The forest stretched endlessly beneath the towering mountains, its ancient trees rising so high that their branches intertwined overhead, concealing much of the sky. Sunlight filtered through occasional gaps in the canopy, illuminating patches of moss and tangled roots along the narrow mountain path. Somewhere in the distance, the roar of a demonic beast rolled through the wilderness, followed by the startled cries of birds taking flight.
Yang Bei continued walking, though each step demanded more effort than the last.
Cho Ye had freed him from the Cai family's prison, but the old swordsman had made no attempt to heal the injuries left behind. His wrists remained swollen from years of restraints, and several wounds had reopened during the journey. Whenever his feet struck uneven ground, a dull pain traveled up his legs, forcing him to slow his pace. He had already stumbled twice, and the trembling in his knees suggested a third fall would not be far away.
Still, he refused to stop in the open.
I need somewhere safe.
He glanced toward the distant mountains, remembering the invitation Cho Ye had extended before their separation. The Sword Creed Sect was supposedly a place where he could learn cultivation, provided he fulfilled the old man's conditions. Under ordinary circumstances, such an opportunity might have seemed like a blessing. To Yang Bei, however, the thought of surrendering his future to another powerful cultivator was difficult to accept.
For six years, his life had depended entirely on the whims of people stronger than himself. He had no desire to repeat that experience.
I'll learn to cultivate on my own.
His fingers brushed against the manual concealed beneath his robes. He knew almost nothing about its contents, but possessing something that belonged entirely to him offered a small measure of reassurance.
As long as I have this, there should be a way.
Unfortunately, determination did little to change his circumstances. He was an eleven-year-old mortal, wounded and starving, wandering through a forest inhabited by creatures capable of tearing him apart. Even an ordinary wolf would be dangerous in his present condition, much less the demonic beasts whose distant cries occasionally echoed through the mountains.
After walking for some time, Yang Bei noticed a cave beneath a rocky cliff. Hanging vines concealed much of its entrance, and the surrounding ground appeared relatively undisturbed. He approached cautiously, stopping several paces away to examine the darkness within. The cave seemed deep enough to provide shelter, although he could not see beyond its entrance.
Perhaps I can rest there.
He had barely taken another step when two golden eyes appeared in the darkness.
Yang Bei froze. An oppressive presence seemed to settle over the clearing, making the air feel unusually heavy. His heart hammered against his ribs as he instinctively reached toward his waist, only to remember that he possessed neither sword nor dagger. Whatever was watching him remained perfectly still, its golden gaze fixed upon him.
Then something rustled among the shadows.
A small figure emerged from the cave, stepping into the sunlight with an almost leisurely manner.
It was a monkey.
Not an enormous demonic ape or some terrifying mountain beast, but a monkey barely two feet tall. Its dark brown fur was slightly disheveled, its ears were unusually large, and its long tail dragged lazily across the ground as it regarded him with an expression that could only be described as unimpressed.
Yang Bei stared at the creature, and the creature stared back.
Several breaths passed before he finally spoke.
"...A monkey?"
He had nearly collapsed from fear because of a monkey.
The creature scratched its belly, apparently unconcerned by his reaction. Then, to Yang Bei's astonishment, it opened its mouth.
"What's wrong with being a monkey?"
Yang Bei's eyes widened. "You can talk?"
The monkey rolled its eyes.
"What a stupid question. You're talking, aren't you?"
For a moment, Yang Bei could think of nothing to say. He had heard stories of powerful demonic beasts acquiring intelligence through cultivation, and some were even said to possess the ability to assume human form. Hearing such tales was one thing, however. Encountering a talking monkey in the middle of a dangerous forest was quite another.
His surprise quickly gave way to caution.
"Junior Yang Bei greets Senior."
The monkey raised an eyebrow. "Oh? At least you have some manners."
It examined him more carefully, its gaze traveling from his pale face to the injuries visible beneath his torn clothing. The amusement in its expression gradually faded.
"Good heavens, brat. Did someone drag you through a mountain of blades?"
Yang Bei lowered his eyes. "Something like that."
