“Little Nine, your smile is too restrained,” Ye Qinghe’s voice rang out.
She walked to Ning Qi’s side, then placed her hands on her hips, her Qi sinking into her Dantian, looking wild and unrestrained as her loud laughter echoed across the sky, startling the distant birds into circling continuously.
“See that? If you laugh like this from now on, your enemies will surely fear you by three points!”
Ning Qi was speechless.
Laughing so arrogantly, one would think you had achieved Dao enlightenment.
Seeing Ning Qi admit defeat, Ye Qinghe laughed even more freely, and her previous slight irritation instantly vanished.
“In terms of Comprehension Ability, I am not as good as you, but in other aspects, Little Nine, you are still a bit green.”
Ye Qinghe did not ask Ning Qi what Stake technique he had comprehended; although she was a little curious, she did not want to be discouraged.
The two of them lingered on the stone platform for a long time.
Drinking monkey wine and enjoying the beautiful scenery had a unique flavor, and Ye Qinghe was still not satisfied, feeling that the previous boredom and dullness had vanished like smoke.
“Little Nine, you are truly a lucky star. Next time you go out to play, you must call Senior Sister.”
Ye Qinghe said with a giggle.
Then she stopped the Little White Ape, who was about to pour more wine. She stood up and brushed off the dust.
“It’s about time to go back.”
Ning Qi smiled and nodded.
“Little White Ape, meeting is also fate. I hope that next time we meet, you won’t be chased by a few Gibbons.”
Ye Qinghe echoed with a laugh:
“Exactly, exactly, you’re so embarrassing, little monkey.”
However, she felt that this Little White Ape was probably not simple. It had eaten a few magical red fruits and undergone mysterious changes; perhaps its potential had just not been developed yet.
The White Ape scratched its head shyly.
The two people and one ape passed through the water curtain and returned to the cave, then passed through the cave and entered the mountain forest. At this time, the afterglow of the setting sun was becoming increasingly faint, and the mountain forest had a few more mottled hues.
The White Ape looked at the two with some reluctance.
It waved its arms, wanting to keep them.
Ning Qi shook his head and smiled:
“We still have to go back to our sect. It’s getting late, and the mountain forest is dangerous. You should go back early.”
With that.
The two waved their hands and walked forward.
The White Ape was dejected. It looked at their retreating figures, with a hint of struggle in its eyes.
It was intelligent and could distinguish good from evil.
Although their time together was short, it knew that these two were very kind.
Not only did they help it teach a lesson to the Gibbon group that often bullied it, but they also didn’t snatch its fruits. If it had been those people it had met before, they would have probably flayed it alive.
Seeing their figures about to disappear at the end of the mountain forest, a jolt went through its mind. It remembered Ning Qi practicing his fists before, and the scene of the golden monkey seeking the Dao became increasingly vivid, making its eyes gradually firm.
The White Ape didn’t know where a surge of strength came from. It let out two squeaks and rushed forward rapidly.
Ning Qi and Ye Qinghe were talking and laughing.
Suddenly.
Both of them paused, with expressions of surprise in their eyes.
They saw the White Ape, panting, climb over in front of them.
Ye Qinghe said with a giggle:
“Little monkey, you’re trying to latch onto us now!”
The White Ape took two breaths to steady its breathing.
Suddenly, it knelt down and respectfully kowtowed to Ning Qi, looking no different from a Human Race member.
Ning Qi and the other’s surprise grew even more intense.
Ye Qinghe exclaimed in wonder.
“It seems it’s not latching onto us, but latching onto you, Little Nine.”
Ning Qi asked:
“You want to come back with us?”
The White Ape’s eyes lit up, and it nodded repeatedly, gesturing non-stop, finally showing a cautious expression on its face.
Ning Qi was stunned.
He realized that this was the Ten Thousand Manifestations Source Stake he had created earlier. The White Ape had only imitated a few stances from it.
