Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 105 - 97: White Ape Howls at the Heavens

After a long while, suddenly, the strange fragrance in the air surged instantly, making everyone feel their hearts and lungs soothed by the scent.

The ape sitting on the large stone jumped up out of nowhere, emitting strange cries all around, seemingly to intimidate something, and then turned to dart toward the cave.

Right at that moment, a figure dashed out beside it, spear in hand, stabbing at the ape in rapid succession.

Qi Force exploded on impact.

Hong Yuan’s spear was like a mighty dragon spraying water, thrusting at the ape’s back.

But barely half the spear’s tip made it in before it was abruptly jammed tight.

"This White Ape is something else!"

Lu Chang’sheng marveled inwardly.

Hong Yuan’s strength put him at the very top among True Qi Realm Martial Artists. In this attack, he landed a direct hit on the White Ape, yet couldn’t pierce its body.

"At True Qi Realm one refines the body, can withstand blows far beyond most people, and the Exotic Beast’s body is innately tough. After mutating, it’s like wearing armor built into its flesh."

If you want to kill the White Ape, you have to wear it down slowly.

The White Ape, hurt and enraged, spun around and charged straight for Hong Yuan—fast and ferocious, though a bit lacking in agility.

Hong Yuan fought while retreating. It was, after all, just a beast—fierceness took over, and it couldn’t think that far ahead.

Soon, they gradually left the valley behind.

Behind them, Elder Kong Yuzhen, Cai Daoren, and the others stepped up to deal with matters.

"Now it’s on us."

The group originally planned to go in batches, but glancing out, they instantly frowned.

The troop of monkeys, once scattered around, had bunched up as if receiving some command, completely surrounding the cave.

"No doubt, that’s the White Ape’s handiwork."

Ancient Mountain said.

"As an Exotic Beast, the White Ape has gained some intelligence. It knows the Vermilion Fruit is almost ripe, so it’s made the monkeys guard the cave until it comes back."

After a quick discussion, the group could only change plans—they’d have to break in by force.

If not, once the White Ape returned from the valley, this whole endeavor would be for nothing. Worse, if it got suspicious, it might even eat the Vermilion Fruit ahead of schedule.

"Stick close to me and don’t wander off!"

As they prepared to set out, Xu Zhuqing threw out a low warning.

She was worried Lu Chang’sheng would stray too far; if something happened, she wouldn’t be able to answer to her own master.

Her master might talk soft, but inside, was full of concern for Dean Hong Yuan.

Like last time when Dean Hong Yuan sent a letter, her master even dressed up especially bright and formal.

Lu Chang’sheng was taken aback, surprised that Xu Zhuqing would look out for him, and nodded, "Then thanks, Miss Xu Zhuqing."

In these wild mountains, with so many monkeys around, no one could guarantee getting in and out unscathed. Having a True Qi Realm watching your back certainly helped.

The group wove through the valley, drawing the monkeys’ attention almost instantly.

The valley was empty save a few trees and rocks—no way to conceal themselves.

"Looks like this really does have to do with that White Ape."

Even when the humans came charging in with force, the monkeys never left their posts; they just kept baring their teeth and snarling, trying to scare them off.

"Kill!"

Just as the sides were about to clash, a blade-like whoosh sliced through the air, nailing the strongest monkey right in the body.

The arrow punched clean through its chest, nearly penetrating all the way.

"Hiss~"

Yu Hai, with that big pig-head helmet, sucked in a breath, glancing back—only to see Lu Chang’sheng standing on a nearby boulder, bow drawn, arrow nocked. The Five-Stone Bow in his hands felt like nothing, and with a gentle pull, the bow was fully drawn.

"Whoosh!"

"Whoosh!"

······

"Ruh... rah dee, lee pyo oh (Junior Brother Lu, you tricked me!)!" Yu Hai’s eyes were red.

He knew Lu Chang’sheng carried a Five-Stone Bow, but thought it’d just be for emergencies. Even among the Martial Artists who’d mastered Divine Power Stake, pulling the bow at full strength was possible, but never as effortless as Lu Chang’sheng made it look.

That left only one explanation.

True Qi Realm!

Lu Chang’sheng nodded from atop the boulder. At moments like this, it was best to go all out—hiding his skills would be pointless. The faster they finished off the monkeys, the sooner they’d get the Vermilion Fruit.

