The next day, Max ventured deep into the forest, exploring a territory he had never set foot in before.

This area lay on the other side of the stream where Max usually fetched water and caught fish. Throughout the year, Max had confined himself to this side of the stream, dedicating his training to the familiar surroundings.

However, on this particular day, he decided to cross over to the other side. Max reached the stream, crossed it, and delved into the heart of the forest. He encountered numerous level 1 beasts, but they posed no threat, and he continued his journey without engaging them. Even when faced with mid and late-stage level 2 beasts, Max managed to skillfully evade them.

While navigating the forest, Max was suddenly alerted by loud cries. Intrigued, he decided to investigate the source of the commotion. Following the sounds, he arrived at a swamp, where he discovered a small monkey trapped in vines, desperately crying for help.

Initially, Max contemplated continuing on his way, but the heartbreaking cries of the monkey moved him to intervene.

Scaling a nearby tree, he approached the distressed creature. Positioned directly above the swamp, Max carefully pulled the vines towards himself, gradually freeing the monkey. Once liberated, Max inspected the peculiar creature, noting its six ears. Despite this anomaly, the monkey appeared to be a common beast and had not yet reached monster status.

Grateful for its rescue, the monkey developed an instant fondness for Max, perching itself on his shoulder. Undeterred, Max set about returning to familiar territory, leaping from tree to tree.

Exiting the swamp with the monkey in tow, Max was about to choose a direction when the little creature tugged at his ear, pointing emphatically in a specific direction and emitting sounds as if trying to convey a message.

"Do you want me to go in this direction? Is your home located there?" Max inquired.

However, the little monkey seemed incapable of understanding Max's words. It persistently pulled at Max's ear, pointing in a direction and emitting expressive noises.

"Alright, alright, just stop pulling it," Max conceded helplessly.

Following the little monkey's guidance, Max embarked on his journey, with the small creature acting as an unconventional guide, directing him with a series of gestures and sounds.

Eventually, they arrived at a place characterized by towering trees with horizontally extended branches, some of which touched the ground at both ends. The area was teeming with monkeys of the same kind. As Max reached this location, the little monkey excitedly vocalized loud calls, seemingly summoning its relatives. Before Max could fully comprehend the situation, he and the little monkey found themselves surrounded by a multitude of simian creatures.

Some of the monkeys exhibited cultivation levels reaching the late stage of level 2 monsters. Witnessing this, Max remained on guard.

Suddenly, the monkeys in front parted, creating a path for an elderly monkey to approach. This particular monkey boasted a formidable cultivation level of a terrifying level 4 monster. Sensing the immense power, Max became apprehensive. Although he could exceed his cultivation level in combat, his abilities were limited, and he could only contend with late-stage level 2 monsters.

As the level 4 elder monkey approached, Max refrained from making any hasty movements, recognizing the futility of resistance. The little monkey, however, greeted the elder with enthusiasm, making joyful noises.

In response to the little monkey's communication, the old monkey turned its attention toward Max, displaying a surprised expression before breaking into a smile. Max, utterly stunned, realized it was the first time he had witnessed a monster, let alone a level 4 one, smiling at him.

"Thank you for saving little Jack. Dear Friend, I am an elder of the Six-Eared Monkey tribe. They call me Elder Willie," the old monkey addressed Max.

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Max, still grappling with the surreal nature of the situation, managed to respond, "Hello, Elder Willie. My name is Max."

"So junior's name is Max, and since you saved little Jack, consider yourself our honored guest. Please come with me," Elder Willie said with a warm smile.

With those words, Elder Willie guided Max towards a treehouse nestled in one of the towering trees. Max couldn't help but marvel at the fact that monsters had constructed such impressive dwellings for themselves.

Seated in the treehouse, Max and Elder Willie were joined by a group of Six-Eared Monkeys who brought forth a selection of fruits.

"These are red nectar peaches, containing exceptionally high vital energy. Little friend, please taste it first," Elder Willie offered, passing a few peaches to Max.

