Douluo: Starting by Crafting a Gun Chapter 19

"Coming!"

Responding, Shen Feng summoned his Leiming Blade, lit up his first soul ring, and slashed at the edge of the large pit. Lightning flickered, earth and stone slid down, and the corpses were completely buried.

Following the sound of Oscar's shouting, Shen Feng made his way to a corner of the mountain stronghold.

Twitching his nose, Shen Feng suddenly caught a pungent, foul stench.

Looking closely, he was shocked to find Oscar holding two arm-thick wooden sticks, excitedly stirring a rather large cesspit, occasionally fishing out some black, stone-like objects.

"Xiao Ao, what are you doing? Fishing for shit to eat?"

Shen Feng frowned, his stomach churning as a wave of nausea surged into his heart.

"Eat your grandpa, look at what these are!"

With a laugh and a curse, Oscar fished out a black lump and threw it at Shen Feng.

Shen Feng's pupils contracted sharply, and he subconsciously drew the long blade from his back.

The blade light flashed, and the black stone was instantly split in two, revealing a brilliant golden color inside.

"Gold?"

Shen Feng was stunned, his mouth twitching: "What a bunch of geniuses. They threw gold into a cesspit; don't they feel disgusted when they use it?"

Oscar chuckled: "That's the only way to keep it from being discovered by others."

"I've already checked. These gold nuggets were melted down from Gold Soul Coins. It must be the portion these bandits embezzled and didn't intend to hand over to their masters."

"After so many years, they've actually hoarded this much. This is our lucky day."

Shen Feng gathered soul power into his pupils to enhance his vision, only then seeing in the darkness that five or six black, hard lumps, ranging from the size of a human head to a melon, were already laid out by Oscar's feet.

Grinning, Shen Feng looked at Oscar, speechless: "You're a real piece of work, finding a treasure vault in a cesspit, and you actually managed to find it."

Oscar raised his eyebrows triumphantly: "This is called a keen sense for wealth."

"Don't just stand there, come over and help me fish."

Shen Feng sighed, "If you keep fishing like this, how long will it take?"

"Gather soul power into threads and use soul power perception; wouldn't that be faster?"

Oscar froze instantly: "."

"Damn, wine, lust, wealth, and pride cloud the eyes; I've become a fool."

Throwing the stick aside, Oscar stretched out his hands, and pink soul power threads emerged from his ten fingertips, slowly probing into the cesspit.

Before long, the black, stone-like gold nuggets were fished out by the two of them together.

After some estimation, there were about 400 jin, which could be minted into about 10,000 Gold Soul Coins. (Twenty grams per coin)

It wasn't a huge amount, but it could still be considered a windfall.

Most importantly, while fishing for the gold nuggets, Shen Feng accidentally discovered a fist-sized Black Gold Treasure Box disguised as a common stone in a corner of the pit's wall.

It was pure luck; metal conducts electricity, which was how Shen Feng discovered such a treasure.

Black Gold is a metal more precious than gold, and a box the size of a fist was worth about 1,000 Gold Soul Coins.

What was even more surprising was that hidden inside the box was a Millennium Cold Jade Tablet, three fingers wide and one finger long.

The cold jade was icy to the touch, and the older it was, the higher its value. For an ice-attribute soul master to wear it close to their body could slightly increase their cultivation speed; it was a rare treasure.

The Millennium Cold Jade Tablet that they had obtained was enough to accelerate an ice-attribute soul master's cultivation up to level forty, and its value started at ten thousand gold.

Chasing criminals for bounties and finding treasures while destroying bandits—on this trip, Shen Feng and Oscar had gained at least 30,000 Gold Soul Coins.

It was their biggest haul in the past year, truly a sudden fortune.

As the saying goes, murder and arson bring golden belts, while building bridges and paving roads leave no corpses; the ancients did not deceive me.

Several days later, Shen Feng and Oscar returned. Just as they entered the tavern's door, they saw a group of unexpected visitors.

"Dean, Teacher Zhao, why are you here?"

