Chapter 249 : Battle Demon Ape
Chapter 249: Battle Demon Ape
“Clang—clang—clang!”
As the sound of chains dragging across the ground echoed, the Mask-Wearing Demon Ape moved, stepping three paces toward Chen Beiwu.
“Thud!”
“Thud!”
“Thud!”
With each step, the ground beneath it let out a trembling wail.
These sounds carried an invisible pressure, like a death countdown, pressing heavily on Chen Beiwu's heart, making his breathing incredibly difficult, even causing the surrounding air to feel as thick as solidified lead and mercury.
“He must remain calm!”
Chen Beiwu meditated on the Tai Xuan Guarding the One, using the light of the Guarding-the-One Mirror to cleanse dust and purify thought, severing all distractions from his mind.
Seeing Chen Beiwu's reaction, the Mask-Wearing Demon Ape's cold and cruel gaze paused ever so slightly.
Why wasn’t he afraid?
This time, it hadn’t restrained its pressure.
Though the Demon-Sealing Chains limited it, and the aura it exuded was less than one percent of its peak, it was still not something a Foundation Establishment cultivator could withstand.
Even a Third-Tier Beast General would be frightened out of their wits standing before it.
As the Mask-Wearing Demon Ape drew near, Chen Beiwu saw its true appearance through the densely coiled dark-golden chains and the faceplate.
Its fur was pitch black, its eyes sunken and gleaming with madness. Jagged bone spurs protruded from its joints, and atop its head floated threads of purple radiance—neither cloud nor mist—an aura that words could not describe.
‘As I suspected.’
Initially, due to its mask and chains concealing its appearance and aura, Chen Beiwu hadn’t recognized the ape’s identity at first glance.
Fortunately, with help from a Heavy Gold Sect cultivator who used a Third-Tier Treasure Talisman in a self-sacrificial probing strike, Chen Beiwu managed to deduce what kind of existence this demon ape truly was.
One must understand: not all Third-Tier Treasure Beasts in the Immortal Alliance qualified as Earthly Sha Treasure Beasts, nor did all Fourth-Tier Mystic Beasts qualify as Heavenly-Gang Mystic Beasts.
The Celestial and Earthly Beasts Rankings had limited slots—seventy-two Earthly Sha Treasure Beasts, and thirty-six Heavenly-Gang Mystic Beasts.
Every beast on that ranking was one whose talent, power, and divine abilities far surpassed others of the same tier and bloodline.
To cultivators of the Immortal Alliance, such beasts were terrifying entities capable of overwhelming peers of the same tier.
Some that reached the top ten of the Heavenly-Gang Rankings could even receive a unique “Heavenly-Gang True Name” or “Heavenly-Gang Title.”
These beings’ bloodline status rivaled, or even surpassed, that of Fifth-Tier Origin Beasts.
It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that Heavenly-Gang Mystic Beasts ranked on the list were considered strategic-level assets by the high ranks of the Immortal Alliance—so rare that even a Nascent Soul True Monarch might not qualify to form a Companion Contract with them.
Yet the demon ape standing before Chen Beiwu was neither an Earthly Sha Treasure Beast nor a Heavenly-Gang Mystic Beast—it was something beyond the Celestial and Earthly Rankings: a Creation-Origin Beast.
What was a Creation-Origin Beast?
It was a beast favored by Heaven and Earth, bearing a trace of primal origin. Once its bloodline reached its peak, it could ascend naturally to become a Fifth-Realm Beast Sovereign.
Though ranked as Fifth-Tier, its potential and bloodline rivaled that of Sixth-Tier Dao Beasts.
If Chen Beiwu weren’t fond of reading miscellaneous texts in the Immortal Alliance, particularly those concerning various Companion Beast Rankings, he might not have recognized it even now.
【Name】: Battle Demon Ape
【Attributes】: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth (Complete Five Elements)
【Bloodline】: Fifth-Tier Supreme Grade (Creation-Origin Beast)
【Divine Powers]:
Battle Demon Body: Fifth-Tier Supreme Grade Origin Art, forged from a strand of “Battle Intent” fused with primal sources of earth, water, fire, and wind.
