In the next nearly twenty days, besides practicing his fist techniques daily, Chen Tang spent most of his time with Xue Tuan'Er, engaging in fierce battles with all kinds of ferocious beasts brought by the Mountain Lord, honing his martial arts and fist techniques.
Chen Tang had long since mastered the Tiger Subduing Fist.
But it was nearly twenty days of intense fighting that truly allowed him to integrate this set of fist techniques.
No matter the beast he faced or their methods of attack, he could adapt spontaneously, executing moves effortlessly, and handle the situations with composure.
Through continuous combat, Chen Tang also gradually gained a deeper understanding of the Tiger Subduing Fist.
The maneuvering and jumping of various beasts, their biting and claw strikes, including the body techniques of Xue Tuan'Er while hunting, all helped Chen Tang comprehend the principles of the fist techniques!
Just as the Mountain Guest mentioned, only through repeated intense combat can one become fully aware of the distance, timing, and power of their strikes, forming muscle memory.
This way, when facing an opponent, one does not panic and becomes flustered.
In just twenty days, Chen Tang felt his combat power had significantly improved!
If he were to encounter Master Chai again and face his entangling reverse blade strike, he wouldn't need to use Divine Light Power to counter-kill him easily!
Of course, during these days, he continued to consume Tiger Milk and Mountain Ginseng, which continuously enhanced his strength.
The angles of Chen Tang's face became more pronounced; his face appeared as if carved by a knife. His body had visibly slimmed down, but his muscles became more solid and rock-hard!
Through battles with ferocious beasts, his entire demeanor underwent a drastic change. Unconsciously, his eyes would emit a fierce glint, commanding respect without anger!
Moreover, he had already mastered the ability to enter the Divine State and could activate the Divine Illumination State anytime and anywhere.
Unknowingly, Chen Tang was rapidly growing.
On this day, as Chen Tang prepared to descend the mountain with the Mountain Lord to continue seeking beasts for practice, his gaze swept over the wine gourd placed in the corner.
"Elder, you bought this wine, so why haven't you drunk it?"
Chen Tang asked.
"You call that wine?"
The Mountain Guest sneered in response, saying, "That's horse urine!"
Chen Tang: "..."
Drink it if you want, if not, I won't buy it for you next time.
Chen Tang walked over, picked up the wine gourd, took a big swig, and hung it at his waist.
This was Changze County's most expensive wine; it should not be wasted.
The Mountain Lord carried Chen Tang and Xue Tuan'Er, descending the Snow Mountain, searching everywhere for a beast to practice on.
Not long after, they set their sights on an Old Ape.
The Old Ape looked alarmed, and it was too late by the time he noticed the Mountain Lord.
Chen Tang and Xue Tuan'Er leaped down, splitting up to charge towards the Old Ape.
The Old Ape's retreat was blocked by the Mountain Lord, and seeing no escape, it pounded its chest, roared in anger, and charged at Chen Tang and Xue Tuan'Er with swinging fists!
As they engaged in battle, it wasn't long before the Old Ape struggled to defend itself, retreating step by step.
"Huh?"
Chen Tang felt puzzled, frowning slightly.
Ape species have the spirit to traverse mountains, the skill of climbing rocks, and their agility in body techniques.
But this Old Ape seemed to have reservations, always protecting its back, maneuvering with considerable awkwardness and clumsiness.
Chen Tang gathered strength in his legs and suddenly leaped to the side of the Old Ape, charging like a Hungry Tiger Descending the Mountain!
At this moment, a small fuzzy white head popped out from behind the Old Ape's shoulder, revealing a Little White Ape.
This Little White Ape seemed unaware of the danger, lying on the Old Ape's shoulder, with dark eyes darting around.
So that's it.
Upon seeing this, Chen Tang's momentum that resembled a Hungry Tiger Descending the Mountain suddenly eased.
The Old Ape, anxious to protect its offspring, fearing for its child's safety, let out an angry roar, suddenly snapping a branch and thrusting it towards Chen Tang!
It actually used a weapon?
Chen Tang was dumbfounded and laughed.
What power could a mere branch have?
As soon as he had this thought, Chen Tang suddenly felt a chill in his heart.
The Old Ape's thrust with the branch exuded a sharpness, breaking his momentum as a Hungry Tiger Descending the Mountain!
Bang!
The branch struck Chen Tang's chest and immediately snapped.
Just a branch, naturally it couldn't harm Chen Tang.