The monkey fell silent for a moment. Its gaze lingered on the scars covering his arms before it waved a hand impatiently toward the cave.
"Come inside."
Yang Bei hesitated. "Senior, I—"
"Do you want to die out here?"
He closed his mouth.
"At your current condition, even a newly born demonic beast could tear you apart," the monkey continued. "Follow me. I'll treat your injuries."
It turned and started toward the entrance, apparently expecting him to follow without further argument. Yang Bei remained where he was, watching the creature disappear into the shadows. He had learned long ago that kindness often came with a price, and an offer made by a stranger in the wilderness was hardly something he could accept without question.
The monkey stopped.
Without looking back, it said, "If I wanted to kill you, do you think you'd still be standing?"
Yang Bei's expression stiffened. He disliked the reasoning, but he could not deny its truth. The pressure he had felt earlier was enough to convince him that resistance would accomplish nothing.
After another moment of hesitation, he followed.
The cave proved far larger than its entrance suggested. Strange luminous stones were embedded along the walls, casting a soft blue glow across the winding passage. As they descended, Yang Bei noticed intricate formations carved into the stone beneath their feet. Some resembled interlocking circles, while others consisted of unfamiliar symbols that seemed to shift when viewed from different angles.
He could not understand their purpose, but he was certain this was no ordinary mountain cave.
The monkey walked several paces ahead with its hands clasped behind its back, occasionally glancing over its shoulder to make sure he was keeping up.
"What's your name, brat?"
"Yang Bei."
"How old?"
"Eleven."
The monkey stopped so abruptly that Yang Bei nearly walked into it.
"Eleven?"
Yang Bei nodded, uncertain why his age had attracted such attention.
For a brief moment, the creature's expression became difficult to read. It seemed about to ask another question, but after studying him in silence, it merely sighed and turned away.
"Forget it."
They continued deeper into the cave until the passage opened into a circular chamber. The floor was smooth and strangely clean, with several shallow grooves running toward its center. Yang Bei had barely begun examining them when the monkey turned to face him.
"Brat."
"Senior?"
"Don't struggle."
Yang Bei frowned. "What do you—"
Whoosh!
The monkey vanished from where it stood.
Yang Bei's pupils contracted. Before he could retreat or even raise his arms, a small palm struck his forehead.
Bang!
His vision went black, and the strength left his legs almost instantly. As consciousness slipped away, he heard the monkey speaking somewhere above him.
"Don't blame this old man. I can't have you seeing the entrance."
Then everything disappeared.
The monkey stood over the unconscious boy, its earlier carefree expression gradually fading. Without Yang Bei's watchful gaze upon it, there was no longer any reason to maintain its playful manner.
"Such severe injuries..."
It crouched beside him and examined the wounds more carefully. Several scars bore traces of spiritual weapons, while others contained remnants of corrosive energy that had long since settled into the flesh. The boy's survival was remarkable, particularly considering how little nourishment his body appeared to have received.
"Who would go this far against a child?"
The monkey shook its head, then extended one finger toward the empty air.
A strand of golden light emerged from its fingertip, causing the surrounding space to tremble. Strange runes appeared one after another, arranging themselves into an enormous circular formation that filled the chamber with a low, resonating hum.
Rumble!
The walls began to distort as though the stone itself had become water. Within moments, a massive bronze door materialized at the center of the formation, its surface covered in ancient carvings depicting countless monkeys kneeling before an enormous mountain.
The monkey waved its sleeve.
Creak!
The bronze door slowly opened, revealing an unfamiliar landscape beyond its threshold. The monkey glanced down at Yang Bei, seized him by the collar, and dragged him through without ceremony.
A moment later, the door vanished. The runes dissolved into scattered points of light, leaving the cave as silent and undisturbed as before.
Three days later, Yang Bei slowly regained consciousness.
The first thing he noticed was the ceiling above him. Unlike the damp stone of the Cai family's prison, it was made of polished wood decorated with intricate carvings of vines and clouds. Soft golden sunlight entered through a nearby window, warming the blankets beneath which he lay.