Just after entering, Shen Feng and Oscar let out sounds of surprise.

Flender turned his head, his eyes filled with confusion: "You are..."

Shen Feng and Oscar smiled at each other and pulled down the masks on their faces: "It's us, Shen Feng, Oscar."

Flender's pupils widened instantly: "It's only been a year, how have you changed so much? I didn't even recognize you."

Zhao Wuji grinned and walked forward, throwing a punch at both Shen Feng's and Oscar's chests, which produced two dull thuds.

Oscar's footing became unstable, and he took half a step back, while Shen Feng didn't even sway, standing as still as a mountain.

"Good lads, your frames are quite solid. Not bad, quite good."

"I really didn't expect that after leaving the academy, your growth not only didn't slow down, but even had a trend of accelerating."

Oscar scratched his head and chuckled: "Not at all. We've been running around all year, and we don't know how much hardship we've endured."

"These slight improvements were all exchanged for our blood and sweat. If I had to compare, I still think the stable days at the academy were more comfortable."

Flender gave a light snort: "Then come with us. We'll take you back to the academy once we're finished with our business."

Oscar waved his hands repeatedly: "No, no, no. Life at the academy is stable, but it's not cool at all."

"Although Xiao Feng and I often have to sleep in the open and our days are a bit bitter and tiring, we are much freer and happier."

"If you asked me to go back to that comfortable nest now, wouldn't that be the death of me?"

Shen Feng covered his mouth and chuckled: "Dean Flender, Xiao Ao and I have grown used to the wild over this past year. Asking us to go back to school for a stable life is probably impossible."

Zhao Wuji gave a sly laugh and leaned into Shen Feng's ear: "Kid, you've seen blood, haven't you? That feeling of life slipping away in your hands and enemies begging for mercy under your blade is fine, but you must never lose yourself in it."

Shen Feng's body stiffened. He suddenly realized that his hands, which had been killing people, really did seem to be getting steadier. Even Oscar was the same; killing a person had become almost no different from killing a chicken.

During their last mission, at a bandit stronghold with over three hundred people, he didn't even seem to hesitate. He wiped them out just like that.

Oscar could even crack jokes while holding an enemy's severed head.

Thinking about it now, this really didn't seem like the right mental state for the two of them.

In his previous life, he was an adult who had received a proper upbringing. How did he become someone who viewed human life as nothing more than blades of grass?

Oscar was originally a very kind child, but now, he didn't seem to take human life very seriously either.

No, this is wrong. This state of mind is not right.

Zhao Wuji's words woke him from his stupor. Shen Feng suddenly felt that he really needed to take a break. If he kept killing like this, something terrible would definitely happen.

"Xiao Feng, Xiao Feng!"

Oscar's shout suddenly snapped Shen Feng out of his thoughts: "Ah? Xiao Ao, what is it?"

Oscar looked at him strangely: "The Dean is calling you. This is our junior, Ma Hongjun!"

Shen Feng paused, only then noticing a chubby boy standing next to Flender who was about his age but shorter, as well as the big, foolish-looking guy standing next to Zhao Wuji.

"Hello, junior. My name is Shen Feng. I enrolled four years before you, so I'm your senior."

"Ma Hongjun, Martial Soul: Phoenix." Ma Hongjun stood in front of Shen Feng with his hands on his hips, puffing out his chest and staring intently at him.

"Teacher said you are the most talented student in the history of Shrek Academy. I don't believe it. Shall we spar?"

The next moment, a burst of purple flames rose from Ma Hongjun's body, and a bright yellow spirit ring slowly rotated beneath his feet.

Dai Mubai crossed his arms over his chest, the corners of his mouth curling up into a playful smile, as if he were waiting to watch a good show.

Seeing this, Shen Feng chuckled. He casually drew the dagger from his waist, flicked his body, and appeared behind Ma Hongjun, placing the cold back of the blade against his neck.

"You're still far from ready. Let's talk after you've obtained your second spirit ring."

