“When my sister Qingyu drank the Vermilion Fruit Wine, she gained two to three thousand catties of strength. And Qinghu, upon drinking it, gained nearly eight thousand catties of strength.” Teng Qingshan himself, when he partook, had his strength boosted by twenty thousand catties.

Clearly, the efficacy of this wine was tied to the consumer’s physique. “But it’s strange,” Teng Qingshan mused, “this Vermilion Fruit Wine is nowhere mentioned in any books.” It wasn't entirely inexplicable.

Only Xiantian realm experts would dare venture to the Iron Arm Monkey Mountain to gather ‘Vermilion Fruits’—who would dare trespass into the monkey troop's lair? Even a powerful Jindan realm expert would hesitate facing so many monkeys, not to mention the Monkey King.

Only Void Realm experts might dare invade the troop’s nest. But Void Realm experts were exceedingly rare in the world.

Which of those few Void Realm experts would be bored enough to visit the Iron Arm Monkey Mountain? They wouldn't even know of the ‘Vermilion Fruit Wine’s’ existence.

Even if they did, the paltry increase of a few thousand catties in strength would likely mean little to a Void Realm master. “However, this Vermilion Fruit Wine is different for me!” “In the future, when I pass down the lineage of Inner Strength Boxing, practitioners whose bodies are already powerful will absorb the miracle effects of the Vermilion Fruit Wine even better!

This will greatly accelerate their training pace.” Teng Qingshan was still pondering when Xue Xin beside him whispered, “Master, Master… they are done talking.” “Oh.” Teng Qingshan smiled. “Haha, Old Wang San, we won't see you out then.” Yang Dong’s laughter carried over.

“Let’s go over,” Teng Qingshan commanded, and Xue Xin immediately followed him closer. …… Under the torchlight, Yang Dong’s eyes now held a fierce aura as he scanned the recently assimilated, fleeing members of the Nine Wolf Gang.

He spoke loudly, “Brothers, our Fierce Beast Gang might not have the most people in the Tai'a Mountain Range, but we certainly have the most ferocious brothers! And we are the most protective gang!” “No questions asked, anyone in our gang is my brother, Yang Dong.” “Of course, our Fierce Beast Gang seeks ‘Fierce Beasts,’ men of true mettle.

We don’t want any weaklings or sissies.” Yang Dong laughed heartily. “Now, let’s go drink!

Warm beds, soft girls, and great casks of fine wine are all prepared, just waiting for you all.” A roar of cheers immediately erupted, the gang members howling like wild beasts. “Go,” Yang Dong waved his hand, and a large contingent followed him.

“Junior Brother.” Standing silently beside him, the most formidable man in the entire Fierce Beast Gang—Teng Shou—gently touched Yang Dong’s arm. Yang Dong started, following Teng Shou’s gaze.

In the faint glow of the firelight, two indistinct figures could be seen. “Master.” Yang Dong recognized the newcomers and exclaimed with pleasant surprise.

“Yang Zi, take the men and go ahead. The First Boss and I will be there shortly,” Yang Dong instructed.

“Got it! First Boss, Second Boss, hurry up, or these rascals will drink and eat everything!” “Understood!” Yang Dong shouted as he waved them off.

Yang Dong’s speech now clearly carried a local accent from Yangzhou. Once the large group departed, Yang Dong and Teng Shou had walked up to Teng Qingshan.

“Master.” Both Yang Dong and Teng Shou bowed respectfully. Teng Qingshan looked at his two disciples and smiled faintly, gesturing to Xue Xin beside him.

“A’Dong, A’Shou, this is your Third Junior Brother, his name is Xue Xin. Xue Xin, these are your two Senior Brothers… the smaller one is your Second Senior Brother Yang Dong, and this one,” he indicated Teng Shou, “is your Eldest Senior Brother Teng Shou.” “Junior Brother greets Eldest Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother,” Xue Xin immediately said respectfully.

