Volume 1 Chapter 2 Enemy Sight

  In late autumn, the sky is clear and the air is fresh, with the warm sunshine of noon still prevailing.

  The vast and rolling mountains are a deep yellow and crimson, with the layered autumn colors stretching out to infinity. The crisp autumn air is refreshing, and climbing high to gaze far into the distance, taking in the majestic autumn scenery among the mountains and forests, is originally an elegant and delightful experience that brings comfort to both body and mind.

  However, the few young men standing at the summit were solemnly surrounding a circle, with no one paying attention to the autumn scenery. Deep in the Black Dragon Mountains where countless demons and beasts resided, anyone who was normal wouldn't have the leisure to pay attention to these unrelated things.

  "This time, we must at least kill two third-tier mid-grade demonic beasts. The danger is obvious, I don't need to say more, everyone understands!" Peng Xiu, with a beautiful face and a gentle demeanor, said slowly after glancing around the circle. His sharp voice, though pretending to be calm, still lacked sufficient majesty.

  "Golden Thread Python, Flying Ape, Iron-backed Gray Wolf - these three demonic beasts are our targets. Unless absolutely necessary, we must not engage in battle with other demonic beasts. It's hard to determine their rank and value, so it's not worth the risk. Once a fight breaks out, it will easily alert other demonic beasts and put us in danger..."

  Although it was mentioned earlier, Peng Xiu still had to emphasize again before entering the depths of the Black Dragon Mountain Range. The deeper parts of the mountain range were extremely dangerous. With just a few people and shallow cultivation, they must avoid making any low-level mistakes.

  "Alright, stop the nonsense, who's here to play around! Get straight to the point..." Peng Xiu repeatedly emphasized, making Fei Xue very impatient and unable to help but interrupt.

  Snowflakes on black clothes, white skin, under the contrast of black and white, her skin is even more delicate and tender. Her facial features are delicate and charming, with bright eyes curved like a new moon, full of vitality and spirit. On her head, she wears a slanted conical hair bun, wrapped with five-colored silk threads, looking like a small horn, showing off her playful and lovely side. Although her body is petite and slender, it already has the beauty to make people's souls dizzy.

  At this time, with eyes shining like a new moon, there is an indescribable cuteness in her coquettishness.

  Peng Xiu glanced at Fei Xue, smiled slightly and said: "Sister Fei Xue is right, it's me who was being tedious..." Peng Xiu didn't like anyone offending his authority, but he had to be polite to Fei Xue. It wasn't just because of her delicate beauty, but also because she was already a third-grade medium-level cultivator.

  In the Eastern Land of Divine State, those who respect ghosts and gods are known as Fa Shi (Dharma Masters), who follow the sacred and divine immortals. The Dharma Masters use incantations to communicate with Heaven and Earth, and cast spells. Although both Dharma Masters and Wu Shi (Martial Sorcerers) use their souls to connect with the primordial energy of Heaven and Earth, and cast magical techniques, they differ in that Dharma Masters worship sacred and divine immortals, and obtain power from them. In comparison to Dharma Masters, the path of Martial Sorcerers is more arduous and winding, but also has more transformations, and a broader future.

  Fei Xue can become a third-order mage at such an age, it's absolutely worthy of being called a genius.

  Zhao He respectfully said, "With Fei Xue as our sister, we will definitely be able to complete the task." Zhao He was tall and thin, with a long face, although he had a flattering smile, but those triangular eyes and dense freckles always made people feel uncomfortable.

  Even the stout and sturdy Zhou Ping said: "With the wise and far-sighted Master Peng in charge, with the talented Snowflake Sister, plus Brother Zhao's agility, Wu Kong's bravery, everyone working together with all their might, how can we not succeed..."

  Zhou Ping's round and chubby face was already a bundle of harmony, and when she smiled, her eyes, nose, and mouth seemed to shrink into one, making her look even more friendly and pleasant. Zhou Ping's words were also flattering, but they were comprehensive, smooth, and tactful, without any of Zhao He's awkwardness. After speaking, everyone felt comfortable in their minds, and the atmosphere suddenly became harmonious.

