The Transmigrator's Cultivation

Chapter 61 - Arc 6: Pinglan County Wang Family | Chapter 61: Group of Apes

Translator: Lynn

This is daily update chapter

Wang Yingwu had a restless night, but he was still in high spirits. After showcasing his skills the previous day, he was eager to venture deeper into the mountains.

Observing the young master’s enthusiasm, Wang Xing believed that with a large group of people, there wouldn’t be any issues. He agreed to Wang Yingwu’s request, aligning with the intentions of Nian Hongzhi and Wang Jun. Together, they decided to explore the depths of the mountains.

Meanwhile, Xu Ziqing was entrusted with sweeping the formation, while Nian Hongzhi and Wang Jun discreetly kept watch on their surroundings.

As they traveled along the mountain path, Wang Yingwu held a Ruyi in his hand, his face radiant with excitement. He scanned the surroundings, hoping to spot traces of monsters to further showcase his skills.

However, it seemed that all the monsters on the mountain had sensed the approaching danger and evaded the area. Despite walking for several miles, they encountered no signs of monsters.

Wang Yingwu felt a mix of arrogance and disappointment. In just half an hour, his high expectations were dampened unexpectedly. Such a letdown could easily discourage anyone.

Noticing this, Wang Xing sensed something amiss.

He believed that true experience was not only about strength but also about tempering one’s mental state. As the family’s leader, Wang Xing understood that being easily influenced by external factors was not ideal.

However, he couldn’t offer a reminder. Wang Yingwu had a fleeting memory, rendering it ineffective.

Unaware of Wang Xing’s concern, Wang Yingwu, being in his twenties, couldn’t be faultless. It was natural to feel elated due to excitement, to be tempered by that elation, to feel frustrated due to that elation, and to become irritable because of frustration.

After another half an hour of walking, they ventured deeper into the mountains. The footprints of monsters were present, but there were no actual sightings.

Wang Yingwu’s face grew tense, feeling extremely displeased. Fortunately, he managed to restrain his anger and refrain from expressing it aloud, which left Wang Xing slightly worried yet relieved at the same time.

Suddenly, Nian Hongzhi approached Xu Ziqing and whispered in a low voice, “Fellow Daoist Xu, if Young Master Wang continues like this, he will ruin half of his experience this time.”

Xu Ziqing also noticed something amiss and nodded. “What do you suggest, Fellow Daoist Nian?”

Nian Hongzhi had been waiting for this question and immediately replied, “I plan to go with my second brother to attract some monsters. Fellow Daoist Xu, would you mind staying here with your keen perception to protect Young Master Wang?”

Understanding Nian Hongzhi’s intentions, Xu Ziqing smiled and said, “Friend Nian’s plan is excellent, and there is nothing wrong with it. However, we should discuss it with Wang Guan to ensure his agreement.”

Seeing Xu Ziqing’s agreement, Nian Hongzhi thought to himself, just as expected. He responded, “That’s understandable.” With that, he turned and approached Wang Xing, whispering to him for a while.

Wang Xing, who had been wholeheartedly focused on Wang Yingwu, wanted to shape the young master’s character but knew it couldn’t be achieved overnight. Recognizing that Wang Yingwu was on the verge of eruption, he believed that attracting some monsters would allow him to release his anger and potentially learn something valuable.

Happily, Wang Xing said, “The Wang family is deeply grateful for the friendship of our Daoist friends.”

Nian Hongzhi gained Wang Xing’s favor and felt a sense of pride in having a significant role to play. However, he concealed it well and simply clasped his fists, saying, “In that case, I will go with my second brother. Please wait a little longer.”

Wang Xing and all the other monks also clasped their fists and replied, “Please!”

With that, the two brothers soared into the air, heading towards the deeper parts of the forest.

Wang Xing and Wang Yingwu exchanged whispers regarding the whereabouts of the two brothers. Suddenly, Wang Yingwu realized something and decided to halt their progress, choosing to rest at their current location.

Meanwhile, Nian Hongzhi and Wang Junfei flew several miles, scanning the surroundings in search of their objective.

Nian Hongzhi exclaimed, “I thought I would have a chance to get away with some minor injuries, but now I have this great opportunity. Luck is on my side!”

Wang Jun asked, “Brother, are we still following the plan from last night?”

The two brothers reached an agreement on their strategy. They planned to engage in a battle with a monster, deliberately sustaining minor injuries, and then use an excuse to chase the monster away. They would then locate a third-order monster cub and kill it, smearing its blood on Xu Ziqing during subsequent battles. When the monster sought revenge, they would pretend to assist Xu Ziqing, allowing them to gain the Wang family’s trust. Once that was achieved, training Xu Ziqing would be much easier.

However, while the plan seemed feasible, there were still some potential flaws. If they were unlucky, success would be difficult to attain. Moreover, as the guardians, leaving their posts to chase and kill monsters could potentially invite criticism from the Wang family. Nevertheless, the current circumstances were different. Not only were the people of the Wang family grateful, but everything seemed to be going seamlessly.

Time was of the essence, and they needed to locate a third-order monster cub quickly.

Nian Hongzhi said, “Exactly. Second brother, this mountain range seems vast, so let’s fly over it swiftly!” The two brothers hastened their pace, skimming through numerous dense forests.

Unfortunately, luck was not on their side. They encountered only first and second-rank monsters battling each other, with no sign of third-rank monsters.

Anxiously, Wang Jun asked, “Brother, what should we do?”

They were concerned that if they went too far and returned too late, they wouldn’t be able to explain themselves clearly.

Nian Hongzhi shared Wang Jun’s anxiety but remained silent, accelerating their flight forward.

As they traversed the mountains and forests once again, Nian Hongzhi suddenly sensed a monster’s presence ahead. He felt a surge of joy, quickly followed by shock.

