Chapter 77

Cao Yu retracted the Shimmering Golden Rope, and the black gold ore scattered like hail on the ground. Qian Jüan took a step forward and said preemptively, "Let's split it fifty-fifty, one for each of us."

"What about that one?" Cao Yu looked at the black gold ore, the size of a head, behind the two-headed fierce ape, and then said, "And what about the share for Wei Shizhi from Xiandu?"

"It's all mine."

"It seems a bit unfair, but let it be. Consider it a favor I'm doing for you, Senior Brother Qian."

"Thank you, Junior Sister." Qian Jüan also breathed a sigh of relief. Before setting out, the sect leader had given him a minimum requirement of securing at least sixty percent of the black gold ore. Now that he had the largest piece, he could report back to the sect leader with a clear conscience. He was also afraid that Cao Yu would make things difficult, so he waved his sleeve, divided the black gold ore into two piles, and gestured for Cao Yu to take her share first.

Cao Yu didn't argue, activated her storage bag, and stored all the black gold ore in it, securing it at her waist. Qian Jüan took the remaining half and stepped around to the back of the two-headed fierce ape. Suddenly, the ape, which was not yet dead, extended all four arms, thrusting them into his chest and abdomen, and with a mighty pull, tore him into three pieces. Blood and organs scattered, and he died on the spot.

Cao Yu retreated several steps, drew her sword, and gripped the Shimmering Golden Rope, secretly alarmed. The fierce ape had concealed its aura so well that even she hadn't noticed it. If it had been her, she wouldn't have been able to dodge such a sudden attack.

The fierce ape shook its entire body, another skull emerging from its neck, and two more arms sprouted from its back. It bent down, grabbed the storage bag from Qian Jüan's waist, and with a light shake, all the black gold ore flew out and attached to its bones, forming a broken and incomplete armor. It then picked up the Stone Fire Sword and stared at Cao Yu with its hollow eye sockets.

Cao Yu exclaimed, "You actually cultivated a three-headed, six-armed Dharmic Body!"

Wei Shizhi, realizing the situation, reached into his robe and crushed both communication jade slips at once. He then took out the flesh of the beauty python from his Penglai bag, stuffed it into his mouth, and swallowed it raw to replenish his energy.

The fierce ape wielded the Stone Fire Sword and charged at Cao Yu. The sword was incredibly sharp, and Cao Yu didn't dare to release the Shimmering Golden Rope to fight, fearing it might damage the sect's magical tool. Seeing no other choice, she decisively left the Nightlight Talisman behind and rode her sword into the tunnel at the top of the mountain, disappearing in an instant.

"This woman!" Wei Shizhi secretly criticized. He drew an iron rod from his sword bag and met the fierce ape head-on, clashing with it several times. He quickly retreated to the side, glancing at the iron rod. The cracks hadn't widened, indicating that the Stone Fire Sword wasn't fully effective in the ape's hands. This reassured him.

The fierce ape, missing two heads and an arm, was unsteady and frequently exposed weaknesses. It was hit by the iron rod, but with the black gold ore protecting it, it didn't take much damage as long as the bones weren't struck. Wei Shizhi, however, was wary of the Stone Fire Sword and didn't dare to get too close.

After a fierce battle for nearly an hour, Wei Shizhi's strength grew, and he fought more courageously. The fierce ape's momentum was suppressed, and it gradually fell into a disadvantageous position.

The two-headed fierce ape's physical body had been destroyed, and its bones were ground into powder by the Snow Spirit Peak. Its soul had narrowly escaped and slept for tens of thousands of years before awakening. It then forcibly activated its powers to condense its bones into shape. One arm was destroyed by the red flames of the Stone Fire Sword, and its two heads suffered severe injuries. It had to burn one soul and one spirit to manifest the three-headed, six-armed Dharmic Body. After a prolonged battle with Wei Shizhi, it finally ran out of energy.