For several moments, he remained perfectly still.
Where am I?
He attempted to sit up, bracing himself for the familiar pain that accompanied even the smallest movement. Yet when he lifted his shoulders from the mattress, no sharp sensation followed.
Yang Bei froze.
He raised his arms and stared at them in disbelief. The swollen wrists and open wounds were gone, along with the scars that had covered his body for years. His skin was smooth, and when he clenched his fists, a strength he had almost forgotten flowed through his limbs.
For the first time in six years, his body no longer felt as though it were slowly falling apart.
What happened?
Before he could examine himself further, the door opened.
Two figures entered the room. The first was the small brown-furred monkey he had encountered in the cave. Beside it walked an elderly monkey with gray fur and a long beard. Although the newcomer appeared frail, his eyes possessed a sharpness that made Yang Bei instinctively straighten his posture.
The small monkey grinned when it saw him sitting upright.
"Awake already? Not bad."
Yang Bei immediately climbed out of bed and cupped his fists.
"Junior thanks Senior for saving my life. I will remember this kindness—"
"Enough, enough!"
The monkey waved impatiently, cutting him off before he could finish.
"Save the formalities. My name is Yuan. You may call me Elder Yuan."
It gestured toward its companion.
"This is Elder Xin."
Yang Bei bowed once more. Elder Xin acknowledged the greeting with a slight nod before studying him with an expression of quiet interest.
"Your body is quite unusual," the elder remarked.
Yang Bei frowned. "Unusual?"
"Indeed. Although you haven't begun cultivating, your physical foundation is surprisingly resilient." Elder Xin paused, seemingly considering his next words. "To survive injuries of that severity at your age... it's difficult to believe."
Yang Bei lowered his head. He had no answer to offer, and he was not particularly eager to discuss the circumstances of his survival with two strangers.
Perhaps sensing his reluctance, Elder Yuan changed the subject.
"Yang Bei, do you have anywhere to go?"
Yang Bei hesitated. "No."
"Any family?"
His expression darkened.
"...No."
Elder Yuan regarded him for a moment before nodding slowly.
"Then perhaps you'd be interested in joining our academy."
Yang Bei raised his head. "Academy?"
"The Heavenly Azure-Monkey Academy," Elder Yuan explained with a smile. "It is one of the foremost cultivation institutions in this realm."
Yang Bei caught the unfamiliar wording immediately.
"This realm?"
Elder Xin chuckled. "You're not in the human world anymore, little fellow."
Yang Bei's expression changed. He looked between the two elders, searching for some indication that they were joking, but neither appeared inclined to laugh.
Elder Yuan continued, "This is the Heavenly Azure-Monkey Realm. It is a world inhabited primarily by our race."
Yang Bei fell silent as he tried to comprehend what he had just heard. He had known that powerful cultivators could travel across vast distances, and he had heard legends of mysterious lands beyond the borders of human civilization. Yet he had never imagined that an entire realm inhabited by intelligent demonic beasts existed somewhere beyond his own world.
Elder Yuan watched his reaction carefully.
"We're willing to let you participate in the academy's entrance examination."
Rather than expressing excitement, Yang Bei frowned.
"Why?"
The question seemed to catch both elders slightly off guard.
Elder Yuan raised an eyebrow. "Why what?"
"Why would you help me?" Yang Bei asked. "You don't know me. I'm not even one of your people."
A brief silence settled over the room. Elder Xin exchanged a glance with Elder Yuan, and something passed between them that Yang Bei could not interpret.
Finally, Elder Yuan smiled faintly.
"You're right. We do have our reasons."
Yang Bei's eyes narrowed. "Then what are they?"
"That isn't something you need to know yet."
The answer did little to reassure him. If anything, it confirmed his suspicion that the two elders were interested in something beyond simple generosity.
Elder Yuan sighed.
"Listen, little fellow. I won't force you to join the academy. But outside this realm, you're still a mortal with no cultivation." He gestured toward the window, beyond which the distant mountains rose beneath a clear sky. "Here, you'll have a chance to learn."