Seeing this scene, Dai Mubai's pupils suddenly contracted. He slowly lowered his arms, his confidence completely shattered.

Clenching his fists, Dai Mubai felt a complex mix of emotions.

Is he a monster? I've already reached level thirty, and I've even learned that Explosive Step and Collapse Fist, yet I still couldn't even see his movements.

With such a gap, how am I supposed to wash away my shame?

Could it be that I really am just trash?

No, I am not trash. As long as I obtain a thousand-year third spirit ring, I will definitely be able to defeat him.

Shen Feng, this time I will definitely make you get out of my head!!

Glancing at Dai Mubai without a trace, Shen Feng suddenly felt that he was being a bit petty.

Why was he wasting his time provoking a guy who wasn't even worthy of being his opponent?

Shaking his head with a bitter smile, Shen Feng moved the dagger away from the terrified Ma Hongjun's neck and cupped his hands toward Flender and the others: "Dean, Teacher Zhao, please wait a moment. Let me and Xiao Ao finish turning in our mission, then we will come to entertain you."

Flender gave a gentle smile and waved his hand: "Go ahead, don't worry about us."

After saying that, Flender patted the stunned Ma Hongjun on the shoulder: "Hongjun, now you know that there is always someone better, right? See if you still won't work hard on your cultivation when we get back."

Ma Hongjun's face flushed red as he looked at Shen Feng's retreating back: "Teacher, why is he so strong?"

Arriving at the counter, Shen Feng and Oscar took five square wooden boxes out of their storage Soul Tool and placed them on the counter one by one.

"Uncle Liao, we're turning in our mission."

At this moment, Ma Hongjun rushed over in a stride and placed his hand on one of the wooden boxes.

"Is this the mission item? What's inside? Can you let me see?"

Liao Yong laughed and walked over: "Little friend, you can look, sure."

"But I also want to advise you: you'd better prepare yourself mentally before opening the box."

Ma Hongjun curled his lips: "So mysterious. It's just some materials from spirit beasts, right?"

"As long as you let me take a look, when I enter the Star Dou Forest to hunt for my spirit ring, I'll definitely get you something even better."

Saying this, Ma Hongjun didn't hesitate to unlatch the box and peeked inside.

"Ah~!"

With a scream, Ma Hongjun fell to the ground in terror, pointing at the box and stammering: "Head, head, human head!"

"Hahahaha!"

Ma Hongjun's scream immediately attracted the attention of the spirit masters in the tavern. Seeing his terrified expression, they all burst into laughter.

"Little chick, are you scared already?"

"I remember when this kid first arrived, he was clamoring to take on Black-level missions. Now, a single head has him nearly pissing his pants."

"Little friend, with guts like yours, you'd better go home and suckle on your mother's milk. You aren't cut out for the life of licking blood off a blade like us."

"."

"Quiet! If anyone makes another sound, get the hell out!" Liao Yong let out a thunderous roar, instantly suppressing the chaotic scene.

"You bunch of stinking hides, none of you have much strength, but you sure have plenty of crap to say."

"The kid is only ten years old this year and is already a level 20 quasi-Soul Grand Master. What right do you have to mock him?"

"What were you doing when you were ten? Were you all at home playing in the mud? Peeking at Widow Wang next door bathing? Or stealing Grandpa Liu's cane?"

Liao Yong had spent some time in the vicinity of Shrek Academy, so he was incredibly clear about the strength of Flender and Zhao Wuji.

If those two were provoked, it was entirely possible they would tear this place down to the ground.

Shouting at those people to shut up was truly an act of saving them.

Shen Feng laughed heartily and pulled Ma Hongjun up from the floor.

"My junior's courage is indeed a bit small; it still needs training."

"But it doesn't matter. Stay with me for a year, and I guarantee that by the end, you'll be using these things as chamber pots at night without even blinking."

Soul Hunting Town, guesthouse.

After turning in their mission in the tavern hall, Shen Feng and Oscar led Flender's group to the guesthouse in Soul Hunting Town.