Chapter Fifty-Eight: Peril

A sharp hum resounded as Nangong Xue unleashed a dazzling blade of sword light, slashing fiercely toward the ethereal blue sphere nestled within the skull of the Golden-Furred Ape King. If only this lingering will could be scattered, the fearsome creature before them would cease its assault.

With a thunderous crash, the sword light struck the skull head-on, emitting a piercing noise. In the next instant, Ye Cheng clearly saw cracks spiderweb across the skull, widening under the relentless pressure of the sword’s brilliance.

At that moment, the residual will within the skull underwent a sudden change, shrinking rapidly before their very eyes. The blue sphere contracted visibly, and as it withdrew, an astonishing surge of energy radiated from the ape king’s remains. Waves of immense power swept outward, forming an aura that rippled through the air with a forceful blast.

“That’s primordial energy!” The shockwave rushed toward Ye Cheng, causing his pupils to contract as he hurriedly retreated. Within the blast, he sensed the unmistakable essence of primordial energy. Clearly, the energy erupting from the ape king’s bones was the long-dormant power of its cultivation.

Ye Cheng had thought the ape king was incapable of wielding primordial energy any longer, yet now, unexpectedly, so much power surged from its remains.

With a loud bang, the energy wave spread. Nangong Xue, sword in hand, still pressed her blade against the skull, undaunted by the shock. Her exquisitely beautiful face betrayed not a hint of retreat; she gripped the sword tightly, determined to banish the lingering will within the skull, showing no intention of letting go.

Another thunderous blast erupted as Nangong Xue persisted in breaking through the skull’s defenses. The blue sphere contracted to its limit, and a wave even more powerful than before burst forth. Nangong Xue was flung backward, blood trickling from the corner of her lips as she emitted a muffled groan, her slender form thrown helplessly through the air.

Watching her lose control midair, Ye Cheng frowned, not pausing to think. He leapt up, catching her by her slender waist. The softness he felt was like clutching a piece of warm jade, stirring his heart with an involuntary ripple.

Yet there was no time for distraction. After catching Nangong Xue, Ye Cheng quickly retreated, failing to notice the faint blush that flashed across her usually cold, flawless face. She regained her icy composure, pulled herself free from his grasp, and shot him a fierce glare without uttering a word.

Feeling the loss of that softness, Ye Cheng found himself oddly reluctant. After her glare, he chuckled awkwardly and promptly shifted his gaze to the Golden-Furred Ape King.

Nangong Xue said nothing more, her attention also fixed on the ape king, whose remains radiated ever more energy. At this moment, neither of them knew what transformation was underway.

“Boy, you’d better hurry and get out of here. Who would’ve thought the Golden-Furred Ape King had a trick left up its sleeve from years past? Its lingering will is about to detonate these remains. Not even bones will remain—truly ruthless!” Old Mu’s amused voice echoed in Ye Cheng’s mind.

“Self-detonation!” Ye Cheng was momentarily stunned. He quickly regained his senses, cursing inwardly, “Why didn’t you say so earlier?” He swept his gaze around, realizing there was nowhere to hide along this passage that could withstand the explosion of an ancient Pill Realm cultivator’s remains.

History recorded cases of Pill Realm strongmen self-destructing. Once, an explosion gravely wounded another Pill Realm master, and dozens of Origin Realm cultivators nearby were caught in the blast, none escaping. The surrounding land for a hundred miles was devastated, barren for decades. The destructive power of such an explosion was terrifying beyond measure.

Nangong Xue noticed the change in Ye Cheng’s eyes and, unable to resist, asked, “What’s wrong?”

Ye Cheng did not conceal his dread, his face grim as he watched the figure radiating ever more primordial energy. “That thing’s about to detonate. Perhaps once its skull’s defenses are breached, its will chooses self-destruction to stop any intruders.”

As Ye Cheng spoke, Nangong Xue instantly understood, her beautiful features turning grave. She had not anticipated the ape king would have such a contingency.

“Boy, run for that door—the place the ape king guards. It won’t attack there!” Old Mu’s urgent words rang in Ye Cheng’s mind. Ye Cheng’s gaze locked onto the bronze door behind the ape king’s remains. Perhaps only there could withstand the impending explosion. Without hesitation, he grabbed the jade-like arm of the beauty beside him and dashed toward the bronze door with Nangong Xue.

Her hand suddenly seized by the man, Nangong Xue was startled. Just as she was about to shake him off, a massive force surged behind them. After a brief struggle, she realized his grip was like an iron clamp, holding her tightly. Feeling the warmth in his hand, her face flushed slightly, but she ceased resisting and allowed this man—whom she had only recently met—to lead her toward the bronze door.

As Ye Cheng and Nangong Xue hurried toward the door, the blue sphere within the ape king’s skull had compressed into a pill-sized orb. Around it, terrifying waves of primordial energy continued to surge from the ape king’s bones, pouring into the sphere and deepening its color. Everyone knew that when it finally erupted, the force would be unimaginably destructive.

The sphere began to tremble violently. Around the massive skeleton, the air grew chaotic, wild energy blasting outward. Clearly, the sphere had reached its limit, and suddenly it expanded like a small universe exploding. The ape king’s bones detonated as well, a visible ripple of energy spreading rapidly. Wherever it passed, the ground collapsed, the entire stone cavern shook violently, and boulders fell endlessly, as if the world itself were ending, mountains shuddering and earth quaking.

The energy continued to expand. Sensing the looming shockwave behind them, Ye Cheng and Nangong Xue felt their hearts tighten. Fortunately, they had reached the bronze door. Ye Cheng pushed it open and hurried inside, pulling Nangong Xue with him.

Chapter Fifty-Eight: Perilous Update Complete!