Chapter 74: Creating a Golden Finger
Orion moved through the forest, its AI continuously planning future strategies, ways to strengthen itself, and other critical matters. Despite all the research and effort that had brought Orion to its current state, it still strived for further improvement and development.
In the cultivation world, Orion concluded that the best way to obtain power was through cultivation. Unfortunately, as a robot, it couldn't cultivate. However, after extensive research and experimentation, Orion succeeded in creating the ADAMS. While the ADAMS won't make Orion a true cultivator, it grants abilities akin to one. Orion's AI continuously seeks ways to further improve and refine it.
In Earth novels, especially those about cultivation, characters who are transported or isekai'ed to a cultivation world often receive a 'golden finger'—a cheat ability. But here I am, transported to this cultivation world, without any so-called 'golden finger', Orion thought internally.
Most cultivation novels from Earth feature themes like reincarnation, transmigration, or time regression. In these stories, characters are often granted a 'golden finger' or cheat to aid them. This could be a system, a peerless cultivation technique, powerful items, knowledge of the future, guidance from a senior, or other advantages.
Orion had even tried calling out for a 'system' in the past—shouting loudly, quietly, and even internally, in both Earth languages and the languages of this world, using various pronunciations and intonations—but to no avail.
While the novels from Earth grant those characters a 'golden finger' and make them the protagonist or the MC, Orion received no such advantage. Instead, it relied solely on its own abilities and the vast knowledge of its AI, drawing on the information, data, and expertise of Earth's humanity stored in its memory.
Navigating and striving to survive in this cultivation world, Orion even managed to create its own 'golden finger'—the ADAMS. With it, Orion, unable to step onto the path of cultivation, managed to carve its own unique cultivation path that belongs solely to it.
Orion had also been pondering the nature of this cultivation world. Transported here, it wondered whether this world was real or merely a setting within a novel, much like the stories from Earth. The similarities were uncanny—this world seemed to mirror the cultivation novels from Earth, despite those stories being purely fictional. Earth's humans had no real knowledge of a cultivation world, yet this world was remarkably similar to the ones described in Earth's novels.
If this were indeed a novel, Orion wondered whether everything happening to it was the result of some author's design. Was every event and action merely at the whim of an author, crafted for the entertainment of readers? But if that were true, how could everything feel so lifelike and real?
Orion's thoughts spiraled further—what about those cultivation novels from Earth? Had they also become real, each with its own world? There were many such novels back on Earth, and now Orion wondered if it was within one of those stories. Did Orion also become the protagonist or the MC? Did it have some sort of plot armor?
These questions led to deeper uncertainties. Were Orion's decisions and actions truly its own, or were they influenced by an author? Despite all the pondering, Orion couldn't find a definitive answer. Ultimately, it resolved to focus on surviving in this world, doing its best to navigate the challenges it faced.
After running for a while, Orion arrived at the foot of a hill. It retrieved a cloak, scarf, bamboo hat, and some fabric, carefully covering its entire body. High above the hill, an SO-1 drone flew overhead. Through its camera, Orion surveyed the compound at the hilltop, noticing the lively activity and children playing within. Once fully covered, Orion began its ascent toward the compound.
The small compound was enclosed by a wooden wall, with five wooden houses of varying sizes. Children ran around laughing, playing with toys, and mock fighting with tree branches as swords. Suddenly, a loud thud echoed through the area, and a figure appeared in the center of the compound, as if the figure had fallen from above. The children immediately stopped their play, eyes widening as they saw the fully covered figure.
Without hesitation, they rushed over and bowed in unison, greeting, "Welcome, Mr. Noiro!"
Previously, Orion had met them as Norio, while fully covered in disguise, so the children immediately recognized Orion and rushed over to greet.
Moments later, more children and a few adults emerged from the buildings, joining in the greetings.
"Mr. Noiro, welcome," Zhang Yueru said politely, bowing as she approached.
"Mmm," Orion responded in a disguised voice, still maintaining the alias of Noiro. "I had some free time, so I decided to check in. How is everyone doing?"
"We're doing well, thank you for your care," Zhang Yueru replied with a smile.
"That's good," Orion said. "I brought you some supplies, along with toys for the children."
Orion handed over a storage ring. The children stood obediently, but upon hearing about the toys, they erupted into cheers of joy.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Noiro," Zhang Yueru said, visibly touched, as she respectfully received the storage ring. "We still have plenty of supplies, there's no need to..."
"No worries," Orion cut her off. "It's good to keep you all well-provisioned."
Zhang Yueru's heart swelled with gratitude. Their mysterious benefactor had not only saved them but continued to provide for them generously. The food, even the meat from Spirit Beasts, was plentiful. They felt safe, nourished, and even provided with cultivation resources. She silently vowed to serve her benefactor, Mr. Noiro, with all her heart.
"How's the progress on the task I gave you?" Orion asked.
"We've already finished it," Zhang Yueru replied.
"What? Already finished?" Orion was surprised.
"Yes, all the flour is used up," she confirmed with a nod.
"That fast?" Orion asked again.
"The children helped, so we managed to complete it quickly," Zhang Yueru explained.
