Crossing Mountains and Ridges

After that, Shen Hui took Lu Huan deep into the mountains and ancient forests for a time.

Lu Huan did not find it tiring either. Every day, she followed him scrambling up heights and down slopes through the wilderness, and she seemed even more energetic than when they traveled along the official roads.

The two crossed mountains and ridges, forded streams, and passed through forests, truly resembling a pair of carefree wandering immortals.

Traveling this way, they naturally could not avoid encountering some mountain spirits and wild monsters.

The first they encountered was an old ape that had become a spirit.

That day, the two reached a secluded valley where wild peach trees bore fruit out of season, their branches heavy with peaches.

The old ape crouched atop the largest peach tree. More than half the fur on its body had turned white, and it held a bright red peach in its hands, biting into it until juice ran everywhere.

When it saw people approaching, it was not afraid.

It merely tossed its peach pit beneath the tree, chattered twice at the pair, then reached out to pluck another peach as if preparing to throw it.

At the sight, Lu Huan gave a frightened start and ducked behind Shen Hui.

Yet Shen Hui could tell that the old ape meant no harm.

The peach pit had landed on the ground and sprouted in the blink of an eye. Clearly, this was an old tree spirit and ape that had attained some cultivation.

He smiled and took a pill from his sleeve, spreading it across his palm.

The old ape tilted its head and stared for quite a while before suddenly leaping down from the tree.

It floated lightly down before Shen Hui, sniffed the pill, then swiftly snatched it up