He took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the trace of hesitation in his heart.
The path was one he had chosen himself. No matter how difficult, he had to press on!
“Awoo…”
A faint cry pulled him back from his thoughts.
The little fire qilin poked its head out from the edge of the crater. Because of its small size, it had been somewhat protected by the remnants of Chen Ping’s immortal power. Its injuries were not severe, only a little dazed and disoriented.
At this moment, it was licking the blood from Chen Ping’s face with its small tongue, its big eyes filled with worry.
Warmth filled Chen Ping’s heart. He stroked its little head. “Little one, I’m fine.”
However, this tender moment did not last long.
A foul wind suddenly assaulted him from behind and to the side, accompanied by a low, savage roar filled with violence!
Though gravely injured, Chen Ping’s battle instincts remained sharp. He whipped his head around!
What he saw was a gigantic ape over three zhang tall, its body covered in jet-black bristly fur, muscles knotted like mountain rocks.
It glared with scarlet eyes, mouth agape like a bloody maw, swinging enormous claws capable of splitting mountains and shattering stone. It pounced ferociously towards Chen Ping, who had only just struggled to his feet and was in extremely poor condition!
The ape’s aura was ferocious, clearly possessing strength equivalent to around the third grade of the Heavenly Immortal realm!
It was evidently the overlord of this area and regarded Chen Ping’s crash-landing as an invasion and prey!
“Watch out!”
Chen Ping tried to raise his sword, but the surging blood and energy within his body slowed his movement by a fraction!
At this critical moment of life and death!
“Awooo!!”
The little fire qilin, which had been perched on Chen Ping’s shoulder, let out a roar utterly mismatched with its tiny body, brimming with majesty and fury!
Its small frame instantly erupted with dazzling crimson light, like a miniature sun. It leapt fiercely from Chen Ping’s shoulder, charging straight at the enormous ape!
Opening its mouth, it spat out a condensed streak of crimson flame. Though slender, it contained pure qilin true fire, scorching towards the ape’s face!
The giant ape clearly had not expected this tiny creature to attack first. Its fur was singed by the flames, and in pain it let out an enraged bellow. Its assault faltered slightly, and its massive claw changed direction to swat at the little fire qilin!
“Bang!”
Though nimble, the little fire qilin was vastly outmatched in strength. It was struck by the gale-force wind from the claw, letting out a pained whimper.
Its tiny body flew backwards like a kite with a cut string, slamming into a large tree before falling to the ground. Its aura immediately weakened, and the beautiful crimson scales on its body dimmed considerably.
“Fire Qilin!”
Chen Ping’s eyes nearly split with rage!
The little fire qilin had been injured protecting him!
A surge of fury instantly scattered the intense pain and weakness in his body!
The injury to his companion ignited the ferocity deep in his bones!
“You beast! You’re courting death!”
Chen Ping roared in anger. Ignoring his wounds, he forcibly mobilised the remaining immortal power within him!
The Dragon-Slaying Sword sensed its master’s wrath and hummed in response. Cold sword light flared once more!
“Five Elements Sword Domain, activate!”
Though its range was only a few zhang, the multicoloured sword domain instantly expanded, enveloping the giant ape!
Sword qi crisscrossed the air. Though greatly reduced in power, it remained sharp!
Trapped within the sword domain, the ape’s movements stuttered. Feeling the sword qi slicing its skin, a trace of shock and doubt flashed in its scarlet eyes, but it was overwhelmed by even greater violence!
Roaring, it swung its massive claws, attempting to brute-force its way through this irritating domain!
“Time Slow!”
Enduring the stabbing pain in his divine soul, Chen Ping activated the laws of time once again!
The ape’s movements visibly slowed for an instant!
Now!
“Die!”
Chen Ping moved with his sword, merging man and blade into a single streak that tore through the sky!
The Dragon-Slaying Sword carried his unyielding will and icy killing intent, piercing with perfect precision towards the ape’s relatively vulnerable throat!
“Puchi!”
Blood sprayed forth!
The giant ape’s enormous body suddenly froze. In disbelief, it lowered its head to look at the cold longsword protruding from its throat. It emitted gurgling sounds of escaping air. The violence and scarlet in its eyes rapidly faded, replaced by fear and despair.
