Chapter 18: Back Mountain: Skeleton Monkey Pack

On the seventh day, afternoon.

With Chu Danqing’s trial task requiring seven days of survival, only three hours remained.

The village chief had already come five times to urge Chu Danqing.

But Chu Danqing always replied it was no rush, only finally setting off with Da Bao when only three hours were left.

He did not climb the mountain on foot; instead, he drove a donkey cart loaded with crude iron-sand gunpowder.

He had tested its power—it was extremely potent.

The gunpowder was not a normal ratio, but a mixture of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur at 9 to 0.5 to 0.5, giving it exceptional explosive force, yet also making it highly sensitive and prone to accidental detonation.

One misstep could cause it to explode.

Iron sand was also mixed in, producing shrapnel and armor-piercing effects upon detonation, so it was not merely for demolition but also for killing enemies.

On the way, Da Bao grew restless, his body occasionally radiating crimson energy, as if eager to devour the Cave Beast Priest.

“Da Bao, I’ve wanted to ask you something.” Chu Danqing spoke up.

“You, ask.” Da Bao’s movement was no longer bipedal like a human; his arms were too long, so he moved like a gorilla, using his forelimbs as support.

His speed was not slow at all—he had at least 7 points of Agility.

“The Cave Beast Priest was once human. If you eat him directly, isn’t that a bit...” Chu Danqing left the rest unsaid, but the meaning was clear.

Da Bao had never considered this issue; Chu Danqing’s words made him pause and think.

“You yourself, also said, former, human.” Da Bao quickly found the logical flaw: “Now, not.”

Chu Danqing looked at Da Bao, feeling this answer shouldn’t have come from his mind—perhaps it was instinct from the Beast Instinct skill.

He opened his mouth to refute with philosophy and biology, but ultimately said nothing.

If Da Bao didn’t care, even winning the argument served no purpose, and explaining too deeply would likely confuse him.

His mental attribute was locked at 1 point—this didn’t directly mean low intelligence, but it was related.

“You’re right.” Chu Danqing swallowed all his objections.

“Here.” Da Bao grabbed the donkey’s reins and steadied the cart.

He stood up, his two-and-a-half-meter frame appearing immensely robust.

A rustling sound approached from nearby.

“Squeak~” Sharp monkey cries emerged as skeletal, skin-and-bone little monkeys leapt from trees and bushes.

They were small, only about fifty centimeters tall, with sharp fangs and claws, and no fur.

Most importantly, their numbers were vast—at a glance, at least dozens.

At this point, they were only a short distance from the Fallen Flower Cave atop the back mountain, roughly three kilometers away.

Da Bao was about to act, but Chu Danqing stopped him.

“Protect me—I’ll handle them.” Chu Danqing pulled out a fire starter and lit the fuse of a gunpowder pack, tossing it into the monkey group.

One Skeleton Monkey swiftly grabbed it, but due to low strength and attributes, it was immediately flung back into the charging horde.

BOOM!

A violent heatwave, mixed with iron sand, spread through the Skeleton Monkey group at terrifying speed.

All monkeys within range were engulfed, leaving a clear void in the midst of the horde.

Simultaneously, the deafening blast terrified the Skeleton Monkeys severely.

But this was only the beginning—a second gunpowder pack was thrown.

This time, the Skeleton Monkeys had learned; they scattered upon seeing the gunpowder packs.

But too slow—one pack had a shorter fuse, so it detonated faster.

The second explosion rang out, and the Skeleton Monkeys dared not advance further.

Those near the cart fared worse—directly torn to shreds by Da Bao’s claws.

The remaining Skeleton Monkeys kept a safe distance, chattering and glaring at Chu Danqing with squeaks.

“They’re cursing.” Da Bao understood the meaning behind the Skeleton Monkeys’ squeaks.

Chu Danqing remained unmoved: “Tell these little monkeys we’re going up the mountain to kill the Cave Beast Priest.”

Provocation? Who couldn’t do that?

As soon as Chu Danqing spoke, all Skeleton Monkeys fell silent.

They understood human speech—no translation from Da Bao needed.

All Skeleton Monkeys bared their fangs at Chu Danqing simultaneously, then charged wildly forward.

As if overcoming their fear of the gunpowder’s power and noise.

Clearly, Chu Danqing’s words had crossed their bottom line.

“I’m not afraid of your numbers—I’m afraid you won’t come.” Chu Danqing smirked coldly, lighting and tossing gunpowder packs in succession.

Explosions erupted one after another; Da Bao guarded him closely, posing no threat.

He had brought the gunpowder in a donkey cart—enough to prove he’d prepared for this horde.

After the last Skeleton Monkey was torn apart, a Common-tier treasure chest appeared.

From several encounters, Chu Danqing had begun to guess the chest drop pattern.

For regular enemies, the chest only dropped after the final one was killed—just like the wolves and White Dragon Fish offspring, and now these Skeleton Monkeys.

But for elites or bosses like the White Dragon Fish, the chest likely dropped immediately upon death.

“Looks like a lot, but only about a hundred.”

“These Skeleton Monkeys have low stats—three White Dragon Fish offspring could’ve wiped them all.” Chu Danqing counted them as Da Bao brought over the chest.

As his permanent summon, Da Bao could now see treasure chests too.

“Weak. I kill. Fast.” Da Bao handed the chest to Chu Danqing.

Chu Danqing opened it immediately, saying offhandedly: “You need to stay ready to kill the Cave Beast Priest—this isn’t worth it.”

【You opened: Common-tier Chest. Obtained: Monkey Wine, Paradise Points ×100】

【Monkey Wine】

【Type: Consumable】

【Quality: Common】

【Effect: Fully consumed, restores 10 Energy Points over 10 seconds】

“Recovery is a bit low.” Chu Danqing tossed it casually to Da Bao—evidently, even Common-tier chests varied in quality.

He had no skills, nowhere to spend Energy Points, but Da Bao did—he had active abilities.

This bottle of Monkey Wine could only fuel Da Bao’s Tearing Claws for one minute.

Da Bao tucked it into his waist pouch; as a permanent summon, he had no storage space.

“White Ape.” Da Bao finished stowing it, then looked up toward the path’s end.

A figure, nearly matching Da Bao’s size, was slowly walking down.

There was a difference: Da Bao’s fur was red; the other’s was white.

(End of Chapter)