"Squeak, squeak!"
Furball sprang off Shi Hou's shoulder, kicking with his hind legs to leap toward the nearest grove of ancient golden-fruit trees.
Whoosh!
A black pig's tail lashed out like lightning, winding tightly around Furball's hind leg.
Then Kang opened his mouth and clamped down on the base of the monkey's tail, taking Furball's entire weight while his four hooves stayed firmly planted on Shi Hou's shoulder.
"Oink, oink!"
The black pig glared at Furball, his eyes spelling out a clear command-Sit your ass down.
Furball struggled twice without breaking free and bared his teeth in fury.
You're telling me what to do? A pig? Where am I supposed to put my pride as a Primordial Zhu Yan?
Shi Hou caught Furball by the scruff and pressed him back onto his shoulder, while his other hand held Kang's mouth shut.
"Both of you, shut up."
His voice was very low.
Furball and Kang shuddered together and curled into two silent balls.
Shi Hou looked past the glittering grove of spirit-fruit trees before him, sweeping his gaze farther afield.
Three main peaks stood in a triangle, enclosing the Secret Realm within a natural spirit-gathering formation.
On the nearest peak, an old man in gray robes sat cross-legged, essence circulating slowly around him as he cultivated in seclusion.
On the second summit sat an even older man.
On the third, another.
Shi Hou narrowed his eyes and looked farther out.
Four, five... seven, eight.
Eight cultivators in seclusion occupied the peaks surrounding the Secret Realm, using their cultivation to serve as living formation anchors. They maintained the flow of essence within the Secret Realm while also acting as its guards.
The aura on the distant Lone Peak was the deepest.
Crouching amid the spirit grass, Shi Hou sensed it for several