Chapter 100: The Blood-Striped Unicorn Ape

Chapter 100: The Blood-Striped Unicorn Ape

Chu Ning's eyes gleamed with fervor.

Having perfected the Undead Bones technique, he had indeed unlocked a new talent—the Thunderstep!

This innate mystical art was now at his disposal.

At the same time, information about the Thunderstep flashed into Chu Ning's mind.

The greatest advantage of this technique was speed—speed as swift as thunder, hence its name.

It encompassed various stepping maneuvers and could be utilized in two ways.

One method relied solely on the strength of one's physical body, unleashing astonishing velocity.

This speed was independent of magical power and was solely dependent on the robustness of one's physique.

The other method, however, involved coordinating the Thunderstep with the energy circulation of the Nine-Transformation Body Refining Technique, resulting in a more astonishing display of speed.

According to the information about the Thunderstep, when used in conjunction with the Heaven-Shaking Fist, it could enhance the attack power of the fist by fifty percent!

Upon grasping the intricacies of the Thunderstep, Chu Ning couldn't help but laugh out loud.

His previous challenge with the Heaven-Shaking Fist had been getting close enough to his opponent.

When he defeated Qi Chongmao and Cao Dongxin, he had used escape talismans, which had their limitations as they required activation time and weren't always convenient.

If his opponents hadn't known about his body refining technique, it wouldn't have been an issue. But if they, too, employed escape techniques or talismans, they could easily evade him.

A few days ago, when dealing with Liu Laoda, Chu Ning had waited for him to approach before countering with the Heaven-Shaking Fist, using the Silver Crystalline Bamboo Shield as defense.

Both methods left him with insufficient initiative.

Now, with the Thunderstep, he had far more control.

The thought of testing it out excited him.

"Let's try it without using magical power, relying solely on my physical speed."

With that thought, Chu Ning forcefully pushed off the ground, shooting forward.

Simultaneously, he swung his right fist, aiming directly at a giant boulder inside the cave.

"Bang!"

Accompanied by a loud crash, the human-height boulder instantly shattered into four or five pieces.

Chu Ning stood calmly amidst the rubble, reflecting on the strike he had just executed.

"Without using magical power, the Thunderstep is noticeably faster than a low-grade elementary Wood Escape talisman.

However, it's slightly inferior to a medium-grade elementary Earth Escape talisman.

And the might of the Heaven-Shaking Fist… it's increased by more than just fifty percent; I feel it's doubled!"

Chu Ning soon realized that this improvement was likely due not only to the Thunderstep but also to the enhancement of his physical body.

The mentioned increase of fifty percent in the secret art probably applied when the physical strength was equal.

With this realization, Chu Ning's gaze shifted to another boulder.

He channeled his magical power, and with a "whoosh," he dashed forward using the Thunderstep, this time in conjunction with the energy circulation route of the Nine-Transformation Body Refining Technique.

In the blink of an eye, he appeared before another boulder several yards away.

"Bang!"

The Heaven-Shaking Fist struck, producing a dull thud that wasn't as loud as before.

However, this larger boulder had mostly turned to stone powder, with only a few small pebbles scattering across the ground.

Joy filled Chu Ning's eyes.

"The speed of the Thunderstep has increased by more than double, far surpassing the speed of a medium-grade elementary Earth Escape talisman.

Perhaps it's even comparable to the speed of a low-grade advanced Escape talisman."

Chu Ning turned his attention to the pile of rubble.

"And when used with the Heaven-Shaking Fist, it can increase attack power by fifty percent compared to when magical power isn't circulated.

Calculating this, the might of the Heaven-Shaking Fist is more than double what it was before."

Chu Ning looked at his fist, extremely pleased.

He was confident that if he encountered Liu Laoda and his companions again, he wouldn't need to go through as much trouble.

A combination of the Thunderstep and the Heaven-Shaking Fist would be enough to take them out with a single punch each.

"No wonder the Nine-Transformation Body Refining Technique is hailed as the foremost body refining art."

Chu Ning pondered. The reason why few people cultivated it nowadays was probably not just because of the high difficulty in breaking through bottlenecks but also because the mystical arts associated with it had been lost.

After all, based on his own cultivation experience, while the art's body refining effects were excellent, it was the combination with these mystical arts that truly unleashed its full potential.