Teng Shou remained silent, merely nodding, the corners of his mouth curving slightly upward, as if smiling. “Haha, Third Junior Brother,” Yang Dong was much more familiar, throwing an arm around Xue Xin.

“Junior Brother, from now on, we are brothers. If you need anything, just say the word; I’ll sort everything out for you.” Yang Dong’s words were steeped in brigand charm; this was Yang Dong, who had grown up dwelling among bandits.

He had reverted to his old ways. “Hmph.” Teng Qingshan frowned slightly.

Yang Dong trembled slightly, glanced at Teng Qingshan, and let out two sheepish chuckles. “Master.” “Mmm,” Teng Qingshan acknowledged him finally.

“How is your Fierce Beast Gang doing now?” “Our Fierce Beast Gang isn’t huge, only over three thousand members, but we are the toughest and most ferocious gang in the entire Tai'a Mountain Range.” Yang Dong said proudly, “Master, you should have seen it… in the battle that established our fame, Eldest Senior Brother was absolutely ruthless! He ate human flesh on the battlefield!

It scared those guys half to death. Now, mention the Fierce Beast Gang’s First Boss, the ‘Fierce Beast,’ and everyone in the Tai'a Mountain Range knows who that is!” Teng Qingshan froze.

Ate human flesh? He frowned and looked towards Teng Shou.

“Master.” Teng Shou lowered his head before Teng Qingshan. Teng Qingshan sighed internally.

His eldest disciple had been a slave since childhood and had lived among beasts; his habits mirrored those of the wild animals. He had likely eaten human flesh since he was young.

During the Fierce Beast Gang’s defining battle, his eldest disciple probably became bloodthirsty and resorted to cannibalism. “No more eating human flesh from now on,” Teng Qingshan issued a strict order.

“Yes, Master.” Teng Shou dared not utter a sound. Among his three disciples, Teng Qingshan favored this eldest disciple the most.

“A’Shou, how is your martial arts training progressing? And your Junior Brother,” he nodded towards Xue Xin, “how is his swordsmanship?” Teng Qingshan would never ask Yang Dong; among his three disciples, Yang Dong was the most slippery one.

Teng Shou answered honestly, “Master, I always feel my boxing is slightly lacking, but my physical strength now exceeds two hundred thousand catties.” “Mmm.” Teng Qingshan nodded with satisfaction. His eldest disciple’s progress in Inner Strength arts was indeed fast enough.

“Two hundred thousand catties?” The Third Junior Brother, Xue Xin, gasped secretly, sneaking a glance at his Eldest Senior Brother, unable to believe this seemingly young man was so formidable. “Second Senior Brother’s swordsmanship is already very good,” Teng Shou continued.

“Even I have been disadvantaged by him accidentally. Second Senior Brother practices his swordplay diligently every morning and evening.” Yang Dong, standing nearby, covertly watched Teng Qingshan.

Seeing a slight smile finally appear on his Master’s face, he let out a breath of relief. “You have both done well,” Teng Qingshan smiled and nodded.

“Alright, I should be leaving now… Oh yes. A’Shou, A’Dong, I am currently residing on Nine Wolf Island, west of the Tai'a Mountain Range.

If you ever need me, you can find me there.” “Nine Wolf Island?” Teng Shou and Yang Dong looked both surprised and delighted. “Master,” Yang Dong exclaimed involuntarily, “Did the Silver Flood Dragon Army come attacking and wipe out the Nine Wolf Gang because of you?

But Master, you and Azure Lake Island seem to have…” Yang Dong and Teng Shou both knew Teng Qingshan held a grudge against Azure Lake Island, and his return was aimed squarely at them. “Mmm,” Teng Qingshan nodded.

“I currently have an alias, ‘Jing Yi.’” “Jing Yi, the one who wreaked havoc on Azure Lake Island?” Yang Dong and Teng Shou showed looks of shock. They had heard the rumors about ‘Jing Yi’ these past few days, but they never knew… that Teng Qingshan was Jing Yi.

Teng Qingshan hadn’t told these two disciples before. “It’s alright, you stay here with peace of mind,” Teng Qingshan instructed.

