Chapter 55: Unexpected Ties and Dangers

The cool breeze cut through the forest as Tang Chun Xi advanced through the tree branches.

Soon she would reach monkey territory, but her thoughts were distant.

His father's answer had arrived.

The words echoed in his mind, heavy as stones falling into a still lake:

"A reward, important people have died. Two large forces are involved. Many cultivators are entering."

Tang Chun Xi frowned.

The mountain would soon become chaotic.

If before the Clear Waters Mountains were dangerous, now they would be a battleground for bounty hunters and opportunists.

But...

She wouldn't leave now.

To give up it wasn't an option.

Of course, the situation would become much more complicated, but she had already decided.

If some smart guy tried to take advantage of her...

Let him try.

A cold smile crossed her lips before it was interrupted by movement in her chest and shoulders.

The three little spirit monkeys awakened.

His small teary eyes looked at her innocently.

The one with the white tuft, as always, seemed the calmest and most curious, watching her as if trying to understand her.

Tang Chun Xi didn't resist.

She melted at the cuteness of the three, feeling an unexpected warmth in her chest.

After everything you've been through, those little moments were rare.

Finally, could release them.

They stepped onto the forest floor hesitantly, looking around as if expecting some danger.

— "You guys are going home." — she said, his voice softening.

The little monkeys they grunted softly, as if they understood his words.

She took some Iron Body Fruits and handed them over.

They were not useful to humans, but they were ingredients for body strengthening pills and, for animals, they were extremely beneficial.

Tang Chun Xi had found a big tree like that in the days before and collected some.

The little monkeys ate with enthusiasm.

So, she rose, fixed his gaze on the horizon and advanced through the monkeys' territory.

Tang Chun Xi didn't try to hide this time.

On the contrary, moved forward with confidence.

It didn't take long for the first monkey patrollers appeared among the branches.

— "U-u-ah-ah!"

The sounds echoed through the forest.

She saw herself quickly surrounded, but the monkeys didn't attack.

Instead, they did gestures.

Tang Chun Xi frowned.

They wanted her to follow them.

Without hesitation, obeyed.

The monkeys moved quickly, leading Tang Chun Xi through branches and trunks.

She followed the rhythm, passing through entire groups of monkeys on your way.

Many watched her with curiosity.

Others, with caution.

Finally, they reached the center of the territory.

The big ones cedars that marked the area were still more imposing up close.

The place was full of monkeys, their voices blending into a natural cacophony.

It was then that she saw.

Some large apes emerged from the central trees.

The little monkeys immediately jumped out of her arms and they ran to her.

The monkey sniffed them and placed them on her back with a protective and excited gesture. It was the mother monkey.

Tang Chun Xi watched the scene with a small smile.

But something else was happening.

The mother monkey made several sounds, appearing to talk to a gigantic monkey, which clearly had a position of authority.

Tang Chun XiI didn't need to understand their language. to realize that he was in the Origin Realm.

The great ape he seemed uncomfortable with her presence.

But, at the end of the conversation, the mother monkey scolded him.

Tang Chun Xi arched an eyebrow.

'Did he just get scolded?'

The great ape, who before emanated aggression, now it seemed... more contained.

Tang Chun Xi found it funny.

"So even stately apes need to respect their wives?"

The idea was funny.

But the moment was soon interrupted.

The mother monkey turned to her and made a gesture.

She wanted she to follow her.

Tang Chun Xi hesitated.

But... The little monkeys still They watched her from her mother's back.

Their looks were so innocent...

She couldn't say no.

With a sigh, followed the monkey.

The passage was unbelievable.

The mother monkey entered the central cedar, passing through a narrow hole.

Tang Chun Xi followed her and...

She came across a huge internal space.

The inside the tree era vast, a real maze of tunnels and chambers.

As she passed through some corridors, she saw other monkeys resting inside, their expressions peaceful.

Finally, They arrived at a large rudimentary chamber, full of pillars cast from cedar.

The mother monkey. pointed to one of the pillars at the back of the room.

Then, opened it.

Instantly, the air was filled with a strong, fruity aroma.

Tang Chun Xi felt his head spin.

It was a smell so powerful that, for a moment, she almost got drunk just from inhaling the air.

Quickly, she covered her nose.

— "Is this for me?"

She looked at the monkey, who she nodded in an incredibly human way.

Tang Chun Xi ficou surprise.

She didn't expect to be rewarded for his spontaneous act.

Your goal it wasn't getting anything in return.

But now, the mother monkey insisted.

Tang Chun Xi did not refuse.

With a gentle gesture, she removed a special bottle from your storage ring.

She couldn't keep everything, but...

At least a little.

The bottle looked small, but the inside could hold up to 50 liters.

She emptied a third of the container.

Tang Chun Xi sabia exactly what that was.

100 year old Monkey Wine.

A second-tier rarity.

His power was extremely strong.

I didn't know yet what were its full effects, but...

A gift like that could not be underestimated.

She kept the bottle carefully, feeling a mix of satisfaction and curiosity.

