By the way, this is my Patreon! Please support it! With enough support, I'll upload more chapters each week (I plan to upload seven a day).
There are ten chapters available in advance!
https://patreon.com/Raven_Feather?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink
----------------------------
The entire group followed the monkey as they leapt from tree to tree. Traveling this way proved far easier and more comfortable than they'd expected.
Normally, when using branches as springboards, they had to shield their faces from small twigs whipping past. But the monkey seemed to know a route completely free of obstacles or face-slapping branches.
It was clearly a path meticulously maintained by the monkey pack.
They were quite surprised that mere monkeys possessed the intelligence to maintain trails—and also be able to orchestrate a psychological warfare against their prey. This pack was truly exceptional.
Qing Xuanling harbored secret expectations, imagining treehouses or similar dwellings for the monkey lair. But she was stunned when they finally arrived.
The Dawn Wild Monkeys didn't inhabit trees—or even the ground—but lived inside a cave!
The tamed monkey led them to a cave entrance well-hidden from view. At first, they were confused, thinking Qing Huayan's taming had failed—but they soon fell silent when several monkeys emerged from the cave.
Qing Xuanling narrowed her eyes. Attacking without knowing the exact number of monkeys was extremely dangerous. They could handle twenty—even thirty. But things would change drastically at forty or fifty.
If over a hundred monkeys were inside, their lives could be in serious danger.
Not to mention the possibility of one or more monkeys in the advanced-stage—that would be truly perilous.
Qing Ziyi shared these concerns, biting her nail as she pondered their next move. She turned to Qing Huayan. "Can your moles burrow through stone?"
Unfortunately, Qing Huayan shook her head. "Not yet—they'd need to become spirit beasts first to manage that." She sighed. "Don't even think about sending them to scout. Though clever for their species, they're still mortal animals. Their stealth is terrible aboveground—monkeys with such sharp senses would spot them instantly."
Qing Ziyi clicked her tongue, momentarily at a loss. The others had no good ideas either.
Seeing their struggle, Qing Xuanling suddenly remembered something in her storage ring.
"Ah—I think I have three concealment talismans in my storage ring!"
Everyone turned to Qing Xuanling in surprise. concealment talismans were rare and expensive—after all, they were supreme grade rank one talismans.
Qing Ziyi stared at her in astonishment. She was a master of talismans, so she knew how rare a concealment talisman was. They were simply too difficult to make. The others also looked at her, but with envy.
They realized these talismans came from the storage ring Qing Xuanling acquired at the clandestine auction!
Back then, they hadn't bothered asking what she'd found—it was her personal loot after all. But now it seemed her haul was far greater than they'd imagined.
Still, their envy was minimal. Each was a young scion raised in luxury with abundant resources, and Qing Wentian—her close friend—was genuinely happy for her windfall.
Planning proceeded naturally after this small revelation.
"There are only three talismans, so we must choose carefully who goes…" Qing Ziyi seriously considered whom to send.
"I think Sixth Sister and I should go," Qing Xuanling suggested abruptly. "I likely have the best escape capabilities if things go wrong—thanks to my body cultivation, sword skills, and new artifacts."
"And Sixth Sister is essential. Bringing her tamed monkey could help, plus she can use her moles to relay information from below. Using communication talismans might alert the monkeys to our position."
Others wanted to object at first, but Qing Xuanling's reasoning left little room for argument. Even Qing Tanwei—who had the strongest defense—doubted she'd survive better than Qing Xuanling.
After all, unlike a body cultivator's physical endurance, her Qi would deplete. She doubted having enough Qi to withstand dozens—or hundreds—of attacks.
Qing Ziyi hesitated but nodded. Qing Xuanling's logic was sound. "Now we need a third…"
An unexpected volunteer stepped forward.
"I should go." Qing Hanlin yawned, his eyes drowsy. "I have sharp senses. We don't know the cave's conditions—a scout is necessary."
Everyone stared in shock. This was the first time Qing Hanlin had ever volunteered for anything!
Qing Hanlin frowned. "Why look at me like that? I'm offering because I'm objectively the best choice. Did you think I'd just watch my comrades take risks without helping when I can?"
The others laughed awkwardly. They didn't think he was malicious—but rather someone who avoided extra work unless forced to do it.
Qing Ziyi recalled the report she had received about his abilities and nodded. "Agreed. You three will go. Remember: concealment talismans lose effect if touched by external objects."
No one objected to Qing Xuanling's team departing—they trusted their comrades. Qing Ziyi gave final warnings before the infiltration began.
Qing Xuanling and the other two joined hands while placing the talismans—yellow paper inscribed with mysterious symbols—on their chests.
Designed for escapes, these concealment talismans allowed users touching each other to remain visible to one another—preventing tragic separation during flight.
The talismans glowed on their chests as their figures gradually vanished.
Qing Ziyi observed and nodded. "The talismans are active—you may go. Remember: don't let anything touch you!"
Qing Xuanling nodded silently. Speaking wouldn't immediately break the talisman's effect but would weaken it over time.
She exchanged glances with her two companions and quickly approached the Dawn Wild Monkeys' cave. Qing Huayan took the lead, ordering her tamed monkey to go first.
The three closely followed the monkey.
The tamed monkey approached the cave entrance where several Dawn Wild Monkeys stood guard. The trio tensed initially—but the tamed monkey casually greeted the guards.
"Hikhik!" It pounded its chest twice and made hand signals.
The guards nodded, pounded their own chests twice, and let it pass.
Qing Xuanling watched with interest. The monkeys had their own communication system—rudimentary but equally impressive. They had already done the hardest part: creating it. Development would come with time.
The tamed monkey led them into the cave—a long, wide passage gradually descending. Surprisingly, it was illuminated by glowing flowers, allowing them to see their own hands.
Qing Xuanling examined the flowers in astonishment—they were an unknown species. This was remarkable considering Xuan Dan had memorized tens of thousands of spiritual plants the clan had documented in the Scarlet Forest over a millennium!
She promised herself to collect a specimen for study before refocusing on the path they'd traveled for twenty minutes. They'd descended hundreds of meters in under half an hour.
Breathing would trouble mortals here, but posed no major issue for her body cultivation—though slightly uncomfortable. She noticed Qing Huayan frowning faintly.
Qing Hanlin remained unaffected, proving his sixth-layer cultivation wasn't just for show. Yet even he'd struggle if they descended further.
Fortunately, the long passage finally ended. Qing Xuanling's eyes widened as the tunnel opened into a sight that left her breathless.
The cavern had expanded hundreds of times, forming a vast underground chamber filled with dense vegetation. Most astonishing was its light source: a massive golden flame.
Floating like a sun on the cavern ceiling, it illuminated an underground river splitting the cavern and hundreds of wall holes that appeared to be the monkeys' homes.
The magnificent scene made Qing Xuanling's face pale.
'This… This is far too big for us to handle!'