First Steps into the Ningyun Mountain Range, First Encounter with a Demonic Beast

The next day, before dawn had broken, Chen Xun and the Black Bull set out on the road, heading west until they gradually vanished into the depths of the streets.

Once the surrounding townsfolk woke and took to the streets, they all heard that Chen Xun had left the clinic. Some felt inexplicably delighted, as though they had driven away some villain themselves.

Others felt a sense of loss, believing Chen Xun truly had been a good doctor and had done no evil.

But after a few days, everyone forgot about it. Whether Chen Xun left or not would not put another string of copper coins in their homes. In times like these, no one had the energy to care about a stranger.

The Ningyun Mountain Range towered between heaven and earth, setting an example for the ages and enlightening all living things. No one knew how many years it had stood here.

Its boundless, black-green cliffs stood tall as though carved by blades and axes. Its winding ridges coiled and twisted like a colossal dragon sleeping soundly.

Looking down, white clouds spread beneath their feet. Looking around, mist and clouds curled around the peaks.

On a mountain path, a young man carried a bamboo basket on his back as he searched everywhere for medicinal herbs, with a Black Bull following behind him.

Over the past three years, Chen Xun had continued adding his Longevity Points to speed. He wanted to see whether, once it reached twenty points, it would become impossible to increase again.

Their Longevity Points were now: Strength, 21. Speed, 18.

It was the same inhuman speed as before. If Chen Xun ran with all his might, the naked eye could no longer make him out. It was utterly outrageous.

"Old Bull, let's search carefully."

Chen Xun's bamboo basket was filled with herbs. "Maybe we'll find one of those legendary spirit herbs, the kind that cures every illness."

Townsfolk often found spirit herbs in the Ningyun Mountain Range, some hundreds of years old. Once sold in the city, they could become rich overnight.

Moo! Moo!

The Black Bull ran about wildly, and it recognized many medicinal herbs too. One truly had to marvel at the power of knowledge; even its mind had become much clearer now.

"But don't go too deep. They say there are demonic beasts in there, and those aren't like ordinary wild beasts."

Chen Xun said nervously, "What if we run into some immortal cultivator again, and they don't like the look of us, so they just slaughter us?"

Moo!

The Black Bull answered, showing that it understood.

"Ah!!"

A miserable cry rang out from the forest, startling countless birds into flight. Chen Xun instinctively pulled on his Bandit Headscarf. The Black Bull halted, and their gazes met.

"There's a demonic beast!!"

Several townsfolk came running from afar, screaming in panic. They froze when they saw Chen Xun's headscarf, then shouted again, "Run! A demonic... demonic beast!"

"Old Bull, run!"

Chen Xun was horrified, panic flooding his heart as he charged forward with the Black Bull. A roar sounded behind them, and a wolf-like, tiger-like demonic beast came chasing after them madly. Its body was even larger than a tiger's, and its eyes were crimson red.

"Holy hell, what kind of look is that? That's terrifying."

"Moo! Moo!"

Chen Xun and the Black Bull cried out in fright. After living so many years, their eyes had truly been opened.

Neither man nor bull slowed in the slightest. Countless dead branches snapped beneath their feet as they turned into two gusts of wind. The townsfolk behind them went pale with shock. Damn it, they ran that fast?

The demonic beast grew enraged, its eyes becoming even redder as saliva sprayed from its mouth. Fast prey was its favorite.

"Ah!! It's coming!"

The townsfolk screamed in terror. One was so frightened that he fainted, yet the demonic beast actually leaped past them and continued chasing that man and bull.

"What are you doing? Are you sick in the head?!"

Chen Xun's pupils widened. That demonic beast had actually come straight after them, and it was far faster than any ordinary wild beast.

"Moo! Moo!" The Black Bull charged madly, sweat beading on its head. This demonic beast was far too terrifying.

"Moo~~!" Boom!

