In the mountains.
A monkey, its fur shimmering with golden light!
In its hand, it carried a dark iron staff!
Its simian face bore a human-like smile.
"Today, this monkey is truly, truly happy!"
The Little Spiritual Monkey King was overjoyed, almost floating as it walked.
"Ga ga ga..."
"Today is a good day!"
The opportunity it had waited for so long had finally arrived!
Last time, the monkey had gone to trouble Hao Ren, intending to beat the human senseless and teach him about "karma and retribution"!
But... as soon as they met, the monkey was pinned to the ground and thrashed by Hao Ren's mount, the Azure-eyed Purple Gold Howler!
Tragedy!
The monkey was furious!
After returning, the monkey reflected on its failure, analyzed the reasons, and then... decisively groveled before the Azure-eyed Purple Gold Howler.
The monkey presented the Azure-eyed Purple Gold Howler with a large amount of "monkey wine."
The Azure-eyed Purple Gold Howler, as a divine beast that roamed the world, a figure of authority... bah, a figure beast, it had no resistance to alcohol.
Thus, the monkey successfully became sworn brothers with the Azure-eyed Purple Gold Howler.
The Azure-eyed Purple Gold Howler no longer guarded against the monkey. It told the monkey that it was going to the neighboring mountain to negotiate a "catnip" deal with the "Wildcat King" and wouldn't be back for a while...
A great opportunity!
A great opportunity!
The Little Spiritual Monkey King was so excited it almost jumped.
After respectfully seeing off the Azure-eyed Purple Gold Howler, the Little Spiritual Monkey King's "Formless Staff" was already itching for action.
Carrying its staff, it strode with an arrogant gait and fiercely charged towards the cave.
"Human, come out and die!"
The Little Spiritual Monkey King stood at the entrance of the cave, roaring ferociously at the mountain.
The entire cave was enveloped by the "Nine Dragon Five Elements Array," a formation that was both offensive and defensive, capable of withstanding attacks from Golden Core cultivators. The "Foundation Establishment" realm Little Spiritual Monkey King was powerless to break through it.
The Little Spiritual Monkey King's "killing intent" attracted the attention of a person.
Han Mo, who was kneeling on the ground preparing to become a disciple.
Han Mo had been kneeling there for three days, showing no signs of giving up. He survived by consuming "Qi Gathering Pills" for cultivation and did not starve. His temperament was resolute, his will unyielding, and he was determined to succeed in becoming a disciple no matter what!
Han Mo glanced at the Little Spiritual Monkey King and found it strange.
What was this monkey doing?
It was gesticulating and chattering "ji ji ji" at the cave. Was it performing a "cute dance" for the elder?
It had to be said, the monkey's chirps were quite pleasant to the ear.
The Little Spiritual Monkey King glanced at Han Mo, who was kneeling on the ground, with utter disdain.
"Is this human sick? What is he doing kneeling here?"
"Oh, I know! He must be stunned by my majestic presence and peerless roar, too terrified to stand up!"
"Ji ji ji..."
The monkey was smug.
Inside the cave.
Hao Ren was cultivating.
His cultivation progress had been remarkably rapid during this period.
It couldn't be otherwise, with "Heavenly Origin Water" and a "Top-grade Spirit Spring Eye" as his cheat systems. The spiritual energy in the entire cave was incredibly dense, and each breath was fragrant, filling his body with warmth and boundless vitality.
In such an optimal environment, even a pig could fly.
The increase in spiritual energy was causing Hao Ren's cave to evolve towards becoming a "top-grade dwelling."
Furthermore, a portion of the dense and pure spiritual energy in the cave was being absorbed by the "Nine Dragon Five Elements Array."
Whether it was an illusion or not, the "Nine Dragon Five Elements Array" seemed to be gradually strengthening.
Did dense spiritual energy also enhance formations?
He didn't know!
Hao Ren decided he would ask Wang Tenglong about it next time he had the chance!
In addition, a portion of the pure and dense spiritual energy was absorbed by the "Heavenly Origin Water."
The "Heavenly Origin Water" was becoming increasingly swollen, as if it were about to give birth to a "baby."
This...
It was a long story!
The four medicinal herbs planted nearby also absorbed a considerable amount of pure spiritual energy.
Ginseng, Ganoderma, He Shou Wu, and Purple Jade Spiritual Bamboo – these four herbs were being nourished by the "Top-grade Spirit Spring Eye" and the "Heavenly Origin Water" in turns. They were incredibly fortunate!
After this period of "nourishment," the four medicinal herbs had undergone significant changes.
First, the ginseng had sprouted a small bud, indicating it was about to flower!
The Ganoderma had grown larger, now bigger than a washbasin.
The He Shou Wu had also sprouted a small bud, also signaling its imminent flowering!
The Purple Jade Spiritual Bamboo, relatively speaking, had changed less.
The Purple Jade Spiritual Bamboo had grown a new root, gently anchoring itself into the ground.
...
[Ding! Your friend "Little Spiritual Monkey King" is provoking you outside the cave. It has solemnly promised to beat your shit out!]
Suddenly, a system notification sounded in Hao Ren's mind.
Heh heh.
Hao Ren stopped cultivating, opened his eyes, and smiled.
"It's just that cultivation has been a bit boring lately. The monkey has delivered itself to my doorstep!"
"The monkey really understands me!"
Hao Ren stood up, preparing to have a "friendly exchange" with the monkey outside the cave.
"Monkey, do you really think I need the Azure-eyed Purple Gold Howler's protection?"
"Heh heh, to tell you the truth, I now have the 'Five Dragon Pattern Outer Elixir,' which allows me to exert the strength of a Golden Core cultivator."
"Monkey, prepare to kneel and sing 'Conquer'!"
The smile on Hao Ren's face grew wider.
He took a few steps, then turned back, retrieved the completed "Thunderlight Hammer" from the altar, and tucked it into his sleeve.
Outside the cave, the Little Spiritual Monkey King was still yapping.
"Ji ji, ji ji ji, ji ji ji..."
Hao Ren walked out of the cave and looked at the Little Spiritual Monkey King with a smile.
"Monkey, did you come to bring me wine?"
Speaking of which, Hao Ren had forced the Little Spiritual Monkey King to sign an unequal treaty, and the monkey still owed Hao Ren a lot of "monkey wine."
"Bring wine?"
It was better for Hao Ren not to mention it. The moment he did, the monkey was reminded of how Hao Ren had "tricked and deceived" him, how Hao Ren had pinned him down and "persuaded him with virtue."
"Unbearable!"
"Absolutely unbearable!"
The monkey was furious, its true essence surging like a tidal wave!
The Formless Staff in its hand seemed to sense the rage and battle intent of its master, emitting a humming sound and erupting with brilliant and domineering staff shadows.
"Fight?"
"Fight!"
The Little Spiritual Monkey King's battle intent soared to its peak, preparing to unleash its ultimate strike.
Han Mo, who was kneeling nearby, couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat for Hao Ren.
"The elder looks so ordinary, and his cultivation level is only... third layer of Qi Refining. Can he defeat the monkey?"
Immediately, Han Mo shook his head, dismissing his absurd thought.
"How could the elder possibly lose to the monkey? He must be hiding his cultivation. The elder's strength is unfathomable, far beyond the third layer of Qi Refining..."
Before Han Mo could finish his thoughts, the Little Spiritual Monkey King had already launched its furious assault.
"Die!"
The monkey's aura was ferocious, its attacks swift and deadly!
Hao Ren's expression changed drastically. He suddenly stretched out his hand and pointed behind the Little Spiritual Monkey King.
"Monkey, look quickly, what's that?"