A blast of electricity caught a monkey in the right side of its face while its companion let out a howl that could wake the dead. The earthen monkey glowed a deep brown and slammed its arms into Prismatic Barrier. The cracks it caused were repaired almost as soon as they formed. On its own it lacked the power to break his defense. Maximilian's gaze drifted across the remaining five creatures. As long as he didn't let them attack together he didn't have much to fear. His control over his dao had improved but he wasn't good enough to win this easily. He shook his head and activated Severing Disc. The buzz saw doubled in size and then it hummed with electricity. The last two days had provided more than enough time to appreciate just how good a skill it was.

  Its cutting power had exceeded anything on Earth. He launched the disc toward the furthest monkey. The beast had just enough time to cry before the disc bisected it. Dark brown blood spilled onto the dirt. He tried to steer the disc to the next monkey but only managed to send it careening into the nearby stone. He swore and continued his advance. He wasn't sure if the issue was his understanding of the skill or if it was something with him. Either way it didn't change what he had to deal with. After a while he abandoned his training and got rid of the remaining monkeys. He still wasn't sure if they were monkeys who had gotten powers related to soil or if they were sentient dirt in the shape of monkeys. He also wasn't sure which made more sense. He had become numb to all the impossibilities. He glanced to the Northwest toward the massive desert. He remembered from his high school class that it was possible for a mountain to have a forest on one side and a desert on the other. It was something about the rain getting stuck and not passing the limit. He doubted it would be or should be that stark though. It was like a great brown sea. One that he wanted to explore. If he founded a city here it should become powerful trade station. Assuming there was something valuable in the desert and the forest.

  It also assumed that people were strong enough to thrive here. He couldn't prove it but his gut told him the monsters were in a state of growth. Like a spring they had been compressed or stalled by either the Network or the spiritual energy. Now that we cultivators were here things were going to explode. He doubted the weak settlements would survive. He couldn't waste anymore time. He glanced upward toward the peak. He could now tell the peak wasn't a point, rather it was some sort of ravine. One filled with greenery. Which should mean a source of water. Which would mean something strong is hiding up there. His assumption was supported by the weird monkeys. The closer he got to the peak the more appeared. He took a moment o catch his breath and then set out again. If his guess was right he would reach the peak in about two hours. After that he would need to be ready.

  Sure enough, two hours later he stood at the base of the mountain peak. In front of him was a thick rock wall that he couldn't climb. At least not quickly. He also didn't think he would need to. If his assumption was right there should be at least one exit. A spot where the beasts could come in and out. It took him almost an hour before he found it, an opening large enough for three people to walk through side by side. Before he could get too excited, he was greeted by a chorus of howls. Several monkeys leaped ran forward. The baby sized creatures were the most irritating monsters he had fought so far. Not because they were strong but because they were so loud. Their howls made him feel exhausted. He activated Prismatic Barrier and they charged. They hadn't crossed half the distance before two of the were blasted by electricity and water. He had already figured out the two Dao could be used together. Where the water amplified the electricity. Yet he could tell there was more, his gut told him that he should be able to combine them, but he couldn't. After another failed attempt he released his killing intent.

  It was for less than a moment but that was more than enough to stun the closest monkey. A Severing Disc followed it up and the monkey lost its head. The last two monkey didn't back down. Much to their credit. He wasn't sure if it was bravery or a compulsion from a different beast. Not that it mattered. He let one monkey attack his shield while he blasted the last with a Static Bolt. Maximilian ended his defensive skill while the second to last monkey was mid swing. He sides stepped it and launched a straight jab into its chest. The monkey shot back as if shot from a canon. Maximilian unleashed another dao empowered Static Bolt after it. A moment later he confirmed the kill. He turned to the remaining monkey who had regained the ability to move. "I want your help." He said though he doubted the beast could understand him. He held out a hand and formed a ball of rainwater above it. The monkey froze as it expected to die right then.

  Maximilian wrapped the ball in electricity. At least he tried to. The bluish-white electricity orbited around the ball for less than a second before the whole thing collapsed. The monkey howled and white hot irritation surged. Before he thought about it Maximilian had imbued his fist with the Dao of Static. His fist smashed into and through the beasts chest. Its heart exploded against his knuckles and then the body went limp. When he realized what he had done the irritation was replaced with something else. He wasn't sure if it was guilt, fear, sadness or some combination of all three. He was pretty sure the creature died instantly but the goriness of it was wrong. He removed the creature from his hand and cleaned it off. "You were going to kill it anyway. Does the method matter." He said but he knew the answer already. Of course, it did. There was no need to cause extra pain.

