The man stood proudly between the children and the gorillas. After what felt like an eternity, he finally stepped toward the group—more specifically, toward Simia.
He spoke in a unique dialect, an ancient language native to the gorillas, making Xiao Ning'er and Chan Wei widen their eyes in surprise. The words echoed in the air, filled with gravity and mystery, as the man communicated with Simia and the other gorillas.
"Great brothers, great sisters, calm down. We did not come here for war, but for cooperation. These young ones are friends, not enemies," he said in his tongue—but Chan Wei understood him due to his bond with Simia.
Simia, with undeniable wisdom, pointed toward Chan Wei and Xiao Ning'er, uttering the word "family" in that singular language.
The man and the gorillas exchanged looks filled with satisfaction and warmth. Then, turning to Chan Wei, the man gestured for him to follow. Accompanied by Simia and the giant gorillas, they ventured deeper into the forest, led through hidden paths and thick undergrowth.
Eventually, after a half-day journey, they arrived at a cave concealed beneath a canopy of lush leaves. With reverence, the guide invited them inside.
Beyond the cave, they discovered a hidden world—a miniature jungle of enchanting beauty. Vibrant, exotic vegetation stretched as far as the eye could see, forming an ecosystem strikingly different from the ancestral mountain. Colorful plants shimmered with life as the songs of unknown birds filled the air with a magical melody.
Chan Wei felt a strange connection to this place, as if part of him had always belonged here. He exchanged a look of awe with Xiao Ning'er, both of them spellbound by the hidden paradise at the heart of the forest.
The man gestured at the lush surroundings and explained in a deep voice, "This is the Valley of the Gorillas, a sacred place to our people for generations."
Simian shadows emerged from Chan Wei's being, interacting with the rich environment—a place perfect for the evolution of simian beasts. The giant gorillas appeared to recognize and accept the shadows, affirming the deep connection between Chan Wei and this land.
Bathed in the valley's powerful energy and surrounded by countless simian shadows, Chan Wei was overcome by a sense of euphoria and wholeness. He instinctively began to meditate, absorbing the unique energies of this place.
Simia, his loyal companion, and Xiao Ning'er watched in awe as the events unfolded around Chan Wei. The man, with a benevolent smile, nodded in approval—confirming that Chan Wei truly belonged among their people.
Under the valley's immense spiritual influence and his deep meditation, Chan Wei unlocked an extraordinary ability. He achieved a fusion with the simian shadows, enabling him to transform into a 13-meter-tall giant gorilla.
The transformation was spectacular: his body became engulfed in radiant white flame-like fur, evoking the majesty of a mythical being. The monkeys and gorillas of the valley, once wary, prostrated themselves before him—recognizing a being worthy of reverence and respect.
In his giant gorilla form, Chan Wei towered over the landscape, embodying the raw power of nature. His gaze reflected the ancestral wisdom of the apes, while his brilliant aura bathed the valley in a divine light.
After returning to his human form, a wave of fatigue swept over him. Despite his exhaustion, he knew he had crossed a crucial threshold. With deep satisfaction, he realized he had finally reached Black Gold Rank, 1-Star.
A radiant smile lit his face as he collapsed from exhaustion. But even in unconsciousness, that expression of contentment remained.
Despite their master's slumber, Chan Wei's shadows quietly advanced to the next level. Ten Western dragons moved ahead of the other shadows, reaching Gold Rank, 5-star, followed by ten Blazing Lizards and ten Ice Vipers.
However, the Gray Monkeys and Blue-Armed War Apes, empowered by the energy of this hidden world, surpassed the other Gold Rank shadows. Ten Gray Monkeys and sixty Blue-Armed War Apes ascended to Gold Rank, 5-star, including Simia himself.
Meanwhile, all the remaining shadows previously below Gold Rank advanced to Silver Rank, 5-star, leaving none at Bronze Rank.
In the soft morning light, Chan Wei awoke slowly, feeling something gentle pressed against his cheek. He opened his eyes to find Xiao Ning'er resting her head on his thighs, having offered him a tender pillow as he slept.
