Although the Male Disciple was a bit talkative, his hands and feet were swift. He made a note in the register, handed the Identity Token back, and told her she could enter on her own. This time, Zhao Chun sought for her body to move as her will dictated, so she naturally prioritized movement techniques, choosing the "Forest Piercing" trial.
Upon breaking through the small, square opening, Zhao Chun dared not lower her guard. Her feet never stopped as she leaped forward at great speed. After passing through the small opening, the gray mist suddenly thickened, drastically reducing her vision to just two or three meters ahead.
She had to probe forward, one spot at a time, before she could leap out with confidence. The Stone Forest was rugged, but not entirely barren. Strange-branched green pines clung to the cliff faces in various postures.
The most annoying thing was that due to the humid climate, vines clambered up the stones and moss grew all over them. When Zhao Chun stepped on a stone to push off, she still had to be careful not to slip and fall.
After she had cautiously passed three or four stone partitions, a Dark Shadow suddenly slammed into her from the right.
It’s here!
She dared not relax, holding the Red-Edged Dagger in front of her in a fully defensive stance. The Shadow Monkey was quite realistic, even its fine fur was clearly visible. But its pair of scarlet eyes, coupled with a mouth full of sharp teeth, made it clear it was not an easy creature to deal with.
The moment it appeared, it continuously charged toward Zhao Chun, pouncing at her with both its hands and mouth. The Shadow Monkey was only about eighty percent the size of a normal ape, making it even more agile. The sharpness of its claws was almost chilling.
Zhao Chun dared not let it get close and could only swing her sword to defend herself. However, although this creature was incredibly fast, it was not very strong. A single sword strike from Zhao Chun could send it flying four or five meters away.
Finally, seizing an opportunity as a Shadow Monkey was sent flying backward, she flew over and slashed it across its abdomen, cleaving it completely in two! The scene of flying flesh and blood did not occur. The Shadow Monkey dispersed into two plumes of black mist and vanished in an instant.
Zhao Chun did not dare to delay and continued to advance. The further she went, the more Shadow Monkeys appeared. Often, as soon as she killed one, another would come, as if in an endless stream.
Fortunately, they always attacked one at a time, not in groups. Having killed many monkeys, she also summed up a few key points. The Shadow Monkey's threat lay entirely in its claws and teeth.
Even a Mid Qi Refining Stage cultivator would probably have their skin torn and flesh ripped open if caught once. However, once its claws and teeth were avoided, the monkey's body was like fish on a chopping block, easily broken with a single blow.
Although they were easy to kill, the constant assault of the Shadow Monkeys still presented a considerable obstacle for Zhao Chun. It had probably been half an incense stick's time since she entered the Stone Forest, yet she still didn't know where she was or what her progress was.
All she knew was that she was fighting Shadow Monkeys, and her forward progress was getting slower and slower. But if she ignored them, the Shadow Monkeys would only multiply, making it difficult for Zhao Chun to defend herself, and she feared she might get injured. She didn't know how much time had passed or how many she had killed.
Her arms and legs felt as if they were filled with molten iron, and even her consciousness grew muddled. All she knew was to constantly dodge, swing her sword, and run forward. When she finally passed through another small, square opening and her vision suddenly cleared, she was already drenched in sweat and collapsed onto the ground, devoid of strength.
Zhao Chun took out a pill to restore her energy and regulated her breath for several ke before getting up from the ground. Her clothes, on which she had cast a Dust-Repelling Spell, were not stained with dust, but they were uncomfortably stuck to her body, wet with sweat.
She casually performed a Cleansing Technique, and her body immediately felt dry and refreshed. Zhao Chun raised her eyes to survey her new location. The small opening behind her should be the exit of the Stone Forest; she had indeed come out.
Beside her was an old pine tree shaped as if it were welcoming a guest. Its trunk was coarse and wrinkled, like a kind old face. Under one of its outstretched branches was a vertical stone stele.
The surface of the stele was as smooth as a mirror, and on it was written: Zhao Chun, Mid Qi Refining Stage, eight ke (Time Unit). This should be the time she took.
Eight ke?
Zhao Chun frowned. That was a full shichen. This result was truly too slow.
She had looked at the leaderboard, and the longest times were all within a hundred breaths. Taking the small path from beside the old pine back, she soon arrived below the small pavilion where she started. Zhao Chun leaped up again and saw that the Male Disciple was gone, replaced by a short, stout old man.
