The water in the bath basin continued to boil, sending waves of hot steam billowing into the sky, looking from afar like a trail of cooking smoke.
On a distant pavilion, Danny Crimson and Elder Sky stood side by side, gazing at the monkey struggling bitterly in the medicinal water.
Elder Sky suddenly sniffed twice, his expression doubtful. "They even added Wolf's Fang Herb? The scent is so strong—must've used a lot. Since when did Unicorn Corner have Wolf's Fang Herb?"
"What's Wolf's Fang Herb?" Danny Crimson asked with a blank expression.
"It's a potent herb that only grows on snow-capped mountains year-round. There’s plenty of it, but it looks just like regular weeds and is hard to distinguish. After special processing, it works as a stimulant, but... using too much can be dangerous." Elder Sky hesitated, "I once collected some for research, but its effects were too hard to control and had side effects, so I gave up. Is it really safe to use it like this?"
As he spoke, Elder Sky glanced toward the distant direction of Master Sage Subhuti's Meditation Hall.
If there was a problem, he would probably come out and say something. Elder Sky thought to himself.
"Using a strong stimulant?" Danny Crimson sneered, a look of contempt on his face. He snorted, "Breaking through like this is just absurd. I hope we don’t have to step in to clean up the mess if something goes wrong."
"I doubt anything will go wrong. Jade Cauldron may be mediocre in cultivation, but he did teach Erik Yang, a first-rate war general. There’s no one better among cultivators. Anna Yang is Erik Yang’s sister and also studied under Jade Cauldron, so it’s not surprising she knows his methods."
Danny Crimson shot Elder Sky a glare, then turned and walked inside, leaving Elder Sky alone at the pavilion railing, still watching the scene.
......
In Swallow Lane, the golden glow of the setting sun bathed everything in a soft apricot hue. A few disciples bustled about, delivering meals throughout the monastery, occasionally glancing at the trio nearby.
Belle leaned against Anna Yang, watching the monkey struggle painfully in the bath basin. She fought to steady her anxious heart, recalling Anna Yang’s earlier words. After a long hesitation, she asked, "Can you tell me what might happen?"
A gentle breeze brushed her cheek. Anna Yang smiled sweetly and countered, "What’s wrong? Want to try the Vitality Pill again? That stuff is forbidden—one dose costs you three years of cultivation. Back at Kunlun Mountain, giving a Vitality Pill to another disciple would spark a fight. At your age, how much cultivation can you afford to lose?"
Belle lowered her head.
She always wanted to do something for the monkey, but there was nothing she could do.
"That’s enough." Anna Yang took a deep breath and sighed, "You’ve already done more than enough for him. Without you, I doubt he could have survived in this monastery. Right now, the best thing you can do is nothing at all."
She casually took out a medicine bottle, popped the lid, and handed Belle a pill that emitted a faint coolness. Anna Yang said softly, "Take it. It will lessen the damage from the Vitality Pill. It’s a special remedy I made. You should take care of yourself, too. Have you considered that if you keep going like this, even if your cultivation improves, your lifespan will be shortened? How will you stay by that wild monkey’s side then? Don’t be foolish."
Belle stared at the pill for a long time and murmured, "Thank you."
She reached out, took the pill, and swallowed it.
On a distant tree branch, a fierce eagle with black feathers tipped with gold and a white stripe beneath its eyes stared at Anna Yang for a long time. Then it spread its wings and flew east, leaving the branch swaying in its wake.
Anna Yang caught sight of the swaying branch from the corner of her eye and sighed, "That eyesore finally left."
"What?" Belle turned her head, puzzled.
"Nothing, just talking to myself." Anna Yang brushed a lock of hair aside and smiled lightly. "Belle, have you ever thought about what you want to do once you’ve completed your cultivation?"
Belle shook her head.
She had once asked the Monkey King a similar question, but she herself had no answer.
"I don’t know either. Ever since I can remember, I’ve been here in the monastery. Everything just felt so natural. Cultivation is like breathing or eating to me. Sometimes I wonder if I exist just to cultivate. As for why I cultivate, or what I want to do once I succeed..."
Belle didn’t continue.
Her old life felt colorless, repeating the same things every day: eating, sleeping, cultivating, meditating, reciting scriptures.
Since the Monkey King came to the monastery, he filled her empty heart all at once. That feeling was truly wonderful.
At the thought, she couldn't help but smile dreamily.
Anna Yang curled up, resting her chin on her knees, turning her face to gaze at Belle for a long, long time—so long that Belle began to feel a bit embarrassed.
After a while, she finally asked, "You don't know who your parents are?"
Belle shook her head, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
To her, the concept was utterly foreign. Her master had never mentioned it, and she had never felt the urge to investigate. Maybe, like Simon Stone, she too had sprung forth from a stone.
In her world, there had only ever been her master, the senior and junior disciples—oh, and Simon Stone.
Looking at Belle's bewildered expression, Anna Yang smiled softly and said, "I was just thinking, what kind of parents could have a daughter like you? Eyes like jade. When you grow up, you'll surely be breathtaking. Is it inheritance, or is there some deeper connection?"
Belle's cheeks flushed, and she quickly lowered her head.
The sun sank slowly, and as night fell, several figures appeared in the distant grass thicket.
These disciples had come of their own accord, curious to see what was happening.