Chapter 123: Something’s Wrong

The Black Heaven Spirit Ape launched another fierce attack.

This spirit ape was not only powerful in offense but also formidable in strength. After just a few exchanges, Ji Jiuxuan realized she hadn’t managed to wound it.

Although it was a fourth-tier spirit beast with intelligence beyond ordinary creatures, it fiercely protected its territory. Ji guessed that the ape saw her as an intruder.

Her spiritual energy surged as the sword techniques in her hands grew sharper and more ruthless.

There was no question of lowering her sword—it was her path. To protect what she cherished, she had to be strong enough.

Her lifelong goal had always been to grow stronger. How could she possibly stand by and take blows?

Ji’s swordsmanship was always swift. She hadn’t practiced much before with the gravity ring, so now, under its weight, her movements were a bit sluggish. The speed advantage of her sword was diminished, but luckily, her adaptability was good. Though it was harder, she remained unscathed.

“Lowering the sword is impossible. I’ll train properly once I get that ring from my senior uncle.” She thought to herself. “If I have to endure some hits to strengthen my body, the ring is still easier to handle.”

“Either way is fine, as long as the host is happy,” the system said with approval. No matter what, body strengthening was beneficial.

Sword cultivators weren’t body cultivators, but if the physique was strong enough, it would be a huge advantage in battle.

The Black Heaven Spirit Ape, infuriated by Ji’s provocation, launched a relentless assault.

Wrapped in spiritual energy, each punch landed solidly, filled with murderous intent.

Sweat trickled down Ji’s forehead. She was struggling immensely.

Even with a steady flow of spiritual energy, the gravity’s weight slowed her speed, and the opponent’s raw power made the fight exhausting.

Hidden in the shadows, Nie Xingyuan watched the battle with surprise.

He hadn’t expected the little girl to hold out so long under such pressure. Judging by the situation, she was holding her own.

He had been ready to intervene but now chose to observe.

“Host, why not give up? Taking a few hits is good for body strengthening. Why not enjoy it?” the system suggested.

Ji almost felt like giving in, but the system’s words sparked her fighting spirit anew.

Without responding, she fully adapted to the ring’s weight. Her finishing moves came first—each strike of the Extreme Fire Sword Technique was deadly.

With a sharp “smack,” Ji was sent flying a great distance once more. The wounded ape, furious, made no pause and charged directly at her position.

Rising to resist, in this back-and-forth—one punch from it, one slash from her—Ji finally broke through the spirit ape’s defense and killed it with a lethal thrust.

Until its death, the ape never suspected that Ji’s many true attacks were just a ruse, culminating in a fatal fake move.

Nie Xingyuan and Meng Jiao hurried to the scene.

Seeing them arrive, Ji finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The dead Black Heaven Spirit Ape lay battered beyond recognition, and though Ji wasn’t much better off, she bore no wounds thanks to her Hua Ling Body Refining Technique. The ape’s blows were all converted into strengthening her body.

Though she looked disheveled, there wasn’t a single injury on her.

Meng Jiao approached anxiously, checking her over. “Junior sister, are you hurt anywhere?”

Finding no wounds, Meng Jiao still inspected again, unwilling to be convinced.

“Senior sister, don’t worry. I’m fine, just a bit tired.”

Nie Xingyuan looked her over and, seeing she was truly uninjured, said, “Since you’re fine, let’s deal with the spirit ape’s corpse. Staying here too long risks attracting other beasts.”

“Yes, senior uncle.” Without hesitation, Ji cleared all the valuables from the spirit ape and stood up. “Senior uncle, senior sister, shall we leave now?”

Nie Xingyuan said nothing about her handling of the situation and led Ji away from the spot.

Meng Jiao followed closely. Not long after they left, a spirit beast made of giant stones appeared beside the ape’s corpse, sensing the surrounding energy fluctuations. It looked toward where Ji and the others had left, then followed in their direction.

“Senior uncle, the Black Heaven Spirit Ape is only a fourth-tier spirit beast. Its territory can’t be that vast. Could there be a higher-tier beast nearby?” Ji asked. “From that distance just now, no other beasts were seen.”

It was impossible that other beasts avoided the area simply out of fear of the ape.

The only possibility was the presence of a stronger spirit beast nearby. Her intuition told her that’s why senior uncle took them so far away—he must have sensed something.

“There are other high-tier beasts,” Nie Xingyuan replied. “Good that you have this awareness. Some novices foolishly think they’re just lucky to avoid all beasts.”

“We’ll keep our distance. Senior uncle will help you search for a suitable beast.”

Sitting atop her junior uncle’s sword, Ji watched the rapidly changing scenery below and sighed in gratitude. Having someone to guide her was truly a blessing. If she were alone, with her short legs, it was uncertain if she could avoid those tyrant beasts safely.

“Thank you, senior uncle!”

Soon, Nie Xingyuan found a spot and set her down, frowning toward the direction they had come from. “A Jiu, there’s still a Black Heaven Spirit Ape here. You have only the time it takes for one incense stick to burn. Can you manage?”

Looking up, Ji saw the serious expression on her junior uncle’s face.

Had the tyrant beast from earlier arrived?

She stiffened and nodded. “Yes.”

Having faced the spirit ape once before, dealing with it again was no longer so difficult.

As Nie Xingyuan and Meng Jiao vanished from sight, a white Black Heaven Spirit Ape appeared before her, roaring as if accusing her of invading its territory.

The system sensed Ji’s reluctance. “There’s a secret here related to the demon clan, and it involves you as well. You’ll have to investigate it yourself. There are similar secrets elsewhere too.”

Surprised, Ji stared at the ape opposite her. Without hesitation, she attacked with her Child’s Sword.

Her strikes were decisive, swifter and more ruthless than before.

This ape seemed more ferocious and faster than the last.

Having taken many hits, Ji stood firm, gritting her teeth as spiritual energy flowed through her. Each move of her Yin-Yang Fish Sword Technique was deadly.

Her swordsmanship now carried a graceful, intoxicating aura of elegance and lethal intent.

The moment the Yin-Yang diagram appeared on her back, the ape sensed danger and tried to flee, but Ji blocked its escape.

“System, does this Black Heaven Spirit Ape know something? Should I spare its life to investigate?” Ji asked, clarifying, “I’m not asking you to give me the answer directly, just whether this method is viable. You can say that, right?”

She knew the system’s rules well—it always made her explore on her own, never revealing anything.

Thank you to Qi Tingxin for the monthly ticket, much appreciated!

Thanks to Zhanlong ii* for the monthly ticket as well!

Thanks again to Leisure Time for the generous reward!

(Starting tomorrow, I will continue with additional updates. Thank you all for your support!)