Yang Bei fell into thought. Depending on strangers went against everything his years in captivity had taught him, particularly when those strangers openly admitted to possessing motives they would not explain. Nevertheless, he understood the reality of his situation.
Without cultivation, revenge was nothing more than an empty dream.
He could refuse their offer and return to wandering the wilderness, or he could accept the uncertainty and pursue the strength he had been denied for so long.
After a long silence, he nodded.
"I'll take the examination."
Elder Yuan smiled. "Good."
Before Yang Bei could ask anything further, Elder Xin raised his hand.
"Then there's one more thing."
A beam of light shot from his fingertip.
Whoosh!
Yang Bei barely had time to react before the light entered his forehead. A strange energy surged through his body, spreading from his head to his limbs with such force that he staggered backward.
Crack! Crack!
His bones shifted beneath his skin. Dark fur spread across his arms, his fingers shortened, and his entire frame began to shrink. The transformation lasted only a few moments, but the sensation was so unfamiliar that he could scarcely remain standing.
"What are you doing?!"
When the changes finally stopped, Yang Bei looked down at himself.
Where his hands had been were two small, furry paws. His body had become shorter and lighter, and when something moved behind him, he twisted around to discover a long tail extending from his lower back.
He stood frozen.
He had become a monkey.
Elder Xin appeared quite satisfied with his work.
"Relax. It's only a transformation technique."
Yang Bei stared at him.
"Only?"
Elder Yuan burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! You'll get used to it."
Yang Bei was not entirely convinced.
Elder Xin continued, "Tap your forehead three times to dispel the transformation. However, I strongly advise against doing so."
"Why?"
"Because humans aren't particularly welcome here."
The elder's expression became serious, and the amusement disappeared from his voice.
"If your identity is exposed, even we may not be able to protect you."
Yang Bei glanced down at his unfamiliar paws. He had only just begun to consider accepting the academy's offer, yet it appeared he would have to conceal his very identity simply to remain in this realm.
He did not like the arrangement. Still, he understood the warning.
Elder Yuan continued, "For now, concentrate on passing the entrance examination. It consists of three stages, and your results will determine your initial standing."
He then turned toward the door.
"Come in, Little Zing!"
A moment later, a cheerful young monkey entered the room. He had bright yellow eyes, soft brown fur, and an expression filled with such open curiosity that Yang Bei found himself wondering whether the fellow had ever experienced a serious thought in his life.
"Master Yuan! You called?"
"Indeed." Elder Yuan gestured toward Yang Bei. "This is Yang Bei. He'll be participating in the Academy's entrance examination."
The young monkey looked Yang Bei up and down.
"Black fur, huh? I don't think I've seen you around before!"
Yang Bei cupped his fists.
"Yang Bei greets Brother Hou."
The young monkey blinked, then burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! No need to be so formal! My name's Hou Zing, but everyone calls me Little Zing!"
He grinned and gestured enthusiastically toward the door.
"Come on! I'll show you around!"
Elder Yuan nodded. "Zing, take our guest to the academy."
"Yes, Master!"
Hou Zing grabbed Yang Bei's arm before the latter could respond. Yang Bei stiffened at the sudden contact, but after a brief hesitation, he allowed himself to be led toward the door.
Before leaving, Elder Xin handed Yang Bei a small recommendation token.
"Present this when you register," he instructed. "It will allow you to participate in the examination."
Yang Bei accepted the token and tucked it carefully into his robes. He glanced back at the two elders, but Elder Yuan merely smiled, offering no indication that their conversation would continue.
Yang Bei still had many questions, but he suspected neither elder intended to answer them.
At least, not yet.
Once the two youngsters had departed, Elder Xin's expression became grave.
"Yuan, have you lost your mind?"
Elder Yuan's smile faded. The old monkey walked toward the window, seemingly unsurprised by the accusation.
Elder Xin continued, "You brought a human into our realm without permission. If the Principal and Vice Principal discover this, the consequences will be severe."
"I know."
"Then why?"
