Fang Chang collected a large amount of firewood, tied it with rattan, and carried it back, building several piles by the campfire.

The firewood pile stood half as tall as a person, with thicker wood at the bottom to prevent ground moisture from seeping in.

He used dry firewood to create a thick layer as a fuel reserve for the shack, found hay suitable for igniting the fire to cover it, and re-laid his old bedding.

"This looks like I'm preparing my own cremation," Fang Chang muttered, stepping back to survey his work with a sense of ominous humor.

After tidying up the ground next to the campfire and sweeping the broken branches and leaves into the fire, Fang Chang added more firewood and returned to the creek.

Balancing on tiptoe, he stepped on stones protruding from the water, searching back and forth.

After some time, Fang Chang found a piece of bluestone, examined it, and found it suitable for his needs.

Sitting by the stream, he found a relatively flat stone surface, scooped water from the stream, and began grinding the bluestone on it.

Using water to grind it, he shaped the stone until it resembled an axe with a round, blunt blade.

Hmm, a stone axe.

Grinding stone tools marks an advanced stage in stone tool development, representing more controllable shapes, finer processing, and higher productivity.

Fang Chang felt as if he had stepped into the Neolithic Age.

To make an axe, he still needed to find a suitable handle.

Returning to the woods with his handleless stone axe, he found a suitable thick branch, took a deep breath, and hacked at the root with the stone axe.

When—when—when—

The sound echoed through the mountains, startling birds nearby.

The white-haired monkey on a tall tree in the distance, having forgotten yesterday's stiffness, continued its secret observations.

After cutting a suitable piece of wood, Fang Chang carefully split the front half into a gap, wedged the stone in, and tied it tightly with rattan.

He tried wielding the newly made stone axe, and it fit well.

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"If you want to prosper, you must first use tools. With tools, everything becomes easier."

Enthusiastic, Fang Chang didn't rush to test it further. He returned to the shack, cleared a nine-foot-square open space, and swept it clean with a branch broom.

A hut could be built here, as the current shack was too small for one person and couldn't shelter the campfire from rain.

Over the next two days, Fang Chang kept cutting trees. During this time, he ate wild fruits for meals and drank the stream's clear, sweet water.

The flexible rattan growing nearby was perfect for weaving, so he crafted a small basket.

He wove long vines into a five-branch shape, wrapped them in a circle with thin vines, adjusted the size, coiled the basket's edge, and added two rattan straps.

Trying the basket on his back, he found it light and strong. Still fresh, the basket retained its green color.

Fang Chang stood up from the tree trunk. Below and beside him lay several straight trunks, cut to size—his labor's fruits. He weaved the basket over them.

With the basket on his back, he ventured into the woods, planning to gather more food to avoid constant foraging during work.

A rabbit sprang from the grass, panicked, and tried to escape.

Fang Chang, quick-handed, stepped forward and caught it:

"Don't go, you're my lunch."

Grabbing its ear, he lifted it. The rabbit's hind legs kicked and struggled.

He had brought a packet of coarse salt up the mountain. With this simplest seasoning, the rabbit would be delicious when roasted.

"Ah, it's a female rabbit."

Noticing its large belly, he realized it was a pregnant female rabbit, which made it slow and easy to catch.

Fang Chang gently touched the white rabbit's belly, took a few more steps into the woods, set it down, and patted it softly: "Go on."

The rabbit quickly scampered away.

Standing, Fang Chang noticed a fruit tree not far away.

This time, he could pick more.

In the distance, the white-haired monkey, witnessing this, paused in thought.

Then, making a decision, it quickly left the tree and ran into the dense forest.

...

Returning with his harvest, Fang Chang was stopped.

The gray-haired monkey stood before him, head lowered, paws raised above its head, holding a few large leaves.

On the leaves were several fresh fruits, two pieces of raw jade, and two freshly picked elixir plants.

Fang Chang politely asked, "May I ask why?"

The white-haired monkey looked up at him, eyes full of hope. Then it lowered its head, stepped forward, and raised its offering higher, as if to give it away.

Understanding the monkey's intention, Fang Chang said, "Since you're being polite, I won't stand on ceremony. But nothing comes for free. Is there something you want from me?"

He stepped forward and took the leaf from the monkey's paw, curious about its intentions.

Seeing Fang Chang accept it, the monkey was overjoyed.

The little white-haired monkey stepped back and bowed to Fang Chang three times.

"It seems you do want something from me. You can tell me directly, and if it's suitable, I'll help." Fang Chang offered.

The monkey squeaked a few times, scratching its ears and cheeks anxiously.

"Hmm..." Fang Chang paused, realizing his mistake. The monkey clearly couldn't speak human words, so he asked, "I don't know monkey language. Can you understand human language?"

The monkey nodded.

Fang Chang smiled, "That's good. I'll ask questions, and if I'm right, please nod."

The monkey nodded eagerly.

After some thought, Fang Chang asked, "Are there powerful enemies nearby you need me to deal with?"

The monkey shook its head vigorously, even scratching its ears anxiously.

"Does this matter require me to accompany you?"

"Is it..."

After several questions, the monkey shook its head each time.

The monkey grew more anxious, bowed three more times, patted itself, pointed to its mouth, and gestured.

Noticing a faint demonic aura around the monkey, Fang Chang had a flash of insight: "Have you already gained spiritual awareness and need guidance in cultivation?"

Nodding repeatedly, jumping up and down, even somersaulting, the monkey confirmed Fang Chang had asked the right question.

Seeing the clear demonic aura and knowing the monkey had lived peacefully in the mountains, feeding on fruits and insects without malice, Fang Chang didn't hesitate to offer advice.

He said:

"For a demon, gather inspiration, transform aura, cultivate spirit, and harness the elements to shape the body, seeking Taoism through the cosmos within, akin to human practice."

"However, many mistakenly believe demon cultivators prioritize the demon body and envy the human form. This is misguided. Practice always focuses on cultivating the mind. Knowing and doing, seeking the heart transcends race."

"My view is that as long as your body and mind remain clear, you can temper both while cultivating your demon form. To gain a human form, you must first gain a human heart."

"Thus, enlightenment should be near."

"I wish you further progress soon."

Having received guidance, the monkey joyfully jumped and spun before recalling Fang Chang's words. Containing its excitement, it bowed several times and retreated from Fang Chang's path.