A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 172 - 143: Dare to Kill the Demon Beast

Ninghai Zen was already waiting at Hunting Tiger Manor, the celestial cyan robe standing out among the rough cloth garments around.

Sitting in the tea house, he glanced at Bai Qi, who was carrying a bow and arrows, nodded, and said:

"Not bad, you finally understand the purpose of coming here, without the leisure tourist mindset of strolling through the countryside."

"Master, you jest. Five hundred miles of mountain paths, who knows how many mystical creatures and monsters dwell, not to mention the natural miasma, which can't be easily traversed."

Bai Qi flipped off his horse, helping Ah Di stabilize himself on the stirrup with a jump, landing firmly, then instructed:

"I've spoken with Song Qiying, the head of Hunting Tiger Manor also belongs to the Song Family. You should stay in the courtyard there and avoid roaming at night. Once your brother is done, I'll take you into the mountains to look for that bird."

Bai Ming nodded vigorously, indicating he would not cause trouble.

"Is your brother a Spirit Child?"

Ninghai Zen glanced more carefully, as if noticing something unusual.

"Master's Dharma Eye is like a torch!"

Bai Qi complimented first, then truthfully recounted the incident where Bai Ming had been affected by incense ash used in the Mountain Spirit rituals, causing his soul to leave his body, roaming Longkang Mountain at night.

There's an old saying that goes, "I've eaten more salt than you've walked roads."

But for Ninghai Zen, indeed it was true.

A master of Yihai Prefecture, subduing the Seventeenth Lineage, his knowledge was unparalleled, needless to say.

"This means Lao Dao passing him the Vocabulary Fragment is beneficial, as wisdom can lead to harm, too much passion leads to short-lived fortunes. Anything overly prominent tends to damage oneself; this is the ultimate principle of the Celestial Dao's incompleteness.

Your brother's mind is clever and agile, so his physical constitution is weak. Born in a yin month and year, with an aura of spirituality between his brows, his soul is light, making him highly sensitive to external changes and able to spontaneously exit his body.

The Third Skin Refining Barrier has a theory called 'Unity of Spirit and Body', which means harmonizing internal organs to nurture form and intent, consolidating qi and blood with spirit."

Ninghai Zen briefly asked about Bai Ming's birth time and astrology, immediately understanding the root issue:

"The Vocabulary Fragment nurtures life nature, the Yang Fire is strong and the soul is firmly grounded. Just like how you train daily, eat well, and are naturally refreshed and lively."

Bai Qi breathed a sigh of relief, thinking in the end, Ah Di wasn't any freak but still fell within the range of "normal people."

"Once you settle down, come find me at the tea house."

Ninghai Zen spoke plainly; in his life, he had defeated countless prodigies and talents from both martial and spiritual realms.

Unless possessing unparalleled potential, few could stir the ripples in his Heart Lake.

"Speaking of which, Ah Qi is increasingly resembling pure gold and jade. Whether practicing martial arts, fishing, or forging... none affect him, he hasn't shown exhaustion or difficulty in sustaining anything. Clearly, my vision was extraordinary!"

Ninghai Zen's thoughts flickered briefly, a hint of pride in his eyes.

With Ah Qi being so formidable, how could Qiu Changtian compete with me?

Truly, I'm looking forward to seeing him unable to compare, furiously cursing in frustration!

...

...

Putting the Wind Chasing Horse into the stable, Bai Qi took Ah Di to the secluded courtyard, exchanged a few pleasantries with the local Manor Master before returning to the tea house.

Ninghai Zen was still sitting there.

The curious thing was.

Like anyone unfamiliar like Bai Qi, he was bound to be assessed by the sturdy and strong hunters, mountain folk, as easy prey.

Yet despite the many people surrounding them, none even glanced at the celestial cyan garment?

As if it didn't exist.

"Master, what realm exactly are you? The Fourth Trial has numerous barriers... Great Success? Complete Perfection?"