"Where is the person who was on duty just now?"
The old man scratched his head and replied with a smile, "You mean Tu An? He only works the day shift. He has already changed shifts."
Only then did Zhao Chun notice that the sky had darkened and a bright moon hung from the treetops. She had set out in the afternoon and been delayed on the way, so it was already late.
Moreover, the area around the Threefold Stone Forest was always shrouded in gray mist, making it easy to lose track of day and night.
"Is there any place to rest around here?"
She feared she would have to visit this Stone Forest danger zone dozens more times. If she could rest nearby, it would save her the trouble of traveling back and forth. The old man looked at her with surprise, but he didn't ask much, directly answering, "Exit this small pavilion and turn right.
You will see a row of Stone Gate Cave Dwellings. One Essence Stone will let you stay for ten days." That was cheap.
Zhao Chun thanked the old man, and then heard him ask, "Are you the one called Zhao Chun? How long did it take you?" Zhao Chun stood at the entrance and held up one finger toward him.
"One shichen."
The old man's hand, which was stroking his beard, paused slightly. After a long moment, he whispered, "Eight ke... what good talent..." Upon leaving, she found the cave dwellings he mentioned.
She placed an Essence Stone into the small hole in front of the door, and it was instantly swallowed. Then, the cave door opened, welcoming Zhao Chun inside. The interior was simple, with only a stone table, two stone stools, and a stone bed at the very back.
The bedding, however, was very clean. Zhao Chun took a cattail hassock out of her Storage Pouch, sat cross-legged on it, and began her nightly cultivation. Today was her first time passing through the Stone Forest.
Although it was a miserable experience, she had gained a lot, especially in the final section, where it felt as if her consciousness and body had merged. She could act and kill enemies without having to think about it consciously. However, the moment she stepped out of the Stone Forest, that strange feeling disappeared.
Zhao Chun pressed her lips together. She still needed more practice. The next day, she woke up with a sense of fatigue throughout her muscles and bones.
Zhao Chun stretched her body slightly and felt a long-lost sense of relaxation. After tidying her clothes, she headed toward the small pavilion again. The Male Disciple, Tu An, was already at work.
Seeing Zhao Chun arrive again today, he let out a long "Eh?" and asked, "You're here again today?" As soon as the words left his mouth, he knew he had spoken too much. If she wasn't coming, why would she even enter the small pavilion?
"Did you pass yesterday?"
"I passed."
His eyes widened and his mouth fell open in shock.
"You really passed? How long did it take?"
Zhao Chun replied, "Too slow. Eight ke, a full shichen." Tu An took a deep breath, a surge of irritation welling up inside him.
He said with slight anger, "You must be kidding me! You call that slow? Do you have any idea how many people can't pass and are carried out horizontally?
Even those who do pass take several shichen and end up covered in injuries. But look at you, you seem completely unharmed and you're even back again today!" He leaned his head closer and persuaded in a low voice, "Tell me the truth, I won't laugh at you.
Did you really pass or not?" Zhao Chun pushed him away with her palm and raised an eyebrow, "An old man recorded it last night. You can just check."
The records in the register had to be cross-checked with the stele under the pine tree, so it was difficult to make a mistake. Tu An naturally knew this, but Zhao Chun's result was so astonishing that it aroused his playful nature. He mumbled, "Can't you even take a joke?"
"Is the Threefold Stone Forest very difficult?"
She asked Tu An, faintly aware that the result she had obtained seemed to be quite good. Tu An nodded repeatedly.
"Of the True Spirit Sect's Thirty-Six Danger Zones, the Stone Forest is the most dangerous. That's why not many people have come in recent years. Other places are dangerous because of their terrain, miasma, or extreme temperatures. Only this place is perilous because of the Shadow Monkey Formation. If an accident happens, although you might not lose your life, severed limbs and disabilities are a possibility."
Zhao Chun herself was well aware of the Shadow Monkeys' claws and teeth. They were even sharper than ordinary weapons, truly dangerous. Between her speed and strength, she excelled in speed, which was probably the key to her success in piercing the forest.
She took out a cloth pouch from her sleeve and tossed it to Tu An. She walked outside, saying as she went, "There are one hundred Essence Stones inside. Register me for five more times."
Tu An weighed the pouch in his hand and muttered under his breath, "She's not very tall, but she's a total weirdo..."
"I can hear you."
Zhao Chun's voice came from outside the door, scaring him so much that he ducked under the counter.
(End of this chapter)