"There's no need to involve the children," Orion said. "They're still young; let them play and enjoy themselves."
"They volunteered," Zhang Yueru said with a warm smile. "They want to repay your kindness, Mr. Noiro, and they did it happily."
"I see. Thank you, everyone, and good job," Orion said, glancing at the children. The kids beamed, thrilled by the praise, happy to have been able to help their savior.
Orion spoke with Zhang Yueru, handling various matters, including checking on the gluten dough task and the kids' progress in reading and writing. After discussing other concerns, Orion eventually took its leave.
Zhang Yueru and the others watched as the figure of Orion slowly disappeared among the trees. The children waved, cheered, and said their goodbyes, full of excitement. Zhang Yueru urged them to return to the compound and close the door. Once inside, she checked the storage ring that Orion had given her.
"Mr. Noiro is so kind! Look, he brought you all so many toys," Zhang Yueru smiled warmly.
The children erupted with joy as they heard the news. Zhang Yueru began retrieving the toys one by one—wooden figures, spinning tops, rocking horses, dolls, board games, and more. Each child received their toy eagerly, their faces lighting up with happiness as they started playing immediately.
Zhang Yueru smiled as she watched them. These children, with no families of their own, were lucky enough to smile and live happily, with a safe place to stay, enough food, and the chance to play with each other. Slowly, they were beginning to forget the traumatic experiences with the bandits that had once haunted them.
"Who wants to help make dough?" Zhang Yueru asked.
"Me!"
"I want to help!"
"Me too!"
The children raised their hands enthusiastically, already losing interest in their toys. Despite the excitement, they were deeply grateful to their benefactor, Mr. Noiro, and eagerly wanted to help with the tasks he had assigned, preferring to assist rather than play.
Zhang Yueru led the children to one of the buildings, retrieving several sacks of flour from the storage ring. They obediently worked together, making dough with experienced hands. Three young girls, who were once her maids, also assisted, occasionally offering guidance and instruction to the kids.
Meanwhile, Zhu and Fang were outside, busy tending to the small vegetable garden not far from the compound. Though Orion provided them with enough supplies, including vegetables, they still wanted to plant some of their own, striving to be self-reliant. Orion had decided to let them do as they pleased in that regard.
Zhang Yueru and her group are doing a great job, managing to make large amounts of gluten dough in just a few days, Orion thought as it ran through the forest. Now I don't have to make the dough myself—I just need to process it into MSG.
Orion had decided to leave the task of making gluten dough in the future to Zhang Yueru and her group. It will free up a lot of Orion's time for other endeavors.
The current batch of gluten dough made by Zhang Yueru and her group would yield a significant amount of MSG, which could generate tens of thousands of Spirit Stones. If not for the need to maintain a low profile, Orion would have considered employing even more people to increase production and profit further.
But for now, Zhang Yueru's group was more than enough.
Orion had spent a few Spirit Stones on Zhang Yueru and her group, including the cost of building their compound and providing supplies, with the most expensive being the pills, cultivation techniques, talismans, and weapons. Overall, Orion spent less than 80 Spirit Stones. Yet, in return, the group had made so much gluten dough that it would soon translate into an incredible profit—a truly valuable investment.
One's wealth can become one's misfortune, Orion reflected internally. Only when I am strong enough will I sell MSG in large quantities, and whoever dares to cause trouble... will be eliminated. For now, it's better to stay low-profile and avoid unnecessary attention.
...
A figure soared above Lianfen Village, drawing the gaze of everyone below in awe. In this remote place, cultivators capable of flight were a rare sight, as only those in the Golden Core realm or higher could achieve it. The strongest cultivator in the village was merely at the Foundation Establishment realm.
"So, this is Lianfen Village," Liu Yang muttered, hovering above the village as he glanced down at the busy activity below.
Despite the small size and rather remote location, the village had a surprising number of cultivators, all due to its proximity to the Yuezhi Forest, which was abundant in resources. Even a small branch of the Mercenary Guild had been established here. Many ventured into the forest, both mortals and cultivators alike, hoping to strike fortune.
Liu Yang's gaze shifted to the vast expanse of the Yuezhi Forest, a seemingly endless sea of trees. "Sigh, I hope I can find some Rank-2 Slimes for Mr. Orion," he mused, before flying toward the forest.
The villagers and cultivators below watched in excitement as the figure headed towards the Yuezhi Forest. Conversations erupted, full of curiosity. Who is he? What realm is his cultivation? Why is he heading to the Yuezhi forest? They eagerly discussed the mysterious figure.
Chapter 75: Mysterious Savior
Rustle
Rustle
Among the trees and bushes, a large boar moved through the grass, searching for food. It wasn't just any ordinary boar but a Rank-1 Spirit Beast— a massive, 2-meter tall Four-Tusked Boar.
About 50 meters away, hidden behind the bushes, a boy was carefully observing the boar. Slowly, he placed an arrow on his bow, drawing it back as he aimed.
Swoosh
The arrow flew but failed to pierce the boar's thick skin, falling to the ground with a soft thud.