“If anything comes up, come to my place. Remember… visit me in three or four days.” “Yes, Master,” Yang Dong and Teng Shou responded in unison.

Then, Teng Qingshan tilted his head back and let out a sharp cry. “Rumble~~” A fierce current of air swooped down from the high sky.

Teng Qingshan grabbed Xue Xin, then leaped seventy to eighty feet high, landing on the back of the swooping Six-legged Blade Chi. The creature’s two pairs of wings instantly cut an arc through the air, heading towards Nine Wolf Island.

* That night, Teng Qingshan settled in on Nine Wolf Island, while Xue Xin was housed in a courtyard next to Teng Qingshan’s. Deep in the night, Nine Wolf Island was utterly silent, save for the sound of lake water lapping against the shore.

Inside the tranquil courtyard where Teng Qingshan resided. “Hmm?” Teng Qingshan, dressed in loose inner garments, rushed out of the room with a look of joy, gazing up at the sky.

“Yoo~~” A cry echoed from the high heavens. A snow-white Divine Condor dove down from the altitude.

This enormous bird was entirely white, save for the fiery red feathers on its head. A woman in a light blue robe sat cross-legged upon it.

Beside this white Divine Condor was another large eagle, entirely pitch black, almost invisible in the dark night. Whoosh~~~ A fierce gust of wind swept through as the black and white Divine Condors landed in the courtyard.

“Qingshan.” Li Jun jumped down from the Divine Condor and ran over excitedly, immediately throwing her arms around Teng Qingshan. “Xiao Jun.” Teng Qingshan embraced his wife in return.

Having been apart for so long, Teng Qingshan realized he had missed Xiao Jun quite a bit; absence truly makes the heart grow fonder… and so, they indulged in a moment of intense passion. ** Teng Qingshan leaned against the bed frame, while Li Jun lay nestled in his arms.

“Xiao Jun, how did you find this place?” Only now did Teng Qingshan ask. “Didn’t you tell me you were going to fight Azure Lake Island?

That’s how I knew this ‘Jing Yi’ was you.” Li Jun playfully sniffed, then continued, “I went to the Jing Residence in Wu'an Commandery just now, but I didn’t find you there. Then I connected the dots: the Silver Flood Dragon Army attacking Nine Wolf Island… Why would they attack Nine Wolf Island for no reason?

It happened right after you caused trouble at Azure Lake Island! And since you weren’t at the Jing Residence, I guessed you must be here, so I rode Da Bai and hurried over.” Teng Qingshan couldn't help but smile upon hearing this.

“It’s good that you came,” Teng Qingshan said with a smile. “I happen to need your help with something.” “What is it?” Li Jun asked doubtfully.

“Do you remember that time I placed you in Wu'an Commandery City and went into the Barren Lands?” Teng Qingshan smiled. “That time I went to the Barren Lands, it was specifically to find the ‘Vermilion Fruits’ on Iron Arm Monkey Mountain!

I also told you about the process of finding the Vermilion Fruits while drifting on the North Sea.” “You mean those monkeys on Iron Arm Monkey Mountain?” Li Jun nodded repeatedly. She remembered that Teng Qingshan had faced mortal danger that time, nearly falling to his death from a cliff while trying to escape.

“Yes, I actually went to retrieve the Vermilion Fruit Wine,” Teng Qingshan chuckled. “The wine in that stone pit contained a vast amount.

I don't know how many generations of monkey accumulation that represents.” “Vermilion Fruit Wine, what a brilliant idea.” Li Jun’s eyes shone. “Now that you are here, it’s even better,” Teng Qingshan mused.

“That Golden-Eyed Monkey King… is incredibly powerful. I was thinking, with my skills combined with your knowledge of beast language, perhaps we can subdue the Golden-Eyed Monkey King.

Once we subdue the King, it’s equivalent to subduing the entire troop. Then, we can also learn the secret recipe for refining the Vermilion Fruit Wine from it.”