  Snowflakes danced across her face, a fleeting smile, and then she cast a glance at Gao Huan, who had been silent all along. With a disdainful snort, she said, "I'm not afraid of anything else, just afraid that some useless trash will drag us down!"

  The snowflakes' sweet and soft voice was sharp as a needle, pointing directly at Gao Huan, without any disguise. The originally harmonious atmosphere suddenly became somewhat awkward.

  Peng Xiu also felt helpless towards Fei Xue's spoiled temper. As the leader of the small group, he couldn't just stand by and watch. He patiently explained: "Although Wu Kong only has a second-rate lower-level cultivation, his Golden Five-Phase Wheels are unmatched, and with his steel-like physique blocking the front, our chances of winning increase greatly. Moreover, he is experienced and knows the activity areas of the Iron-backed Wolf and the Flying Ape..."

  "Steel in the bones, rich experience... " Fei Xue snorted with laughter, but didn't say anything more. She couldn't stand Gao Huan, this waste, but she couldn't deny his advantage in terms of experience either.

  "Zhao He, you and Wu Kong go ahead and scout the road..." Peng Xiu didn't want any more disputes to arise, so he directly sent Gao Huan away. According to plan, it was also Gao Huan and Zhao He who were supposed to scout ahead, with them ready to respond at any time from behind.

  Gao Huan, who had been silent all along, nodded slightly, shouldered a large black leather bag, and held an iron staff in front of him as he walked away with big strides. From start to finish, his eyes were cast downward, without a single word of argument or counterattack, and his expression remained gentle and calm.

  As if it were docile and submissive, yet as if it had no idea what was happening.

  It's been ten years since he crossed over into Wu Kong's body, and Gao Huan hasn't discovered any supernatural abilities within himself. Different time and space, different social environments, have created huge differences between the two worlds. Although most of his knowledge from his previous life has lost its effect, it has given Gao Huan a broad vision and logical thinking that sets him apart from others.

  Observation, analysis, comparison, synthesis, generalization, judgment, rigorous logical thinking ability, will not lose its function due to changes in the external environment. With just a strong understanding ability, Gao Huan had an advantage when learning martial arts.

  Growing up in a modern society that is full of complex and sinister human hearts, Gao Huan can't be said to be proficient in schemes and intrigues, but when it comes to emotional intelligence, he is one of the strong ones in this world. How can a group of naive teenagers compare to him?

  With these great advantages, whether it's learning martial arts or dealing with interpersonal relationships, Gao Huan can handle them with ease. However, the cultivation of the Golden Five-Phase Wheel is too torturous, making Gao Huan's situation increasingly dangerous.

  However, Gao Huan relied on his unyielding perseverance and determination to get to where he is today. The insults and verbal abuse were nothing more than a gentle breeze.

  Gao Huan, silent and motionless, stood with his body towering over the tallest of them all, Zhao He, by more than half a head. His muscles were tense, bulging out against the black long robe he wore, making it look puffed up. Even the outermost layer of dark purple leather armor was stretched taut. His ancient bronze-colored skin made Wu Kong's eyes widen as if he had been cast in steel, his entire body radiating power and strength.

  Gao Huan's appearance was robust, with a bald head and an eight-foot-long black iron rod in hand. However, his forehead was full, his eyes were deep and his eyebrows were sparse, his nose was straight and his mouth was regular. Especially his clear and distinct eyes made him look calm and peaceful, softening the fierce and violent aura on his body. Without eyebrows, he also had a somewhat comical meaning.

  To others, Gao Huan seemed like a cow or a horse, strong and large in build, but only able to be driven and ordered around, without making any resistance.

  Bidding farewell to Gao Huan and Zhao He as they walked far away, Peng Xiucai spoke in a gentle voice: "Fei Xue, why must you get involved with Wu Kong? He's just a human shield, when there's danger he'll be the first to take it on, and when dividing spoils he gets the least. Moreover... at the end we can..." Peng Xiu said as she revealed a knowing smile to Fei Xue.

