s our best shot,” I said.

She infused the orb with her remaining essence, throwing it at the enraged gorilla while chanting “Bind.” The orb released vines that wrapped around the monkey, which raged, tearing the vines only for more to appear. “Now! Run!” she shouted.

Carrying her on my back, I ran up the mountain. She gasped, “You’re going the wrong way!” Pinching my neck, she added, “I came to Beast Mountain for training! Why would I go back?”

Exasperated, she fainted, either from anger or severe injury. I kept running, using my divine sense to avoid danger.

After running for a long time, unsure of my location, I found a concealed spot to put her down. Checking the map, I realized I hadn’t reached the mountain’s center yet. Any further would make returning incredibly risky.

Seeing her severe injuries and exhausted essence, I scanned her body with my divine sense, relieved to find no internal injuries. I searched my space ring for healing pills. Finally, I found some bottles labeled "Snow Spirit Pill." With no time to waste, I fed her one of the seven pills and stored the rest.

Her complexion quickly improved. Watching her, I thought, “She’s quite beautiful.”

The pill’s effect was rapid. She opened her eyes, catching me staring and slapped me. Dodging, I asked, “What are you doing?” If she weren’t injured, I would’ve felt that slap.

Standing up, she said, “Why were you staring at me?”

Embarrassed, I responded, “I was just curious about your quick recovery.”

“What did you give me?” she asked.

“Snow Spirit Pill,” I replied.

Unfamiliar with the pill, she cooled down, saying, “Thank you.” Surprised, I exclaimed, “I can’t believe you said thank you!”

She kicked my foot, making me hop in pain. 

Smiling faintly, she introduced herself, “I’m Ouyang Qianyao. Just call me Qianyao. You?”

“Ba Qiyun,” I replied before asking, “Why do I keep seeing you wherever I go, and it’s always trouble?”

Qianyao’s face darkened, “Are you blaming me for your own recklessness?”

Frustrated, I glared and asked, “Why are you here?”

She explained, “I came to Beast Mountain to hunt beasts for their beast cores to use in alchemy. I didn’t expect a demonized monkey.”

During our conversation, I learned she was close to reaching martial master level, while the demon monkey was already at the second level.

Curiously, I asked, “You’re always so cold to everyone. Why do you seem different here?”

Her eyes lowered, showing sadness. Clearly, I had touched a sore spot.

Chapter 17: Thunder Lion King

Ouyang Qianyao and I spent a month in Beast Mountain. During this time, I killed numerous beasts and was just a step away from reaching the warrior level. I also mastered the third form of the martial art *Lone Nine Swords*, significantly enhancing its power.

Along the way, w

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