Chapter 13 Entering the Ningyun Mountains and Encountering the Monster

The next day, before dawn, Chen Xun and the big black ox set off on the road, heading west and gradually disappearing into the depths of the streets. The people who woke up and went out on the streets heard that Chen Xun had left the clinic. Some inexplicably rejoiced, feeling as if they had driven away an evildoer. Some felt lost, thinking that Chen Xun was indeed a good doctor who had not done anything wrong. However, after a few days, everyone forgot about it. Whether Chen Xun left or not, it wouldn't bring any more money to their own homes. In this world, no one would have the energy to care about a stranger.

The Ningyun Mountains stood tall between heaven and earth, inspiring all things, and had been standing here for countless ages. The dark cliffs, like sharp knives, stood towering between the sky and the earth. The winding mountain ranges resembled a sleeping dragon. Looking down, white clouds filled the air, and mist shrouded the surrounding peaks. On a mountain path, a young man was carrying a bamboo basket, searching for herbs, followed by a big black ox. In these three years, Chen Xun had continued to focus on increasing his speed at the Longevity Point. He wanted to see if he could reach 20 points without any further improvement. Their current Longevity Points: Strength, 21. Speed, 18. With extraordinary speed like that of a superhuman, if Chen Xun ran with all his strength, the naked eye couldn't keep up, which was quite astonishing.

"Old ox, let's search carefully," Chen Xun's bamboo basket was full of herbs. "Maybe we can find the legendary elixir that cures all diseases." In the Ningyun Mountains, people often picked elixirs, some dating back hundreds of years, selling them in the city and making a fortune directly. Moo! The big black ox ran around happily, recognizing many of the herbs. It couldn't help but marvel at the power of knowledge; its mind was much clearer now. "But let's not go too deep. I heard there are monsters here, different from ordinary wild beasts," Chen Xun said nervously. "If we encounter any cultivators who take a dislike to us, they might attack us." Moo! The big black ox responded, understanding.

"Ah!!" A miserable scream came from the jungle, startling countless birds in the forest. Chen Xun instinctively covered his face with a bandit mask, and the big black ox paused, their eyes meeting. "There's a monster!!" Several villagers ran over in panic, shouting. They were stunned to see Chen Xun's mask, then shouted, "Run, monster... monster!" "Old ox, run!" Chen Xun was shocked, his heart racing, and he charged ahead with the big black ox. Behind them, a roar sounded, and a monster, resembling a wolf or tiger, crazily chased after them, larger than a tiger, with crimson eyes.

"Oh my, what a terrifying appearance." "Moo! Moo!" Chen Xun and the big black ox were frightened and amazed. After living for so many years, they had truly broadened their horizons. With lightning speed, they broke countless dry branches, creating two gusts of wind. The villagers behind them were shocked by their speed. The monster, enraged, with eyes even redder, saliva flying, loved hunting prey that ran fast.

"It's coming!" The villagers screamed in horror, and one person even fainted. However, the monster bypassed them and chased after Chen Xun and the ox. "What are you doing? Are you crazy?!" Chen Xun's pupils dilated as the monster directly chased after them, much faster than a wild beast. "Moo! Moo!" The big black ox charged madly, sweat beading on its head. The monster was too terrifying.

"Moo~~!" With a loud bang, the big black ox accidentally ran into a giant tree, cracking it and causing it to tilt dangerously. "Old ox!" Chen Xun stopped and shouted, anxiously checking the ox's head. "Moo~~" The big black ox was a bit dizzy but fine, just a little scratched, nudging Chen Xun. Roar! The monster was about to catch up, its eyes filled with excitement, encountering such fast prey for the first time. Chen Xun and the big black ox were surrounded, standing together in panic. The monster's appearance was too horrifying.

"We're done for, old ox," Chen Xun trembled, holding the ox's head. The big black ox's eyes were trembling, its hooves shaking. Was their path to longevity going to end here? The monster continued drooling, circling around them, as these two prey were so timid that it felt no need to be cautious. Suddenly, the monster lunged, its eyes filled with bloodlust, and charged fiercely at Chen Xun. It showed excitement in its killing intent, but suddenly its expression changed. The human in front of it seemed no longer afraid but incredibly calm.

A violent whirlwind appeared on the ground, and Chen Xun turned into a blur, moving at an exaggerated speed. The monster couldn't keep up with its eyes, its expression filled with horror. "Although you are strong, it's not enough for me to use my second axe," Chen Xun said as he appeared behind the monster, holding a bloody axe, his eyes cold behind the bandit mask. The monster suddenly felt intense pain in its abdomen, falling to the ground in agony, blood flowing. The big black ox leaped up and crushed the monster! With a loud thud, a large pit was created, and the monster's intestines spilled out, dead beyond death. Chen Xun was ruthless, blood splattering.

"Is that all?! Ah, is that all!" "Moo! Moo!" "Scaring your ancestors, why aren't you barking like a dog!" "Moo moo!" Chen Xun and the big black ox went crazy, venting their fear, saliva flying. A pot was set up, water boiled, and a feast was prepared! "Old ox, we were lucky this time. This monster knows magic, like ice and fire." Chen Xun had heard about monster legends in the city. "Only cultivators can kill them, but this meat is really delicious."

"Moo moo~~" The big black ox happily exclaimed, enjoying the delicious meat for the first time. After they finished eating, they quickly buried the remains, packed up the uneaten meat, and filled the hole. Chen Xun was meticulous, carefully arranging the scene of the crime. The monster's ashes scattered around, everything seemed normal. They ran far away, finding a place with fewer wild beasts.

"Old ox, a wise rabbit has three burrows. We can't be weaker than a rabbit. Let's dig!" "Moo!" With great strength, Chen Xun was skilled in various wilderness digging techniques, never sleeping on the ground. Finally, he carefully covered the hole with a huge stone, leaving a small gap, and covered it with grass and leaves, concealing the entrance. The candlelight in the hole lit up, making the whole world safe.

"Comfortable." "Moo moo!" Chen Xun leaned against the big black ox, lost in thought. This world was full of dangers, especially with the monster they encountered today, nearly scaring them to death. After much hesitation, he took out the book given to him by Master Sun— "The Qi Refining Technique."