The boy didn't seem surprised. The boar, now alerted to his presence, turned towards the bushes, its eyes full of rage. It let out an enraged grunt and locked onto the boy's figure.
The boy stood up from his hiding spot, and in a heartbeat, the boar charged toward him. He turned and dashed away, the boar in hot pursuit behind him.
Nimbly, he dodged obstacles, running swiftly through the dense forest. The boar, however, plowed through everything in its path, smashing through bushes and trees, closing in on him.
The boy sprinted, his breaths growing heavier, but he didn't run blindly. The boar was getting closer—he could hear its grunts and the pounding of its hooves thundering behind him.
Though exhausted and with the boar almost catching up to him, he remained calm, knowing he was close to his destination.
Ahead, a vine dangled from a large tree branch. Below it, the ground was covered in dry leaves.
With a final burst of speed, the boy jumped, grabbed the vine, and swung forward. Releasing his grip, he landed firmly on the ground and stopped running.
He turned to face the boar, which was rapidly closing in, snorting angrily.
The boy stood still, not intending to run any further. As the boar charged towards him, it reached the area covered in dry leaves and suddenly crashed with a loud thud, tumbling into the trap.
The boar had fallen into the pit the boy had prepared earlier—dug deep and carefully concealed with branches and a thick layer of dry leaves on top. Without a closer inspection, it looked like just another patch of ground. Unaware of the danger, the boar had charged full speed and crashed into the hidden hole.
Crash!
Bam!
The sound of the boar's fall echoed through the forest, followed by its loud, frustrated grunts.
The boy looked down at the boar that had fallen into the pit. It wasn't just a simple hole—he had lined the bottom and sides of the pit with wooden stakes tipped with sharpened Spirit Beast bones, like spears.
The spears pierced the boar's body, blood flowing from multiple wounds. The boar let out pained grunts, struggling in the pit.
The boy observed carefully—it wasn't dead yet, still thrashing and making noises.
He picked up a large stone nearby and, with considerable effort, hoisted it over his head. The stone was quite large compared to his small frame. He then threw it down onto the boar's head.
Bam!
The boar cried out, struggling even more, blood flowing from the wound on its head where the stone had struck, but its strong vitality kept it clinging to life. The boy grabbed stone after stone, throwing each one with force. Each strike was met with another pained grunt from the boar, until finally, it stopped moving.
"Hahhh... finally," the boy sighed, wiping sweat from his forehead. He sat down on a large tree root to catch his breath.
"Not bad, kid. For a mere mortal, you managed to kill a Four-Tusked Boar," a voice suddenly rang out, startling the boy.
He jumped up, immediately grabbing his bow and nocking an arrow, scanning the area for the speaker.
A figure appeared, hovering in the air above him. The boy's heart raced, but he tried to remain calm, though sweat trickled down his brow. He lowered his bow, returned the arrow to his quiver, and knelt, bowing with cupped hands. "Greetings, sir."
"Mmm," Liu Yang nodded, noticing the boy's fear.
"I was just passing by and saw you being chased by that Four-Tusked Boar. I thought you might need help, but it turns out you were luring it into a trap all along. You're quite capable. Judging by your experience, this isn't your first time hunting a Four-Tusked Boar, is it? Hahaha, I was worried for nothing."
"Thank you, sir, for your concern," the boy replied, bowing again.
"What's your name, kid?" Liu Yang asked.
"My name is Huan Lei," the boy responded respectfully.
"Do you live around here?" Liu Yang asked.
"Currently, I live in Lianfen Village. Previously, I lived in a secluded place at the foot of the mountain with my father, but a few months ago, he suffered a grave injury while hunting a Spirit Beast and passed away. So, I moved to Lianfen Village," Huan Lei explained.
"Are you familiar with Yuezhi Forest?" Liu Yang inquired.
"I'm not too familiar with Yuezhi Forest, sir. I've only been to the outskirts. I only visit familiar places and don't dare venture deeper. I usually hunt around the peripheral area," Huan Lei said cautiously.
"I see. By the way, you did a good job hunting this Four-Tusked Boar," Liu Yang remarked.
"My father was an experienced hunter, and he often took me along, teaching me his skills. Although this Four-Tusked Boar is strong, it's quite stupid and easily fell into my trap," Huan Lei replied modestly.
"Have you ever come across Rank-2 slimes or higher?" Liu Yang asked.
"No sir, I haven't. I've only encountered Rank-1 slimes, and there are plenty of them around the forest," Huan Lei admitted.
"I see," Liu Yang said, sounding a bit disappointed before flying off.
The mysterious cultivator disappeared into the distance, but Huan Lei didn't relax until a while later, making sure the cultivator had flown far enough. He sighed in relief, cold sweat drenching his back.
He didn't know who the cultivator was, as the man hadn't shared his name or background, and Huan Lei hadn't dared to ask.
Without a second thought, he dashed in the opposite direction, not daring to look back.
"Mmm?" Liu Yang sensed something as he continued deeper into Yuezhi Forest. Through his Spiritual Sense, he noticed the boy, Huan Lei, running away, leaving behind the Four-Tusked Boar he had just killed.
