Chapter 2439 - 1419: Monkey Battle at Dusk (Part 2)
While hunting for treasure, they would pack away anything useful, and if they came across unknown plants that seemed valuable, they would dig them up to store and research later.
Hua Sheng and her group were quite lucky not to encounter any particularly strong Demonic Beasts.
By noon, they paused to grab something to eat and prepared to continue their treasure hunt.
They hadn’t considered practicing Alchemy here, as their mission had a time limit.
The Hell Palace was immensely vast, and it felt as if some parts remained unexplored, likely leaving regrets.
Although uncertain if greater dangers lie ahead,
Would they be afraid?
Their purpose here was to hone their skills. Hua Sheng’s group had crafted excellent Pills, though not yet Immortal Pills.
In the Top Ten Clans, they were well-known but previously focused more on Alchemy Skills and were slightly less advanced in cultivation.
In the past, their emphasis was on Alchemy, enhancing Cultivation Techniques and refining magic at a slower rate, until they joined the Saint Sect and learned All-Around skills. Despite this, their proficiency in other skills didn’t match that of Alchemy.
Now their unique skill is Alchemy; crafting an exceptional Pill guarantees high value and returns.
In the Cultivation World, excellent Pills remain highly sought after, a rarity outside. Yet, within the Saint Sect, they were accessible through its benefits.
...
Hua Sheng wonders about the existence of more Immortal Pills in the Cultivation World. The Saint Sect, during one competition, awarded many winners with Immortal Pills as rewards.
Perhaps before the Saint Sect’s deities emerged, the Cultivation World outside, including all clan societies and Immortal Sects, had run out of Immortal Pills.
This resulted in exceptional Pills fetching astronomical prices after being crafted.
After years of effort, they finally managed to produce top-tier Pills.
This success was partly due to Jiang Tang providing them with enhanced Alchemy Skills.
Previously, Hua Sheng had competed against Jiang Tang in Alchemy.
She lost, which left her somewhat dissatisfied.
Back then, Hua Sheng was a Clan Descendant with a legacy, roughly Jiang Tang’s age, possessing higher cultivation skills, yet lost the Alchemy competition.
Naturally, she felt unwilling to accept it, but she wasn’t like others who sought to take treasure from Jiang Tang.
Perhaps Hua Sheng and her family possessed a healer’s benevolence, refraining from fighting solely for self-interest and benefits.
Their noble qualities prompted Jiang Tang to kindly share Alchemy Skills with them.
However, Jiang Tang married their family’s Hua Xian’er, strengthening their bond as both allies and family.
Such relationships foster better friendships.
Hua Sheng’s group hasn’t yet crafted Immortal Pills, but many Magic Treasure Books were obtained from divine tribulations.
Immortal Pills were secured, albeit stored in personal spaces.
Hua Sheng aspires to ascend to the status of a deity.
Her capacity remains subpar compared to others, as she hasn’t yet broken through the Spirit Mansion.
Their divine tribulation goal is to discover opportunities for breakthroughs.
The aim isn’t solely Alchemy but also enhancements in State of Mind and cultivation skills.
Until nightfall, they hadn’t encountered any formidable Demonic Beasts.
The unfamiliar Qi of humans made weaker Demonic Beasts realize they couldn’t win, leading them to shy away.
And since many cultivators faced Demonic Beasts in battles within the Hell Palace, less capable Demonic Beasts dared not attack first.
The Artifact Spirit of the Hell Palace didn’t reprimand the timid Demonic Beasts.
The intention wasn’t to let newly arrived humans capture the Demonic Beasts residing within the space.
The Artifact Spirit preferred not to become a lone commander.
Although Demonic Beasts were absent, Ghosts filled the void.
«Hell Palace Artifact Spirit’s favorite targets for torment were Ghosts, Demons, Human Demons, and creatures like Demon Wolves.»
The Artifact Spirit wasn’t overly hostile to cultivators proficient in Alchemy.
The humans entering this time practiced Dan cultivation but were amateurs, having learned All-Around skills but not specialized in Alchemy.
Their medical herb Qi couldn’t match the potent scent surrounding experts like Hua Sheng.
Tang Feiyang’s team initially didn’t encounter powerful Demonic Beasts.
Late in the afternoon, along with Wen Yuanyuan and fellow disciples, they stumbled upon a massive orchard.
In this setting, they spotted numerous monkeys.
Initially, no Monkey King was seen among them.
Perhaps these monkeys previously defeated some cultivators.
In jubilant celebration, patrol monkeys blocked their path.
Having recently repelled some humans earlier, their mood shifted, spotting potential fruit thieves.
The monkeys reacted, alarm calls echoing.
Then, hordes of monkeys emerged, perhaps with past reinforcement from the Monkey King.
Absent of the Monkey King, the arriving monkeys exuded confidence, bolstered enough to face humans.
Tang Feiyang and comrades practiced Dual Cultivation mostly.
Both Martial Cultivation and Taoist Cultivation, wielding weapons like pens and swords.
Some gripping a pen in one hand, a sword in the other.
While Tang Feiyang’s team wasn’t especially powerful, they felt well-equipped against the monkeys.
Upon seeing the monkeys exhibit high alertness, swarming upon their presence,
Wen Yuanyuan, having once lodged in the mountains where animals abounded, interpreted the monkeys’ gestures.
She shared the monkeys’ conveyed meaning with Tang Feiyang and others.
The monkeys perceived them as fruit thieves.
Though training led them to this orchard, they might have intended simply to harvest fruit from the unattended area.
Harvesting openly rather than stealthily. Despite this, they hadn’t acted yet, though a touch of resentment lingered.
The monkeys’ communicated thought matched theirs, considering the hours spent roaming. They had consumed packed food at midday.
Facing the current orchard, the fruit emanated irresistible appeal.
While many wouldn’t normally indulge, Spirit Fruit was different.
Knowing its worth, anyone aware knew these fruits were far more precious than ordinary ones.
Rarity heightened its value.
Moreover, fruits from identical trees bore varied tastes.
Where Spiritual Energy was abundant, guardians like Demonic Beasts were inevitable.
If not these monkeys guarding, then perhaps toxic entities would secure them.
Tang Feiyang’s team didn’t fear the monkeys.
Upon recognizing the monkeys arranged strategically, it was clear they weren’t ordinary.
Well-trained, likely unlike Demonic Beasts with chaotic tactics, or inherited knowledge without formation strategy.
Tang Feiyang’s team began organizing their formation.
Wen Yuanyuan discreetly communicated with the monkeys.
Unsure if the monkeys comprehended her words.
Wen Yuanyuan believed the monkeys understood, albeit their expressions seemed disdainful.
«Their eyes appeared rebellious, unconcerned with the chatter.»
Ready to engage, not wasting time on dialogue.
The monkeys felt humans lacked comprehension of their language.
The Monkey King received intel on humans entering, anticipating continual conflict.
Drawn to challenges, the combative Monkey King and followers relished battles.
Wen Yuanyuan felt discomforted by how monkeys regarded her.
If dialogue fails, they’ll battle!
The Monkey King restlessly lounged, ordering non-combatants to commence drumming.
Evening beckoned, the sun retreating, welcoming night swiftly.
Night held potential for other battles, urging swift combat resolution.
Tang Feiyang’s team already engaged the monkeys.
Both sides formed formations, contesting with one-on-one and group skirmishes within.
Facing agile monkeys, Tang Feiyang’s adversary wasn’t highly skilled but had swift moves.
Wen Yuanyuan’s agility matched her monkey opponent.