Bai Qi contemplated, then sat down, drinking a bowl of slightly bitter hot tea.

Ninghai Zen remained unmoving, resting his elbow on the table, supporting his head, as his gaze naturally focused on the vast Longkang Mountain covering five hundred miles.

"There are two hours until sunset. Enter from the west, head upward; two Black-armed Apes, likely three to four hundred years old, kill them and remember to collect their heart's blood."

Bai Qi paused momentarily, then sighed deeply as expected, Master's task was unfeeling.

The notion of relying on a mentor to sail through was indeed overly ambitious.

"Mediocre talents might achieve mastery of Tendon Barriers in three to five years, Bone Barriers in seven to eight years. Average talents might require one to two years, four to five years; high talent, the so-called geniuses, could break Tendon Barriers within half a year and reach full mastery, which is rare."

Your aptitude in martial arts is exceptionally high, your progress remarkable, hence my intention is to have you pause, accumulate, and refine yourself at this stage."

Ninghai Zen casually remarked:

"Strategy emphasizes courage, strength, and skill, it rings true; but 'courage' comes in many forms. Pulling a knife impulsively to kill, anyone can do that, but being calm in peril, strategizing a way out—that's true bravery and wisdom; knowing when to advance or retreat against many foes, winning against odds—that's true courage and insight."

Bai Qi quickly adopted a steadfast expression, indicating he was indeed the courageous and wise, insightful protégé of Tongwen Hall.

Yet internally, he lamented:

"Master, are you afraid of getting lost in the mountains or think it's too mundane to fight weaklings, so you're just sending me alone to kill the mystical creatures?"

...

...

Longkang Mountain, west side.

Towering trees, lush green branches like an open umbrella, layers upon layers blocking the sunlight, making the ancient forest gloomy and dark.

A tall ape leapt swiftly through the trees, swinging several times before landing heavily on the ground, its feet sinking an inch into the moist earth.

With a flat nose, sunken eyes, protruding brow bones, wide mouth, and large nostrils, it had a remarkably ugly and fierce appearance, its fur gray and white, except for two immensely powerful thick arms, black as ink.

This was a Black-armed Ape, a mystical creature of Longkang Mountain.

It stood upright, its front limbs longer than the hind, hanging well past its knees, its eyes revealing human-like emotions:

"Where's the food?"

The slightly shorter Black-armed Ape, seemingly obedient, brought forward several living humans, swinging them like broken cloth sacks, smashing them against a nearby tree, rustling fallen leaves.

Looking at the man dressed like a hunter, his bones snapped, blood gushing from his chest and mouth, appearing nearly lifeless.

The towering Black-armed Ape seemed displeased, making sounds implying:

"I prefer live ones."

The slightly shorter black-armed ape looked aggrieved, still holding the body of the hunter who had been smashed to death with both hands.

Creak, creak, creak, the sound of chewing on brittle bones echoed through the forest, with splashes of viscous blood spilling out, drenching the dense hair on its thick chest.

"Monster!"

"Help!"

"Spare me..."

The remaining hunters who were still alive witnessed this horrifying scene and were utterly terrified, incoherently screaming.

The greatest risk of hunting in the mountains came from this.

One might encounter man-eating monsters!

Generally speaking.

Mountain spirits and wild monsters do not consider humans as food; some of them do good deeds, raise a good name, rely on tributes, and absorb incense ash; some have gained spirituality, learning to gather herbs and cook, using yellow essence, mountain spring water, and ginseng dew as sustenance.

If a spirit beast starts trying to slaughter intelligent beings and feast on fresh blood and flesh, it is not far from falling into the turbid tide, letting evil into its body.

Crack!

The slightly shorter black-armed ape seemed annoyed by the noise, stamping its foot forcefully, bringing the heart-wrenching screams to an abrupt halt, like a ripe fruit being crushed, spraying a circle of bright red juice.

Thud!

