There were seven gourds like this in his satchel.
That meant—over twenty jin of Monkey Wine.
Still feeling uneasy, Yi Tianxing took out the Wordless Heavenly Tome and examined the contents carefully.
Monkey Wine: Brewed by spirit monkeys in the mountains using rare fruits, precious fungi, spirit honey, and even lice grown on the monkeys themselves, with fermented fruit as the base. This is a natural talent exclusive to the monkey race; other species cannot replicate it. Known as the holy liquor of wines, it not only boosts cultivation but possesses spiritual properties that enhance comprehension of the Dao. It is extraordinarily miraculous.
The description from the Wordless Heavenly Tome completely confirmed his suspicions.
What he held was indeed Monkey Wine, the legendary wine only brewable by the monkey race. It not only strengthened one's cultivation but also granted a real chance to comprehend the Dao. Its value was simply incalculable.
Just the potential to comprehend the Dao would drive countless top-tier cultivators mad with desire.
This Monkey Wine was truly a heaven-sent blessing. As Mister Hongye had said—this was an unparalleled stroke of fortune. Even Hongye himself probably didn't understand the wine's real power. If he had known, he would never have let it go so easily, much less handed it over to Yi Tianxing.
"Drinking it now would be a waste."
Swallowing hard, Yi Tianxing forcibly restrained his urges and stashed the Monkey Wine back into the spiritual pearl space. The intoxicating aroma faded gradually, and his activated gourmet cells quickly quieted down. He could even feel his flesh crying out in sorrow.
The sensation made him want to open the gourd and take a swig right there.
But in the end, he suppressed the impulse.
After calming his mind, he felt that even his mental willpower had grown stronger, as if it had been refined through the process.
He listened to the ground.
The beasts had already fled far away.
Boom!!
With no more threats nearby, Yi Tianxing erupted with power. The soil above exploded as he launched himself like a cannonball from the crater and landed back on solid ground.
The surrounding forest had gone eerily still.
Many of the fierce beasts had been frightened off by the monkey troop's rampage.
"I must find a beast to form a mount contract with as soon as possible," Yi Tianxing resolved inwardly.
Flowers bloomed like spring, and ancient trees reached to the skies. The forest buzzed with insect chirps and birdsong.
Yi Tianxing, gripping his war spear, made his way through the woods.
It had been half a day since his encounter with the monkey troop. The one-day deadline loomed, and he still hadn't found a suitable beast to form a mount contract with.
He had come across plenty of fierce beasts—lone wolves, savage boars, even intimidating porcupines—but none of them were suitable.
If he was going to choose a mount, he wanted one that suited him and could also provide real support. Otherwise, the Pet Contract, a rare treasure, would be utterly wasted.
If no better choice emerged before the deadline, he'd have no choice but to settle for something—maybe even use Green Emperor as a mount.
Who says a big dog can't be a proper ride?
"Beast! You dare harm my friend? I'll kill you today!"
A furious shout rang out in the distance.
A sharp screech split the air.
Suddenly, a gray-brown giant eagle appeared, circling in the sky. Its sharp eyes gleamed with a needle-like gaze that pricked the skin of anyone it looked at. Even from high above, it was clear—the creature was massive, like a roc. Its wings spanned nearly ten meters, each feather shimmering with the luster of black iron.
Each feather was like a blade. Its beak curved into a deadly hook, capable of tearing out huge chunks of flesh. One glance would chill an ordinary person to the bone.
Whoosh!
A piercing sound followed.
An iron arrow shot forth like lightning, aimed straight for the eagle's chest. The arrow carried a belief of unerring precision and unstoppable power, instilling the illusion that it was inescapable.
"What exquisite archery."
Yi Tianxing, being skilled in archery himself, had spent these past days relentlessly training in the military camp—rain or shine. The number of arrows he had fired could form a mountain. His skills had improved daily, combined with his powerful eyesight and steady hand, his shots were more precise than sniper rifles.
Yet this arrow was no less than his own—perhaps even superior in technique, though slightly lacking in raw power. This was the work of a master archer.
Even a cultivator at the Divine Sea realm would find it deadly.
The eagle gave a proud shriek, disdain glowing in its eyes. It did not retreat. Instead, it dove and pecked at the arrow with lightning speed.
Clang!
Its beak, sharper than any weapon, was infused with its internal force. The collision produced a crisp ring as the arrow was forcibly knocked away.
Whoosh!
The eagle flapped its wings hard, unleashing a violent storm wind that tore through the forest below, forming a swath of destruction. Trees snapped, branches scattered—the clearing appeared almost instantly.
Yi Tianxing leapt onto the treetops.
There, within the clearing, stood a young man in white, wielding a precious bow with a quiver of battle arrows on his back. His aura was extraordinary, his eyes sharp. He carried a sword at his waist and moved with the speed of lightning, deflecting wind blades with a curtain of sword light.
The clang of impact rang out as he blocked the deadly wind blades, though the pressure forced him back again and again.
Beside him stood a beautiful young woman in red, face pale from blood loss. Her shoulder had been gouged, one arm limp. Gritting her teeth, she fiercely swung a long knife in her good hand, cutting through the wind blades with bursts of blade light.
"Big Brother Li, it's my fault. Don't worry about me—just run! With your strength, you can definitely survive even if you can't win. I'll stay and fight this beast!"
The woman's voice was filled with resolve.
"San-niang, fate brought us together. We've fought side-by-side, slaying beasts and watching each other's backs. How could I, Li Guang, leave you behind and flee? I'd rather die here than live with that shame!"
Li Guang's voice was unwavering.
True warriors—unless they were weak or cowardly—would never abandon their comrades in battle. Doing so could leave a mental scar, with consequences more dire than death.
Swoosh!
At that moment, a second arrow tore through the air.
It glowed with a sharp golden light, blazing like a thunderbolt straight toward the giant eagle. Even the storm winds couldn't slow its advance.
"What a fast arrow! There's another master archer nearby, one who's no weaker than you, Big Brother Li!"
The red-clad woman gasped in astonishment.
"That arrow's not ordinary. The power contained in it is immense. The bow must be incredible too. Swift, ruthless, accurate—this is definitely an archery expert."
Li Guang's eyes lit up, voice ringing with excitement.
From the treetop, Yi Tianxing held his Skull Warbow, but the arrow he used was a Talisman Arrow, not a bone arrow. Even so, its power was evident.
Screech!!
Sensing danger, the eagle tried to intercept the golden arrow again with its beak. But this time, as it struck the arrow, it let out a sharp cry—its beak was flung back violently, and the arrow grazed its body, tearing open a wound along its belly.
Blood dripped down from the sky.