Chapter 87, Blazing Diamond Monkey and Another Treasure

Translator: Raznick

 

In the Nine Peaks, there was a renowned beast enclosure. This beast enclosure was a prestigious stronghold of the Zhou Clan, situated between the Flying Stone Peak and four surrounding peaks, covering an area of over ten thousand acres.

 

Within this beast enclosure, numerous demon beasts were kept.

 

Apart from the Zhou Clan cultivators working at the beast enclosure, others from the Zhou Clan rarely ventured there, as they wished to avoid provoking the demon beasts.

 

Today was different.

 

When the news spread that Third Elder Zhou Daoquan had bred a hybrid demon beast in the Monkey Pen, a creature with advantageous bloodline traits, many cultivators from the Zhou Clan rushed to the beast enclosure to catch a glimpse.

 

Among them was Zhou Chun. He arrived at the Monkey Pen earlier than most.

 

While others were still on their way, he had already spotted the hybrid little monkey.

 

The little monkey’s fur was golden, except for its tail  which was a striking crimson red.

 

Its father was a lesser demon beast known as the Diamond Ape, and its mother was also a lesser demon beast, the Redtail Monkey.

 

Both of its parents were among those fierce-looking apes that Zhou Chun, Zhou Zhengyong, and Zhou Jiapeng had encountered years ago on Red Peach Ridge. Back then, they had all been captured by Third Elder Zhou Daoquan and brought back to the Zhou Clan.

 

Time had passed, and the once-ferocious Diamond Ape had since been tamed by Zhou Daoquan, rising to become the king of the monkeys in the Monkey Pen.

 

At this moment, the hybrid demon monkey was required by the Diamond Ape to stand on a large rock, as Zhou Chun and others observed it.

 

“This hybrid demon monkey is still less than two years old. I have named it Blazing Diamond Monkey. It has inherited the bloodline abilities of the Diamond Ape in full and has awoken to the fire mystical arts mastered by the Redtail Monkey, possessing both metal and fire attributes.

 

“Based on my observation and testing, under the same cultivation level, its combat strength can far surpass that of a Diamond Ape!

 

“As for whether it will be able to advance to second-grade status in the future and become an average demon beast, we will need to continue monitoring.”

 

In front of Zhou Chun, Third Elder Zhou Daoquan was pointing at the hybrid demon monkey on the rock, briefing Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi, Second Elder Zhou Chongshan, and Fourth Elder Zhou Jiarui about the situation.

 

It turned out that this hybrid demon monkey had been born more than a year ago. However, due to its Diamond Ape bloodline not yet awakening to reveal itself, no one had realized it was a hybrid demon monkey.

 

After all, there were only a limited number of monkeys in the Monkey Pen, and just because the Diamond Ape was the king didn’t mean all the female monkeys were his favorites.

 

Other male Redtail Monkey could still mate with female monkeys during their breeding season thanks to cultivator intervention. This was necessary to ensure the growth and development of the Redtail Monkey population.

 

However, a few days ago, the hybrid awoke its innate mystical arts. The Diamond Ape bloodline suddenly became dominant, forcibly changing its fur color and body size. This transformation led the Zhou Clan cultivators to discover its hybrid origins, catching the attention of Third Elder Zhou Daoquan.

 

Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi paused for a moment before asking, “Does the Diamond Ape have any offspring with other female Redtail Monkey? Is this Blazing Diamond Monkey unique product of chance, or can it be recreated as a hybrid?”

 

Zhou Daoquan shook his head and replied, “It’s unclear if there are any more offsprings of Diamond Ape.”

 

Then he shifted his tone and continued, “However, the Blazing Diamond Monkey is likely a reproducible hybrid!”

 

“Interesting. What makes you say that?” This time, it was Second Elder Zhou Chongshan who posed the question.

 

“It’s simple. I asked the head steward, Zhengyong, about it. He said that before the Blazing Diamond Monkey awakened its dominant bloodline, it had not consumed any special spiritual items or been exposed to external stimuli like life-threatening crises.

 

“But according to the clan’s records detailing information about these hybrid demon beasts, all the unique and non-replicable hybrid demon beasts were mostly transformed either by external objects or by external stimuli.” Zhou Daoquan said this.

 

His gaze intensified as he looked at the hybrid demon monkey on the stone. “Moreover, just like this one, hybrids that fully inherit their paternal bloodline abilities are extremely rare. Usually, these hybrids can still pass down their bloodline to their descendants.”

 

“So even if this Blazing Diamond Monkey can no longer breed with others of its kind, once it matures, we can use it to start breeding new generations of Blazing Diamond Monkey!”

