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In the original tale, Zhang Xiaofan and the mischievous spirit monkey Xiao Hui had once stumbled upon the Heavenly Emperor Dark Stone by sheer luck.
That single event sparked a fierce battle between legendary creatures
the Black Water Mystic Serpent and the Nine Heavens Spirit Bird, the mighty Yellow Bird...all vying for the powerful stone.
After Xiao Hui swallowed the Dark Stone, his third eye opened, symbolizing the start of his thousand-year cultivation journey.
It was also the moment when Xiao Hui began to truly change.
During their later journey to Fenxiang Valley, Xiao Hui even transformed into a giant beast and fought fiercely against the spirit beasts conjured by the terrifying Eight Desolate Mystic Fire Formation, saving Zhang Xiaofan's life at a critical moment.
Watching Xiao Hui from a distance now, Zhang Xiaofan couldn't help but reminisce.
This three-eyed monkey, once wild and untamable, had become a vital part of his journey.
Yet taming Xiao Hui had been no easy feat. Zeng Shushu himself once said that no one had ever succeeded in doing so.
Even Xiao Hui once coveted Xiao Hui, offering many tempting conditions in hopes of claiming the beast.
"Squeak… chirp!"
Just then, Xiao Hui scratched his belly, bared his sharp little teeth, and barked a few times.
With a flick of his paw, he hurled another pine cone at Zhang Xiaofan's face.
Zhang Xiaofan sighed.
Before the pine cone could hit him, a soft green glow shimmered around his body, blocking the attack effortlessly.
He turned toward the sound of footsteps approaching behind him.
"Xiaofan!"
A sweet and cheerful voice echoed from behind.
Turning around, Zhang Xiaofan saw a girl in a flowing red dress trotting toward him.
Her graceful figure, delicate facial features, and skin as smooth and fair as mutton-fat jade made her appear like a blossoming lotus.
It was Tian Ling'er.
Zhang Xiaofan stared at her, stunned by how much she had grown.
Over the past three years, the once mischievous little girl had matured into a stunning young lady.
Every smile and glance from her seemed to glow with charm.
Then, she noticed Xiao Hui tossing pine cones at Zhang Xiaofan and immediately furrowed her delicate brows.
"You little wild monkey! How dare you bully my junior brother? Don't you know he's under my protection? I'll teach you a lesson today!"
Though Xiao Hui hadn't yet reached a full thousand years of cultivation, he was highly intelligent and could sense the meaning behind her words.
Instantly, he gathered all the pine cones he could find and pelted them toward Tian Ling'er in defiance.
"Hmph!" Tian Ling'er snorted, her figure flashing left and right, gracefully dodging the incoming pine cones.
Her red dress fluttered like flames in the wind.
She bent down and picked up a small stone. Just as she was about to throw it, Xiao Hui sensed the danger.
Without hesitation, he leapt away into the dense bamboo forest, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
His speed was astonishing—far beyond that of an ordinary monkey.
By the time Tian Ling'er stood up again, he was already gone.
"Hmph! That wild monkey!" she fumed. "Xiaofan, he bullied us both! I'm going to catch him today and give him a good beating!"
As she spoke, the amber silk at her waist suddenly rose into the air, shimmering with light.
She leaped lightly onto it and waved to Zhang Xiaofan.
"Hurry up! Get on! We'll chase that monkey down together!"
Zhang Xiaofan stepped onto the amber silk without hesitation.
Over the years, he and Tian Ling'er had grown inseparable.
She treated him as the most important person in her life, next only to her parents.
And for Zhang Xiaofan, Tian Ling'er—along with his master and mistress—had become like family.
"Hold onto my waist, or you'll fall," Tian Ling'er warned gently.
Zhang Xiaofan obeyed, his hands lightly wrapping around her slim waist.
The sensation startled him slightly—her waist was soft, slender, and almost fragile in his hands.
"What a waist..." he thought unconsciously.
A faint, natural fragrance drifted from her body—fresh and pure, like a blooming orchid in the mist.
For a moment, all the troubles of the world seemed to disappear.
The amber silk soared swiftly through the air. But even with its speed, it struggled to keep up with Xiao Hui, who darted between treetops like a silver shadow.
After several miles of chase, Tian Ling'er finally gave up.
Xiao Hui was simply too fast.
His psychic bond with the environment made him untouchable.
Just ahead, a deep ravine appeared in their path. Without warning, Xiao Hui leapt into it and vanished into the shadows below.
Tian Ling'er slowed, hovering above the canyon.
A dark, oppressive aura wafted up from its depths, making her heart tremble slightly.
But Tian Ling'er had been raised on Dazhu Peak, protected by Tian Buyi and his wife. Though young, she had courage.
She turned to Zhang Xiaofan. "Junior Brother, wait here. It's dangerous down there. I'll go first."
Zhang Xiaofan nodded calmly. He already knew what awaited below the Soul-Snatching Rod, buried in the darkness, radiating evil.
In the original story, Tian Ling'er would faint from its aura, but would not be seriously harmed.
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