But if the Old Ape held a sword, Chen Tang would have a hole in his chest right now!
"Interesting."
Chen Tang was utterly amazed.
A Snow Ridge Forest Old Ape actually knows swordsmanship?
Or was that just a coincidence earlier?
Normally, if a beast lost to Chen Tang and Xue Tuan'Er, it would be killed and eaten by the Mountain Lord as prey.
Only by defeating Chen Tang could it have a chance to survive.
In fact, if Chen Tang were to attack with full force, the Old Ape would definitely not be a match for him.
However, this Old Ape was somewhat understanding and was willing to risk its life to protect its child, so Chen Tang felt compassion and approached the Mountain Lord, gesturing as he spoke:
"I just lost, this Old Ape struck me, let them go."
The Mountain Lord sat still, merely staring at the Old Ape not far away.
Chen Tang thought it was unwilling, but when he followed the Mountain Lord's gaze, he saw that Xue Tuan'Er and the Little White Ape were already playing together.
Chen Tang smiled.
The Old Ape watched with his heart in his throat.
Only after confirming that Xue Tuan'Er meant no harm did it relax, but it still looked at the Mountain Lord and Chen Tang with cautious vigilance.
"You can go now."
As evening approached, Chen Tang finally picked up Xue Tuan'Er, waved his hand, signaling the Old Ape to leave with the Little White Ape.
The Old Ape seemed to understand what Chen Tang said, showing an expression of disbelief on its face.
Xue Tuan'Er and the Little White Ape were reluctant to part as they hadn't played enough.
The Old Ape carried the Little White Ape a few steps, looking back repeatedly, only feeling safe once it saw that the Mountain Lord and Chen Tang weren't following.
Chen Tang watched the Old Ape disappear into the forest, and just as he was about to turn and leave, the Old Ape came running back with the Little White Ape on its back.
What did it run back for?
Chen Tang was puzzled.
The Old Ape came to Chen Tang's side, clasped its hands together like a human, and bowed to the Mountain Lord and Chen Tang, as if expressing gratitude.
Then, the Old Ape pointed at the wine gourd hanging from Chen Tang's waist, making some kind of noise.
"Hahaha, you want to drink wine?"
Chen Tang couldn't help but laugh.
Who would have thought, this Old Ape actually liked wine.
He didn't refuse and tossed the wine gourd to the Old Ape.
The Old Ape then pointed at Chen Tang's feet, gesturing wildly.
"What does this mean again?"
Chen Tang was baffled by the Old Ape's actions.
The Old Ape chattered on for a while, but seeing that Chen Tang still didn't understand, it got a bit annoyed. It circled around Chen Tang, drawing a circle in the snow at his feet.
Um...
Chen Tang blinked and tentatively asked, "Are you asking us to wait here?"
"Awoo awoo!"
The Old Ape saw that Chen Tang finally understood, it grinned with a smile, nodding repeatedly, looking very pleased.
Chen Tang: "..."
The Old Ape, carrying the wine gourd, turned and disappeared into the forest again.
After a long while, as night deepened and Chen Tang was growing a bit impatient, the Old Ape finally emerged from the forest, handing the wine gourd back to Chen Tang.
The Old Ape's eyes sparkled with light, repeatedly mimicking the action of removing a cork and drinking, its face full of anticipation.
"You want me to drink?"
This time, Chen Tang understood quickly.
As soon as he opened the wine gourd's lid, a rich, mellow aroma of wine wafted out, and even without drinking, Chen Tang felt a bit intoxicated.
"This is..."
Chen Tang looked intently.
In the moonlight, the wine inside the gourd appeared clear and pure, like nectar and jade liquid, with an overflowing fragrance!
Even though he wasn't a wine connoisseur, he could tell this wine was a hundred times better than what was previously in the gourd!
Chen Tang was overjoyed and couldn't resist taking a big gulp.
The strong liquor flowed down his throat.
At first, he felt a strong spiciness, followed by a delightful sweetness, a pure and long-lasting aftertaste.
A surge of warmth swirled in his stomach, spreading rapidly inside his body, and a wave of heat rushed to his head.
In an instant, Chen Tang's face flushed, and he let out a wine burp, feeling drowsy with heavy eyelids.
"In this world... there is such a fine wine, what I drank before really was... hic, horse piss!"
With that, Chen Tang leaned back and fell, drunk and asleep.
The Old Ape moved swiftly, catching the wine gourd, replacing the cap, and hanging it back on Chen Tang's waist.