"One thing is certain..."

"I definitely made some friends today."

After storing the wine in the special bottle, Tang Chun Xi  didn't try to get more.

She knew how to respect limits.

Then, with a curt nod out of respect for the mother monkey, closed the pillar and gaskets returned the same way.

As they exited the tree, the sky was already dyed in orange and purple tones.

The day was ending.

Tang Chun Xi looked at the horizon, pondering your next steps.

"It's not safe to travel at night."

Turning to the mother monkey, made a simple gesture, asking if she could rest nearby.

The answer came surprisingly.

The mother monkey nodded calmly, without hesitation, as if she had already expected this question.

Tang Chun Xi was a her little surprised.

The spiritual monkeys they really understood humans very well.

After saying goodbye of the monkey and little monkeys, gave them some more fruit, which were received with pure joy.

She watched them for a moment, seeing little ones to jump and play with renewed energy.

For an instant, she felt a comforting warmth in her chest.

But soon jumped to the top of a nearby tree, finding a good place to spend the night.

From above, she felt the light breeze from the forest caress his face, while watching the sun leaving the horizon.

Finally, alone and safe, her thoughts that had been suppressed began to emerge.

The memory of Corrupted Beast came back with force.

The feeling repulsive and nauseating that exuded from that creature...

The vision of your pulsating black veins, your irrational rage, your chaotic energy...

All that caused him deep discomfort.

But the worst part was not the disgust or the fear.

The worst...

It was in the familiarity.

'Why did I feel this way?'

She had already fought against many creatures in this world, but none made her feel so uncomfortable.

Yes, the feeling was similar to what he experienced when dealing with the creatures from his previous world...

But there was something more.

Something different.

"What am I forgetting?"

Tang Chun Xi closed his eyes, trying focus on the sensation.

But the more tried to understand, more seemed to slip through her fingers.

She hated that.

But it didn't matter how many times did you try to find the answer...

She it just didn't come.

Then, with a heavy sigh, left thoughts aside.

There was no reason to forcing himself to remember something she still couldn't understand.

And while waited for nightfall, without realizing...

The night would steal the sleep of many in those mountains.

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Another Part of the Hills

As Tang Chun Xi settled down to rest, Shang Hua-Ren got ready for your second night in the forest.

Along with Bai Xiaxia and Liu Mei Yun, they set up the girls' tent.

Meanwhile, senior brothers Que and Ma prepared the other one.

She didn't even have time to rest properly.

As soon as it arrived, she couldn't even see his sister, because it was in retreat.

And just with a night's break, she was soon dragged into the forest.

THE Elder Ki had accompanied them to a certain extent, but then separated from the group.

The other disciples They believed he protected them from the shadows.

But Shang Hua-Ren sabia a verdade.

And this truth...

It kept her constantly on alert.

Since they entered the forest, she was cautious.

AND not without reason.

Two of your colleagues were a constant problem.

Bai Xiaxia and Senior Brother Wu.

They were both reckless.

Both were desperate to prove their worth to Elder Ki. And so they did things they normally wouldn't do, like getting into a more dangerous fight than they should have.

That's why, they had been putting themselves in dangerous situations since they arrived.

The problem was that they could not know that Elder Ki had left them.

If they find out, questions arose that should not have existed.

Shang Hua-Ren needed to keep everything under control.

But it was becoming exhausting.

Even so, no one had done anything as stupid as trying to carry out the Sect's mission.

At least that was a relief.

But what it really worried her...

It was the number of cultivators they encountered in the past few days.

Something was wrong.

She already spent a lot of time training in the Clear Waters Mountains.

AND… The number of cultivators she saw yesterday and today it was as big as what she saw the entire time she was here.

'Did the Elder forget to mention something?'

With these thoughts weighing on your mind, finally they finished preparing the camp.

— "All resolved."

Brother Wu stood up and crossed his arms.

— "Sister Mei Yun and I take the first shift. Bai Xiaxia and Brother Ma take the second. Sister Hua-Ren and I take the last, same as yesterday. Does anyone have any objections?"

— "Nooo, that's fine with me!" — said Bai Xiaxia, in a tone that tried to sound cute, but just sounded childish.

Shang Hua-Ren he just sighed and agreed, not even trying to appear kind.

She needed to rest.

She entered her tent, took a Fasting Pill and fell asleep almost immediately.

But...

His rest didn't last long.

In the middle of the night, She was startled from her sleep by a terrible sound.

Howls.

They they came from all directions at once.

Your heart jumped in the chest.

Lobos.

When leaving the tent in one jump, what did you see made his blood run cold.

Mist.

She couldn't see more than five meters ahead.

The mist covered everything and confused her senses, leaving her unaware of where the howls were coming from, this would be a sleepless night.

And with the fog would come the dangers that lurked in it, like the Wolves of the White Mist.

These beasts used fog as a weapon, using her characteristics as a hiding place.

She was in danger.

Everyone was.

Your body entered a state of maximum alert.

This would be a restless night.