A shy smile appeared on Chan Wei's face as he looked at the sleeping young woman beside him. He was touched by her care and kindness. Gently, with great care, he ran his fingers through Xiao Ning'er's hair, not wanting to disturb her peaceful slumber.
He felt grateful to have such a considerate and devoted partner."Thank you, Xiao Ning'er," he whispered softly, even though she was still asleep, knowing she would feel his gratitude even in dreams.
After covering her with a blanket, he quietly left their little shelter. He spent twenty minutes meditating in this peaceful sanctuary.
"Good morning," said a voice, drawing Chan Wei's attention to the man who had protected them."I didn't properly introduce myself. I'm Tai Zhan," the man said, surprising Chan Wei, who had thought Tai Zhan couldn't speak the human language.
"Good morning," Chan Wei replied, recovering quickly. "My name is Chan Wei, and my fiancée's name is Xiao Ning'er," he said, pointing toward the shelter.
At that moment, Xiao Ning'er emerged, bowing respectfully toward the man."Good morning, Lord Tai Zhan."
"Chan Wei and Xiao Ning'er," Tai Zhan repeated with a slight smile. "A pleasure to meet you."
As they walked together, Tai Zhan began the conversation."Chan Wei, you awakened an impressive ability yesterday. You have followed the path of the Gorilla God."
Chan Wei looked at him, intrigued."The Gorilla God's legend?" he repeated, curious.
Tai Zhan nodded."Yes, it's an ancient story about a divine gorilla that once protected this valley. It is said that those who can commune with gorillas and master their energy may attain transcendent power—just as you did yesterday."
Chan Wei listened attentively, absorbing every word with fascination."That's incredible," he murmured, slowly realizing the depth of what he had experienced.
Tai Zhan smiled."You've done something extraordinary, Chan Wei. You are now bonded to this valley in a way that few can understand. Cherish it, and it will always protect you."
Chan Wei nodded, grateful for Tai Zhan's words. This journey had become more than just an adventure—it was an encounter with an ancient legacy and a deep connection with nature.
"And what about you, Lord Tai Zhan?" Chan Wei asked.
The man smiled simply."I became the guardian of this valley after my adoptive mother took me in," he said, pointing to a massive 15-meter-tall female gorilla, who promptly pulled him into her arms.
Chan Wei and Xiao Ning'er exchanged surprised glances at Tai Zhan's words. When he pointed to the enormous gorilla, their astonishment only grew. The sight of the man being embraced tightly by the great beast, as if bound by familial ties, was both strange and mesmerizing.
Chan Wei felt the weight of surprise as he observed the scene in disbelief. It was as if he were witnessing something extraordinary—a special connection between Tai Zhan and the massive creature before them. Xiao Ning'er, too, was wide-eyed, watching the unusual pair with a mix of curiosity and respect.
Tai Zhan, for his part, seemed perfectly at ease in the gorilla's arms, communicating with her in a language only they seemed to understand. His expression was filled with tenderness and respect, showing clearly that this animal was more than a companion—it was a mother figure to him.
After a brief moment, Tai Zhan left his mother's side and led Chan Wei to a sanctuary, while Xiao Ning'er remained with Simia to explore and search for food.
Tai Zhan brought Chan Wei before a stone stele and instructed him to read and focus on it.
Chan Wei stood before the stele, an aura of mystery and anticipation surrounding him as he prepared to read the inscriptions. Following Tai Zhan's guidance, he focused deeply, allowing his mind to open to the ancient energy that permeated the air around him.
At first, the images appeared blurry, indistinct, like fragments of distant memories struggling to take shape. But as Chan Wei let himself be drawn into the vision, the hazy outlines sharpened, merging into scenes of combat pulsing with primal energy.
The images began to move, slowly at first, as if pulled from a forgotten past—an era when martial arts were essential for survival. Chan Wei could feel every movement, every technique, seeping into his mind, embedding themselves into the very corners of his consciousness.
