Nandou Mountain: King Lurk Emerges

"Old Bull, take the Miasma-Repelling Pill and Insect-Repelling Pill." Chen Xun took out two pills and swallowed them in one gulp, then gave two more to Black Bull.

"Moo~" Black Bull answered, rolling them into its mouth with its tongue. They had spent Spirit Stones to buy these at the sect.

"What a bizarre place."

Chen Xun spoke quietly. It was completely unlike the forests they usually entered—there was not a trace of life in sight, only oppressive Death Qi. Yet the spiritual energy was abundant.

"Moo~" Black Bull widened its eyes and warily scanned the surroundings, its nostrils constantly twitching.

"Old Bull, the Nandou Mountain Secret Realm will remain open for half a year. No rush. Let's observe things first."

Chen Xun hunched his head down and pulled out the long-unseen Bandit Mask from his robes. As he slowly put it on, that feeling, that aura—he became a completely different person!

"Moo!" Black Bull patted Chen Xun. Where's my mask?!

"Yes, yes, put it on." Chen Xun grinned. This was the gear they had used back when they had massacred Old Wang's family.

"Moo~" Black Bull shuddered with excitement. That feeling had suddenly returned...

Chen Xun slowly took off the Five Aggregates Sect disciple robes. To outsiders, they might have seemed like a protective talisman, but to Chen Xun, they were simply a way to expose his identity. What if someone came to settle scores after the autumn harvest!

He changed into a set of linen clothes he had sewn himself. His whole body felt light, as if the shackles around him had suddenly vanished.

"Old Bull, lie low!" Chen Xun held the bull's head in one arm. Countless thick leaves concealed where they stood; they were steady as a rock.

"Moo~" Black Bull called in response. Having long grasped Chen Xun's essence, it was not worried in the slightest.

As the sun and moon turned, while disciples of every sect searched diligently for Spirit Medicine, this man and bull actually squatted atop a tree for an entire day, staying perfectly still!

"Old Bull, this place should be safe. Let's go make some clothes!"

"Moo?"

"Just watch. I learned a whole set of tricks from Auntie Wang back then." Chen Xun smiled, thinking once more of Little Mountain Village. One day, he would definitely go back and take a look.

"Moo." Black Bull nodded as it watched Chen Xun climb down from the ancient tree and carefully gather armfuls of fallen leaves. It hurried over to help as well.

Half a day later, the job was done. Chen Xun looked at the Ghillie Suit made from countless dead leaves, his eyes brimming with satisfaction as he hurriedly draped it over himself.

"Moo!" Black Bull was startled. Chen Xun was now lying on the ground, and it felt as though he had become invisible. It could not see him at all.

"Ha ha..."

Chen Xun chuckled softly and stood up from the ground, sending countless dead leaves rustling. He quickly draped the other set over Black Bull. Other than its eyes, nothing could be seen anymore—not even its horns.

"Moo!!" Black Bull gave Chen Xun only one look: absolutely badass.

"Hehe, Old Bull, move out!" Chen Xun grinned. Framed by the Bandit Mask, he looked utterly terrifying.

"Moo~"

Two clumps of dead leaves slowly threaded through the ancient trees. Their movements were exceedingly subtle, and their speed was remarkably nimble.

They continued onward and actually spotted Spirit Medicine along the way. This was their first time seeing Spirit Medicine in the wild, but they did not pick it. It was of no use to them.

They suddenly halted atop an ancient tree. Ahead lay a vast lake, its waters shimmering, with Spirit Medicine growing in profusion around it and spiritual energy rushing up to meet their noses.

Yet a chill seeped from the lake, and wisps of mist curled across its surface, making it look extraordinarily mystical.

"Moo~" Black Bull extended a hoof to stop Chen Xun. There was surely danger lurking in that lake.

"Old Bull, are you teaching me how to do things? Isn't that obvious? Only a greenhorn would go over there."

Chen Xun snorted with laughter. Good fellow, Old Bull's skills had really improved over the years.