Wei Shizhi sensed his opponent's weakening and, fearing a repeat of the ambush, continued to wear it down. Eventually, the fierce ape couldn't even lift its arms, and its soul injuries caused it to react slowly, leaving it to be beaten and battered.

Wei Shizhi delivered a powerful blow, "Feces on the Buddha's Head," shattering the fierce ape's skull. He then struck its arms several times, avoiding the black gold ore, and shattered the bones. The fierce ape, unable to withstand the injuries, finally collapsed, the black gold ore falling off its bones, appearing genuine this time.

Wei Shizhi extended his arm and poked the fierce ape with the iron rod, causing it to fall to the ground. He then activated the Penglai bag on his left hand, which instantly absorbed the bones. The bag then expelled countless tiny bone fragments, covering the ground. The Penglai bag had absorbed the remaining two souls and six spirits of the two-headed fierce ape, growing slightly larger. Wei Shizhi felt a sense of connection, as if it was conveying joy and excitement.

With the fierce ape defeated, Wei Shizhi inventoried the spoils. The Stone Fire Sword and the Nightlight Talisman belonged to others, and apart from the black gold ore, there was nothing else of value in the mountain. He stared at the largest piece of black gold ore for a while, then decided not to absorb it. He chose a few medium-sized pieces and stored them in his sword bag, allowing the iron rod to slowly absorb the iron essence and improve its quality.

All that was left was to wait patiently for Wei Rongniang to rescue him. Although the hope was slim, he hoped she wouldn't miss the small entrance on the Snow Spirit Peak.

The Nightlight Talisman gradually dimmed and finally went out in the darkness. Wei Shizhi leaned against the stone wall, quietly reflecting on the winter hunt, feeling that he had gained a lot.

After an unknown amount of time, a point of light appeared above, like a star in the dark night sky, distant yet familiar. The light slowly descended, growing brighter. Wei Shizhi saw Wei Rongniang and Cao Yu descending on their swords, their robes fluttering, like celestial maidens.

Wei Shizhi stood up and greeted the two senior sisters.

Wei Rongniang, seeing the bloodstains on the ground, frowned.

Cao Yu couldn't believe her eyes and pointed at the bone fragments, asking, "Did you do this?"

"The fierce ape ambushed Senior Brother Qian, and it was already on its last legs. I fought with it for several hours and finally wore it down."

"Good, Senior Sister Wei, Xiandu has a fine disciple, making me look at you in a new light!" Cao Yu looked at Wei Shizhi a few times and praised him with a smile.

Wei Rongniang, who had met Cao Yu halfway and learned the general situation, was also moved by the many pieces of black gold ore glowing with purple light. After a moment's thought, she asked Cao Yu, "Senior Sister Cao, what do you think should be done?"

Cao Yu, not beating around the bush in front of Wei Shizhi, said, "Senior Brother Qian and I agreed that, except for the largest piece, half of the black gold ore would go to our Xuantong Sect, and the rest to the Pingyuan Sect. The reward for Junior Brother Wei would come from the Pingyuan Sect's share."

"Agreed, please be a witness, Senior Sister Cao." Wei Rongniang used her storage bag to collect the remaining black gold ore and took the Stone Fire Sword. "Senior Sister, I don't have an extra storage bag. Please collect Senior Brother Qian's body and the fierce ape's bones and hand them over to the Pingyuan Sect leader. I will send a message to inform the sect that Senior Brother Qian died from the fierce ape's ambush, and Senior Sister Cao and Junior Brother Wei worked together to kill the fierce ape and avenge him."

Cao Yu muttered helplessly, "I knew you wouldn't let me off the hook..." She had left Qian and Wei behind, feeling guilty, and had to accept Wei Rongniang's arrangement. However, at the time, the situation was critical, and she didn't know that the two-headed fierce ape was already on its last legs, and Wei Shizhi was so strong that he could single-handedly drag the ape to its death.

She looked at Wei Shizhi's strong body, and a strange light flashed in her eyes.

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