– Peerless in combat, impervious to all arts, capable of bearing tribulation forces, linking the opponent’s aura, and sharing all inflicted damage.
Power of the Four Aspects: Fifth-Tier Supreme Grade Origin Art. Naturally wields the authority of Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind.
– Earth: Immovable on the ground, boundless mana.
– Fire: Inflames rage, explosive power.
– Water: Unyielding life, undying, indestructible.
– Wind: Swift as tornados, moves freely.
World-Eye of Chaos: Fifth-Tier Supreme Grade Origin Art. Eyes pierce illusions, suppress tribulations, foresee the visible future—also known as Future Sight.
【Description】: The Battle Demon Ape was born of Heaven and Earth, emerging in calamity, formed from primal energy, wielding the authority of “Battle and Destruction.”
Its bloodline ranking was second only to the Four Monkeys of Chaos, placing it third on the Immortal Alliance’s Creation-Origin Beast Rankings.
A cultivator who contracts it as a Companion Beast could ascend to become a True Venerable, with hopes of advancing to a Dao Venerable.
【Note】:
The Battle Demon Ape is inherently combative. Fighting is its instinct and very reason for existence. The “battle intent” burning deep in its bloodline drives it to endlessly seek opponents who can ignite its will to fight.
Yet victory is not its goal.
Only in the life-and-death clash of evenly matched foes, in the collision of martial prowess and willpower, in affirming its battle intent, can it satisfy the deepest yearning in its heart.
When no worthy opponents are found, it will even proactively cultivate promising seeds of future enemies to fulfill its battle desire.
What is a “strong seed”?
In the eyes of the Battle Demon Ape, a true strong one must not only possess outstanding talent and deep cultivation but also unwavering will and a pure conviction in their cultivation path.
Those with strength but no battle heart are not even worth its notice.
Because of this, any being who reveals fear, retreat, or pleading before it—regardless of realm—will be mercilessly annihilated.
However, it does show a degree of tolerance toward peerless prodigies, especially those it acknowledges as mighty.
Recalling this information, Chen Beiwu’s gaze remained calm as he silently watched the Battle Demon Ape approach.
“You are not afraid of me?”
The Battle Demon Ape stood three zhang away from Chen Beiwu, its eyes scrutinizing.
Perhaps due to long isolation, its voice sounded somewhat halting.
“Why should I be afraid? You are strong—I am no match—but one day, I too will step into this realm.”
Chen Beiwu lifted his head, eyes meeting the ape’s gaze without yielding.
At those words, the Battle Demon Ape paused slightly.
It had seen too much fear and horror from cultivators. Chen Beiwu’s response stirred a hint of curiosity—just a sliver.
“You are different from other human cultivators. You see clearly the gap between us… yet you’re still too weak.”
The Battle Demon Ape’s gaze remained indifferent as it extended its right hand toward Chen Beiwu.
Chen Beiwu didn’t activate his mana, quietly watching as the Battle Demon Ape extended its finger and tapped his forehead.
As expected, the Battle Demon Ape had no interest in attacking. Instead, it was casting an ancient spell.
“Buzz—”
After confirming Chen Beiwu's potential, the Battle Demon Ape looked at him with a trace of appreciation.
The test conducted by the Legacy Stone Stele wasn’t wrong. This human cultivator was qualified to inherit True Monarch Tianyan’s legacy—he was also a worthy opponent worth waiting for.
More than six thousand years had passed. Perhaps this human before it could finally fulfill the promise and allow it to leave this secret realm.
“Once you form your Golden Core, you may challenge me.”
“If you withstand one move, you will receive a Fourth-Tier Mystic Herb.
If you withstand three moves, you will receive a Fourth-Tier Mystic Treasure.
If you withstand ten moves, you will receive a Fourth-Tier Mystic Pill.”