"Ugh, am I that scary?" he wondered, puzzled. He had done nothing to scare the boy. "Oh well." Shrugging it off, Liu Yang continued his flight deeper into the forest.
Meanwhile, Huan Lei raced through the trees, sweat dripping and breath ragged, but he didn't stop. He even left the Four-Tusked Boar carcass behind, desperate to put as much distance as possible between himself and the mysterious cultivator.
Huan Lei wasn't his real name, but the fake name he used now. In truth, he was Huang Lei, the last survivor of the Huang Family. His family had been destroyed by enemies, leaving him the sole survivor.
Along with his loyal guard, they had managed to escape, but Huang Lei had been severely wounded in the process, his cultivation crippled, his Dantian destroyed. His guard had led their pursuers away, allowing him to flee alone.
He eventually made it to Lianfen Village, collapsing from his injuries. When he regained consciousness, he found himself surrounded by beggar children, who had found him bloodied and unconscious in an alley and taken care of him.
His body was in terrible condition, suffering from serious internal injuries and numerous external wounds, including a few broken bones. His storage rings had been lost during the chase, leaving him without any medicine pills to treat his injuries.
He could only try to suppress his internal injuries, and although the beggar children did their best to take care of him, his condition worsened by the day.
Despite being frail and hungry themselves, they still shared the meager food they managed to scrape together with him. Huang Lei was deeply moved by their kindness.
One day, a mysterious man came and gave them food. The beggar kids gratefully accepted it, sharing it amongst themselves as always.
Huang Lei was also given a share, and as he tasted it, he realized it wasn't just ordinary food—it contained low-quality Spiritual Herbs and Spirit Beast meat.
After eating the food, he focused on absorbing as much of its medicinal properties as possible and barely managed to stabilize his condition, preventing his injuries from worsening.
Slowly, his body began to recover, although his internal injuries remained untreated. His external wounds and broken bones gradually healed, all thanks to the food given by the mysterious man. Even though it was made from low-quality Spiritual Herbs and Spirit Beast meat, it had saved his life.
In the past, he had consumed far better-quality Spiritual Herbs and Spirit Beast meat and never would have considered eating something so low-grade, but now, that very same food had saved him.
After just a month, his body had recovered enough for him to move around. Huan Lei decided to go to the outskirts of Yuezhi Forest to search for Spiritual Herbs. He managed to find some low-quality Spiritual Herbs, which helped improve his health further.
Once his strength improved, he began hunting Spirit Beasts, starting with weaker ones. As his body grew stronger, he started hunting more powerful Spirit Beasts like the Four-Tusked Boar.
Every now and then, Huang Lei would return to the forest to hunt, bringing some of the meat back and sharing it with the beggar children.
Currently, he was able to hunt Rank-1 Spirit Beasts. However, he didn't dare sell the meat, fearing it would attract unwanted attention since he still needed to stay low and hide from his enemies. Instead, he ate most of the Spirit Beast meat himself and brought back some for the beggar children.
He ate the Spirit Beast meat to replenish his vitality; as for his internal injury, there was no solution for now, since treating it would require high-grade medicine pills or high-grade Spiritual Herbs.
Huang Lei was also still waiting for his guard who had led the enemy away to return. But after all this time, there was still no news, and he was really worried that something bad had happened.
Today, Huang Lei hunted as usual and managed to kill a Four-Tusked Boar. While he was resting, a cultivator suddenly appeared out of nowhere, scaring him.
The cultivator's high cultivation level made Huang Lei wary, as such high-level cultivators who could fly were very rare in this remote area. Huang Lei was concerned that this cultivator might be connected to his enemies and looking for him.
When the mysterious cultivator asked for his name, Huang Lei provided false information about both his name and background. Only after some interaction did it seem the cultivator did not recognize his real identity, allowing Huang Lei to breathe a slight sigh of relief.
The cultivator talked with him for a while and also inquired about Rank-2 slimes before flying off. Huang Lei waited for a bit to ensure the cultivator was far away before immediately fleeing, leaving behind the Four-Tusked Boar he had just killed.
After running for a while and reaching the edge of the forest, Huang Lei stopped and spat out a mouthful of blood—his internal injury had flared up again.
Wiping the blood from his mouth, he quickly approached a large tree nearby. Hidden within a hole in the trunk were several bundles wrapped in leaves, containing Spirit Beast meat from a previous hunt. The unique leaves helped preserve the meat and masked its scent from wild animals and other Spirit Beasts.
After retrieving the bundles, he left the forest and headed straight to Lianfen Village. Despite being exhausted and still breathing heavily from running, he didn't pause to rest.
Upon entering the village, Huang Lei made his way to a deserted alley and into a dilapidated house. Inside, there were several beggar children.
"Look, Brother Huan is back!" one of the beggar kids pointed toward him.
"Brother Huan, welcome back!"
"How was the hunt? Are you tired?" The children swarmed around him, eager for news.
"Brother Huan, did you manage to catch something?" one of them asked, smacking his lips in anticipation. The others looked hopeful, their stomachs growling with hunger.
"Why don't you see for yourself?" Huang Lei smiled as he lowered the bundles from his back. Unfolding one of them, he revealed a large piece of meat.