The others were shocked, but not unable to accept it. Only Xu Zhuqing, who knew Lu Chang’sheng best, was truly stunned.

After all, the last Nine-Year Assessment was less than a year ago.

"Is it because of Dean Hong Yuan?" Xu Zhuqing bit her lip, her spear technique growing even more savage—skewering, smashing, sweeping away every monkey that lunged at her.

True Qi Realm versus ordinary monkeys—like grown-ups bullying kids.

Ten-some minutes later, half the monkeys lay dead. Finally, the rest smelled the blood and lost their fury, scattering in all directions.

With no White Ape around, those monkeys held out longer than anyone expected.

Originally, a troop of monkeys was no match for a few True Qi Realms. Now, with Lu Chang’sheng showing his full power, there was nearly no danger left.

Several of them couldn’t help but crack a smile.

Just as everyone relaxed, out of nowhere, a figure shot out of the cave, lunging at Xu Zhuqing.

"Buzz!"

A sharp air-blast rang out—Lu Chang’sheng, still wary, hurled his spear, smashing into the shadow and knocking it away.

Xu Zhuqing’s face changed; she quickly dashed over, spear raised, and after a few moments, everyone realized the assailant was a slightly smaller White Ape.

The attack failed; it spun, trying to flee back into the cave, but the group snapped out of their trance and surrounded it.

Moments later, with only True Qi Realm level strength, the ape was run through by Xu Zhuqing’s spear—finally dead.

······

Dusk.

A White Ape stood on the mountain peak, howling at the sky—waves of sound rolling out, thick with anger and menace.

Even the clouds overhead seemed affected, drifting outward in all directions.

"What a terrifying White Ape—these Exotic Beasts really are something special."

From the next ridge, watching the ape tilt back and howl, Lu Chang’sheng couldn’t help but sigh.

"Even the Innates probably aren’t much stronger, huh?"

"Wouldn’t be so sure," Kong Fei replied, a little mystically.

Everyone looked her way. She shook her head.

She and her teacher were Nobles from Jinghua Prefecture, so she knew the rumors: "Innates refine internal breath, their bodies far beyond the True Qi Realm. They store Qi in chest and belly; once released, they can shake mountains and skies."

The whole group showed longing at the thought.

When talk turned to cultivation, they couldn’t help but look at Lu Chang’sheng, asking, "Lu, did you have skills before you became a disciple?"

Word was, Hong Yuan had only just taken Lu Chang’sheng on. If he hadn’t brought some talent in, no way he’d get to True Qi Realm so fast.

Xu Zhuqing was all ears—she knew a lot about Lu Chang’sheng, but wasn’t about to trust those facts anymore.

Average Root Bone?

How could he have reached True Qi Realm so quickly?

"Yeah, I started with some skills already."

Lu Chang’sheng didn’t say more.

Xu Zhuqing’s eyes brightened a bit, mood seeming to lift.

Little did she know, Lu Chang’sheng thought this story was just too shocking, so he chose to hide his true ability for now. Wait ten years or so, then he’d tell them the real story; by that time, it wouldn’t be so surprising.

Night fell; finally, Hong Yuan and the others returned.

To avoid the White Ape hunting them, they took a long detour, kept their Qi suppressed, and made it back.

This wasn’t the old mountainside camp—they’d set up a new one on another peak.

The White Ape’s troop had been dealt a massive blow. Even the younger White Ape was dead, so surely it would try every way to take revenge.

Elder Gu and the others saw it coming and had built a new shelter on another mountaintop.

Soon, Lu Chang’sheng got the Vermilion Fruit.

This time they got eight fruits—each of the five got one; Ancient Mountain didn’t take any.

"This stuff’s no good for me. Eating it would just be a waste," Ancient Mountain said.

He was nearly past middle age, almost the same age as Hong Yuan—not much blood and Qi left, so his martial future was bleak.

The rest of the Vermilion Fruit, the seniors took away. Who’d end up with it would depend on their skill and luck.

"Vermilion Fruit can speed up Qi transformation, help you enter True Qi Realm faster, and even raise your chance of reaching Innate in the future."

As Lu Chang’sheng headed back to his room, Hong Yuan followed after him.