Bringing The Farm To Live In Another World Chapter 2267: Three Fists Agreement
Previously on Bringing The Farm To Live In Another World...
Despite their unassuming appearance, Zhao Hai did not dare to treat the apes with any level of carelessness. Their small frames concealed a terrifying power. Zhao Hai felt certain that these creatures possessed physical strength on par with Cultivators at the Soul Fusion stage.
Watching the Strong Apes patrolling the mountain's edge, Zhao Hai couldn't help but knitted his brows. Since he had no intention of forcing his way up the peak, his body blurred as he vanished, seeking a place to conceal himself.
It was quite intriguing how these Strong Apes behaved. It appeared as though they were confined to Strong Ape Mountain, unable to depart. If a human provoked them, the apes would pursue the offender only until they reached the mountain's boundary. Once the human crossed that line, they were essentially safe.
This was precisely why the black-clad cultivator had the nerve to challenge Zhao Hai just outside the mountain's perimeter. He was aware that even if he paused his movements, the Strong Apes would not cross the border to hunt him, provided he didn't overstep his bounds.
In the past, after realizing the Strong Apes were restricted to the mountain, humans would stand just outside the border and pelt the creatures with talismans. They acted with impunity, knowing the Strong Apes couldn't retaliate outside their territory.
However, this continued only until a catastrophe occurred. Quite unexpectedly, the Strong Apes marched out of the mountain, slaughtered those tormenting them, and then calmly returned. It was then that people realized the apes weren't forbidden from leaving; they simply preferred not to. The reason for this preference remained a mystery to everyone.
As the sky gradually darkened, Zhao Hai refrained from lighting a fire or stopping to eat. He simply maintained a silent vigil over Strong Ape Mountain.
By now, the majority of the apes on the peak had settled down to sleep. Assuming that no one would dare disturb them at this hour, they had loosened their guard. This was the window of opportunity Zhao Hai had been anticipating.
With the moon hanging high in the center of the sky, Strong Ape Mountain was swallowed by shadows. Occasionally, a faint wisp of smoke could be seen drifting across the terrain. This was Zhao Hai utilizing his movement techniques. In contrast to the eagle-like ferocity he showed when descending the cliff, his movements now resembled drifting mist or smoke. It was impossible to get a clear look at his form.
Shortly after infiltrating Strong Ape Mountain, Zhao Hai spotted a Strong Ape lying on the ground. A smile played on his lips as he looked at the creature. With a flick of his wrist, a stick of incense appeared in his hand. Zhao Hai pressed his palm against the incense to ignite it, and a subtle aroma immediately permeated the air.
The Strong Ape seemed oblivious to the scent; instead, its slumber appeared to grow even deeper and more comfortable. Seeing this, Zhao Hai smiled again and stowed the incense away. With another wave of his hand, he transported the Strong Ape into the Space. Having achieved his objective, Zhao Hai's figure blurred as he began to drift back down the mountain, intending to leave immediately.
Suddenly, a thunderous roar erupted, vibrating with immense power. The sound caused Zhao Hai to freeze in his tracks, and his expression shifted instantly. He recognized that roar; it belonged to the Strong Ape that had been fighting the black-clad cultivator earlier.
Just as Zhao Hai prepared to accelerate his escape, the space directly in front of him was forcibly ripped open. A white ape stepped out from the spatial rift.
This white ape stood less than two meters tall, characterized by short legs and exceptionally long arms. Its eyes glared coldly at Zhao Hai. While Zhao Hai could sense a thick murderous aura emanating from the creature, he also detected a mental fluctuation. Interestingly, this mental wave wasn't lethal; it carried a sense of emotion, as if the ape had come to negotiate.
Zhao Hai wasn't particularly surprised by this. Back in the lower realms, he had frequently encountered beasts with human-like intelligence. However, as beasts grew more powerful, they often ceased communicating with humans. This was because as strength increased, both species began to view each other with disdain and mutual suspicion, fearing a sneak attack during communication.
While others might be cautious, Zhao Hai had no such fears. His spiritual force far exceeded his spiritual Qi, further bolstered by his golden spiritual force. Thus, he chose to communicate with the white ape directly using his mind.
Before long, a powerful voice resonated within Zhao Hai’s mind: “Human, I care not for your identity. Give Xiao Wu back, or I shall end your life.”
Zhao Hai looked at the Teleportation Stage ape and responded, “Senior, I have not kidnapped Xiao Wu. I merely wished to invite him to a certain place for a short while. I can release him this instant, though I suspect he may still wish to follow me.”
