Chapter 43

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Chapter 43: The Wind

There were five disciples from the Tianlong Sect: one at the second level of the Qi Refining Stage, three at the third level, and the strongest at the fourth level of the Qi Refining Stage.

Facing them was the Black-aura Giant Ape, a first-grade, third-level spirit beast with strength equivalent to a fifth-level Qi Refining cultivator. Despite the disciples’ efforts, four of them were already seriously injured after a fierce battle. Only the young man at the fourth level was barely holding on.

The Black-aura Giant Ape, intelligent and strategic, avoided direct confrontation. Whenever the disciples tried to flee, it blocked their escape. To the ape, the cultivators were no different from spirit herbs—consumable sources of power.

The battle intensified. The ape seized an opening, sending the strongest disciple crashing to the ground with a brutal strike. Before the others could save him, the beast grabbed and swallowed him whole, blood dripping from its mouth.

Panic set in. The remaining disciples turned to flee, but the ape moved swiftly. Its massive arm swept two disciples to the ground in a single blow. Grabbing one in each hand, it slammed them down, reducing them to nothing more than broken flesh.

Horrified, the last two disciples froze. The one at the second level of Qi Refining lost control of his bladder, while the third-level disciple collapsed, paralyzed with fear.

The Black-aura Giant Ape stepped closer, raising its massive hand to finish the second-level disciple. Suddenly, a flash of sword light tore through the air. A black sword streaked toward the ape’s back.

The blade struck, but it failed to pierce the creature’s thick hide. Instead, the force rebounded, throwing Yi Qianmo—who had launched the attack—backward.

The ape roared furiously, its glowing red eyes locking onto Yi Qianmo. It leaped toward him with astonishing speed.

Yi Qianmo stood firm, gripping his sword tightly. When the beast struck, the sheer impact made his hands tremble, scattering the spiritual energy he had poured into his blade.

“Damn it!” he muttered under his breath, realizing he had underestimated the monster. Yet retreat wasn’t an option; running now would mean certain death.

As the beast’s massive hand descended toward him, Yi Qianmo focused. Silently, he chanted, “The sword hides in the eight shapes; the wind is in the Xun position.”

With a deafening crash, the ape’s blow landed, shattering the ground where Yi Qianmo had stood—but he was no longer there.

In the distance, Zhou Lanting, ready to intervene, froze in shock.

“How is that possible?” she murmured.

She had witnessed Yi Qianmo, with only second-level Qi Refining strength, escape what should have been a fatal attack. His speed had suddenly multiplied, his movements accompanied by the faint sound of rushing wind.

Before she could process what had happened, Yi Qianmo reappeared—this time behind the Black-aura Giant Ape. Leaping into the air, he struck with his sword.

The blade pierced the ape’s flesh, drawing blood. Roaring in pain, the beast swung at him, but Yi Qianmo was already gone, leaving only afterimages in his wake.

“Puff!”

Another strike landed. This time, Yi Qianmo’s blade drove deep into the ape’s chest. Furious but helpless, the creature thrashed wildly, unable to land a single blow on its elusive opponent.

Over the next several rounds, Yi Qianmo delivered strike after strike, targeting the ape’s vital points. Blood poured from its wounds, and its movements grew sluggish.

Finally, with one last piercing blow to the heart, the Black-aura Giant Ape collapsed, shaking the ground as it fell.

Zhou Lanting stood stunned. “Is it… a movement technique?” she whispered, rubbing her eyes.

The sight before her seemed impossible: a second-level Qi Refining cultivator defeating a first-grade, third-level spirit beast.

Even the lone surviving disciple of the Tianlong Sect appeared dumbfounded. Compared to Yi Qianmo, he felt utterly insignificant.

Yi Qianmo, breathing heavily, approached the fallen beast. He took out a jade bottle and began collecting the precious blood from its heart.

Spirit beast blood, especially from the heart, was a treasure to cultivators. After filling the bottle, Yi Qianmo stepped back, satisfied. The beast’s massive corpse quickly withered, drained of its vitality.

The young monk in Tianlong Sect robes finally mustered the courage to speak.

“Thank you, senior brother, for saving me. May I ask which immortal sect you belong to? I have never seen you before.”

Yi Qianmo glanced at the monk. His delicate features and pure eyes exuded an air of innocence, creating an unusual sense of trustworthiness.

“I saved you without asking who you are,” Yi Qianmo replied impatiently. “Why ask about me now?”

Flustered, the monk stammered, “N-no… I’m Yu Xiu, a disciple of the Tianlong Sect. I just wanted to thank you properly…”

“There’s no need,” Yi Qianmo interrupted. “But I’ll ask you one question. Where did this Black-aura Giant Ape come from?”

Yu Xiu shook his head. “I don’t know. We were exploring the area when it suddenly appeared. We thought we could handle it, but…”

His voice trailed off as his gaze fell upon the bodies of his fallen comrades. Tears welled up in his eyes, his grief palpable.

Yi Qianmo observed the monk for a moment before turning away. “Take care of yourself.”

Before Yu Xiu could respond, Yi Qianmo disappeared into the distance, leaving only the faint sound of wind in his wake.