leonardwarren Chapter 20 Rapid Progress
Chapter 20 Rapid Progress
In Wangjiazhai, white banners fluttered in front of more than a dozen households, and mournful cries came from the courtyards, causing those who went in to pay their respects to feel a pang of sorrow as well.
An atmosphere of oppression and misery enveloped the entire Wangjiazhai village.
Several young hunters, having just finished mourning the dead, emerged from the home of one of the murdered victims. Leading them was Wang Qingshan. After Wang Hu's death, he had taken over as the patrol leader.
"Brother Qingshan, we can't just let this go unchecked; we need to come up with a plan!"
"Yes, so many people have died so soon, and it's only just begun. The Starfire Sword is the root of all evil; as long as it's in Wang Family Village, it will bring disaster. They're the ones who die today, but tomorrow it will be our turn."
"The Demon Slayer Bureau is still around, so the bandits from White Horse Mountain don't dare to come. But what should we do if they come knocking on our door once they leave?"
"I understand the concerns of my brothers."
Wang Qingshan sighed and said, "Wang Yuan has talent for cultivation. He exposed Feng Bao's conspiracy and revealed the truth. Otherwise, more people in our village would have died. If we drive him away or take away his Starfire Sword at this time, wouldn't that be a bit unfair?"
"Hmph, if he had taken out the Starfire Sword earlier, none of this would have happened!"
"That's right. Now that the bandits of White Horse Mountain have obtained the Starfire Sword, they naturally won't bother our village anymore, and Lao Liang and the others won't die."
The people who spoke had cold and stern expressions, and their eyes revealed fear and unease about the future.
"Gentlemen, there is one more thing you don't know yet."
Wang Qingshan glanced at the group but did not offer any further advice.
He understood their feelings, for he, like them, was filled with anxiety about the future. The Starfire Sword was the root of all trouble; even if the bandits of White Horse Mountain didn't steal it, it would attract other powerful figures. Once Wang Family Village got involved with it, it was destined to bring countless troubles upon them.
"What's wrong?"
"Muramasa said that the Taoist priest invited by the Demon Slayer Bureau also failed to kill the Black Bear. After the Black Bear fled into the depths of Python Mountain, it was protected by the Demon King. The Taoist priest made a pact with the Demon King, saying that blood debts must be repaid in blood. If anyone wanted to kill the Black Bear, he would send the victim's relatives to the depths of Python Mountain to fight the Black Bear to the death."
"Oh dear, what should we do!"
"None of us in our village are a match for Black Bear. Going there would be suicide!"
"So, it seems we can't kill this black bear."
"The officials from the Demon Slayer Bureau won't stay in the village forever. Once they leave, Black Bear will sneak back. What are we going to do?"
The group of people started talking amongst themselves, and suddenly they were gripped by a deep sense of fear.
"The village headman forbade me to talk about these things, for fear of causing panic among everyone. But now that everyone's resentment towards Wang Yuan is too strong, I have no choice but to speak out."
Li Qingshan sighed and said, "Wang Yuan agreed to go deep into Mangshan to fight Hei Xiazi to the death, both to avenge his fallen kin and to resolve this hidden danger that everyone is worried about."
"Wang Yuan really will go!"
"Absolutely true!"
The expressions on their faces changed, and a hint of shame appeared in their eyes.
"But can he defeat Black Bear?"
"That's right. He's only had the Starfire Sword for a few days. How could he possibly be a match for Black Bear?"
"If we lose, we'll die!"
"We had to try. Wang Yuan risked his life for it, and he deserves everyone's respect!"
Wang Qingshan's expression turned serious, and he said, "Don't spread this matter. So many people have died in the village, and everyone is already in a state of panic. Now that we know about this, we should restrain our families and prevent them from gathering to cause trouble for Wang Yuan. Let him cultivate in peace; perhaps he really can kill Hei Xiazi."
Is it really possible?
Wang Qingshan wasn't sure either!
In front of the woodshed, Wang Yuan stopped practicing his swordsmanship.
The effect of practicing for only half an hour was better than that of the previous half day.
However, the physical transformation is not fast enough!
Wang Yuan took out the jade bottle from his bosom, opened it, and found that there were only three pills left inside, each about the size of a peanut and as white as jade.
"Snow Ginseng Pills!"
Wang Yuan took one of the pills left behind by Feng Bao's clone.
A warm current spread from within his body, and wherever it passed, flesh and blood, like parched soil, greedily absorbed the medicinal power.
Wang Yuan's eyes brightened slightly. Holding the Starfire Sword, he continued practicing, using the sword energy to temper his physical body while simultaneously guiding the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. With this two-pronged approach, the speed of his physical transformation increased dramatically.
Fifteen minutes later, Wang Yuan's heart suddenly expanded, and then contracted sharply a few breaths later.
bang bang...
My heart was pounding like thunder.