 

[I didn’t know hybrid demon beasts had such characteristics.] Zhou Chun was also enlightened by what he heard, and gained a lot of new knowledge.

 

“According to what the Third Elder said, it looks like this Blazing Diamond Monkey can only stay in the Monkey Pen to reproduce!” Fourth Elder Zhou Jiarui’s eyes flickered with surprise before he sighed sadly.

 

A Diamond Ape itself was an extremely powerful lesser demon beast, and if properly cultivated, there was a good chance it could breakthrough to second-grade.

 

Since the Blazing Diamond Monkey had been identified by Third Elder Zhou Daoquan as stronger than a regular Diamond Ape, if it could break through to second-grade, it would certainly become an extremely powerful average demon beast.

 

As for Zhou Jiarui, who had just reached Foundation Establishment, his contracted pets showed no potential for advancement.

 

If the Blazing Diamond Monkey could be contracted, he would definitely fight to secure that spot.

 

“Let’s proceed with this plan,” said Zhou Daoyi, looking at Fourth Elder Zhou Jiarui with a serious expression. “Make sure to inform the other clansfolk about the situation to prevent any unwanted thoughts.”

 

Then, turning his gaze towards Third Elder Zhou Daoquan, he said, “As for the expansion of the Diamond Ape clan, I entrust it to your care. If you need any resources, just inform the clan; they will certainly support it wholeheartedly.”

 

Zhou Daoquan responded with a solemn tone, “Rest assured, Clan Leader. I will certainly do my utmost to handle this properly.”

 

After setting the tone in this manner, the Foundation Establishment cultivators began to disperse.

 

Zhou Chun, however, had reviewed all relevant records regarding the demon beasts housed in the Zhou Clan’s beast enclosure, noting their types and numbers. Although he usually did not personally visit the beast enclosure, this occasion served as an inspection.

 

According to the plan and actual conditions, the Zhou Clan’s beast enclosure was divided into six major sections: the Monkey Pen, Snake Pen, Bear Pen, Wolf Pen, Fox Pen, and cattle and horse pen. Additionally, there were several smaller pens for rearing smaller groups of demon beasts.

 

Each pen was staffed with a Zhou Clan cultivator as the dedicated overseer, responsible for tending to and managing the demon beasts.

 

For instance, the overseer of the Monkey Pen was Zhou Chun’s close friend, Zhou Zhengyong. These overseers had their own corresponding demon beasts under their care, enabling them to effectively communicate and placate the creatures, preventing any incidents that could harm people or cause disturbances.

 

Of course, what truly keeps those demon beasts in check and prevented them from causing trouble was the presence of several high-tier demon beasts. Zhou Daoquan’s tamed average demon beast, Fire Crane, served as the true enforcer of the beast enclosure. Whenever any demon beast in the enclosures misbehaved, the Fire Crane would step in to subdue them.

 

Additionally, other high-tier demon beasts such as Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi’s Sky Cloud Python, Zhou Daoquan’s other tamed average demon beast, Earth Armored Bear, and even the Wood Spirit Ape that guarded the library, all visited the beast enclosure to intimidate their younger counterparts. This ensured that the smaller demon beasts did not act out.

 

The Zhou Clan has long since perfected methods for taming and managing the demon beasts through their years of tradition. They had accumulated extensive experience in this practice, employing strategies like using one beast to dominate another, ensuring complete submission.

 

Zhou Chun walked to the beast enclosure and saw that the Green-crowned Flying Snakes he had brought back were all nesting on a vine outcrop, using the emerald-green vines as perfect camouflage. In addition to the Green-crowned Flying Snakes, the enclosure also housed venomous Gold-banded Pythons, Rock Armored Vipers, and Soul-chasing Snakes.

 

In fact, the Zhou Clan had been passing down their heritage for centuries. Back in the day, when the Three Absolute Sect’s beast enclosure was operational, it once bred over dozens of demon beasts, with a total population of nearly two or three thousand. However, due to the hurried evacuation back then, most of the demon beasts couldn’t be taken along and were either slaughtered on-site or released into the wild.

 

As for those that were brought along, the majority ended up in the possession of the Spirit Beast Manor, leaving only a few demon beasts to the Zhou Clan. Now, the Zhou Clan was forced to follow in their ancestors’ footsteps, once again relying on capturing demon beasts from the wild, taming them, and breeding them to gradually expand the variety and numbers of demon beasts in their own beast enclosure.

 

After touring each section of the beast enclosure and checking the population of demon beasts in each area, Zhou Chun returned to Pagoda Peak.

 

Another half month had passed when Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi went out on a clan matter and returned with two exquisite artifacts for Zhou Chun.