“Second brother, stop!” he urgently exclaimed. “Let’s investigate this area!”

Wang Jun also sensed it and whispered, “What a powerful monster!”

They wondered how many monsters lay ahead—a massive gathering that was truly terrifying.

Nian Hongzhi pulled Wang Jun back, and both of them activated the Wind Control Technique, descending to the ground.

He instructed, “Quickly take out two breath-holding talismans.”

As expected, Wang Jun complied and retrieved two talismans from his pocket, handing one to Nian Hongzhi and keeping one for himself. The talismans dissipated, and the faint aura emanating from the two of them subsided.

Afterward, the two of them cautiously pushed aside trees and vines as they slowly advanced.

Not long after, a valley suddenly came into view.

The valley was wide and surrounded by mountains, with three relatively low cliffs. The rock crevices on the cliffs were adorned with countless wild peach trees, emitting a fragrant peach scent.

One peak stood tall and independent.

However, the mountain peak appeared steep, and in its midst was a cave from which water trickled down, forming a waterfall that cascaded into a pool below.

The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful, capable of captivating people and making them forget to return, tempting them to secretly reside in this secluded place.

Yet, it wasn’t an empty valley.

Within the valley, a demonic atmosphere pervaded the air, accompanied by a group of great apes—some sitting, some lying down, some fighting, and others playing. They were noisy and lively.

It turned out that this place was not a heavenly realm but a demonic realm.

Nian Hongzhi and Wang Jun dared not reveal their presence. They lay down in the grass, cautiously raising their eyes and peering downward.

The group of giant apes was tall and dark gray in color. Some of them had hair that had transitioned from gray to gold, giving them a menacing, ferocious, and terrifying appearance.

They were none other than the Iron Skin Giant Apes of the entire valley!

Nian Hongzhi gasped, meeting Wang Jun’s gaze and realizing that luck was not on their side.

Just then, a long howl echoed, startling everything in its wake, causing the valley to tremble.

Both of them were taken aback when they witnessed a more majestic giant ape emerge from the pool. Its entire body was covered in golden hair without any variegated colors. Its appearance was even more ferocious, with its eyes shining with a scarlet and fierce light.

It was a third-order monster—Vajra Giant Ape!

Moreover, it had advanced from being a second-order monster Iron Skin Giant Ape.

The Vajra Giant Ape’s aura surpassed that of the Iron Skin Giant Ape. Judging from its aura, its cultivation should be on par with a monk at the ninth level of Qi Refining, or possibly nearing the tenth level.

However, that wasn’t the most terrifying aspect.

What sent chills down their spines was the fact that after the Vajra Giant Ape roared, an even stronger surge of monster energy echoed from a cave above the waterfall. It surpassed the power of the Vajra Giant Ape by several times!

And what could be more powerful than a third-order monster?

Nian Hongzhi and Wang Jun didn’t need to guess. They knew that the true master of the valley was a fourth-order monster—a Vajra Giant Ape, comparable to a cultivator at the Foundation-Building stage.

The two monks felt their strength drain away. With so many giant apes around, if they accidentally disturbed them, escaping would be impossible, and they would likely end up dead.

Yet, amidst the numerous giant apes, their gaze fell upon a relatively low cave under the cliff.

Outside the cave, several giant ape cubs frolicked, swinging and playing while grabbing onto vines.

A thought flashed through Nian Hongzhi’s mind, one he couldn’t suppress.

Steal one of these giant ape cubs… and frame Xu Ziqing… Then, all the giant apes in the valley would consider him an enemy, and Xu Ziqing would surely meet his demise!

Wang Jun was taken aback. “Brother, you want to…”

Nian Hongzhi narrowed his eyes. “It’s a great opportunity.”

However, Wang Jun hesitated. “But the risk is too high.”

Nian Hongzhi whispered, “Throughout these years, have we not encountered countless dangers? If we let fear hold us back, how will we ever rid ourselves of this thorn in our side?”

Their concern for Xu Ziqing had started as a passing thought, but over the course of a year, it had grown into an obsession. Until Xu Ziqing was eliminated, they would never find peace or make any breakthroughs.

Silently, Wang Jun asked, “According to your plan, how should we proceed?”

Nian Hongzhi reconsidered. “You go back first and lead a few first-level monsters to the young master of the Wang family for practice. I’ll stay here and wait for the opportunity. Once I capture the giant ape cub, I’ll follow you. If anyone asks, just say I stayed behind to cover your retreat.”

Wang Jun nodded, crouched down, and began retreating slowly. After getting far enough away, he sprinted back, searching for the location of the first and second-tier monsters they had recently seen. He lured a few foolish ones and quickly headed toward Wang Yingwu and the others’ location.

Meanwhile, Nian Hongzhi turned his head and gradually descended.

He controlled his breath, moving stealthily so that no giant ape noticed his presence. Nian Hongzhi was accustomed to traversing mountains and had no trouble navigating the terrain.

Lying on a branch of a taller wild peach tree, Nian Hongzhi reached out and plucked some wild peaches.

Suddenly, a booming sound reverberated through the valley.

A dozen giant apes, led by the Vajra Giant Ape, swiftly climbed up from the other side and disappeared into the mountains.

Nian Hongzhi realized they were going hunting.

As for the Xuangang Giant Ape in the cave, it remained motionless. Was it cultivating? That was precisely what he wanted.

When Nian Hongzhi glanced down, he saw only a few giant apes guarding the playful cubs from a distance. They were merely second-order giant apes with limited aptitude and intelligence.

Seizing an opportunity, Nian Hongzhi intentionally dropped a wild peach, which landed in front of one of the younger cubs playfully kicking its calf.

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