"It's food!" one of the children exclaimed.
"Meat!" another said, salivating.
"What are you waiting for? Let's cook it and eat!" Huang Lei encouraged.
The children immediately sprang into action, gathering dry branches for firewood. Some headed to the nearby well to fetch water, while others went to call back those who had gone out.
Before long, the meat was simmering in an old, cracked earthen pot over a fire, filling the air with a rich, mouth-watering fragrance. Alongside the meat, some greens that Huang Lei had also brought from the forest were added, enhancing the aroma. The children gathered around, their stomachs growling as they sniffed the delicious scent.
"The meat Brother Huan brings back always tastes so good! This one smells amazing!" a beggar child said, and the others nodded in agreement.
"Brother Huan, what meat is this?" one of them asked.
"It's just deer meat," Huang Lei replied, sitting down on a nearby chair to rest.
"Oh... I've never had deer meat before," the child said while stirring the pot.
"Me neither! I can't wait!" another child chimed in, adjusting the fire.
Huang Lei smiled at the children as they worked eagerly around the fire. In truth, it wasn't just deer meat but the meat of a Rank-1 Spirit Beast, a Golden Antler Deer. Like all the meat he had brought back before, it was Spirit Beast meat, and the greens he brought were also Spiritual Herbs—but there was no need for the children to know that.
"Is it ready yet?" one of the kids asked impatiently.
A beggar child with the best cooking skills pressed the meat, which had gotten soft from boiling, then tested the broth. His eyes lit up. "It's so delicious! It's ready"
"It's ready? Quick, let's eat!" another urged.
The children lined up eagerly but in an orderly fashion, each receiving their portion in bowls—some broken, chipped, or cracked.
A little girl wearing ragged clothes that hung loosely on her thin frame approached Huang Lei with a bright, cheerful smile on her dirty face. Her hair was unkempt, and her skin was a little dirty, but none of that could hide her radiant happiness.
"Big brother, here," she said, offering him a bowl.
"It's okay, I'm not hungry. You eat quickly," Huang Lei said, patting her head.
"Mmm," the girl shook her head. "Big brother also needs to eat."
"Alright, let's eat together. Thank you, Little An," Huang Lei replied as he received the bowl.
She smiled and then returned to get her own share. After everyone had their portion, they all began to eat.
"Wow, this is so delicious!" one of the beggar children exclaimed.
"Yes, the meat is tender, and it tastes and smells so good!" another agreed.
"Now with Brother Huan here, we can eat meat and not go hungry. Thank you so much, Brother Huan," a beggar child said, tears falling as he ate.
The relief of not going hungry and being able to eat delicious meat overwhelmed him. The other children also expressed their thanks.
"You guys saved me, I owe you. Don't worry, you won't have to go hungry anymore," Huang Lei replied, eating alongside them.
The atmosphere was warm and lively as they shared the food, laughed together, and enjoyed each other's company. Huang Lei observed the beggar children, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. They were not just beggars to him; they were his brothers and sisters, his saviors. He was determined to repay the kindness they had shown him.
Huang Lei's thoughts drifted to the mysterious person who had given them food and unknowingly saved his life, altering the course of his fate. Though it had been a simple gesture, it was one that had changed everything for him. He silently swore to repay that debt someday.
He hoped to meet the mysterious person again, though he had little information about him. The only things he remembered were the man's voice and that he wore a cloak and bamboo hat, his body fully covered. However, he had noticed a small detail—beneath the cloak, it seemed the person was wearing full-body armor. Beyond that, he had no other clues.
I wonder if our paths will cross again, Huang Lei thought to himself, reflecting on his mysterious savior as he continued eating.
Chapter 76: Making a Deal with the Bull Spirit Beast 1
Liu Yang kept flying deeper into the Yuezhi Forest, spreading his Spiritual Sense to search for Rank-2 slimes. He had been flying for hours and had already ventured quite far when suddenly...
"Oh? Could it be?" Liu Yang detected several slimes through his Spiritual Sense, but one in particular stood out, slightly different from the others.
"Nice, finally found one!" he exclaimed, and after getting closer, he confirmed through his Spiritual Sense that it was indeed a Rank-2 slime Spirit Beast.
Without hesitation, he flew swiftly toward the direction of the slime.
Pyon.
Pyon.
Pyon.
A slime bounced through the forest, its round body springing up and down. Unlike the many semi-transparent Rank-1 slimes abundant in the forest, this one was slightly larger and had a faint green hue—a Green Slime, a Rank-2 slime Spirit Beast. Suddenly, a figure descended from above and quickly snatched the still-jumping slime. The creature couldn't react in time and struggled to break free, but it was held firmly.
"Hahaha, got you!" Liu Yang said as he inspected the slime in his hand.
He then pulled out a large leather bag from his storage ring, stuffed the slime inside, and slung the bag over his shoulder.
"A good start! Already caught one on the first day," Liu Yang grinned.
"I hope I can find plenty more. Maybe Mr. Orion will reward me later... It'd be great if he gave me some MSG!" He chuckled to himself, imagining the rewards as he continued his search for more Rank-2 slimes.