The over ten-foot-tall black-armed ape raised its large hand and slapped the back of its underling's head, seemingly displeased:

"I like them alive!"

It crouched down, licking its lips as if unsatisfied, tightly locking onto a hunter crawling madly with broken legs.

With two fingers as thick as large carrots, it pinched and picked him up. Perhaps not controlling its strength well, his two leg bones were crushed like fragile twigs, provoking an even more heartrending scream of agony.

The ugly, malicious face of the black-armed ape showed a hint of pleasure, the meaning in its eyes unmistakable:

"Just like this! I like them alive!"

It opened its wide mouth, ready to swallow the prey alive.

Whoosh!

A feathered arrow imbued with cold, murderous intent shot forth!

Piercing through the dense canopy of green leaves like a thick cloud, it embedded itself in the shoulder of the black-armed ape, knocking it back two steps with its force.

Roar!

The over ten-foot-tall black-armed ape, enraged, tossed aside the "delicious snack" it was about to enjoy and pulled out the feathered arrow.

Snap!

The wooden shaft broke with a crack, the icy arrowhead failing to completely tear the flesh, resulting in a non-fatal penetrating wound.

"What a strong physique! Truly a spirit beast!"

An astonished voice echoed through the forest, followed by two more feathered arrows, one after another.

This time aiming for the black-armed ape's eyes.

But the deadly shot was ineffective, this black-armed ape was a male beast, with a developed sagittal crest on its head and a thick cranial pad as tall as a tower. The two arrows only penetrated a quarter of the way into its brow bone before being lodged firmly in its robust muscle.

"No wonder swordsmen who dare to hunt fortunes in the mountains need first and foremost to forge a good weapon. Confronting such a beast in hand-to-hand combat is sheer folly."

The black-armed ape, hit by three arrows, was in intense pain, covering its whole face with its palm, propelling itself forward like a bowstring released, charging straight at the figure hidden on the tree trunk.

This leap spanned fifty paces, almost rivaling the robustness of a martial artist at the completion of the second stage of bone training, one arm swung like a black iron club.

Bang!

The air was pulled tight, emitting a piercing explosion!

"It resembles the Tongbei Strength from the Great Sage Splitting and Hanging Fist..."

Bai Qi, with a light step, floated gracefully, narrowly avoiding the enraged strike of the black-armed ape!

The great tree shook violently, the sturdy bark seemed to burst open like an explosion, tearing off a large piece.

Splinters flew everywhere!

In mid-air, Bai Qi twisted his waist and muscles like a python, managing to draw the bow and shoot another arrow!

Whoosh!

Another arrow embedded itself in the back, still not penetrating deeply.

The black-armed ape's eyes were fierce, never having encountered such a slippery "hunter", elusive like a mudfish, always out of reach.

Once again, its legs bent, then shot out, grabbing a thick branch with its five fingers, swinging several yards away with a swift motion.

Then, its two arms spread wide in mid-air, resembling huge boards closing in, blocking the opponent's maneuvering space.

"A bit of wit, but not much."

With his foot stepping on the Horse Stance of Arhat Hand, Bai Qi pushed off the tree trunk forcefully, advancing instead of retreating, crashing straight towards the black-armed ape.

The Golden Python Bow slanted across his shoulder, his spine rising like a great dragon, unleashing a formidable burst of Qi and blood power within.

He spoke coldly, saying to the black-armed ape for the first time:

"Who told you archers can't fight in close quarters?"

Channeling his power through his five fingers, like iron and stone forged, his fist converging like a heavy hammer!

Boom!

The over ten-foot-tall black-armed ape hadn't even reacted when, like a cannonball landing, it struck with a loud crash.

Its massive body, weighing several thousand pounds, shook the ground violently, decayed leaves and soft mud rising like a waterfall.

"Roar..."

It was in intense pain, unable to comprehend how such a thin human figure could unleash such terrifying strength?

"Shut up!"

A thick-leather boot stomped on the black-armed ape's face, pinning it firmly into the ground!