Elder Yuan remained silent.
Elder Xin frowned, his gaze sharpening as a thought occurred to him.
"Don't tell me you're still thinking about that matter."
Outside the window, dark clouds gathered around the distant mountains. Elder Yuan watched them for some time before finally speaking.
"That boy possesses Cho Ye's golden badge."
Elder Xin's expression changed.
"Cho Ye?"
Elder Yuan nodded. "The Sword Master himself."
Elder Xin drew a sharp breath.
"Are you certain?"
"Absolutely."
Silence descended upon the room. Whatever doubts Elder Xin had entertained about the badge's significance appeared to vanish, although his concern remained.
After a while, he spoke again.
"Even so, that doesn't mean the boy can help us."
"I know."
"Then why take such a risk?"
Elder Yuan looked toward the distant sky. For the first time since Yang Bei had awakened, a trace of sorrow appeared in his eyes.
"Because I've waited long enough."
Elder Xin fell silent.
"If there's even the slightest possibility..." Elder Yuan continued quietly.
He did not finish the thought, but his companion seemed to understand.
Elder Xin sighed.
"You're still unable to let go."
Elder Yuan closed his eyes.
"How could I?"
Meanwhile, Yang Bei followed Hou Zing through a bustling city unlike anything he had imagined.
The streets stretched between magnificent golden buildings, their rooftops decorated with elaborate carvings, while thick vines wound around the pillars and balconies overlooking the crowds below. Enormous trees grew between the structures, their branches spreading above the thoroughfares and casting patches of shade across the polished stone. Monkeys of every age hurried through the streets, some dressed in embroidered robes, others carrying weapons or bargaining with merchants. Occasionally, a streak of light passed overhead as a cultivator traveled upon a flying treasure.
Yang Bei found himself watching everything with a mixture of curiosity and disbelief. Until today, the idea of demonic beasts had belonged largely to the frightening stories told in his childhood, tales of savage creatures lurking beyond human settlements. Yet here they were, arguing over prices, tending shops, and going about their daily lives in a city that rivaled anything he had seen among humans.
Hou Zing noticed his expression and grinned.
"Pretty amazing, right?"
Yang Bei nodded. "Very."
"What's this place called?"
"Azure Monkey City!"
Hou Zing puffed out his chest with obvious pride.
"It's one of the largest cities in our realm."
He extended a paw toward Yang Bei.
"By the way, my name's Hou Zing! But everyone calls me Little Zing."
Yang Bei glanced at him.
"You already told me."
Hou Zing blinked. For a moment, he appeared genuinely confused, then he burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Right! I forgot!"
Yang Bei shook his head. It was difficult to tell whether this fellow was simply forgetful or had never considered remembering introductions particularly important.
They continued along the crowded street until Yang Bei noticed several young monkeys wearing azure headbands. Unlike ordinary pieces of cloth, the headbands emitted a faint glow. Yang Bei noticed that the air around them seemed to shimmer, though he had no idea what caused the phenomenon.
"What are those?"
Hou Zing followed his gaze.
"Oh, those are academy students."
"The headbands?"
"Exactly!"
Hou Zing brightened at the opportunity to explain something.
"The academy has seven headband ranks. Each one represents a student's standing and provides certain cultivation benefits."
Yang Bei studied the nearest student with renewed interest.
"What kind of benefits?"
"They help gather and refine demonic qi," Hou Zing explained. "Azure is the lowest rank. Higher-ranked students receive better resources and access to stronger techniques."
Yang Bei nodded thoughtfully. He knew almost nothing about cultivation, but he understood that resources could determine how quickly someone advanced. The Cai family had possessed wealth and influence far beyond anything his village could have imagined, and their cultivators had wielded powers that ordinary people could not resist.
Hou Zing continued speaking as they walked.
"The strongest students don't even live here."
"Where do they live?"
"Scarlet Monkey City."
A strange expression crossed Hou Zing's face, and his earlier enthusiasm diminished slightly.
"Only students who reach the sixth headband rank can enter."
Yang Bei noticed the change immediately.
