decisive slash.

The Demon Ape recoiled in terror, twisting its body to evade. But a sudden numbness seized its leg, and in that instant of paralysis, the crimson saber light cleaved through the air, severing the demon ape's head from its shoulders.

"Hah..."

With the demon beast slain, Eldrin Chen let out a sigh of relief.

He circulated his Vital Energy [the foundational life force cultivated by practitioners] and retrieved the Golden Ray Heart-Locking Needle [a magical projectile that immobilizes its target] from the Demon Ape's leg. It was this very magical treasure that had created the opening for his decisive, fatal strike.

Not lingering, he stored the Demon Ape's carcass, its Inner Pill [the condensed core of a demon beast's power], and other materials into his Storage Bag [a spatial artifact for holding items]. As he made his way back to the valley, he met the group coming to reinforce him. Meeting their questioning gazes, he nodded with a faint smile.

"The mission is accomplished."

"Excellent! Truly excellent!"

Third Elder laughed heartily, and a palpable weight lifted from everyone's shoulders.

Eldrin Chen's smile faded as his gaze turned to the Second Elder, his expression turning grave. "How is Uncle Verdant River's condition?" he asked.

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

"And even after he recovers," the elder added, his voice heavy, "it is probable his lifespan will be diminished."

Eldrin Chen sighed inwardly. Given his cultivation at the Vital Essence Refinement realm, Clear River Chen had repeatedly forced the activation of the Ninefold Resonance Bell to clash head-on with the Demon Ape. That he had survived at all could already be considered a remarkably fortunate outcome.

Although the power of the Ninefold Resonance Bell was immense, the most suitable person to wield it was none other than the Second Elder.

Among those present, aside from Eldrin Chen himself, the Second Elder possessed the most profound spiritual energy reserves. Only he could unleash the Ninefold Resonance Bell's full potential, enabling them to withstand the demon beast's ferocious assaults.

Eldrin Chen, meanwhile, was tasked with channeling the Crimson Iron Saber Embryo and bearing the crucial responsibility of slaying the Demon Ape. He naturally had no spare capacity to also activate the Ninefold Resonance Bell. Therefore, entrusting the bell to the Second Elder was the only viable choice.

Regardless, this battle had resulted in a resounding victory with not a single casualty—an outcome far exceeding their initial expectations.

The group rested for a night. The following day, once the Second Elder's injuries had stabilized somewhat, they fashioned a stretcher and carried him back.

Burdened with a wounded companion, their return journey to the Verdant Sun Sect took three full months. Access the full story on audio novel.com.

Their first act upon returning to the Verdant Sun Sect was to present their record of slaying the Demon Ape at the sect's Contribution Hall to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

"To think your small group alone managed to slay a Verdant-striped Ape," the hall attendant remarked, a note of awe in his voice.

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

The steward, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their spiritual foundation], examined the recording artifact, then glanced at the group with a beaming smile.

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

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

Verdant Origin Chen eagerly stepped forward, his face alight with hope. "Uncle Lin, did you manage to obtain the pill?"

"Obtain it, I did."

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

A smile of joy spread across Verdant Origin Chen's face. He took the case, opened it, and saw within a single, pale verdant Spirit Herb [a plant imbued with and radiating spiritual energy].

"The Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids a cultivator in solidifying their spiritual foundation]!"

The others crowded around, their expressions brimming with excitement. Eldrin Chen cast a glance and immediately sensed something amiss.

Having seen a Foundation Establishment Pill years prior and being an alchemist himself, he naturally detected the abnormality in this particular pill at once.

"That's not right."

"This elixir [a spiritual pill used for cultivation], it seems... off." Eldrin Chen took the jade box and inquired on the spot, "A Foundation Establishment Pill should be a pure, pale azure. Why does this one carry a trace of baleful aura [a malevolent or corrupting energy]?"

The Uncle Lin gave Eldrin Chen a surprised look, then nodded, stroking his beard. "Indeed, this Foundation Establishment Pill does have a slight flaw."

"When Uncle Liu was refining the pill, he inadvertently introduced a wisp of Earth Fire Fiend Energy [a corrupting energy from subterranean demonic flames], and this pill was tainted by a trace of it."

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

Eldrin Chen's expression changed. He couldn't help but say, "For a Violet Sanctum Patriarch [a cultivator at the Violet Sanctum realm], a wisp of Earth Fire Fiend Energy entering the body can naturally be expelled. But for a Vital Essence Refinement [Qi Refining] cultivator, the slightest mishap could mean mortal danger."

Hearing this, Uncle Lin shook his head. "I know what you're saying. But Uncle 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."

"Don't say I'm giving 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."

Uncle Lin stroked his long beard as he continued, "Of course, if you wish for a Foundation Establishment Pill ten years from now, you will need to complete the mission requirement anew."

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

Uncle Lin's gaze turned icy, his expression darkening. "Are you questioning me, old man?"

"Verdant Destiny, you must not be disrespectful before a senior!"

Third Elder quickly pulled Verdant Destiny Chen aside and hurriedly apologized to Uncle Lin. "Senior, please do not take offense. This matter is simply difficult for us to accept all at once."

"His rudeness stemmed from desperation, not intent. We humbly beg for your understanding and forgiveness." Find thousands of chapters at http://www . audio-novel.com.