“Human, do not test my patience. Release Xiao Wu this instant.”
Without further hesitation, Zhao Hai waved his hand. The ape that had been taken into the Space appeared beside him, now fully awake. The creature's demeanor had undergone a total transformation. Instead of the cold, savage gaze the older ape possessed, this one looked at Zhao Hai with profound respect and admiration.
Zhao Hai turned to Xiao Wu and asked, “Xiao Wu, this senior wants you to remain here at Strong Ape Mountain. Do you wish to stay, or do you want to come with me?”
Xiao Wu leaped up and exclaimed, “I am following you, Young Master! Grandfather, I want to go with the Young Master. The place he showed me is wonderful, and I want to stay there.”
The Teleportation Stage ape stared in shock, looking at Xiao Wu with utter disbelief. “Xiao Wu, what are you saying? You wish to abandon Strong Ape Mountain? Why? Have you forgotten the ancient mandates of our Strong Ape Clan?”
Xiao Wu shook his head vigorously. “Grandfather, I haven't forgotten. I will always remember our clan's mission. But Grandfather, the place the Young Master takes me to is incredible. My Cultivation progresses much faster there than it does here. Besides, even if I go with the Young Master, I can return instantly if the mountain is in danger. The Young Master might even lend his aid. Grandfather, this Young Master is not like other humans.”
The Teleportation Stage Ape frowned as he studied Xiao Wu. “Xiao Wu, you have only just met this man. How can you claim he is different? Is he casting a spell on you?”
Xiao Wu shook his head again. “Grandfather, you don't understand. The Young Master would never deceive me. The place he is taking me to is truly unique. I cannot tell you exactly where it is, but please don't worry. I am safe.”
The Teleportation Stage ape observed Xiao Wu closely, realizing the youngster was genuinely determined to leave. What baffled the white ape was that he couldn't detect any spiritual force or mental manipulation influencing Xiao Wu’s mind.
The white ape turned its gaze back to Zhao Hai. “It seems you are no ordinary person if you can win Xiao Wu’s loyalty so quickly. I do not know what trick you used, but since Xiao Wu has made his choice, I will give you a chance. If you wish to take him, you must endure three of my punches. If you survive my fists, I will allow him to follow you. If you cannot endure them, or if you die, Xiao Wu stays.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Hai gave a faint smile and replied, “Very well, I accept.”
The white ape had expected a refusal, so Zhao Hai’s quick agreement was a surprise. Even more confusing was Xiao Wu’s lack of concern. The white ape could see that Xiao Wu’s heart belonged to Zhao Hai now. Normally, a Soul Fusion stage cultivator shouldn't be able to survive a single blow from a Teleportation Stage expert. Xiao Wu should have been trying to stop the fight. Because of their reactions, the white ape became certain that Zhao Hai possessed some extraordinary means of protection, and his expression grew solemn.
To be honest, the white ape had no desire to let Xiao Wu leave. The three-punch agreement was a trap; if Zhao Hai refused, the ape had a reason to keep Xiao Wu. If Zhao Hai accepted, the ape intended to kill him, which would also prevent Xiao Wu from leaving.
However, the confidence shown by both Zhao Hai and Xiao Wu gave the white ape a sense of foreboding. Unlike humans, who often break their word, beasts are bound by their promises once given. Thus, the white ape had no intention of backing out. He remained confident in his own power, finding it hard to believe a Soul Fusion cultivator could survive his direct strikes.
The white ape looked at Zhao Hai and said, “Good. Steel yourself. If you survive three punches, Xiao Wu is yours to take.”
Zhao Hai nodded, settling into a firm stance. “Senior, please proceed.”
The white ape nodded back. He had remained relatively polite because of Xiao Wu, the fact that Zhao Hai could communicate via spiritual force, and the respect Zhao Hai had shown from the start. These factors had given the white ape a decent impression of the human.
Zhao Hai dropped into a horse stance, pulling his fists back to his sides. His focus was entirely locked onto the white ape. It was the most fundamental defensive posture in martial arts, known to even the most basic practitioners.
While the horse stance was basic, Zhao Hai’s foundation was incredibly deep, making his version of the stance far more formidable than that of any ordinary martial artist.
The white ape asked, “Are you prepared? I am starting now.”
Zhao Hai gave a firm nod.
The white ape then began to draw upon his inner power, and his physical form started to expand. Like a balloon being inflated, his height surged from under two meters to five meters in an instant. His muscles became as hard and defined as cast steel.