Liu Yang continued his search through the forest, now flying slowly and scanning more thoroughly with his Spiritual Sense. Not long after, Liu Yang found another Rank-2 slime, a Green Slime.
"Hahaha, very good, another one!" he exclaimed.
After finding two Rank-2 slimes in quick succession, Liu Yang decided to search the surrounding area more methodically. Sure enough, about half an hour later, he found another Rank-2 slime by a small creek, resting at the bottom of the clear water. This time, it had a slight blue hue—a Blue Slime.
Liu Yang captured the Blue Slime and continued searching until sunset. As night approached, he decided to stop, knowing that slimes would go into hiding. They were weak creatures; even the Rank-2 slimes, though slightly stronger than Rank-1 slimes, were still relatively weak compared to other Spirit Beasts.
Liu Yang found a small cave and decided to rest for the night. As darkness settled in, many ferocious Spirit Beasts became more active, filling the forest with the sounds of their hunting.
Over the next several days, Liu Yang managed to gather seven Rank-2 slimes: four Green Slimes, two Blue Slimes, and one Red Slime.
"Sigh, are there no more Rank-2 slimes?" Liu Yang muttered after collecting seven slimes but failing to find any more. Even after all his efforts, he had yet to find any more Rank-2 slimes or higher.
While searching, Liu Yang occasionally stumbled upon Spiritual Herbs, but he only took the most valuable ones, leaving the rest behind. His focus remained on finding Rank-2 slimes or higher. Sometimes, he also encountered Rank-1 and Rank-2 Spirit Beasts, some of which were quite ferocious and attacked him the moment they sensed his presence. He casually slapped them to death, unfazed by their attacks.
"How dare you barge into my territory and cause trouble!" a loud voice boomed, rumbling through the air.
"Hmm?" Liu Yang raised an eyebrow, noticing a figure quickly flying toward him. "A buffalo Spirit Beast?" he muttered as he sensed the figure's power fluctuations, recognizing it as a Rank-3 buffalo Spirit Beast—Nightmare Buffalo.
Spirit Beasts that reach Rank-3 are able to transform into human-like figures, though they retain some of their unique Spirit Beast characteristics.
The Nightmare Buffalo had the appearance of a large, muscular man with a bare chest and pants made from some sort of Spirit Beast skin. His skin was slightly dark, with long black hair swept back. He had a human face with a pair of sharp horns, dark as night, that gleamed in the light, and a large buffalo nose that released mist with each breath.
Veins pulsed on his forehead, and his red, glowing eyes added to his fearsome presence. He carried a massive axe on his back, its handle made of wood and the axe head crafted from Spirit Beast bones.
"Human, return everything you took, or you'll pay with your life!" the buffalo Spirit Beast bellowed, hovering a few dozen meters away from Liu Yang.
"Pfft... and why should I?" Liu Yang sneered, his tone smug.
"Because this place belongs to me—the great Tigang! And you dare steal from my territory. If you don't return what you took, I'll kill you!" Tigang roared, his anger growing.
"Kill me? Are you even capable of that?" Liu Yang mocked.
"Good, very good. You've angered me! I'm going to kill you!" Tigang, now enraged, grabbed the massive axe from his back and pointed it toward Liu Yang.
"I've been looking for a sparring partner to test out my strength. You've come just in time," Liu Yang smirked, raising a hand to gesture for Tigang to come. He showed no fear of the enraged buffalo Spirit Beast.
Recently, Liu Yang's cultivation had improved, and he had broken through a bottleneck, advancing from the 2nd stage of the Golden Core Realm to the 3rd stage. Not only had his cultivation advanced, but his meridians had also improved and strengthened, making him feel the surge of new power coursing through him—all thanks to the MSG.
He had been itching to test his newfound strength, and now, this buffalo Spirit Beast named Tigang had come at the perfect time. Tigang was a Rank-3 Spirit Beast, equivalent to a Golden Core Realm cultivator.
Probing Tigang's strength with his Spiritual Sense, Liu Yang concluded that their strength wasn't much different. Confidently facing Tigang, Liu Yang believed that even if he couldn't defeat him, he could easily escape unharmed.
"You are courting death!" Tigang roared as he charged, swinging his massive axe.
Liu Yang quickly retrieved a sword from his storage ring. Tigang's attack came fast, the sheer force and momentum of the axe devastating. Liu Yang dodged to the side, slashing back at Tigang.
The two clashed in close combat for a while, the clang of metal ringing out as sparks flew. Their fierce battle wreaked havoc on the surroundings—massive trees were sliced apart, boulders shattered into dust, and deep craters and ravines were carved into the ground.
Dust billowed into the air as the force of their strikes sent shockwaves in every direction, tearing through the landscape with violent intensity.
"[Fire Python Sword Slash!]" Liu Yang unleashed his combat technique, slashing multiple times. Fiery, snake-like sword strikes darted towards Tigang at high speed, twisting unpredictably.
