126: Hot springs, golden monkeys

Da Hei, like a curious baby, trotted over with his short legs and wagging tail, hopping and skipping along.

His eyes were glued to the snacks in Lu Fan's hand, drool nearly spilling out, while his nose twitched incessantly, looking absolutely famished.

"Shoo, shoo! You silly dog, you want to eat everything. Would you eat my shit if I offered it?"

Lu Fan laughed as he feigned a slap at Da Hei, trying to shoo him away.

But how could Da Hei understand this "eviction notice"? Thinking Lu Fan was playing with him, he excitedly lolled his tongue out and jumped around Lu Fan like a maniac.

While Lu Fan was busy drying mushrooms, An Lan hummed a light tune, moving with light steps like a cheerful bird, carrying a bucket toward the Spring Eye to fetch water.

The sunlight spilled over her, outlining her beautiful figure, and her crisp singing echoed through the forest, adding a touch of vitality to the quiet wilderness.

Before long, An Lan arrived at the edge of the Spring Eye.

The clear spring water gurgled out from the rock crevices, shimmering with a crystalline glow under the sunlight like strings of radiant pearls.

An Lan squatted down and gently placed a Bamboo Tube into the Reservoir; instantly, the tube was filled with cool, sweet spring water.

Just then, An Lan inadvertently looked up toward the distant mountain peak, her eyes widening as a look of surprise washed over her face.

"Huh? Why does it look like smoke is rising from that mountain peak?"

Her heart sank as the terrifying scenes of the previous fire instantly flashed through her mind, and her heart began to thud wildly.

"It couldn't be on fire again, could it?"

The more she thought about it, the more frightened she became. Daring not to delay for a second, she quickly grabbed the water-filled Bamboo Tube and jogged all the way back to the Shelter.

"Lu Fan, Lu Fan!"

Before An Lan even reached the entrance of the Shelter, she shouted Lu Fan's name at the top of her lungs, her voice tinged with anxiety.

Hearing the shouts, Lu Fan hurriedly put down the mushrooms and ran over from the drying area, looking at An Lan with confusion: "What's wrong? Why the rush?"

An Lan said breathlessly, "I just went to the Spring Eye to fetch water and saw smoke rising from the distant mountain peak. I suspect there's a fire!"

Hearing this, Lu Fan's expression shifted slightly. He looked in the direction An Lan pointed and indeed saw wisps of smoke slowly rising from the distant peak, standing out starkly against the blue sky.

"This could be trouble. If it really is a fire, it'll be disastrous once it spreads." Lu Fan frowned, his expression turning serious.

He and An Lan had just experienced the dangers of a fire and knew full well how terrifying a mountain blaze could be.

Once the fire spiraled out of control, not only would their Shelter be threatened, but every living thing in this wilderness would face a massive catastrophe.

Lu Fan mounted Lightning, preparing to go and investigate.

An Lan refused to be left behind, hands on her hips and a determined look on her face: "Don't you dare think of leaving me behind. We've been through so much together; I have to go with you for something like this!"

Her gaze held an indisputable force, as if saying, 'Don't even dream of ditching me.'

Seeing An Lan's resolute expression, Lu Fan shrugged helplessly and smiled. "Alright, alright, I really can't do anything with you. We'll go together, but you have to hold on tight—Lightning runs fast!"

The corners of An Lan's mouth curled into a triumphant smile. Like a little lady, she gracefully sat behind Lu Fan, her arms tightly encircling his waist.

"Let's go!"

At Lu Fan's command, Lightning shot out like an arrow from a bow, racing toward the smoking mountain peak.

Along the way, the wind whistled past their ears, and the trees on both sides flashed by like a slideshow, forming streaks of green light and shadow.

Da Hei wouldn't be left out either, running joyfully behind Lightning and barking excitedly from time to time, his voice sounding like he was cheering them on or saying, 'Wait for me, I want to go on an adventure too.'

The mountain path was rugged and difficult to traverse, filled with uneven pits. Lightning nearly tripped several times, but relying on his agile form and superior endurance, he turned danger into safety time and again.

Every time Lightning leaped over a hollow, Lu Fan and An Lan felt like they were on a roller coaster, their bodies rising and falling with the horse's back, feeling as if their internal organs were about to be jolted out.

"This road is too terrible, more thrilling than a roller coaster!" Lu Fan shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice distorted by the wind.