"It's a pity that the Seven-Star Spirit Fruits might not be of much use for my future breakthroughs. For the next stage, I'll likely need to find other heavenly spiritual medicines."

Chu Ning shook his head slightly, feeling a tinge of regret.

The upcoming Sinew Toughening phase of his cultivation would likely be more challenging.

With that in mind, Chu Ning began to practice the Sinew Toughening method of the Nine-Transformation Body Refining Technique.

Afterward, when he checked his proficiency, he noticed that the Nine-Transformation Body Refining Technique had indeed changed.

[Greenwood Eternal Spring Art (Yellow Tier, Low Grade), 3rd Layer (32/2100)]



[Nine-Transformation Body Refining Technique, Volume 1, Sinew Toughening 0/1500]



[Refine God Technique, 1st Layer 376/1000]



The progress bar for Sinew Toughening had appeared, but the cultivation he had just performed didn't seem to have any effect on it.

Recalling how quickly he had progressed during the previous stages when breaking through from Undead Skin to Undead Bones, Chu Ning realized that it was because the effects of the three Seven-Star Spirit Fruits had been completely refined during those breakthroughs, leaving no residual benefits.

Now that he had a good understanding of his current cultivation state, Chu Ning saw no reason to linger.

He glanced around the cave, his gaze falling on the unripe Blood Haze Grass and the pool of Earth Spirit Spring Water in the middle.

It would take a long time for the Blood Haze Grass to mature, and it could only grow in places with Earth Spirit Spring Water.

After some thought, Chu Ning dug up some soil from the cave and carried some of the stones he had just smashed to the cave entrance.

He used the stones to block the entrance and filled the gaps with soil.

Then, Chu Ning took out some Iron Wire Vine seeds from his storage bag and scattered them on top, using his spirit art to make them grow immediately.

Only after doing all this did Chu Ning nod in satisfaction.

This Iron Wire Vine was extremely hardy and would naturally grow with his encouragement.

He believed that it wouldn't take long for it to cover this entire area of rocks.

At the same time, Iron Wire Vine was also very common.

Even if someone came here, they wouldn't suspect anything.

Returning to the stone crevice near the waterfall, Chu Ning took out the Chase Wind Shuttle and gestured for Ling Xiaobai to get on so they could fly back.

"Cheep!"

At this moment, Ling Xiaobai let out a call towards Chu Ning.

She actually refused to get on the Chase Wind Shuttle.

Chu Ning looked at her in confusion, but then he saw Ling Xiaobai calling out again towards the depths of the western mountain range.

"Let's go over there."

Then Chu Ning heard Ling Xiaobai's voice transmitted through her divine sense.

Chu Ning hesitated slightly, wondering where this little guy was taking him now.

Although he was curious, after a moment's thought, he nodded in agreement.

"Come on, let's go."

Heading in that direction would still keep them within the branch vein.

As long as they remained in this mountain range, there shouldn't be too much risk of encountering high-level demonic beasts under normal circumstances.

"Could there be another treasure site over there?"

He was also curious as to why Ling Xiaobai suddenly wanted to go there.

Ling Xiaobai, seeing that Chu Ning had agreed, immediately jumped onto the Chase Wind Shuttle happily.

"Cheep!"

Then she let out a call, pointing in the direction for Chu Ning.

In the next moment, the Chase Wind Shuttle soared into the sky.

Following the direction indicated by Ling Xiaobai, they flew for about a quarter of an hour. By now, they were approaching the deeper parts of the branch vein, which made Chu Ning hesitate.

He didn't know why Ling Xiaobai had brought him here, but he was already reluctant to venture too deep into the mountains.

Although he had broken through repeatedly, he felt unsafe going too far into the depths alone.

"Little White, where are you taking me? How much further is it?"

"Cheep!" Ling Xiaobai let out a call, seeming unsure of how to express herself, and then became a little anxious.

She kept cheeping nonstop.

Chu Ning could vaguely understand that the distance shouldn't be too far.

Indeed, after flying another two or three miles,

"Cheep!" Ling Xiaobai called out towards the ground, indicating that Chu Ning should descend.

Chu Ning immediately drove the Chase Wind Shuttle downward, and the two of them landed in front of a cave entrance.