  To get close to Fei Xue, Gao Huan was nothing. Moreover, one percent of the profit was also valuable, Peng Xiu had no intention of giving it to Gao Huan. Even if Fei Xue didn't kill him, he would still want to kill him, and it just so happened that he could send someone off with a favor.

  Fei Xue laughed and said: "Peng Shixiong, you're so poisonous!"

  Snow's smile was as beautiful as a flower, and her appearance was dazzling. Peng Xiu's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her. He thought to himself: "What a little demon." Although he thought this, he didn't dare make any sudden moves. In terms of cultivation, Snow was the best among everyone. Moreover, Snow wasn't just an ordinary practitioner, her martial arts skills were also extremely profound. Although she looked lovely and charming, she was actually a very dangerous little demon, not someone to be trifled with.

  Zhou Ping listened on the side, never interrupting, with a silly smile on her face, expressing an unconditional submissive attitude towards the two people.

  The cruel competitive environment within the Honglian Temple has made this group of young people unusually mature. The law of "survival of the fittest, elimination of the weak" makes everyone understand what attitude to take when facing the strong.

  At the same time, Zhao He who was walking side by side with Gao Huan couldn't help but ask: "Wu Kong, how did you offend Fei Xue? Why does she always like to target you?"

  Gao Huan fell silent for a while before speaking slowly, "That was a long time ago." Gao Huan's voice was extremely low and hoarse, as if his throat had completely lost its normal tone and emotional fluctuations, with an unusually special accent that left a deep impression on those who heard it.

  Zhao He knew that Gao Huan was not pretending to be profound, but because his lungs had been severely damaged before, he always spoke like this. For this reason, Wu Kong's words were always very few.

  Moreover, the severe injury to his lungs also affected Gao Huan's cultivation, and even now his internal energy is unable to complete the small cycle of the Heavenly Circuit, stuck at the lower level of the second stage and unable to advance.

  Zhao He patted Gao Huan's shoulder with a sympathetic expression, saying: "Fei Xue is sharp-tongued and petty, don't bother with her. If there's anything going on, we'll definitely support you!" Although Zhao He put on a righteous act, his sly appearance was not very convincing.

  Gao Huan smiled sincerely and thanked him: "Thank you."

  Zhao He wanted to say more, but Gao Huan raised his hand and made a zipping motion across his mouth, saying in a low voice: "The monster's senses are sharp, don't talk too much here." Wu Kong's voice was already low and hoarse, and after lowering it further, it was almost imperceptible.

  Zhao He felt somewhat depressed, but he also didn't dare to say more. After all, Wu Kong had ventured into the Black Dragon Mountains several times and was very experienced, not someone he could compare himself to.

  Deep in the mountains, even the trails that people could walk on were gone. There was only a narrow gap between the trees, barely enough for one person to pass through.

  It's deep autumn, withered grass and trees, fallen leaves, also makes people's field of vision greatly broadened.

  Although that's the case, Zhao He and Gao Huan also had to use their long knives from time to time to slash through branches and weeds, clearing a path. Fortunately, at this time the mosquitoes were all gone, and although the smell of dry grass and wood filled their nostrils, it wasn't unbearable.

  Standing on the mountain and looking down, all I see are apes wailing, eagles flying, wolves running and rabbits hopping about, quite lively. But the deeper we go, the more quiet and secluded the forest becomes. The only sound is the soft rustling of our footsteps. Occasionally a bird cries out, its sharp cry piercing the air, like some unknown omen.

  Zhao He's relaxed expression was gone, his eyebrows furrowed, his triangular eyes darting back and forth, his ears perked up and twitching slightly, his muscles tense, his feet floating silently, showing a state of full alertness.

  Gao Huan saw Zhao He's tense appearance and couldn't help but feel a little amused. Strictly speaking, this was still the outer periphery of the Black Dragon Mountain Range, and unless one was extremely lucky, it was unlikely to encounter high-level demon beasts. Even third-tier or lower demon beasts were rarely encountered here.

  With the strength of five people, there is enough power to cope with changes in this area. Just now, Gao Huan just didn't want to talk nonsense with Zhao He, so he scared him.

  "Waaaah......" Amidst a shrill cry like that of a wailing child, a white figure suddenly swooped down from high above.