"Moo!" Black Bull nudged Chen Xun, its eyes full of indignation. It had clearly been the one to notice it. Was Chen Xun really claiming credit after the fact?

"Ice Mandarin Grass, Cold Spirit Grass—they really are here."

Chen Xun stared from afar. There were actually two supplementary ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill. Over the past half year, he had already gathered information on these Spirit Medicines and committed it all to memory.

The moment he finished speaking, several whistles tore through the air from another patch of forest. A three-person team had arrived, though it was impossible to tell which sect they belonged to.

"Old Bull, look, there really are greenhorns." Chen Xun kept shaking his head, as if some lake monster would burst from the water the next instant.

"Moo~" Black Bull nodded as well. Those people did not seem half as capable as it was.

But something seemed off with the plot!

"Holy shit!"

"Moo?!"

Chen Xun and Black Bull craned their heads out, growling low as disbelief filled their faces. The three people were comfortably harvesting Spirit Medicine one plant after another, and no lake monster emerged.

"Impossible. Absolutely impossible." Chen Xun gripped the tree trunk so tightly that bark continuously peeled away beneath his fingers.

Black Bull kept shaking its head too. What was going on?

The three knew when to stop and did not get greedy. They picked only a little before immediately leaving. One look told Chen Xun they were seasoned veterans; their retreat was exceptionally decisive.

Suddenly, a change erupted!

Teams of sect disciples rushed out from the forests on both sides. Judging by their clothes, they seemed to belong together. Several furious roars and shouts rang out, and the two sides immediately clashed.

"Damn, what a dirty trick."

Chen Xun's eyes went wide. So this was where the danger lay. "Old Bull, did you see that? The danger isn't demon beasts at all—it's people."

"Moo?" Black Bull did not understand. There was so much Spirit Medicine by the lake. Why risk snatching someone else's?

"This is the treachery of the human heart." Chen Xun clicked his tongue and sighed. "Didn't those three people ambush us for no reason back then?"

"Moo!"

Black Bull's pupils shrank. It got it, it got it. After spending so many years with Chen Xun, it really had encountered quite a few absurd things.

Suddenly, another change erupted!

Countless bubbles rose from the lake. Chen Xun and Black Bull stretched their necks out again, their eyes fixed firmly on the water's surface. Was the legendary lake monster finally coming?!

One large black fish after another broke the surface as though they were playing, then returned to the water before long.

Chen Xun and Black Bull exchanged a look, anger in both their eyes. They could only watch the distant battle, finding it utterly dull.

Suddenly, yet another change erupted!

Beneath their tree, a roar exploded. A fierce wind swept past, making their Ghillie Suits flap wildly and filling their mouths with dust.

A red shadow shot forth with incredible speed. It resembled a Red-Skinned Lion, its mouth lined with long, razor-sharp fangs.

Its body was over ten feet long, and its front claws glowed red as it madly pounced toward the people fighting.

"A Qi Refining Tenth Level demon beast. It's rather formidable." Chen Xun calmly straightened his Ghillie Suit and spoke indifferently.

"Moo!" Black Bull was eager to give it a try, battle intent flashing through its eyes.

A continuous chorus of furious, startled cries rose from afar. The Red-Skinned Lion refused to let up, chasing the disciples who had harvested the Spirit Medicine and constantly casting spells. Everything descended into utter chaos.

Blood sprayed lightly. They could only helplessly abandon the Spirit Medicine, tossing it into the air before hastily fleeing into the distance and scattering in every direction.

"Old Bull, shall we go? I'll take a few plants of Spirit Medicine, and I'll leave it to you."

"Moo!"

Two figures drifted lightly down from the tree, calm and unruffled smiles on their lips. With a flash, they dashed toward the lake.

Roar!

The Red-Skinned Lion flew into a rage. More intruders had entered its territory—two things covered head to toe in leaves. Confusion flashed in its eyes. What the hell were these things? It had never seen anything like them before.