"Another cave?"

Looking at the cave entrance a few dozen feet away, Chu Ning was slightly taken aback, but then his expression changed slightly.

Because on the ground in front of the cave, he clearly saw several huge footprints.

"A demonic beast's lair?"

Chu Ning almost instantly realized what this place was, wondering why Ling Xiaobai had brought him here.

But then he saw Ling Xiaobai let out a loud "cheep" towards the cave.

Immediately afterward, a pillar of white light shot towards the cave.

"Little White, you..."

"Roar!"

In the next moment, a furious roar echoed out.

Hearing the roar, Ling Xiaobai quickly jumped back and hid behind Chu Ning to his left.

"They bullied me, revenge!"

Ling Xiaobai's voice entered Chu Ning's ears, leaving him feeling a little amused and helpless.

However, he couldn't smile for long as his expression turned ugly.

Because at the same time, a massive figure appeared at the cave entrance, followed by another.

This was a ape-like demonic beast, but its body was over ten feet tall.

Its body was covered in black fur, with sparse patches of red fur that looked like blood stains.

On its head, there was also a sharp horn.

It was a Blood-Striped Unicorn Ape, and Chu Ning immediately recognized this type of demonic beast.

He had previously researched the demonic beasts in the nearby mountain ranges, and this one was a very rare high-level first-stage demonic beast.

A high-level first-stage demonic beast could rival a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator.

What truly made Chu Ning's expression ugly was that this type of demonic beast often lived in pairs, a male and a female.

As expected, in the next moment, another Blood-Striped Unicorn Ape appeared at the cave entrance, this one slightly smaller in size.

"Swoosh!"

Chu Ning was still considering whether to just fly away on the Chase Wind Shuttle, as these were two demonic beasts equivalent to the seventh layer of Qi Refining.

But at this moment, Ling Xiaobai had already sprayed out a pillar of white light, directly attacking one of the demonic beasts.

The two unicorn apes also shot out two rays of yellow light from their horns, one aimed at Ling Xiaobai's white light, and the other directly at Chu Ning.

It wasn't that the Blood-Striped Unicorn Ape didn't want to attack Ling Xiaobai; it was mainly because after she had sprayed out the white light, she immediately dodged behind Chu Ning.

It seemed that she believed that Chu Ning would definitely protect her and could block this attack.

"Bang!"

Chu Ning did not disappoint Ling Xiaobai.

Just as the black light was about to strike, a silver-white shield appeared in front of Chu Ning.

The silver-white light flashed, and the Silver Crystalline Bamboo Shield blocked the incoming attack.

However, the shield's radiance dimmed noticeably.

Seeing this, Chu Ning's expression changed slightly.

Obviously, the attack of the Blood-Striped Unicorn Ape was not weak, and although his intermediate defensive artifact could withstand it, it wouldn't last long.

Chu Ning dared not let the two demonic beasts continue their assault, so he waved his hand, shooting out several rays of light that struck the two beasts.

The two beams of light collided with the incoming magical techniques, while another beam of red light, along with Chu Ning's two streaks of green sword qi, swiftly struck the bodies of the beasts.

The two unicorn apes never expected Chu Ning to have so many attacks at his disposal.

Caught off guard, both beasts were hit simultaneously.

However, with their thick hides and sturdy bodies, the attacks only managed to break through some of their flesh, failing to inflict significant damage.

"Roar! Roar!"

The two Blood-Striped Unicorn Apes roared ferociously upon being struck.

At that moment, the horn of the male unicorn ape that had come out second shone with yellow light once more, aiming at Chu Ning.

Meanwhile, the slightly larger female unicorn ape that had emerged first charged straight at Chu Ning.

Earth-type techniques were just one of the Blood-Striped Unicorn Ape's methods of attack; what made this beast truly troublesome was its robust physical body.

Whether it was their defense or their sheer brute force, they posed a formidable challenge to ordinary cultivators.

As the charging unicorn ape barreled towards him, even though Chu Ning knew that his body had become exceptionally sturdy after perfecting the Undead Bones technique, he had no intention of meeting the beast head-on.

His figure flickered, dodging the beast's charge while simultaneously unleashing several streaks of green sword qi. Two of the sword qi streaks countered the incoming earth-type technique from the female unicorn ape, while the rest struck the charging male beast.

