"The Discovery of Yang Fruit and the Mysterious Asura Arts"

Huang Xiaolong gazed at the Yang Fruits hanging above the mountain wall, his eyes filled with intense desire. He felt a lump in his throat and then turned to Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey. Finally, he understood the purpose behind the little creature's guidance.

These Yang Fruits grew about 20-30 meters above the mountain wall. Did the little creature want him to help pick them? Huang Xiaolong asked, seeking confirmation.

"Squeak squeak squeak!" Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey's eyes sparkled with joy as it nodded continuously.

Huang Xiaolong smiled at the adorable little creature. He shifted his focus to the Yang Fruits hanging high on the mountain wall, scanning the area around it. The wall was incredibly smooth, almost vertical, offering no footholds. Picking the Yang Fruits from such a height seemed like an arduous task, especially for Huang Xiaolong in his current state.

After a moment of contemplation, Huang Xiaolong sprang up into the air. At a height of 45 meters, he extended his right hand, channeling his internal energy into it, and thrust it forcefully into the mountain wall. The wall was incredibly sturdy, but with Huang Xiaolong's full strength, his fingers managed to penetrate the surface, giving him enough support to stay suspended in mid-air.

Next, Huang Xiaolong extended his left hand, mirroring the previous action, and secured his position firmly against the mountain wall. He then followed this pattern, gradually climbing towards the Yang Fruits.

Each step required Huang Xiaolong to rely on his internal energy for support, making the climb extremely strenuous. By the time he reached several meters in height, Huang Xiaolong was already panting, his speed slowed.

Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey watched anxiously from the ground, squeaking and staring at Huang Xiaolong as if he might fall at any moment.

Under the watchful gaze of Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey, Huang Xiaolong, with his small and thin body, finally reached the height where the Yang Fruits were located. He joyfully glanced at the five fruits before taking out a cloth and carefully wrapping each one, securing them. Then, he leaped down gracefully to the ground.

In mid-air, Huang Xiaolong selected a few sturdy spots on the mountain wall with his feet and landed safely and steadily.

Observing Huang Xiaolong's successful retrieval of the Yang Fruits, Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey squeaked happily, dancing in joy. After its exuberant display, Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey settled down and fixated its gaze on the Yang Fruits in Huang Xiaolong's hands, eagerly waiting for its share.

"Little fellow, here you go." Huang Xiaolong smiled and threw two Yang Fruits towards Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey. The creature leaped up, catching the fruits with both hands, and excitedly called out to Huang Xiaolong. It then moved to a corner, immediately devouring the two fruits, sitting cross-legged to absorb their spiritual essence.

Observing Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey cultivating while absorbing the Yang Fruits' spiritual essence, Huang Xiaolong remained calm. It was common for Spirit Beasts like Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey, especially a top-grade one, to cultivate and benefit from such spiritual resources.

With Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey engrossed in absorbing the fruits, Huang Xiaolong scanned the surroundings of the mountain valley. Once he ensured it was safe, he sat cross-legged, took out a Yang Fruit, and consumed it. He activated his Profound Azure Cultivation technique, absorbing the fruit's spiritual essence.

As the Yang Fruit's spiritual essence infused his body, bunches of pure and high-quality Fire Attribute spiritual energy, known as Nine Yang Qi, manifested around Huang Xiaolong. Enveloped by the Nine Yang Qi, he experienced an indescribable sense of comfort and warmth, akin to soaking in a hot spring. The Battle Qi within his meridians surged rapidly.

Several hours passed.

Huang Xiaolong gradually opened his eyes, his body radiating a renewed vitality. After several hours of refining and absorbing the Yang Fruit's spiritual essence, Huang Xiaolong realized that his Battle Qi had become more than twice as thick as before. He had unexpectedly reached Rank 2 Late Stage, a level he estimated would take at least a month to achieve.

Overjoyed, Huang Xiaolong noticed an unpleasant smell wafting into his nose. Lowering his head, he saw that his entire body was covered in a black mud-like substance. Having consumed similar Yang Fruit Spirit Medicine in his previous life, Huang Xiaolong recognized it as impurities being expelled from his body.

Springing up, Huang Xiaolong felt his body light and nimble. He sensed an inexplicable comfort that made him want to stretch. Not paying much attention to Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey, who was still refining the Yang Fruit's spiritual essence, Huang Xiaolong walked towards the central green lawn near the green lake.

Before reaching the lake, Huang Xiaolong removed his soiled clothes and stowed away the remaining two Yang Fruits. With a thump, he jumped into the green lake, cleansing himself of the dirt that clung to his body. Now, he could enjoy a refreshing bath.

As Huang Xiaolong submerged himself in the green lake, he swiftly washed away the grime. However, just as he was about to leave the lake, he sensed a sudden surge of cold air emanating from its depths. Though subtle, it was difficult to ignore. Intrigued, Huang Xiaolong dived to the lake bottom.

Not long after diving, Huang Xiaolong discovered a cave entrance ahead, from where the cold air was emanating. After a brief moment, he arrived at the entrance and leaped inside.

Upon entering, Huang Xiaolong noticed that the walls of the cave were dry and clear, contrary to his initial expectations. A goose-egg-sized water droplet clung to the wall, known as an evading water drop. Such a drop could fetch a high price of 100,000 gold coins at an auction.

Curiosity piqued, Huang Xiaolong ventured a few meters further into the cave and arrived at a spacious main hall, spanning over a hundred square meters. The main hall was empty, devoid of anything of note. However, there were three rooms adjacent to it. Huang Xiaolong proceeded towards the first room.

To his surprise, the first room was also empty. He entered the second room, finding the same emptiness.

"Could the third room be different?" Huang Xiaolong couldn't help but wonder.

Upon reaching the third room, Huang Xiaolong discovered a jade bed inside. Resting on the bed was a book made of an unknown material, and two-and-a-half-meter-long black blades hung from the wall.

After a brief pause, Huang Xiaolong's attention focused on the book resting on the jade bed. He walked over, picked it up, and was astonished by its weight. The thin book seemed deceptively heavy, weighing around 20-30 jin (0.5 kg).

Curiosity compelled Huang Xiaolong to open the book. As he glanced at the contents, he read three ancient characters inscribed on the first page: "Asura Arts." In an instant, a terrifying aura of slaughter emanated from the book, flooding Huang Xiaolong's mind. His eyes flashed, and he found himself standing atop a mountain of bones, surrounded by an endless Blood Sea.

In this bone-strewn peak, Huang Xiaolong seemed to transform into a Hellish Asura. The sky above teemed with monstrous mouths, filled with resentful spirits that lunged toward Huang Xiaolong. Just as the countless resentful spirits were about to swallow him, Huang Xiaolong blinked, and he found himself back in the cave room.

Although it happened in the blink of an eye, Huang Xiaolong was drenched in cold sweat. He stared at the Asura Arts in his hand in astonishment, but the scene of the Blood Sea and mountain of corpses had vanished. Huang Xiaolong exhaled deeply, trying to dispel the lingering taste of saltiness in the air.

After a moment, Huang Xiaolong suppressed the unease in his heart and, with trembling hands, turned to the first page of the Asura Arts.