The Black Bull panicked and accidentally slammed straight into a gigantic tree. Fine cracks spread across the trunk as it began to tilt, its roots nearly ripped from the ground.

"Old Bull!" Chen Xun stopped and shouted, his eyes filled with anxiety as he hurried over to inspect its head.

"Moo~~"

The Black Bull was a little dizzy, but it was all right, only slightly scraped. It even rubbed itself against Chen Xun.

Roar!

The demonic beast was nearly upon them now, its eyes gleaming with excitement. This was the first time it had encountered prey that ran so fast.

Chen Xun and the Black Bull were cornered. They stood together, their eyes full of panic. This demonic beast looked far too horrifying.

"We're done for, Old Bull."

Chen Xun said in a trembling voice, one arm still wrapped around the bull's head. The Black Bull's pupils quivered as well, and even its hooves were shaking. Was their Longevity Path about to end here?

Saliva continuously dripped from the demonic beast's mouth as it circled them. These two prey were so timid that it felt no wariness at all.

The demonic beast suddenly lowered its body, bloodlust in its eyes. A drop of saliva fell where it stood before it lunged viciously at Chen Xun.

Excited killing intent flashed in its eyes. They were already within arm's reach when its expression suddenly changed. That human no longer seemed afraid. Instead, he had become incomparably calm.

A violent whirlwind erupted from the ground. Chen Xun became an afterimage, moving so fast and so absurdly that the demonic beast's eyes could barely keep up. It was utterly horrified.

"Though you are formidable, you are not enough to make me use my second Mountain-Splitting Axe."

Chen Xun had already arrived behind it, walking away with his back turned. He held a bloodied Mountain-Splitting Axe in his hand, while the Bandit Mask revealed only a cold gaze.

A sharp pain suddenly exploded in the demonic beast's abdomen. It collapsed to the ground, howling in agony as blood spread across the earth.

The Black Bull sprang up fiercely. Black Ox Topple! Bang! A huge crater was smashed into the ground, and the demonic beast's intestines were crushed out. It could not have been more dead.

Chen Xun struck ruthlessly. Splat! Blood sprayed again.

"That's it?! Ah, that's it?!"

"Moo! Moo!"

"You scared your own daddies half to death, so why aren't you barking now?!"

"Moo moo!"

Man and bull crazily whipped the corpse, venting wildly as spit flew everywhere. That demonic beast had truly scared them witless.

They set up a huge pot and boiled water. Damn it, it was time to feast!

"Old Bull, we were lucky this time. Demonic beasts can use demonic arts, things like ice and fire striking together."

After thinking it over, Chen Xun recalled the legends of demonic beasts he had heard in the city. "Only immortal cultivators can kill those things. But this meat really is delicious."

"Moo moo~~"

The Black Bull let out blissful cries. It was so delicious. This was the first time it had ever eaten meat so fragrant.

After eating their fill, man and bull swiftly buried all traces and packed up the uneaten meat. They even filled in the pit.

Chen Xun was exceedingly meticulous this time, carefully arranging the scene. Demonic beast bone ash scattered everywhere, and everything looked as though nothing had happened.

They ran far away and found a patch of forest where there were fewer wild beasts.

"Old Bull, even a cunning rabbit has three burrows. We can't be worse than rabbits. Start digging!"

"Moo!"

Having great strength was wonderful. Chen Xun was skilled in all sorts of wilderness burrowing techniques, whether laying foundations or digging clay. He absolutely would not sleep on the ground.

In the end, Chen Xun carefully brought over enormous stones to seal the top, leaving a narrow crack. He covered it with turf and fallen leaves, so no one could tell there was a burrow beneath.

Candlelight lit the burrow, and the whole world became safe.

"Comfortable."

"Moo moo!"

Chen Xun leaned against the Black Bull and sank into thought. This world was ultimately full of dangers, especially that demonic beast today. It had nearly scared them into wetting themselves.

After hesitating for a long while, he finally took out the book Elder Sun had given him—Qi Refining Art.