Chapter 76: A Deal with the Monkey King

Four hours later, the thick scent of blood invaded his nostrils and the warm liquid stuck to the soles of his dark boots.

With each of his steps, a plopping sound echoed, and the divided or burnt remains of colossal serpents parted, showing the result of the carnage that had taken place in the damp cave.

Despite the beasts' strength, blade-like fangs dripping poison and numerical advantages, they had slaughtered them like a pack of wolves lunging on powerless sheep.

A wistful grin stretched his lips as he clenched and unclenched his fist before raising it above his head.

"Gather the corpses and bring them back to the territory."

As his subjects moved into action, Wukong's mischievous voice echoed from behind.

"What a surprise! I didn't think we'd meet here. Anyway, leave the carcasses. I can transport them if you give me ten percent of the cores."

He rolled his eyes at the monkey king's merchant smile, placed a hand on his hip, and extended his palm.

"We already said we were brothers. There is no need for small deals between us. Just take them all if you need them."

He meant it. Why would he strike deals left and right when he could help his subjects with their needs? Wouldn't that be equivalent to creating business relationships instead of ones forged out of trust and loyalty?

Meanwhile, Wukong's sharp brows rose, and his lips curled into a radiant smile. Yet, he shook his head in refusal.

"Ten percent will do. I can't slow the territory's progress to recover faster. However, I'd like to raid the kobolds with you and claim the mountain."

"Mhh."

A pensive frown creased his brows as he pondered the reason.

Fortunately, Wukong offered it the next second.

"I'll make it my base of operation. I like the freedom and peace of mountainous regions, and since it's not far, I'll come every morning."

He saw the monkey king's lips curl into a mysterious smile as he continued.

"I'll ensure safety during excavation and set up living quarters. You'll have the happiest miners in history that way." Sёarch* The nôvelFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Eager to see the result, he raised his thumb and nodded.

"You can have it after we get rid of the kobolds. How long will it take you to transport the carcasses?"

With a shrug, Wukong snapped his finger.

A Misty cloud wafted from them in a magic show that made everyone gawk.

As if animated by a will, it engulfed the cave, swirling and dancing around the dead snakes. In a few brief seconds, it swallowed everything before rushing back to its conjuror.

Just like it had appeared, it vanished, leaving behind a clean ground and stunned demons.

"What was that?"

Pupils constricted in disbelief, Garduck stuttered, unable to understand this bizarre scene.

"Just my Jindou Yun. I can barely make it form because of the annoying seals restraining my powers, but I used it to travel the realms unrestrained in the past."

Meanwhile, Adam's eyes lit up as he recognised this unique ability.

'It's the magical cloud he learned to manifest after years of cultivation! It's amazing that he can summon it for a few seconds to store items. Forget about ten percent. I'm willing to give him thirty for all the time we can save.'

After all, no one wanted to drag corpses and materials for several kilometers.

His shoulders trembled as he chuckled and turned towards the five chests resting against the cave's wall.

'I'll open everything together later. I'll feel rich for a few seconds that way before spending everything and returning to being poor.'

In an excellent mood, he commanded the shadow stalker to bring them to the territory and join them later since he was the fastest.

Then, he opened his kill notifications and frowned.

[You and your subjects have defeated 25 level 4 goblins. You have gained 100 experience points.]

[You and your subjects have defeated a tier one lvl11 hobgoblin. You have gained 100 experience points.]

[You and your subjects have defeated 126 lvl11 giant serpents. You have gained 9400 experience points.]

[You and your subjects have defeated the tier two level 18 boss: Giant Serpent's king. You have gained 3600 experience points.]

'The Xp is so lacking. We must find densely populated places like the ant colony or filled with tier-two creatures to progress... at least each level makes a real difference. I can't believe I'm earning thirty-six stat points now!'

Name: Adam

Race: Draconic Oni

Affinity: chaotic, demonic energy

Talent: D grade (Upgradable): I'm a gamer!

Job: /

Class: Chaos Druid

LVL: 26

Exp: 10800/49000

HP: 1790/1790

Vitality: 115->127 (+52)

Strength: 115->127 (+23)(+33) Your journey continues with m v|l--NovelFire

Agility: 115->127 (+32)(+40)

Chaotic demonic essence: 232

Free attribute points: 36->0

A contented sigh escaped his lips as he attributed his points.

Then, he gazed at his waiting subjects and Wukong and pointed his finger toward the cave's entrance.

"We still have enough time to march on the kobolds before dinner. Let's go!"

The noise of their determined steps echoed on the soil, followed by the rustle of leaves and cracking of twigs as they journeyed north.

An hour later, they leapt on sturdy branches. Feeling the evening breeze ruffle their hair and caress their skin, they overlooked the medium-sized mountain.

The thick white walls shone under the gentle sun's rays as sparse vegetation added a refreshing touch of wild green to the rough surface.

From his position, he noticed the abyssal mouth serving as the entrance and caught the distant noise of sharp objects pounding rocks.

Finally, he frowned at the faint coat of dust rising in the air, realising that a few creatures worked by the entrance.

'Should we go in stealthily and assassinate them before they can gather, or just camp the entrance and wait for them to throw themselves at us?'

He tucked his fingers around his chin, a gust of wind sending his long hair flowing.

'We'll focus on efficiency and safety by forcing them out. I don't want to enter their tunnel without knowing its layout either.'

Despite their enhanced strength after evolving and levelling up, he would never underestimate his enemies again and charge into their territory recklessly as he did with the ants. After all, a community that claimed an entire mountain in this dangerous land couldn't be weak.