Ye Qinghe took a sip of wine:
“This little monkey was secretly learning just now. Now it seems it wants to go back with you to practice your Stake technique.”
Ning Qi let out a wry laugh.
How difficult was the Ten Thousand Manifestations Source Stake? Even Qin Yun, the most Genius of the True Martial Sect, might not be able to learn it, let alone a Little White Ape. Ning Qi knew that this White Ape had probably seen a few related 'manifestations' from it, which made it feel it might be suitable for itself.
After speaking, Ye Qinghe said indignantly:
“This little monkey has no discernment! I’m much stronger than you, Little Nine, yet it came to you instead of me! This little dumb monkey!”
The White Ape immediately showed a fawning smile and even gave Ye Qinghe a thumbs up.
This made Ye Qinghe giggle, her mood joyful.
She looked at the thoughtful Ning Qi and advised:
“Little Nine, why don’t we take the little monkey back? It’s no problem for the True Martial Sect to raise one more little monkey.”
This Little White Ape being endearing was one aspect.
There was another reason: she felt Ning Qi was a bit lonely.
After all, he was young, and spending so much time alone practicing martial arts and reading books, it wouldn't be good if his personality became reclusive later. This Little White Ape was full of spirit, and if it could accompany Ning Qi, it would also be a good thing.
This was the main reason for her persuasion.
Ning Qi nodded slightly.
The White Ape wouldn’t be able to learn the Ten Thousand Manifestations Source Stake, but perhaps he could simplify a part of it to create a Stake technique suitable for the White Ape.
What would happen if a strange beast practiced Human Race martial arts?
Ning Qi suddenly became curious.
Although this White Ape was a bit mischievous, it wasn’t a vicious creature, and he was quite fond of it.
He looked over, and the White Ape immediately tensed up.
Ning Qi smiled:
“Alright then, you can come back with us.”
The White Ape’s pupils suddenly dilated, and then it excitedly rolled, jumped, and swung through the jungle.
Ning Qi and Ye Qinghe couldn’t help but smile at each other.
...
True Martial Sect.
Fortunately, night had already fallen, otherwise the combination of two people and one ape would have surely attracted a lot of attention.
Ye Qinghe first hid the monkey wine she had collected, then circulated her Inner Strength to dispel the alcohol from her body, and only then did she say:
“Let’s go, we’ll go see Master.”
After all, they had brought back a strange beast, a White Ape, and it was to be kept by Ning Qi’s side. She felt it was necessary to inform her Master.
Ning Qi nodded.
The White Ape, on the other hand, became a bit nervous.
In fact, ever since stepping into the True Martial Sect, it had been a little nervous.
Ning Qi comforted it:
“Don’t worry, Master is a kind person.”
The White Ape relaxed slightly, following Ning Qi step by step.
“Disciple greets Master!”
The two bowed respectfully, and the White Ape also followed suit.
Dragon Mountain Daoist looked at Ning Qi, his eyes full of benevolence, as Ning Qi rarely came to him, usually only when he encountered a dilemma. He then glanced at Ye Qinghe, shaking his head slightly. Even though the smell of wine had been dispelled, how could it escape his notice?
Ye Qinghe immediately blushed and squirmed slightly.
Dragon Mountain Daoist looked behind the two. The White Ape was mostly hidden behind Ning Qi, but Ning Qi was only four years old now, and the White Ape was taller than him, so this action was clearly a bit redundant and rather amusing.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Ye Qinghe quickly said:
“I was just about to report to Master!”
With that.
She recounted their encounter in detail, from meeting the Iron Arm Ape, to the White Ape presenting the Secret Manual, seeing the strange scenery, and finally following them back, not missing a single detail.
“This is the Secret Manual Little White Ape gave us.”
Ye Qinghe gestured, and Ning Qi pulled out the Ice Silkworm Strength from his embrace.
Dragon Mountain Daoist listened, gradually falling into contemplation.