Seeing the contemplative look on Lin Huanhuan’s face, Yi Jia smiled and explained, “These are the guardian beasts of the Cold Marrow, the Blue Water Monkeys. Their combat strength is not weak when they are in a group. They know how to use weapons like wooden sticks and stones. If there are ten or more of them, it usually takes three to five cultivators at the peak of Qi Refinement to ensure a steady victory.”
Lin Huanhuan glanced at her and asked humbly, “Even though we are both at the peak of Qi Refinement, there are only two of us. It seems like it might be a difficult fight. Do they have any weaknesses?”
“Senior Sister Lin, you are quite different from the rumors that say you never use your brain when doing things.”
Yi Jia spoke with an appreciative tone, but seeing Lin Huanhuan’s face begin to darken, she quickly added, “This is because of the unique temperament of the Blue Water Monkeys. They are very united when facing an external enemy, but when there is no external threat, they are constantly in conflict. The strong bully the weak at will, even stealing the food, resting spots, and even the mates of the weak.”
“However, as long as a creature is alive, it will have a sense of resistance. In this situation, the weak will often fight back with everything they have.”
“Oh, I see what you mean.”
Lin Huanhuan nodded thoughtfully and said, “So, we only need to stir up internal conflict among these monkeys, then we can just sit back, watch them fight, and reap the benefits of the aftermath.”
“Senior Sister Lin is indeed wise,” Yi Jia said with a sweet, approving smile.
Lin Huanhuan did feel that something was a bit off. Especially combined with what Yi Jia had just said, she felt like Yi Jia was secretly insulting her. But looking at Yi Jia’s eyes, which were as clear as a green lake, she dismissed the thought.
Next, Yi Jia took out some fruit juice from her storage bag and placed five bowls on the ground, filling them all with the juice. After doing so, she and Lin Huanhuan retreated to a distant hillside, watching from afar.
“These Blue Water Monkeys are quite fond of drinks made by humans. Perhaps it is because they look like humans. So, we just need to leave some there and wait for them to take it back. Once these monkeys see there is no other danger, they will start fighting over the juice themselves.”
“Actually, better materials could be used, but this is the most cost-effective.”
“Is it similar to the ‘two peaches killing three warriors’ strategy? Interesting,” Lin Huanhuan noted.
When the group of Blue Water Monkeys saw the two leave and even leave behind fruit juice, they all felt that it was the strength of their troop that had scared the humans away. For a moment, they cheered.
Faced with the unfamiliar fruit juice, the monkeys chattered and discussed for a moment before soon pushing forward a monkey that looked the thinnest and weakest.
The weak monkey stepped forward reluctantly, grabbed one of the bowls, and sniffed it. Its eyes lit up, and it immediately began to chug it down.
The other monkeys realized what was happening and swarmed forward to divide the remaining four bowls of juice. One medium-sized monkey, seeing that the weakest one had not finished drinking yet, snatched the bowl away and kicked the weak monkey aside.
To compete for the delicious food, the monkey troop instantly descended into a chaotic brawl. After a short while, almost all the monkeys suffered varying degrees of injury. The final victor turned out to be the weakest monkey from the beginning.
the greedy nature of living creatures was vividly displayed at this moment.
Lin Huanhuan watched from a distance, clicking her tongue in wonder.
“It is time to go. We should be able to handle half of them each, right?”
Yi Jia stood up, a fierce look appearing on her delicate face as a long whip emerged in her hand.
“Of course, no problem.”
Seeing the two return, the Blue Water Monkey standing on top of the others let out a piercing scream. A look of panic actually flashed through the monkeys’ eyes.
Although the monkeys were injured to varying degrees, they still forced themselves to stand up and meet the incoming enemies.
If the monkey troop had been at their peak, it would definitely not have been easy for Lin Huanhuan and Yi Jia to win, even if they could. But now, after the internal struggle, most of them were seriously injured. Furthermore, because of the infighting, they were wary of each other and could not cooperate sincerely.
Consequently, the monkey troop was suppressed as soon as the battle began. The situation was completely one-sided, and in less than one minute, the monkeys were almost entirely wiped out.
The only thing that surprised them was that the thin monkey, seeing that they could not win, immediately fled.
Lin Huanhuan said with some surprise, “Interesting. That monkey is quite clever. If it were in the outside world, it might have a chance to become a Foundation Establishment Demon King.”
“Whatever. Let’s hurry up and collect the Cold Marrow. Otherwise, the others might get impatient from waiting.”
Yi Jia shrugged indifferently, stepped over the monkey corpses, and walked to the azure tree. Using a special method, she removed the Cold Marrow and placed it in a jade box for preservation.
Lin Huanhuan stood aside like a wooden post, watching the monkey corpses slowly turn into liquid and seep into the ground, disappearing completely. It was mainly because she didn’t know how to collect it. To avoid making a mess, she could only let Yi Jia do it herself, and she had no complaints about it.
After finishing everything, they quickly headed back.
Everyone else had returned; they were the only ones left.
Yi Jia warmly greeted the others again, and she even started chatting with Ye Jinxiu and Green Leaf as if they were old friends.
Seeing this, Lin Huanhuan dismissed her previous suspicions. ‘She probably didn’t approach me on purpose. She’s likely just a social butterfly who likes to chat with everyone whenever she’s bored.’
Next, it was time to repair the formation.
Lin Huanhuan originally thought it was finally Huyan Yazhi’s turn to work. To her surprise, he simply stood up and immediately began directing everyone else.
If anyone moved a bit too slowly or made a mistake, they would immediately be subjected to his frantic ridicule. He clearly had no intention of building any interpersonal relationships.
Even when faced with a question from a guy whose name Lin Huanhuan had already forgotten, Huyan Yazhi said with an arrogant face, “By standing here and directing, haven’t I already played the most important role? If it weren’t for me, how could you possibly repair this formation? Not making you pay the fee to hire me is already being as benevolent as possible.”
“To think you’re here whining when I’m just asking you to do a little work. You really don’t know how to be grateful.”
Lin Huanhuan’s eyelids twitched as she watched. ‘My goodness, does he think he’s a leader? Even a real leader wouldn’t put on such airs.’
Lin Huanhuan asked Yi Jia beside her, “Is no one going to teach him a lesson? It’s a bit surprising that he hasn’t been put in his place for being so arrogant.”
Yi Jia touched her cheek with her hand and said thoughtfully, “Actually, it’s not just him. Almost all array masters are like this.”
The corner of Lin Huanhuan’s mouth twitched.
When it was their turn, they naturally received a serving of foul language.
“Are you two stupid pigs? You’re so slow at processing some materials. By the time you finish, the optimal time will have passed. Calling you useless is a compliment. If you can’t do it, then get lost!”
Lin Huanhuan’s gaze sharpened. She cast her consciousness toward her Inner Demon, which was already in a state of rage, and smiled.