Chapter 596 449: Bai Li Cinnabar

The water ape's fur surged, and in just one night it understood everything, feeling as if enlightenment had dawned:

"No wonder a mere junior cultivator managed to steal away my treasure… I thought he was some ignorant brat from a Noble Family… But it was fate intertwined—from the moment I resolved to recover my treasure, I had already begun walking toward my demise."

This water ape's bloodline was rather unique; since childhood it had guarded the Water Mansion, then later went out to defend a stretch of the sea, yet its heart always clung to the old master. And now, reaching this low point, it pondered to itself:

"Since even master couldn't protect me, surely all roads are blocked now… Serves me right, ill-fated… these useless eyes, failing to recognize the hand of fate; so be it, so be it…"

It concealed its form, swiftly darting through the seawater. Li Xuanfeng had long awaited this move; seeing the water ape vanish, he showed no panic. Unhurried, he gave a light tap to his belt, from which sprang a palm-sized azure mirror—this was the Flowlight Lens.

Ribbons of luminous blue light flowed from the little mirror, sweeping gently across the sea's surface. Compared to when he hunted Zhong Qian, the search was much faster; soon, a trace of blue tail-fire flared up in the water, and again Li Xuanfeng drew his bowstring:

'This creature no longer harbors intent to fight… it has understood… Pity, a Late Stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, yet about to be wasted here for naught.'

Not far off, the water ape had just sped a mile out, but was seized by chills throughout its body, gray-white fur standing on end. It was not surprised; opening its mouth, it spat out several Mercury White Jade Tokens, which whirled about its body in orbit.

'This one reeked of killing intent; surely has taken out many such monsters before, just like the blades in a Perfected Person's hands. I…'

A persistent buzzing rose in its ears. Another bolt of golden light cut through the sky, pierced through its body, then faded gradually into the distant horizon. The water ape roared in pain, enduring the agony, running aimlessly atop the sea.

It rode the wind for several miles, Immortal Foundation circulating with vigilance within. At last, the water ape realized with horror:

"I've been struck by someone's Spell!"

It had not yet truly exchanged blows with this person, but had already lost the initiative, and terror gnawed at its heart—so much so it lacked even the courage to turn and fight back. Truly something was amiss, and it was dreadfully alarmed.

But just as it snapped to clarity, another stripe of golden light whipped past, shattering a Mercury White Jade Token, scattering flickering streamers of light everywhere.

As that arrow passed, it seized the moment, swiftly forming hand seals, and casting a spell. Before it, streaks of gray-white light spun—complex lines intertwining, forming triangles and pentagons, streaming with talismanic script.

'Treasure Talisman White Inquiry!'

The Secret White Mercury it had cultivated was an ancient Immortal Foundation, pure 丹 in nature, and excelled in law techniques; once its Inquiry Spell manifested, the remaining four Mercury White Jade Tokens shot into the air, all pointing in a single direction.

The water ape surged up with the wind, barreling blindly toward that way; the wound on its belly wriggled quickly, slowly sealing. The Secret White Mercury granted many enhancements to its Dharma Body; though it had taken several arrows, its injuries were not as grave as they appeared. Immersed in the sea, each breath brought further healing.

Propelled by the waves, it sped swiftly, took yet another arrow from the man, but at last in the oppressive storm-laden surf and lowering clouds, it found the Golden Armor man.

Covered in Black Gold Armor, the sight of him bespoke of the extraordinary—amidst the drizzling rain, dazzling brilliance radiated forth, his face shrouded behind the armored mask, veiling his features.

The water ape did not speak harshly, but drove forward in grim silence, both hands within the waves swelling rapidly—growing to the size of doors, grasping for the Golden Armor man.

Li Xuanfeng watched the ape seek him out, nodded faintly—the water ape wielded a multitude of spells, well-rounded in all respects, and thus not easy to slay with a single arrow. Quietly he let the ape close in, one hand gently twisting to grip the lower corner of his greatbow.

The water ape, seeing him neither dodge nor evade, felt its heart turn cold:

"Clearly he relies on something… Still, whatever it is, I can't let him keep shooting at me like this!"

And thus it had to grit its teeth and press on, silvery light pooling in its palms—Immortal Foundation and spell power clearly enhancing its strength. Li Xuanfeng was utterly undaunted; the Black Gold Armor flared with radiance, and his own fist crashed down onto the water ape's palm.

"Boom!"

A thunderclap burst overhead, reverberating between storm clouds. Li Xuanfeng bore the blow head-on, retreating half a step, swerving away, and with his free hand, swung the greatbow in a vicious arc at the water ape's head and face.

The water ape exchanged punches with him, evenly matched, left somewhat dazed, unable to quite process it at once, thinking to itself:

"What Immortal Foundation is this… such power… Unless… he's not human, but some other monster…"

Its face likewise was shielded by a layer of mercury-white light; under Li Xuanfeng's savage strike, a deafening boom rang out, forcing it into the sea, the light-shield flickering briefly, then shattered and vanished.

"Wmmm…"

It barely halted its retreat when another stripe of golden light blasted toward it; the water ape wailed, a Mercury White Jade Token shattered again, and a mouthful of white blood sprayed forth.

It burst through the surf, but Li Xuanfeng was already a distant golden speck. The water ape's lone remaining eye narrowed, glimpsing that greatbow's mighty golden arc, spreading like giant wings—another beam of gold shot straight through.

Despair seized the water ape's heart. It cursed:

"If only the Jade Sky Screen hadn't been stolen by that boy, I wouldn't be such a mess… not a single artifact to defend myself."

After but a brief exchange, the water ape recognized that this man's coordination of bowmanship, magic artifacts, cultivation technique, and spells was nearly unassailable; unless one possessed enough artifacts to withstand his strikes, or speed great enough to outdistance him… and failing that, at the very least a cave mansion to hide away—if not, sooner or later, one would slowly perish at his hands.