Slaying the Scorpion, Reaping a Bountiful Harvest

After saying that, Chen Xiaofan told Zhang Long to find a place to hide while he faced the scorpion alone.

Wasn't this Man-eating Scorpion supposed to be formidable? He wondered whether it could withstand a single strike from his sword.

The Cold Ice Phoenix Harmony Divine Sword was a fusion of two supreme sword techniques, so its power was bound to surge tremendously. It all depended on whether this Man-eating Scorpion had the fortune to survive.

Before long, Chen Xiaofan arrived in front of the Man-eating Scorpion.

Since the Man-eating Scorpion had its back to him, it did not see him. It was also wholly absorbed in enjoying its feast and failed to notice anyone behind it for a while.

It was not until it suddenly heard a human voice from behind it. "Hey, Scorpion, have you had enough to eat?"

The Man-eating Scorpion froze, then turned its head to look.

It saw a human child of seven or eight holding a sword, his expression as calm as ever, as though this scorpion was nothing more than an insect to him.

The Man-eating Scorpion was instantly enraged. What a human brat! It had grown tired of eating that coarse-fleshed middle-aged man anyway. A fresh young child would make a fine change!

Whoosh!

In the blink of an eye, the Man-eating Scorpion made its move.

It swiftly spun around, its tail's sharp venomous stinger shooting forth like an arrow. It effortlessly pierced the air with a shrill howl as it stabbed toward Chen Xiaofan!

At the same time, both claws struck together. Its terrifying pincers spread open as it charged forward like a rampaging crab, going straight for Chen Xiaofan's head.

The sharp barbs on its pincers were even deadlier than its stinger. Like a pair of massive shears, they could easily kill a person!

The stinger targeted Chen Xiaofan's heart, while the pincers aimed for his head. The Man-eating Scorpion did not believe this human child could survive such a double assault!

Behind a large boulder, Zhang Long's heart leaped into his throat, and he broke out in a cold sweat for Chen Xiaofan.

Just as he was about to cry out, "Brother, watch out!" he saw Chen Xiaofan remain composed as he slowly drew his sword. The mountain breeze lifted his black hair, and his white robes were whiter than snow. He swayed like an immortal, as though he paid no heed whatsoever to the Man-eating Scorpion's attack.

In the next instant, the Man-eating Scorpion's assault arrived as expected.

Crack!

The sound of a sharp weapon cleaving flesh echoed through the mountains.

Chen Xiaofan and the Man-eating Scorpion passed by each other.

Amid the billowing dust, Zhang Long stood stunned.

The white-robed figure, carefree as an exiled immortal from heaven, was slowly sheathing his sword. Every movement was fluid and effortless.

As for the Man-eating Scorpion, it seemed to have been frozen in place. Its massive body stood rigidly on the ground, completely dazed.

About the time it took to draw a breath later.

Splurt!

The Man-eating Scorpion's body exploded and split into two halves.

Blood sprayed backward from the severed wound, flooding the ground.

At last, its two broken halves crashed to the ground.

For a moment, Zhang Long felt as if he were dreaming. Even as the ground beneath his feet trembled from the impact of the scorpion's fall, he still could not believe the scene before him was real.

That terrifying Man-eating Scorpion had just... been killed?

After coming to his senses, he rushed to Chen Xiaofan and felt him over from head to toe. Only after confirming that he was uninjured did he say, "Heavens! Heavens!"

He simply could not believe it. A seven-year-old child had slain the Man-eating Scorpion, a creature feared by countless people, with one stroke of his sword. Did he have to be this incredible?

He was only seven!

He really was... a seven-year-old Great Grandmaster!

Zhang Long had thought he must have guessed wrong earlier. How could there possibly be a seven-year-old Great Grandmaster? But now his mind was buzzing. There really was one, standing right in front of him!

"Brother Zhang, stop standing around. These scales can be forged into armor and protective gear. The flesh can be sold for money. The barbs can be made into concealed weapons, or even daggers. Either would be a good choice." In his daze, he heard Chen Xiaofan speaking.

Zhang Long was startled and hurriedly replied, "Right! Right!"

He quickly drew his sword and dismembered the Man-eating Scorpion.

Shortly afterward, several scales, two sharp massive pincers, one venomous stinger, and various other parts were neatly arranged before Chen Xiaofan.

"Brother, I didn't contribute anything. All these spoils are yours," Zhang Long said.

"There's too much. I can't carry it all. I'll pick one intact scale. Take the rest to a pawnshop and sell it. When you have time, bring the silver to Mount Wudang. Whatever it sells for is fine. Oh, and I want that stinger too."

As he spoke, Chen Xiaofan picked up the stinger.

Its edge gleamed coldly, and black light shimmered over it. One glance was enough to tell that it was highly venomous. Made into a concealed weapon, it could kill with a single strike if used unexpectedly!

He actually wanted to take everything, but this was a martial arts world, not a fantasy world. There were no Storage Bags or Storage Rings. He could not carry it all, no matter what.

Zhang Long was someone who repaid kindness. If Chen Xiaofan had him sell the goods and bring the money to Wudang, he presumed Zhang Long would not do anything improper.

With that in mind, Chen Xiaofan selected an intact scale, placed it over his chest, and covered it with his clothes to use as armor.

"Thank you for trusting me, little brother. But you may not know that my family runs a pawnshop. I can convert these items into cash for you right now!" Zhang Long said with cupped hands. Then he took out a cloth bundle and opened it, revealing more than a dozen Silver Notes.

"Brother, there are three thousand taels in total. Please accept them." He handed the Silver Notes to Chen Xiaofan.

Chen Xiaofan was overjoyed. He accepted them and tucked them into his pocket.

He had not expected them to be worth so much. Three thousand taels of silver was no small sum; it was enough to open a small shop and become an Owner. He had not expected Zhang Long's family to be so wealthy.

Based on his understanding of prices in this world, he found that Zhang Long had not cheated him. He had even given him an extra two hundred taels to round it up to an even amount.

While Chen Xiaofan was thinking, Zhang Long took out a large sack and packed the items away.

The scorpion was simply too large. Zhang Long stuffed the sack until it bulged, but some fragments of organs still remained on the ground. With no other choice, he shoved them into his clothes.

He then slung the sack over his back, and the enormous weight bent his waist.

"Brother, it's so heavy!" he said with a smile.

Chen Xiaofan said, "Yes, it's a bountiful harvest!"

If not for Zhang Long, he probably would have exhausted himself and still been unable to take all these things away.

Zhang Long then left by the way they had come.

This little brother had the strength to slay the scorpion. Staying here would only make him a burden.

Chen Xiaofan, meanwhile, continued forward alone.

Two days later, he successfully emerged from the mountain range.

When he reached the foot of the mountain, Chen Xiaofan suddenly sensed something and turned to look back.

He had not paid much attention at first, but when he saw that thing, his heart suddenly filled with delight!