Expressing his gratitude, Max bit into a peach. The moment the fruit reached his stomach, he sensed a surge of vital energy. Eager not to let it go to waste, Max promptly employed the blood breathing technique to assimilate the vital energy into his bloodstream.

Observing Max's use of a breathing technique and the subsequent refinement of vital energy, Elder Willie couldn't conceal his surprise. Once Max had completed the process, Elder Willie couldn't resist asking,

"Little friend, if I may inquire—did you just use a breathing technique to directly refine vital energy into your blood? Don't humans typically cultivate by storing energy in their dantian?"

Taken aback by Elder Willie's keen insight, Max admitted, "Elder, to be honest, I know very little about cultivation, and I don't possess spiritual roots." Max spoke with a hint of embarrassment.

Elder Willie, visibly astonished, recognized that Max, based on his appearance alone, was at least on par with a level 2 monster.

In response, Max proceeded to recount the events that had led him to this point. As Elder Willie listened, he marveled at how Max had not only survived but had also managed to cultivate in such challenging circumstances.

"Little friend, your survival in that Dark Cave is a stroke of luck. I'm not just saying this because of your fall; that place is genuinely perilous. I can't reveal more about it, but all I'll advice is to never venture into that cave again," Elder Willie said solemnly.

Observing the gravity in Elder Willie's expression, Max sensed there was more to the Abyss than met the eye. After all, if it weren't the case, the Water Barge Kingdom's king would have investigated such a hazardous location within his realm.

"As for your cultivation situation, I'm genuinely surprised by your accomplishments. If you don't mind, may I check on you?" Elder Willie inquired.

Realizing that Elder Willie was likely asking for permission out of goodwill, as he could easily scan him with his cultivation, Max replied, "Sure."

With Max's consent, Elder Willie commenced his examination. Though Max felt a slight discomfort, he couldn't articulate why, given his lack of knowledge in cultivation.

"Interesting. You've truly made history, little friend. You've embarked on a path no human has ever chosen," Elder Willie remarked.

"Please enlighten me, Elder," Max humbly requested.

"Of course. It's common knowledge in the world of cultivators, be they human or monsters, that they cannot adopt each other's cultivation methods," Elder Willie began, not waiting for Max's response.

"Human bodies possess special veins, what you call spiritual roots, which sense spiritual energy between heaven and earth. Monsters like us lack such veins and rely on our blood vessels for cultivation. The reason why both cannot adopt each other's methods is simple—no one has bothered to try. Monsters, lacking spiritual roots, cannot cultivate human methods. Mortal humans, not powerful enough to explore this, face difficulties, and even powerful cultivators may find it challenging. Any energy, be it spiritual or vital, is absorbed by spiritual roots into the dantian. Even if someone wishes to do it for the benefit of mortals, they'd struggle to find the rhythm. You may have noticed that when you attempted to mimic the rhythm, your heart likely raced. Not only humans, but even we monsters cannot mimic each other's breathing rhythm," Elder Willie explained.

In response to Elder Willie's question, Max nodded, recalling the time his heart raced when he attempted to mimic the breathing technique of a fire-stripe tiger. He acknowledged that had he not stopped in time, his heart might have reached a dangerous point.

Observing Max's attentive demeanor, Elder Willie smiled and spoke, "That's why I'm advising you, little friend. Be vigilant and never disclose this breathing technique to anyone. If word gets out, all humans will be in pursuit of you. It's a significant breakthrough for the human race, and powerful families and sects would seek to claim it for themselves. With this technique, they could recruit mortals and mold them into their secret weapons. So, you better keep it a secret," Elder Willie advised.

Upon hearing Elder Willie's words, a sense of gravity settled over Max. He understood the truth in Elder Willie's warning—royal families and influential sects would indeed be after him. With such a groundbreaking technique, their mortal descendants could cultivate, and as Elder Willie pointed out, it could become a potent asset for their armies. Thus, Max resolved to guard this technique as his closely held secret.