After leaving Guling Town, Fang Shu did not depart directly. Instead, he lingered in the town for quite some time.
Only after confirming that there were no bandits within or outside the town capable of threatening the place did he wrap himself in Peach Blossom Mistcloud and soar with two whooshes toward the Monster Market.
He arrived at the Monster Market once more.
He found that the market here had yet to resume business. However, little demons and minor monsters now darted about amid the old marketplace.
Compared to before, it had regained a trace of life.
Upon arriving, he did not land directly on the mountain where Old Mountain Lord resided. He first descended into the ruined, crumbling market, then walked toward the mountaintop.
Along the way, he encountered several monkeys. He bowed in greeting and asked them to go up the mountain and announce his arrival.
Only then did Fang Shu climb the hill, and Old Mountain Lord's body, as large as a platform, entered his sight once again.
Yet what surprised Fang Shu was that someone was already seated on Ganoderma Terrace today—and not one person, but two.
Looking closely, he found that one was Old Mountain Lord's shadowy projection, blurry and indistinct, merely human-shaped. The other was a boar demon clad in brocade robes, with flowers tucked in its hair.
That attire immediately reminded Fang Shu of his old monster drinking companions, especially Tian Jinmao.
Before he could approach, the two atop Ganoderma Terrace had already noticed him and turned to look.
"Mm, the young friend has come. Come, come. Why be so polite? Come up and drink."
Old Mountain Lord's blurry human form repeatedly beckoned at Fang Shu.
The brocade-robed boar merely scrutinized Fang Shu and did not speak at once.
Only after Fang Shu