The moment the demon ape turned to flee, everyone's pupils tightened. Instinctively, they wanted to give chase.
But the few remaining first-rank high-grade apes rushed forward, throwing themselves in the way to stop them.
"Protect Second Elder! Leave that beast to me!"
In the urgent chaos, Chen Nianzhi threw out a single sentence and darted off in pursuit.
A second-rank ape couldn't fly. Even though this Foundation Establishment ape was unbelievably fast, it was seriously wounded—its speed was visibly dropping.
Chen Nianzhi chased it for the time of a quarter hour. Along the way, he repeatedly activated his Azure Leaf Sword, Golden Light Blade, and several other flying artifacts, harassing the ape from behind. None of these attacks were fatal, but each one forced the ape to shed more blood, its movements growing sluggish.
After nearly a hundred li, the demon ape could no longer endure. With a furious roar, it turned to fight head-on.
But Chen Nianzhi had no intention of clashing directly.
He understood perfectly: the ape was nothing more than a cornered beast.
Its spiritual power was spent, its demon core exhausted, and its mighty flesh had already lost one arm. The longer he dragged this out, the more impatient—and careless—the ape would become. And the more careless it became, the greater his chances of striking a killing blow.
So he simply backed away while firing off spell after spell.The Golden Light Blade slashed.The Azure Leaf Sword pierced.
The demon ape chased but couldn't catch him; all it could do was eat hit after hit.
They fought like this for another half-stick of incense.
Seeing that it couldn't get close, the demon ape grew frantic. At last, it spat out its demon core again, blasting it toward Chen Nianzhi.
"Perfect."
A sharp chill flashed through Chen Nianzhi's eyes. He had been waiting for this exact move.
The instant the demon core appeared, he hurled out the Red-Iron Blade Embryo. It transformed into a streak of blazing crimson, slicing straight across the sky—
And hammered directly into the demon core.
The core had already lost more than sixty percent of its power from clashing with the Fiery Sun Formation earlier. Now, struck by the blade embryo, its light completely collapsed. It clattered to the ground, drained of all strength.
With its demon core crippled, the ape lost its last long-range method of attack.
Now it could only be beaten one-sidedly.
Dozens more exchanges passed.The demon ape's vision blurred.Its steps faltered.
It had lost too much blood—its consciousness flickered on and off.
Chen Nianzhi knew the moment had come.
He seized the opening and sent the Red-Iron Blade Embryo flying with full force.
The demon ape's expression twisted in terror. It tried to dodge—
But suddenly its leg numbed.Its movement froze for a fraction of a moment—
And that was enough.
The crimson blade light swept through, clean and merciless—
And the ape's head flew into the air.
Hoo…
Chen Nianzhi exhaled deeply.The beast was dead.
He circulated his qi and recalled the Golden Heart-Piercing Needle embedded in the ape's leg—the hidden attack that had created the decisive opening.
Without lingering any further, he stored the ape's corpse, demon core, and all other useful remains into his storage bag, then headed back toward the valley.
Halfway there, he ran into the group rushing to meet him. Seeing their expectant gazes, he smiled faintly and nodded.
"I did not disappoint."
"Good! Very good!"The Third Elder broke into hearty laughter, and the others all sighed in relief.
Chen Nianzhi's smile faded as he turned to the Second Elder lying on a stretcher nearby.
"How is Uncle Qinghe's condition?"
"Barely saved his life," the Third Elder sighed. "But the organs were damaged. His internal injuries are extremely severe. He'll need over ten years of rest."
"And even if he recovers… his lifespan will be affected."
Chen Nianzhi fell silent.
Given that Chen Qinghe only had a Qi-Refining cultivation base, yet had forced himself to activate the Nine-Eyed Bell repeatedly and face a Foundation Establishment demon ape head-on… simply surviving was already a miracle.
The Nine-Eyed Bell was fiercely powerful, but it required monstrous true qi reserves to unleash its full might. Aside from Chen Nianzhi, only the Second Elder possessed enough depth of cultivation to use it—and Chen Nianzhi needed both hands free for the Red-Iron Blade Embryo. There had been no other choice.
Even so, they had achieved a complete victory with zero casualties—far better than anyone had expected.
They rested through the night. When the Second Elder's condition stabilized slightly the next morning, they fashioned a stretcher and began the return journey.
Carrying an injured man slowed them greatly. By the time they returned to Qingyang Sect, three months had already passed.
Their group went straight to the Contribution Hall, recording jade in hand, to exchange their achievement for a Foundation Establishment Pill.
"With just your small group, you managed to kill a blue-striped demon ape? Truly impressive."The Foundation Establishment cultivator in charge of the hall examined the recording artifact, then smiled warmly."You all wait here. I'll fetch the pill from Uncle Wei."
He stepped into the back hall.
Half an hour later, he returned.
Chen Qingyuan rushed forward, excitement lighting up his face. "Uncle Lin, did you get the pill?"
"It's been retrieved," Uncle Lin replied with a nod—though his eyes held a faint trace of pity. He handed over a jade box.
Chen Qingyuan opened it eagerly.
Inside lay a single pale-cyan pill.
"The Foundation Establishment Pill!"
Everyone crowded closer, expressions full of joy—
But Chen Nianzhi frowned slightly.
He had seen Foundation Establishment Pills before. And as a cultivator of the alchemy path, he could immediately tell something was wrong.
"No."He took the jade box and spoke directly."This pill is supposed to be pure pale-cyan. Why does this one carry a trace of baleful fire qi?"
Uncle Lin looked surprised, then nodded slowly.
"You have sharp eyes. This pill indeed has a flaw."
"When Uncle Liu refined it, a strand of earth-fire baleful qi accidentally seeped in. This pill was tainted."
"But it's only a trace. Uncle Wei said it shouldn't affect much."
Chen Nianzhi's expression darkened.
"For a Nascent Soul Patriarch, a trace of earth-fire baleful qi is nothing—they can purge it with a flick of the sleeve. But for a Qi-Refining cultivator… one wrong move could cost them their life."
Uncle Lin sighed."I know that. But Uncle Wei told me the sect's Foundation Establishment Pills are extremely scarce this year. This is the very last one. If you want to blame something, blame your late return."
"And don't say I didn't give you a choice. If you don't want this pill, you may decline it."
"You may return… ten years later."
"Of course, when that time comes, you'll have to complete another mission from scratch if you want to qualify."
"That's not fair!"Chen Qingyuan exploded instantly."Why should we get a defective pill? And why must we redo the mission ten years later?!"
Uncle Lin's gaze turned cold."You dare raise your voice at me?"
"Qingyuan! Mind your manners!"
The Third Elder grabbed him and bowed deeply."Senior, please forgive him. The matter came too suddenly. It is difficult for us to accept."
"He acted out of urgency and meant no disrespect. Please show mercy."