An Lan kept her eyes tightly shut, pressing her face against Lu Fan's back as she responded loudly, "Stop being cheeky and focus on the road!"

Her tone carried a bit of playful reproach mixed with worry about the unknown.

After a difficult trek, they finally drew closer to the source of the smoke.

Climbing up a slope, the sight before them left them stunned—in a hollow at the mountain peak, steam was rising. It turned out to be a hot spring!

The clear spring water shimmered with a blue-green light under the sun, looking like a massive gemstone.

A thin layer of mist drifted over the water's surface, dreamlike and ethereal, like a paradise on earth that made one want to sink right into it.

"Wow, it's actually a hot spring!"

An Lan jumped up excitedly, the fatigue from the journey vanishing instantly as a sparkle of surprise lit up her eyes.

"I thought we were in for another fierce battle with a fire; I didn't expect such a huge surprise!"

Lu Fan also let out a long sigh of relief, a surprised smile breaking across his face—a smile full of the relief of surviving a disaster and the satisfaction of an unexpected boon.

Da Hei was even more excited, running around the hot spring and occasionally batting at the water's surface with his paws, splashing water everywhere and having the time of his life, as if saying, 'This place is great!'

In the livestream room:

"Wow, it's actually a hot spring."

"A paradise on earth."

"The power of nature is beyond imagination."

"If I could soak in that hot spring once, I'd be willing to give up luxury cars and villas."

Lu Fan squatted down, his eyes fixed on the hot spring as he carefully observed its structure like a professional geologist.

The bottom of the spring was a layer of black rock covered in tiny pores. Spring water continuously welled up from these pores, bringing wisps of heat as if the earth were gently breathing.

The surrounding rocks displayed peculiar textures, looking as if they had been melted by high temperatures and then solidified again, recording the vicissitudes of time and the miraculous power of nature.

"I bet this might be an ancient volcanic site."

Lu Fan rubbed his chin and spoke to An Lan with a serious air. "Underground magma activity generated geothermal energy, heating the groundwater to form this hot spring. Nature truly is amazing; with a casual wave, it creates such a wonderful landscape!"

His tone was filled with awe and admiration for nature.

An Lan leaned in too, looking around curiously. "Really? I didn't expect us to stumble upon such a geological wonder by accident."

Her eyes sparkled with curiosity and excitement, as if she were exploring a mysterious treasure.

Just as Lu Fan was marveling at the uncanny workmanship of nature, An Lan suddenly pointed to the other side of the hot spring and cried out in surprise, "Lu Fan, look over there!"

Lu Fan looked in the direction she pointed and saw a group of Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys soaking comfortably in the hot spring.

Some were grooming each other's fur with gentle movements, as if engaged in an intimate conversation; others had their eyes closed contentedly, enjoying the warm spring water in a state of relaxed bliss.

A few Little Monkeys were frolicking and playing in the water, splashing crystalline droplets everywhere, their cheerful cries seemingly telling of their happiness.

"Wow, they are just too cute!" An Lan couldn't help but exclaim, her eyes full of affection and tenderness.

Sensing the magical Animal Affinity emanating from Lu Fan, several Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys actually took the initiative to approach them.

The leader, a larger Golden Snub-nosed Monkey with golden fur that shimmered brilliantly in the sun, looked as if it were wearing a magnificent golden cloak.

It walked cautiously up to Lu Fan, tilting its head and observing him curiously while making "chi-chi" sounds, as if greeting him or asking why he had come.

"Hey, little guys, hello!"

Lu Fan smiled and reached out, gently patting the Golden Snub-nosed Monkey's head. Instead of being afraid, the monkey squinted its eyes in enjoyment and even rubbed against Lu Fan's hand, as if saying, 'That feels great, do it more.'

Seeing this, the other Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys swarmed over. In an instant, Lu Fan and An Lan were surrounded by the group of adorable little creatures.

Some tugged at Lu Fan's clothes, some climbed onto his shoulders, and others looked at An Lan with curiosity; the scene was incredibly warm and amusing.

In the livestream room:

"My goodness, what kind of divine scene is this? Humans and monkeys soaking in a hot spring together?"

Great God Lu Fan's Animal Affinity is insane; it feels like he can communicate with animals without any barriers!"

"If that were me, I'd have been scratched by the monkeys long ago. I'm crying with envy at this treatment!"

Looking at these adorable Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys, An Lan's heart felt an itch, and she couldn't help but want to pet them too.