The combat sequences followed one another, transitioning fluidly from human forms to those of gorillas. Fists and feet clashed in a graceful ballet, while grappling techniques revealed a raw strength fused with astonishing agility.
Chan Wei felt as though he were absorbed into this warrior's dance, each gesture and movement becoming part of him. He could almost feel the ground beneath his feet, hear the breath of his opponent, sense the beating of his own heart as he surrendered to the ebb and flow of the battle.
Finally, as the sequence came to an end, Chan Wei felt a profound connection to the ancient gorilla techniques. They had embedded themselves into his mind, merging with his own fighting style to create something new, powerful, and entirely unique.
Checking on the state of his shadows, Chan Wei finally noticed the anomaly."It seems I'll have to take in every shadow I come across if I want to keep progressing," he sighed at the colossal challenge ahead—but his fighting spirit quickly reignited.
The days that followed were filled with newfound energy and a renewed sense of purpose for Chan Wei. He balanced his time between moments with Xiao Ning'er—where they deepened their bond as a couple—and training sessions with Tai Zhan to master his new martial art.
During their time together, Chan Wei and Xiao Ning'er shared intimate and heartfelt conversations, exploring their dreams, fears, and aspirations. Chan Wei also made a pact to help Xiao Ning'er with her training.
Xiao Ning'er's training sessions with Chan Wei's armed monkey shadows were a true dance of agility and grace. Under his guidance and the influence of the simian shadows, she began developing her own combat style—the Shimmering Dragon—a form that fused the lightning-fast strikes of an assassin with the supernatural agility of a dragon.
Chan Wei guided her through the fluid and elegant movements of the Shimmering Dragon, helping her master each technique with precision and efficiency. Under his tutelage, she learned to move with feline grace, dodge attacks with startling speed, and counter with explosive force.
The monkey shadows, armed with blades and daggers, served as her sparring partners—agile, intelligent, and relentless. Together, they rehearsed attack and counter-attack sequences, refining each motion until it became second nature.
Each training session was an exhilarating challenge for Xiao Ning'er, pushing her limits and helping her explore the depths of her own power. With every victory over the monkey shadows, her confidence grew, bringing her ever closer to mastering the Shimmering Dragon.
And as she advanced, Xiao Ning'er discovered a deeper connection with Chan Wei—sharing a unique bond forged in the fire of battle and a shared desire to grow stronger. Beneath the shadows of the trees in the Gorilla Valley, they grew together, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Meanwhile, the training fights with Tai Zhan were exhilarating challenges, where Chan Wei could put into practice the techniques he had learned from the ancient stele. Under Tai Zhan's watchful eye, he refined his martial art, perfecting every movement and strategy with the goal of becoming stronger, more agile, and more formidable.
Then there was the cultivation of the monkey shadows within this mysterious realm. Under the guidance of the giant gorillas and Tai Zhan's adoptive mother, Chan Wei dove into deep meditation, letting his spirit merge with that of the ancestral primates. Through this connection, he nourished and strengthened his shadows, allowing them to grow in power and number.
The shadows of fallen gorillas within the valley quietly joined his ranks, even after much time had passed, forming a legion even more formidable than the one he had before. Fifteen thousand black gorillas at Bronze 5-star rank and three hundred at Silver 5-star rank were added to his army. Yet far from being angry or tormented, the living gorillas gathered to commune with their fallen ancestors in a display of beautiful harmony.
In this touching reunion, the spirits of the departed gorillas seemed to live again through the shadows, blending with their descendants in an unbreakable bond of loyalty and kinship. Every movement, every gesture was filled with respect and gratitude for those who had fought and given their lives to protect their land and their people.
It was a moment of deep connection, where past and present merged in a symphony of emotion. The hearts of the gorillas beat in unison, their spirits united in an unshakable bond that transcended time and space. And in this silent exchange, Chan Wei felt a deep humility and reverent respect toward these noble creatures, bearing witness to their courage and devotion.
(Author's Note: No need to draw it—you got the reference ^^)