  When he had regained his composure, he entered the valley and gasped. It was a forest, but the spiritual energy was much denser. There was something here. This place could rival the crystal caves without issue which meant he would have to fight. He waited to see if something would jump out at him. When nothing did, she shrugged and got to walking. From what he could see the valley was several miles across which should work for his settlement. Though he would need to expand to the rest of the mountain as soon as possible. As he wondered through the forest, he found several trees filled with fruits. For a moment he thought they were the attribute fruits but when he picked a few he realized that wasn't the case. The fruits were multicolored peaches. From what he could tell only the types of colors anything but normal. There were bright blues, pinks, yellows and reds. They were beautiful in a freaky way.

  After debating it for several moments he decided to eat one. He hadn't had anything good to eat in a while and he was somewhat sure his Dao could protect him from a poison. At least he hoped. If that wasn't the case then he would have to rely on his attributes to deal with it. He bit into a blue one and his jaw locked up. The thing was the sweetest thing he had since the world ended. Even more so than the attribute related ones. Before he realized it the fruit was gone. It wasn't until his wits returned that he realized he gained a bit of spiritual energy. It wasn't enough to make him want to gorge himself by any means but it would be a nice meal. He ate two more before he shoved the rest into his bag. A part of him wanted to eat more but that wouldn't do. He wasn't sure how often he would get new food, and his new body did eventually need to eat. He figured he could make it a few months with the ones around him.

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  He was just about to start walking again when his instincts screamed of danger. He spun to his right before a tree trunk slammed into the ground. The trunk had been sharpened into a makeshift spear. A moment later the thing that three it stepped into the clearing. Maximilian sighed as a four armed gorilla roared and beat its chest. The thing looked like it had eaten two other gorillas. It had muscles that would make an Olympic weightlifter jealous. Its fur was a deep earthy brown but none of that was what terrified him. The beast had a Dao. Before he deals with that revelation a dense killing intent exploded off the ape. Maximilian was forced back a step as primordial fear rose in his chest. He was about to retreat and return later when the Network's voice filled his ears.

  Defeat the Terranape. Refusal to battle will result in the loss of one random skill.

  Maximilian unleashed a torrent of curses toward the sky as he tried to figure out what to do. The ape either received its own quest or had decided not to let the interloper escape. It bounded forward on its front to arms. Maximilian's eyes widened as his heart tried to rip itself out of his chest. He unleashed both his Dao toward the beast but it crashed through them as if they weren't there. Energy surged into Maximilian's legs and he jumped out of the way. He barely avoided the beast's outstretched hand. His near death woke him from his stupor. He shifted and rolled when he hit the ground. When he got to his feet a formed and fired an empowered Severing Disc. The attack shot toward the ape only for it to slam its fists into the ground. A moment later an earthen pillar shot up. By the time Severing Disc got through it, the ape had moved. Maximilian formed and fired two more as he retreated. When he put fifteen feet between them, he activated Prismatic Barrier. His blood raced through his veins as he tried piece together a plan.

  The beast was afraid of his attacks which meant he had a chance. He made several quick assumptions to give himself the basics of a plan. The Network hadn't punished him for putting space between them which meant he had some leeway. He figured he could go move as long as he didn't leave the valley. The massive ape roared, and he returned to the present. He activated Static Bolt and fired it as the beast closed in. The electricity crashed into it but was barely enough to slow it down let alone paralyze it. When his instincts screamed another warning, he knew his shield wouldn't block the next attack. Yet, he didn't retreat. The ape slammed its fist into the barrier causing it to shatter like glass. Maximilian managed to avoid being smashed. He took advantage and reached for its face. Blueish white electricity arced forward seconds before his instincts warned him. He unleashed his attack just before the ape's third hand slammed into his right side. He slammed into a tree with enough force to split it and the tree behind it.

