Chapter 248: Old Taoist
After jumping over the wall, White Ape noticed the old Taoist as well and scrutinized him. Meanwhile, the old Taoist studied him in return with a look of awe.
“Master, this is Brother Ape that I mentioned several days ago. He’s the same as me and his aura far exceeds mine. But he hasn’t learned Hyoid Bone Refinement yet nor learned the human language. He must have no one to teach him. It’s such a pity to let his talents go to waste.” The monkey demon looked cheeky as if he had done something amazing.
Although White Ape jumped over, he didn’t get close. He stood near the wall so if anything happened, he could jump back out immediately.
Other than being unable to speak, his intelligence was not to be underestimated.
And the old Taoist could tell that much.
The monkey demon was still chattering on. Finding him annoying, the old Taoist immediately scolded, “You playful monkey. Stop being so noisy. Hush.”
The monkey demon was instantly dispirited.
Old Taoist studied White Ape again. Feeling surprised, he said, “Demonic aura restrained and of high purity. These eyes are also filled with vigor. Amazing. This is remarkable. May I know where is your master?”
Having said that, Old Taoist looked around apprehensively, as if he had to be cautious.
Seeing Old Taoist this polite, White Ape went over and held his hands together in salutation. Although he wasn’t dressed and was covered in white fur, he looked very much human.
At this, Old Taoist was increasingly convinced that this ape demon was taught by someone.
And the other’s cultivation was probably on par with his.
Old Taoist immediately turned to the monkey demon with a stern look on his face. “You mischievous monkey, how could you kidnap someone else’s disciple? Just wait and see how I’ll take care of you later.”
Looking aggrieved, the monkey demon said, “Master, I didn’t do anything wrong. Brother Ape can’t even speak, he’s just very talented. Also, he only has a young man with him. I didn’t see any expert and thought it a pity so…”
Old Taoist frowned and barked, “How dare you make excuses!”
Sensing that Old Taoist was probably genuinely angry, the monkey demon said no more. Old Taoist gave a dry cough and looked around before suddenly saying, “Wu Qian of Mount Tianhe’s Cloud Sect offers his greetings. My friend, I do hope I’ll be able to meet you!”
His voice wasn’t loud but it resonated far and wide. The man clearly possessed great caliber.
However, this in turn confused the monkey demon and White Ape.
Both monsters were rooted to the spot, dumbfounded and staring at Old Taoist in confusion. White Ape couldn’t speak while the monkey demon didn’t know what to say. However, possessing human-like intelligence, both monsters were bright enough to know that Old Taoist must have thought that someone was following them.
But there wasn’t.
After a while, there was no response.
Old Taoist was surprised and repeated himself, but there was still no answer. The monkey demon couldn’t bear to watch any longer and said, “Master, no one followed us. It’s just me and Brother Ape. Who are you talking to?”
“That’s odd!” Old Taoist ignored the monkey demon and held up his fingers to count, looking increasingly solemn.
“Never mind, forget it.”
Since he couldn’t understand it, he would stop trying to pry. Old Taoist held his hands in salutation at White Ape and said, “Since your master isn’t here, you may continue as you please.”
Old Taoist clearly didn’t want to provoke the other party. Despite saying that, his eyes continued to follow White Ape as he continued to observe the primate.
White Ape understood Old Taoist’s intention but since he couldn’t speak, he was getting anxious. He could tell how Old Taoist was capable. Master Lin had disappeared and the old dragon who came to fight them that day was too powerful. White Ape figured if this old man could come and help them, that would be a great plus.
Hence, he stepped forward, making noise in an attempt to speak.
Old Taoist could tell he had something to say. He was already interested in White Ape and since the latter came to him of his own accord, Old Taoist could no longer suppress his curiosity. Also, the primate’s master wasn’t around so this was a good time to study the white ape.
Old Taoist said, “Calm down first!”
Having said that, he examined the ape up and down, even reaching out to feel the creature’s strong arms. Old Taoist was immediately stunned.
‘This… This is Transformation. Amazing! This monster has already matured but his demonic aura isn’t pure enough yet. He should have just turned into a monster recently, perhaps not even a month ago. What kind of person could be so incredible enough as to train a wild ape up to this level in less than a month? How incredible.’ Old Taoist looked envious but also frightened at the same time.
He was also somewhat skilled so he could tell that White Ape was maintaining his transformed state. The primate’s actual size shouldn’t be what they were seeing now.
In addition, he could also tell that White Ape seemed to be practicing some other premium cultivation.
Cultivation methods were difficult to find in this era. A cultivation method that could be practiced was even scarce. For example, this monkey demon student of his was only Rank 2 but had begun cultivation under him for more than a decade only to master very basic demonic skills. However, Hyoid Bone Refinement was Old Taoist’s specialty, that was why the monkey demon could now speak.
As for Transfiguration, the monkey demon had been cultivating for years but could only achieve so much. He couldn’t hide his tail no matter how he tried so hiding it under his robes was the best he could do. Still, he was afraid of being exposed.
The more Old Taoist observed, the more shocked he was.
This white ape’s true form definitely isn’t what they were seeing right now. Old Taoist also couldn’t maintain Transformation as long as this creature could. In addition, a white ape of this kind should only be available in Grassy Continent and known for its large sizes and difficulty to tame.
More importantly, while Grassy Continent white apes were massive and incredibly strong, they lacked spiritual intelligence. Hence, cultivating such beasts into monsters was extremely hard.
Yet, this white ape was clearly a monster and his spiritual intelligence didn’t seem to be lacking at all.
Old Taoist suddenly wavered.
To him, blood contract cultivation was nothing. It was merely a method used to borrow strength from pet beasts to strengthen one’s own physical abilities. Old Taoist didn’t think it was significant. The Cloud Sect of Mount Tianhe where he came from taught him cultivation methods for monsters and some internal pelletization skills. However, only about two or three of his kind were left in Cloud Sect. Cultivators like him practically existed only in name now.
Old Taoist was reluctant to give up. He had spent decades struggling, wasting time, even traveling the lands in search of experts. However, genuine immortal cultivators were hardly available anymore.
Now, when he saw this white ape, Old Taoist could tell that the demonic cultivation he practiced was orthodox. The creature’s master must be an extraordinary figure and since that was the case, should he not value this opportunity to get himself acquainted?
Old Taoist felt this was a chance.
Their Cloud Sect had existed for a millennium now. Even if it was on the brink of closure, they still had something to offer, and among them include Taoist edicts.
When edicts were inscribed on yellow amulets, they become treasures.
As time passed, after several hundred years, most of the edict amulets have been used. Yet, some were still left and among them included one type that could use Taoist spells to teach a monster Hyoid Bone Refinement, letting the monster learn speech.
According to ancient myths, such edicts weren’t considered precious but now, Old Taoist only had two left in his possession.
Looking at White Ape, Old Taoist contemplated. If he helped this white ape, that would surely leave a good impression on the creature’s master. If he had any guidance to request in the future, that person might very well accept his requests.
At this thought, he decided to do it.