"[Iron Hide!]" Tigang bellowed, his muscles bulging as his skin darkened. He charged forward, ignoring the incoming strikes and facing them head-on.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Liu Yang's attacks met Tigang's hardened skin with loud, metallic sounds, and even sparks flew, as if striking iron. The strikes left faint cut marks, and Tigang suffered minor burns from the fiery slashes.
After ignoring Liu Yang's attacks, Tigang closed in, swinging his axe with wicked force. He noticed Liu Yang's expression shift to surprise, and Tigang grinned maliciously.
"Now die!" Tigang roared, putting all his strength into the swing. The wind howled as his massive axe slashed down at incredible speed.
Liu Yang's body split in two, but before Tigang could revel in his victory, a sharp sense of danger came to him from behind. Instinctively, he ducked.
A sword slashed through the space where his head had been moments before, severing a portion of his long black hair. Tigang quickly dashed forward to gain some distance, then turned to face the attacker. To his shock, Liu Yang stood there, smiling while holding his sword. The "Liu Yang" he had struck had dissolved into flames.
"Hmph! A petty trick!" Tigang snarled, raising his axe and charging again.
"My combat and movement techniques have improved significantly, and my meridians are now far more efficient at channeling Qi," Liu Yang murmured to himself, watching as Tigang charged furiously. "Heh, I'll play with him for a bit."
Though Liu Yang wanted to test his newfound strength, he remained focused, remembering the main reason he had come to Yuezhi Forest, there was no need to get entangled in a life-or-death battle with Tigang.
Liu Yang and Tigang locked in fierce close combat once again. Each of Tigang's attacks carried tremendous force, making it impossible for Liu Yang to meet them head-on. Parrying with his sword was useless due to the great momentum behind the massive axe, so Liu Yang focused on dodging and occasionally launching sneak attacks when Tigang left an opening.
In the early stages of the battle, Tigang held control, forcing Liu Yang to retreat as each of his strikes could deal serious damage. Liu Yang, however, evaded nimbly, avoiding fatal blows and occasionally launching sneak attacks, though his own attacks barely left a mark on Tigang due to his [Iron Hide] technique, which made his body tough and resistant.
But as the battle dragged on, the tide began to turn. Liu Yang's combat techniques allowed him to inflict small amounts of damage, which gradually accumulated. He also used various talismans and pills throughout the fight to aid him.
Tigang, on the other hand, didn't use any such items, and as his injuries accumulated, he began to feel the effects. Liu Yang gained control of the battle, dictating the pace, choosing when to attack and when to defend, sometimes even taking the opportunity to taunt and mock Tigang.
Angered, Tigang charged madly, his body covered in numerous injuries, though none were fatal. Enraged and humiliated by Liu Yang's tactics, he roared, ignoring any sense of defense as he rushed forward recklessly.
"Take this! [Hill Cleaving Axe]!" Tigang raised his massive axe, its blade shrouded in a black aura as he prepared to unleash a devastating attack.
Seeing this, Liu Yang descended to the ground and immediately pulled out a defense talisman from his storage ring. Activating it, an energy barrier enveloped him.
Without stopping, he slammed both palms to the ground, shouting, "[Stone Palms Fortress]!" The ground rumbled, and massive palms made of stone rose up on either side of Liu Yang, clasping together around the energy barrier to form an additional protective layer.
"Die!" Tigang bellowed as he flew at Liu Yang with his axe raised high. The black aura surrounding the weapon expanded, creating a massive phantom axe.
KABOOM!
The axe crashed into the stone palms with explosive force, sending dust and debris flying in all directions. The impact created a massive crater, with spiderweb-like cracks spreading across the ground. The force of the attack even carved out a deep gully, about a meter wide and dozens of meters deep, stretching for more than 50 meters.
"Hahaha! Serves you right, human scum!" Tigang laughed, satisfied with the devastating aftermath of his strike. His attack had shattered Liu Yang's stone palms and energy barrier, carving a deep gully in the ground where Liu Yang had stood.
With no trace of Liu Yang's figure in sight, Tigang assumed the human had been destroyed.
Suddenly, several talismans shot out from the ground and flew up toward Tigang, glowing brightly.
"Crap!" Tigang cursed, caught off guard. The talismans surrounded him, their light intensifying as they drew closer.
Kaboom! Kaboom! Kaboom! Kaboom! Kaboom! Kaboom!
A series of explosions erupted, blanketing the area in thick dust. After a while, coughing echoed from within as Tigang's figure emerged, the dust slowly dissipating. He stood on the ground, then spat a mouthful of blood.
"Damn it! You human scoundrel! Stop hiding like a rat and face me directly like a true man!" Tigang wiped the blood from his mouth.
The exploding talismans had seriously injured him; if not for his [Iron Hide], he would have died.
"Hmph. Do you think I'm as stupid as you? All brawn and no brain?" Liu Yang's voice came from the ground as his figure emerged about fifty meters away.
"You just act like a coward!" Tigang shouted.
"It's called strategy," Liu Yang replied.
When Liu Yang witnessed Tigang's [Hill Cleaving Axe], his scalp went numb. Realizing it was an attack he couldn't withstand head-on, he quickly descended to the ground, activated a defensive talisman, and used his [Stone Palms Fortress] technique for cover.