The green sword qi failed to cause any direct harm to the unicorn apes, only serving to further enrage them.

The male unicorn ape turned around and charged at Chu Ning once more.

As for Ling Xiaobai, she had already scurried to the side, keeping a safe distance.

However, she didn't try to escape; instead, she continued spraying ice-type techniques from the side, attacking the female unicorn ape.

Seeing that his true talisman techniques and the Azurewood Sword Art were unable to deal lethal damage to the two unicorn apes, Chu Ning's eyes flickered with determination.

He grabbed a handful of talismans and activated several of them in quick succession.

Instantly, a mixture of golden, crimson, and white lights burst forth from the talismans, assaulting the male Blood-Striped Unicorn Ape.

Even with its sturdy body, the unicorn ape was momentarily overwhelmed.

At this point, Chu Ning could have easily escaped by riding the Chase Wind Shuttle.

However, having just achieved his breakthrough, he was eager to test out his newfound innate mystical art.

"If it doesn't work, I can always use the Cloud Soaring Talisman to dodge and flee..."

With that thought in mind, Chu Ning's figure flashed as he rushed towards the female Blood-Striped Unicorn Ape.

His speed was so fast that it created a sonic boom.

Thunderstep! Heaven-Shaking Fist!

Before the female unicorn ape could react, Chu Ning's fist, empowered by the might of the Heaven-Shaking Fist, struck its body with overwhelming force.

"Roar!"

The female unicorn ape let out a painful, miserable roar as it was sent flying, crashing into the mountain rocks at the cave entrance.

Its life force was extinguished!

With a combination of the Thunderstep and the Heaven-Shaking Fist, Chu Ning had managed to kill the female unicorn ape with a single punch, despite its resilience against his true talisman techniques.

"Roar!"

The male Blood-Striped Unicorn Ape, having endured a barrage of magical techniques, let out a sorrowful cry upon witnessing its partner's demise.

The horn on its head shone with yellow light, but instead of attacking Chu Ning, the light receded into its body, causing its black-red fur to be tinged with a yellow hue.

In the next moment, the unicorn ape charged at Chu Ning with even greater ferocity and speed than before.

It was fast, but Chu Ning was faster!

Using the Thunderstep, Chu Ning sidestepped with lightning speed, evading the charging beast and appearing at its side.

Heaven-Shaking Fist!

Chu Ning unleashed another fist, slamming into the neck of the unicorn ape.

The yellow aura on the beast's body flickered and vanished.

In the next instant, the male Blood-Striped Unicorn Ape followed its partner, crashing to the ground lifelessly.

Only after both unicorn apes lay motionless on the ground did Chu Ning finally heave a sigh of relief.

"Cheep!"

Ling Xiaobai scurried over and let out a triumphant call towards Chu Ning.

"You're so awesome!"

Receiving Ling Xiaobai's mental transmission, Chu Ning couldn't help but smile and scold her at the same time.

"Now you decide to join the fight. Earlier, you were hiding faster than anyone else. When are you going to become a first-stage high-level demonic beast, huh?

You're only one level lower than them, but in reality, you're far inferior."

Hearing Chu Ning's words, Ling Xiaobai bared her teeth in an expression of discontent.

Chu Ning couldn't help but chuckle.

His previous words were deliberately meant to tease Ling Xiaobai.

In reality, even among demonic beasts of the same level, there were distinctions.

For example, these first-stage high-level Blood-Striped Unicorn Apes only possessed the cultivation of the seventh layer of Qi Refining.

On the other hand, the ice-type technique that Ling Xiaobai had been spraying out was already comparable to the level of a cultivator at the sixth layer of Qi Refining.

Based on this, Ling Xiaobai's attack power was not weak.

If she could truly advance to become a first-stage high-level demonic beast, her strength would definitely surpass that of a cultivator at the seventh layer of Qi Refining.

Perhaps she could even reach the level of an eighth or ninth layer Qi Refining cultivator.

As Chu Ning walked towards the corpse of the male unicorn ape, he said to Ling Xiaobai, "Now, you can tell me why you brought me here."

"Cheep!" Ling Xiaobai replied with a series of calls, transmitting her thoughts to Chu Ning through her divine sense.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end