"Is something wrong with that city?"
Hou Zing shook his head.
"No. It's just..."
He hesitated, then forced a smile.
"Forget it. You'll learn about it eventually."
Yang Bei considered pressing him, but decided against it. He had already learned that people were rarely eager to discuss matters they deliberately avoided.
Before he could turn his attention back to the surrounding buildings, a sudden commotion erupted farther down the street.
Bang!
A figure crashed onto the polished stones, drawing startled cries from several nearby merchants. The crowd quickly parted, revealing a large red-haired monkey standing over another monkey whose body was covered in blood.
"You worthless thing!"
The red-haired monkey kicked the fallen figure hard enough to make him curl inward.
"How dare you refuse our young master's request?"
The injured monkey coughed violently, struggling to raise his head.
"Those spirit stones... they're all I have..."
"Still talking back?"
The red-haired monkey lifted his foot again, apparently intending to continue the beating.
Yang Bei watched from the edge of the gathering crowd. Dozens of monkeys had stopped to observe the disturbance, yet not one stepped forward to intervene. Some looked frightened, while others deliberately turned their faces away, pretending not to notice what was happening.
So it's the same everywhere.
For a brief moment, he remembered the cultivators who had descended upon his village and the helplessness of those who had tried to resist them. Different faces, different surroundings, but the same familiar arrangement remained.
The strong took what they wanted, and the weak suffered.
Yang Bei shook his head and turned to leave.
"Hey!"
A furious shout rang out behind him.
Before he could move away, the red-haired monkey stepped directly into his path, its expression twisted with anger.
"What was that?"
Yang Bei looked up. "What?"
"You shook your head!"
The monkey sneered, leaning closer.
"Do you have a problem with our young master?"
Yang Bei kept his expression calm. He had no desire to become involved in a stranger's dispute, especially when he possessed no cultivation of his own.
"I wasn't looking at you."
"You little—"
The red-haired monkey raised his arm, preparing to strike.
However, before his hand could descend—
Whoosh!
A streak of light flashed across the street.
Pu!
The red-haired monkey's head separated from his shoulders. Blood sprayed across the polished pavement as his body remained upright for the briefest instant before collapsing.
Thud!
His head landed several feet away, rolling once before coming to a stop.
The surrounding crowd fell deathly silent.
Yang Bei's pupils contracted. He had seen death countless times, but the speed and casual precision of the attack still caught him off guard. He turned toward the direction from which the light had come.
A young monkey stood a short distance away, appearing to be around eighteen years old. He wore immaculate robes, and his expression was gentle, with a faint smile resting upon his lips. Nothing about his appearance suggested that he had just killed someone in the middle of a crowded street.
Yet the red-haired servant lay dead only a few paces away.
"My apologies."
The young monkey spoke with such courtesy that, for an instant, the words seemed strangely disconnected from the scene before him.
"It seems my servant forgot his manners."
He approached at an unhurried pace.
"To think he failed to recognize Young Master Zing."
Yang Bei's eyes narrowed.
Young Master Zing?
He glanced toward his companion. The cheerful monkey who had been enthusiastically explaining the wonders of Azure Monkey City only moments earlier had changed completely. Hou Zing's expression was cold, his fists were clenched, and a powerful aura gradually emerged from his body.
The young monkey in fine robes smiled.
"Long time no see, little brother."
Hou Zing's jaw tightened.
"Hou Yun."
His voice carried an unmistakable hostility.
"Why are you here?"
The smile on Hou Yun's face deepened, seemingly unaffected by the anger directed toward him.
"Why else?"
He glanced at Yang Bei, then returned his attention to Hou Zing.
"I came to see whether my dear little brother is still pretending to be an ordinary academy student."
The surrounding atmosphere grew tense. Even the onlookers seemed reluctant to move, as though they feared attracting the attention of either young master.
Yang Bei silently took half a step backward.
He had only just arrived in this strange realm, and already he had witnessed a public execution and stumbled into what appeared to be a dispute between powerful families.
It seemed trouble had found him much sooner than expected.