  He spit up a mouth full of blood. He knew he had broken something but he could still move. He could still fight. He formed another Severing Disc this time he increased it to its largest size. Only for a familiar popping sensation followed by an increased drain on his energy. He grinned and launched the disc. As soon as he let it fly he felt the difference. It was like he had gained a new limb. One that was rapidly flying away from him. The ape once again countered with the earth but how could the same move work twice? A flexion of will was all it took to have the disc spin around the earthen pillar and continue toward the ape. The ape managed to avoid a fatal wound. A testament to its intelligence but Severing Disc still took its pound of flesh. Maximilian tried to call the disc back, but he lost control. He wasn't sure if it a lack of energy or some other need and right now he didn't care. He formed another two discs and imbued them both. One with each of his Dao.

  The terranape roared and his body glowed dark brown. A moment later it wore a weird earthen armor. One that made him look like a fantasy gladiator. Something about that clicked in Maximilian's head. He chuckled and then laughed. The world seemed to pause as he concentrated on his enemy. "I've gone crazy." He muttered to himself. His words disrupted the pause and the ape rushed him. Instead of retreating Maximilian charged. His blades floated above both hands. The distance between them disappeared in a blink. The ape swung a dinner plate sized fist with a finality that made Maximilian's heart pound. He waited until the last moment and ducked. The ape followed with its two lower arms, but he was ready. The Severing Disc imbued with the Lesser dao of Rain met them. The stone armor resisted for a moment before giving way. The saw-like blade split the lower right hand down the middle. Before Maximilian could capitalize the upper left hand slammed into his left side. He screamed as he shot through the air. He maintained enough control over his body to flip. He launched the final Severing Disc seconds before his back slammed into a tree. The disc severed the arms on its right side.

  Before he could relish the small victory agony shot through him. He didn't need a doctor tell him that last hit had done a number on him. He bit back a scream of pain as he activated Prismatic Barrier followed by his robe's array. Without two of its arms the ape shouldn't be able to use its full strength. Further had to be low on energy. The ape stared at him and if looks could kill than it would've been over right than. Maximilian doubted the creature could think but they should be in agreement. Neither would try to run. Only one of them would leave this field. Maximilian unleashed his aura and killing intent. Electricity and water were met with the solidity of earth. The serene forest felt like a bloody battlefield. One that had seen the rise and fall of armies a dozen times over. The ape charged and Maximilian unleashed everything he had. The ape's faltered as it fought to close the gap. The last of his spiritual and mental energy went into a final Severing Disc. He doubted he could redirect it with enough precision to hit the ape if it dodged. Which meant he had to let it get closer. He would have to trust his shields.

  An eerie calm fell onto his shoulders as the ape thundered toward him. There was no fear nor was there doubt. He would win. The ape roared. He waited until he could see the white's of its eyes. Then he fired. In the next moment it was over. The ape's eyes were filled with righteous indignation. As if it could will its head to stay on. It couldn't. The ape fell to the ground in two pieces as Maximilian summoned two crystals from his bag. He closed his eyes and rapidly absorbed them. The dao of rain worked double time to repair the damage. He almost wished it hadn't. He wasn't sure if the injury was worse than this new pain. Still he fought through it. His thoughts drifted to his mother and father. He would find them. He had to find them. He wouldn't die here. He wasn't sure how long he lay there before he could open his eyes. Phantom pain caused his muscles to spasm. He took a moment reflect on the battle. He scolded himself for not reacting faster, for not avoiding blows he could've although a part of him knew it wasn't true. Four arms were better than two. Even if his skills were stronger the battle would've gone the same way if not worse. On top of that the spiritual energy from the kill only provided seventy percent of what he had lost. No matter how he looked at it things could've gone better. He glanced over at the terranape. He couldn't put that thing in his bag which meant he would have to throw out of the valley.

  That was for later. He moved himself into a seated position and circulated his cultivation technique. The abundant energy was a blessing, one that he couldn't afford to waste. He decided not to withdraw his aura. He hoped it would work as a deterrent to any weaker monsters. At least until he felt good enough to defend himself again. Despite all that he had went through he couldn't help but feel joy. This was so much simpler than the old world. He could work hard and get stronger. There was no one to stop him. Just his desire to keep going. He once again found himself wondering if he had lost his mind. He wasn't sure if he cared either way. There was no way he could or would stop. This was who he was.