Chapter 1: I Saved an Injured Monkey, But I Am Not the Monk Tang

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Beichuan, Eastern Metropolis, Phoenix Village, Film City.

Chu Xiaoyu was a native of Phoenix Village. Right beside the village lay the Film City. In recent years, thanks to the focused development of tourist attractions and the expansion of the studio complex, Phoenix Village had suddenly become a must-visit spot for major television stations, media outlets, and countless internet celebrities.

The village was surrounded by mountains, and all year round a purple mist lingered, making it seem like a city suspended halfway up the mountain—a veritable paradise on earth.

This ethereal mist only highlighted the beauty of every flower and tree around Phoenix Village.

Whenever a short or long holiday arrived, the area around Phoenix Village and the nearby Film City would be packed with people.

Having just graduated from the University of Finance and Economics, Chu Xiaoyu, sharp-eyed and entrepreneurial, saw limitless opportunity. Taking advantage of his local roots, he opened a farm stay, which he later expanded into a small farm.

The farm stay was quiet during slow times—sometimes days would pass with only a handful of guests. But when it was busy, it was truly hectic; there was hardly a moment to sit down, and Chu Xiaoyu would be rushing about like a spinning top.

He did manage to earn some money, though.

As for the small farm, whenever he had free time, Chu Xiaoyu would slip on his sandals, grab a hoe, and tend his land—digging here, watering there. Besides growing fruits and vegetables for his guests, he also cultivated various herbs and flowers.

The May Day holiday had just ended. After several busy days, Chu Xiaoyu finally had some leisure. He slung a hoe over his shoulder, slipped on his oversized flip-flops, clamped a cigarette between his lips, and leisurely tended his plot of land.

At sunset, Chu Xiaoyu suddenly noticed that the purple mist around him had grown particularly thick. Standing on his farm, he felt as if he were in a fairyland; everything seemed almost unreal.

Half a year ago, a wandering Taoist had stayed at his farm. The Taoist had said something to Chu Xiaoyu that he remembered vividly to this day.

The Taoist had told him: "Phoenix Village sits upon a vital point of the dragon vein, a natural treasure of feng shui. That ever-present purple mist is auspicious energy from the east, wrapping around the land. This place is the Spring of the Dragon's Eye—where the land breeds talent and fortune."

At the time, Chu Xiaoyu hadn’t taken the Taoist’s words seriously.

After all, the purple mist of Phoenix Village was famous across the nation. People saw it all the time; it was reported on by the media so often that it had long ceased to be anything remarkable.

But how had it become the "Spring of the Dragon’s Eye" and a wellspring of talent in the Taoist’s telling?

If there was any truth to that old Taoist’s words, Chu Xiaoyu should have been a wealthy landowner by now, living off the bounty of the mountains and rivers.

Yet to this day, he remained a salted fish—no changes, no fortune.

A salted fish that refuses to stick to the pan is still just a salted fish.

Creak!

Just as Chu Xiaoyu was lost in his tangled thoughts, a noise sounded behind him. He turned around and was startled to see a monkey.

The monkey was walking upright on two legs, limping slightly, moving with an air of deliberate calm—almost like a human.

It really did look exactly like a person.

What the hell!

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Could the monkey have become a spirit?

Chu Xiaoyu shuddered in fright.

But what happened next nearly made his legs give out beneath him.

The monkey, still walking upright, suddenly bowed politely to Chu Xiaoyu. Then, opening its mouth, it spoke in human language: "Sir, forgive my intrusion. I’ve injured my foot and wandered by mistake into your estate. It was truly unavoidable. I beg your pardon."

"You—you… you’re a monkey? But how can you…"

A demon beast!

Could this be some actor dressed as a monkey, playing a prank on him?

After all, with the Film City next door, it wasn’t unusual for mischievous actors from comedy crews to pull stunts like this. Chu Xiaoyu had encountered such things before.

The monkey bowed again: "Forgive me for startling you, sir."

Chu Xiaoyu opened his mouth but found his throat blocked as if something had gotten stuck.

Suddenly his head buzzed, as if struck hard by something, and strange, ghostly messages began flashing through his mind.

Name: Stone Monkey.
Age: 1 year.
Luck: 99.
Fortune: 99.
Misfortune: 1.
Remaining lifespan: Infinite.
Attribute exchange: Any.

What the hell was this? Why were these bizarre data prompts appearing in his mind, like lines on a tablet screen, flickering one after another, filling his dazed brain?

A thunderclap!

Was this what they called love at first sight?

Stone Monkey? What nonsense!

Chu Xiaoyu remained utterly bewildered.

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The monkey continued, "Excuse me, sir, but where is this place? Why is the spiritual energy on your estate so abundant? Are you, perhaps, a reclusive immortal? If so, I beg you to accept me as your disciple."

Saying this, the monkey suddenly knelt down before the utterly dumbfounded Chu Xiaoyu and began to kowtow earnestly.

Chu Xiaoyu was so startled that he took two steps back, his mind racing.

He could see right through the monkey’s fate and attributes at a glance.

What was truly terrifying was that the monkey could speak human language; this uncanny scene was certainly not a dream.

"Please accept me as your disciple, sir," the monkey continued, kneeling with devotion.

Chu Xiaoyu clutched his chest and forced himself to remain calm. "Let’s… talk about apprenticeship later. Um… where did you come from? How did you get onto my farm?"

The monkey replied respectfully, "To answer your question, sir, I do not know how it happened. I was originally a stone in the country of Aolai in the Eastern Continent. After absorbing the essence of heaven and earth for a long time, one day I leaped out of the stone. Then I drifted through some hazy days, and before I knew it, I wandered into your estate."

A stone from the country of Aolai, Eastern Continent…

Flower Fruit Mountain? Stone Monkey? Was this truly that mischievous monkey?

Could it really be such a coincidence?

This wasn’t a dream! This wasn’t a dream! This wasn’t a dream! Some things must be said three times for emphasis.

Chu Xiaoyu suddenly pinched his arm hard, the pain making him grimace.

"Ah! Sir, why are you pinching yourself?" The monkey looked confused.

At that moment, Chu Xiaoyu no longer doubted. He finally believed the words that old Taoist had spoken.

The Spring of the Dragon’s Eye, a land that breeds talent and fortune!

A monkey speaking human words, acting exactly like a person.

"Ahem… that mischiev—oh, no, I mean, could you tell me, where did you come from? How did you arrive at my farm?" Chu Xiaoyu needed to confirm something—and the sooner, the better.