Blood flowed to every part of his body at an even faster pace, and Wang Yuan clearly felt his internal strength surge. It was as if an inexhaustible power was continuously being delivered to his entire body through his heart.
"The heart has transformed!"
Wang Yuan was overjoyed. He bent his legs slightly, exerted his strength, and leaped five zhang into the air before landing lightly on the ground.
"Such explosive power! My explosive power should be close to a thousand jin now!"
With the transformation of his internal organs and heart, Wang Yuan's strength increased dramatically.
The medicinal power of the Snow Ginseng Pill in his body had not yet been fully refined, so Wang Yuan dared not slack off and continued to practice his swordsmanship.
In the blink of an eye, it was already dark.
A tempting aroma of meat suddenly wafted from the front yard. Wang Yuan sniffed, his stomach rumbling, and he stopped practicing his swordsmanship. He sheathed his Starfire Sword and glanced at his equipment inventory.
Name: Wang Yuan
Vitality: 10.9
Mental Power: 8.6
Comprehension: 4 (Swordsmanship +2)
Equipment: Starfire Sword (Mastery 70%)
After an afternoon of practice, the progress was remarkably rapid.
Vitality surged from 8.8 to 10.9, an increase of 2.1, which is three to four times the previous increase.
My control over the Starfire Sword has reached 70%. At this rate, I should be able to reach 100% one day, which is what Tiger Daoist meant by refining to the third level.
"Come quick, the meat's freshly grilled! Try my cooking!"
When Wang Yuan walked to the front yard, he saw Tiger Taoist carrying a deer that was golden brown and dripping with oil.
This deer was larger than any deer Wang Yuan had ever seen. Its antlers branched out into seven forks, as white as jade, and remained unchanged even under the scorching heat of the fire. It was clear at a glance that it was no ordinary creature.
"Oh, that's funny, Grandpa, can I eat it?"
"Haha, everyone gets a share."
Tiger Taoist laughed heartily and said, "Benefactor Sun, Miss Bai, come along."
"Thank you, Master Xie!"
Sun Erniang quickly thanked her respectfully and turned to move a table to place the roasted venison.
The village head had secretly told her that this Taoist priest was an important figure, and that she shouldn't offend him. Such an important figure living in her house and even teaching her son cultivation methods—Sun Erniang never dared to dream of such a thing.
Wang Yuan was exhausted from practicing swordsmanship and was starving. He didn't stand on ceremony with Tiger Taoist, but went up and tore off a deer leg. Looking at Niu Niu and Bai Wenjin standing beside him, who were watching expectantly, he tore off a piece of meat from the deer leg and handed it to Tiger Taoist first.
Tiger Taoist took it, a smile appearing on his face, clearly pleased.
Then Wang Yuan tore off two more pieces of meat and handed them to Niu Niu and Bai Wenjin, while he himself took the deer leg and began to devour it.
Wang Yuan swore that he had never eaten such delicious meat in either of his two lives.
After eating the venison, a surge of heat coursed through my body, not only sweeping away the fatigue from sword practice but also significantly increasing my strength.
After finishing a deer leg, Wang Yuan felt hot all over, as if his body was on fire, with heat shooting out from his pores and his blood surging restlessly.
Niu Niu and Bai Wenjin only ate one piece before daring not to eat any more.
Only Tiger Taoist, who ate just as much as Wang Yuan, seemed to have eaten nothing at all, showing no abnormalities whatsoever.
"how?"
"I feel like I have inexhaustible energy!"
Wang Yuan's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "Daoist Master, could this deer have become a spirit?"
"Almost there!"
Tiger Taoist shook his head and said, "The flesh and blood of a beast that has become a spirit are far more potent than this deer's. The most delicious thing I've ever eaten is snake soup made from a spirit. This meal is on me. After you kill that black bear, you can treat me to bear paws, how about that?"
"Okay, I'm going to practice my sword!"
Wang Yuan readily agreed, feeling that after eating this meal of venison, he could train all night without feeling tired.
If even a deer that hasn't yet become a spirit is like this, how chewy must the meat of a black bear be? And what about its bile? Those are the real treasures, even Hu Xiao is extremely envious. If he were to kill a black bear and eat its bile, his progress on the Foundation Establishment path would probably be greatly accelerated immediately.
"Put the rest away!"
Tiger Taoist gave an order, raised the wine jug and took a sip, then suddenly sensed something and looked up at the sky.
A strange black bird could be seen circling above the courtyard in the clouds.
The strange bird seemed to sense the gaze of the Tiger Taoist, let out a startled cry, its wings trembled, and it almost plunged headfirst into the clouds.
The strange bird dared not delay. It opened its beak and spat out a letter that drifted down with the wind and landed precisely on the table in front of Tiger Taoist.
Tiger Taoist raised his hand and shattered the demonic power on it. He glanced at it and his expression changed slightly.