 

One was an inner armor, and the other was a square shield measuring two feet in length and one foot in width.

 

“Superior first-grade artifact Golden Scale Soft Armor,” Zhou Daoyi explained. “Made primarily from the scales and hide of the Golden Armored Mountain Burrower, this artifact provides excellent defense against attacks from flying swords or needles.

 

“Superior first-grade artifact Golden Scale Shield, made mainly from gold essence, with the tail scales of a Golden Armored Mountain Burrower as secondary material,” Zhou Daoyi continued. “It can orbit around its owner and provide protection according to their will, offering strong defense against attacks on either the artifact itself or its user.”

 

Zhou Daoyi presented them one by one to Zhou Chun, explaining their names and uses.

 

After handing them to him, Zhou Daoyi placed a friendly hand on Zhou Chun’s shoulder. “Zhengchun, you’re very fortunate to have these two artifacts. They are both rare, and even the refiner admitted that crafting two such pieces was beyond his expectations. His skills in refining have also seen a small improvement.”

 

Looking at Zhou Chun’s artifacts, Zhou Daoyi added: “Especially this Golden Scale Soft Armor—such an inner armor are extremely rare, even for a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Obtaining one of this caliber is purely a matter of luck!

 

“With this armor protecting you and paired with the Augur Pendant you already possess,” Zhou Daoyi said, “you’ll be much safer when traveling outside.”

 

His words were not without personal experience. As the Clan Leader of the Zhou Clan, Zhou Daoyi himself wore a similar inner armor artifact, though his was of significantly higher quality than the one in Zhou Chun’s hands.

 

However, those were heirlooms of the Zhou Clan, not his personal possessions. It was given to him for safekeeping due to his status as the Clan Leader.

 

“Clan Leader’s kindness is overwhelming; I am unworthy!”

 

With both artifacts in hand, Zhou Chun gazed thankfully at Zhou Daoyi.

 

Much like Zhou Daoyi had mentioned, these artifacts were rare treasures; each one more precious than the last.

 

Take the Golden Scale Soft Armor for instance—it could be lifesaving in many situations. Its value might even exceed a thousand spirit coins!

 

To obtain these artifacts, Zhou Daoyi must have paid the refiner a hefty fee—perhaps even one or two hundred spirit coins.

 

“These are things you’ve earned through your own abilities. There’s no need to feel unworthy.”

 

Shaking his head, Zhou Daoyi sighed with a mix of emotions. “If only every descendant of the Zhou Clan could possess your talents, I would gladly disperse my wealth and still feel delighted!”

 

Zhou Chun immediately felt a sense of reverence and admired Zhou Daoyi’s noble character, which was selflessly dedicated to serving the public. He openly admitted that he was still far from reaching such a realm, but this did not lessen his respect for such individuals. Having a patriarch like this in the Zhou Clan was a tremendous blessing.

 

After obtaining the Golden Scale Armor and the Golden Scale Shield, Zhou Chun resolved to continue his cultivation of the second layer of Hard Gold Sword Energy. His defense was quite formidable, and if he mastered the second stage of Supreme White Gold Energy, his offensive and defensive capabilities during the Qi Refining Stage would be unmatched. However, just as Zhou Chun was about to complete it, the Zhou Clan welcomed an unexpected visitor who had come to see him.

 

“Ah, it’s Fellow Daoist Liu. I was wondering who it could be!”

 

Outside the Nine Peaks, Zhou Chun hurried to the location and saw the arriving cultivator.

 

It turned out that the visitor was none other than Liu Shiyun, who had joined the Green Lotus Monastery a few years ago as a rogue cultivator.

 

“I hope we haven’t disturbed you, Fellow Daoist Zhou. Please don’t hold it against me,” said Liu Shiyun, her beautiful eyes meeting Zhou Chun’s gaze before she modestly lowered her head.

 

Zhou Chun couldn’t help but chuckle. “There’s no need for courtesy, Fellow Daoist Liu. It’s always a pleasure to have guests from afar.”

 

He then glanced at the other two middle-aged cultivators dressed in Green Lotus Monastery disciple robes standing beside Liu Shiyun, and gestured with his hand.

 

“This isn’t the place for conversation. Let me invite you all to come inside, where we can talk properly.”

 

Once they had escorted Liu Shiyun and her group into a guest area within the Zhou Clan’s estate, Zhou Chun barely needed to ask once—Liu Shiyun openly explained their purpose.

 

“I’m taking the liberty to visit Fellow Daoist Zhou to thank you for taking care of me. Your support has always been on my mind.

 

“Also, when I was in the sect, I happened to hear a piece of news that may be useful to you.”