“If you manage to fight me to a draw, you will receive Old Tianyan’s legacy and inherit all the resources within this secret realm.”
After formally stating the rules of the legacy, the Battle Demon Ape turned around, intending to leave.
“Wait!” Chen Beiwu quickly called out to stop the Battle Demon Ape.
The Battle Demon Ape halted and turned back, looking at Chen Beiwu in silence.
“What if I defeat you?” Chen Beiwu said solemnly.
“Defeat me?” The Battle Demon Ape’s pupils contracted, a strange feeling of absurdity welling up within its heart.
“Roar… huh… huh huh huh…!”
Its laughter began deep and rumbling like thunder, but quickly rose, shaking the entire great hall.
Interesting—far too interesting!
It had been ages since it encountered such a bold challenger, someone who dared to boast of defeating it.
Even True Monarch Tianyan hadn’t achieved that.
It had remained confined within the Tianyan True Realm, not because Tianyan was stronger, but because of an old promise.
“You clearly don’t understand.” The Battle Demon Ape stopped laughing and looked at Chen Beiwu with a strange tone. “Even if I suppress my strength to the Golden Core level, my inherent bloodline status alone allows me to kill a Nascent Soul True Monarch.”
“So what?” Chen Beiwu’s expression remained unchanged.
Heaven grants, yet if one does not seize it, one is to blame for the loss.
The Battle Demon Ape was a once-in-ten-millennia Creation-Origin Beast of the Immortal Alliance.
If he could contract it, and cultivate alongside its bloodline power, his future cultivation path would be limitless.
“What is your name?”
Seeing the resolve in Chen Beiwu’s eyes, the Battle Demon Ape grew interested.
“Chen Beiwu.”
“Ambitious.” The Battle Demon Ape nodded, giving Chen Beiwu a deep glance. “If you truly can do it, I will grant you one request.”
“Any request?” Chen Beiwu’s eyes lit up.
“As long as you can defeat me.”
Just as the words fell, the Battle Demon Ape took a step forward. Before its figure was fully swallowed by spatial fissures, it tossed a token toward Chen Beiwu.
“When you are ready, crush the token to challenge me.”
Gazing at the slowly closing spatial rift, Chen Beiwu withdrew his gaze and exhaled a heavy breath.
Remaining calm in front of the Battle Demon Ape was no easy feat.
Even with the constant cleansing of thoughts by the Guarding-the-One Mirror, he had nearly succumbed to fear under its pressure.
No wonder the cultivators of the Five Great Sects met their end upon encountering the ape.
Strange… By right, this Nascent Soul True Monarch’s secret realm shouldn’t be able to imprison the Battle Demon Ape, Chen Beiwu mused inwardly.
Battle was the ape’s instinct—its very reason for existing.
Every time the Battle Demon Ape emerged, it would cause chaos across the lands.
It was no exaggeration to say: the Battle Demon Ape clan either triumphed over countless foes to ascend the peak…
…or perished on the path of battle, never confined to one place.
Yet the presence of a Battle Demon Ape in the Tianyan True Realm defied that iron law.
Could this Battle Demon Ape be one of those rare aberrant variants? Chen Beiwu’s thoughts turned rapidly.
According to ancient Immortal Alliance records, the Battle Demon Ape was never described as shackled in chains—but clad in armor, roaming to challenge the strong.
At that moment, his Spirit Beast Pouch lit up, and a streak of golden light appeared at Chen Beiwu’s side.
It was none other than the slightly worried Golden Egg.
“Gulu?” (“It’s gone?”)
Golden Egg’s gaze scanned left and right, maintaining a solemn expression.
‘Yes.’
Chen Beiwu smiled faintly, his eyes turning to the Jade-Embellished Medicine Beds.
Dripping water wears through stone—not the work of a day!
With his current cultivation realm, subduing the Battle Demon Ape and inheriting the secret realm’s resources was nothing short of wishful thinking.
It would be wiser to proceed steadily, gradually learning more about the ape’s nature before acting.
For now, the most important task was to break the Medicine Field’s Protective Formation and retrieve the precious Mystic Herbs within the Jade-Embellished Medicine Beds.
…
After the ape left, time flew by swiftly.
Chen Beiwu channeled his mana for five days and five nights before he finally saw the delayed moment mentioned by True Monarch Su Miao.
“Fix it!”
Chen Beiwu poured his mana in, activating the Star-Fixing Disk to forcibly anchor space, disrupting the formation and revealing a passable spatial corridor.
At the instant it appeared, Chen Beiwu’s figure flashed—activating Wave-Stepping Through the Tide, he stepped directly into the Jade-Embellished Medicine Beds.
In the next moment, the breach in the formation fluctuated slightly and returned to normal.
I’m in at last.
Chen Beiwu breathed a sigh of relief and activated the Gate of Ten Directions, placing a spatial anchor.
“Gulu.”
Golden Egg swallowed hard, eyes falling upon the blood-red-skinned Blood-Dragon Ginseng.
‘Don’t rush. The Blood-Dragon Ginseng is better refined into pills first.’
Chen Beiwu patted Golden Egg’s head, then retrieved six Spirit-Sealing Boxes from his storage ring.
Carefully, he plucked the Blood-Dragon Ginseng, Moon-Soul Ganoderma, Golden-Thunder Bamboo, Soul-Devouring Flower, Bodhi Vine, and Soul-Nourishing Lotus, placing them one by one into the Spirit-Sealing Boxes.
He left only the final herb untouched—its leaves jade-like, surrounded by a halo of spiritual radiance: the Myriad-Phase Mysterious Grass.
“Gulu?”
Golden Egg tilted his head, eyes puzzled.
‘The Myriad-Phase Mysterious Grass disperses upon touch and vanishes upon harvest. It cannot be stored—it must be refined with mana on the spot,’ Chen Beiwu explained.
The Heavenly-Gang Dharma Aspect was the defining mark of a Nascent Soul True Monarch.
He hadn’t even formed his Golden Core yet—let alone comprehend the Heavenly-Gang Dharma Aspect. To directly refine the Myriad-Phase Mysterious Grass now would be a waste. He had no choice but to leave it for later.
‘Alright, let’s return.’
Since he couldn’t be certain whether the Battle Demon Ape was observing him, Chen Beiwu didn’t use the Gate of Ten Directions to return to the Immortal Alliance directly. Instead, he spent two days heading toward the secret realm’s exit: a multicolored vortex.
…
Immortal Alliance.
At the majestic foot of the awe-inspiring Yuqing Mountain, two new figures appeared.
“No wonder it’s called the number one blessed land of the Immortal Alliance!” Xu Ziqing couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
Compared to the Nine Refinement Sect she attended, the Yuqing Immortal Sect clearly possessed far deeper heritage.
“Entry forbidden. Trespassers will die!”
Seeing the inscription on the jade stele at the base of the mountain, Xu Lingling’s eyelids twitched. She glanced at her close friend, and the two girls exchanged looks.
“What are you two doing here?” A deep voice suddenly rang out.
Looking down, the two girls saw a petite old turtle had appeared on the ground.
“Greetings, Senior. We’ve come to visit a friend,” Xu Ziqing bowed slightly and explained their purpose.
The old turtle scrutinized them and calmly replied, “Leave. Outsiders are not allowed to enter the Yuqing Mountains. This is an iron law.”
Upon hearing this, Xu Lingling couldn’t hide the look of disappointment in her eyes.
She knew that with Chen Beiwu’s talent and potential, he was bound to attract many female cultivators after entering the Yuqing Immortal Sect.
Thus, this trip wasn’t purely about exchanging the Earthly Sha Treasure Egg—she was also here to gather intel on her competition, so she wouldn’t be caught off guard.
“If we can’t go in, let’s send a message to Beiwu and ask him to come out,” Xu Ziqing said gently.
Upon hearing the name “Beiwu” from her lips, the old turtle—who had previously paid them little attention—suddenly froze and lifted his head.