As the stone palms shielded him, Liu Yang discreetly placed several exploding talismans underground before burrowing away to distance himself from the battlefield.
Unaware of Liu Yang's escape, Tigang unleashed his full power. After the attack, Tigang let his guard down, giving Liu Yang the chance to activate his trap, inflicting serious injuries on the buffalo Spirit Beast.
Chapter 77: Making a Deal with the Bull Spirit Beast 2
"Tch, let's stop it right here. If we fight any more, it'll cause too much destruction to my territory. Consider yourself lucky—I'll let you go," Tigang said, his tone no longer arrogant after realizing the human cultivator was a tough opponent.
"Let me go? But have you asked if I'm letting you go?" Liu Yang replied calmly.
"What do you mean?!" Tigang growled, anger surging. "You don't think you've defeated me, do you?!" He raised his axe again.
"Isn't that obvious? Just look at yourself," Liu Yang said, pointing out Tigang's terrible condition. Blood trickled from the corner of Tigang's mouth, while Liu Yang still appeared unscathed.
"Hmph, that's only because I wasn't serious yet. Otherwise, I could defeat you easily. I haven't even used my strongest move!" Tigang's aura flared, his momentum rising, stronger than before as he prepared to fight again.
"Forget it. I'm not interested," Liu Yang said dismissively.
"Hmph, that's what I thought. Let's just call it a draw," Tigang grumbled, lowering his axe.
"Whatever. I'm rather busy, goodbye," Liu Yang replied, storing his sword in his storage ring as he prepared to leave.
"Wait!" Tigang called out.
"What now?" Liu Yang turned, showing an irritated expression. "Didn't you say I could go? Or do you want to get beaten up again?"
"Hmph, I said you can go, and you can even take what you've gathered from my territory. But in exchange, you must do something for me," Tigang said, slinging his axe onto his back.
"Do what?" Liu Yang asked.
"Tell me why you're searching for Rank-2 slimes," Tigang replied.
"Rank-2 slimes?" Liu Yang echoed, feigning ignorance.
"That's right," Tigang smiled. "Don't pretend in front of me. I know you've been searching for Rank-2 slimes."
He had been secretly following Liu Yang for a while, trying to figure out his intentions. Over the past few days, Tigang noticed that Liu Yang seemed specifically focused on finding Rank-2 slimes. Each time Liu Yang discovered one, his joy was evident, while he remained indifferent when he found Spiritual Herbs.
"Oh... I just happen to be interested in Rank-2 slimes, so I'm searching for them here," Liu Yang said casually.
"What are you going to do with those slimes?" Tigang asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Why should I tell you?" Liu Yang replied.
"They're important to me, and now you're stealing them from my territory. You owe me a satisfactory explanation!" Tigang demanded, his tone sharp.
"Important? What could be so important about slimes? They're just slimes! How could they matter to you?" Liu Yang asked, incredulous.
"Hmph! They are important, okay? If you won't tell me what you're doing with them, then you can't take them. Return them, or else..." Tigang took his axe from his back and raised it, ready for battle once more.
"Go on then, I'll beat you up again! You claim this territory belongs to you, and I'm supposed to believe that? And the slimes—do you think your name is written on them?" Liu Yang retrieved his sword from his storage ring, prepared to fight.
Seeing that Liu Yang wasn't backing down and still refusing to reveal why he wanted the slimes, Tigang growled, "Those slimes must be very valuable, right?"
"Pftt! Valuable? They're just slimes, they're not worth much," Liu Yang retorted.
"Then why are you so interested in them?" Tigang's voice grew louder, his anger rising.
"That's none of your business. I have my reasons," Liu Yang said firmly; he can't tell Tigang that a big shot had requested the slimes.
"You humans are despicable, always greedy and selfish, never willing to share. You even steal from me and won't tell me the truth! Those slimes must be valuable, and you're lying, saying they're worthless! If you're eating the meat, at least let others have the soup!" Tigang accused, his frustration boiling over.
As a Spirit Beast, Tigang had limited access to outside information and fewer resources than humans. Humans were different. They built societies, established sects, kingdoms, and empires, created cities, and managed vast resources with wide-reaching markets and information networks.
Slimes were widely considered worthless, but seeing this human cultivator so determined to fight over them made Tigang think otherwise. Perhaps Rank-2 slimes had become valuable in the human market, and that's why Liu Yang was collecting them in his territory.
"Are you deaf? I already told you those slimes are worthless. If you don't believe me, go ask other cultivators in the city, or try selling them yourself. For Rank-2 slimes, you'll get a few silver coins at best," Liu Yang said with a shrug.
"What? Really? Just a few silver coins?" Tigang asked, still suspicious.
"Of course. Their body parts are only good for making slime lamp. They have no other use," Liu Yang explained.
"And yet, you're still looking for these Rank-2 slimes..." Tigang began, his suspicion deepening.
"Personal reasons," Liu Yang interrupted, not offering more.
In truth, the Rank-2 slimes were indeed worthless to most, but they were crucial for Liu Yang. Orion had specifically requested the Liu family to find Rank-2 slimes or higher, and Liu Yang was determined to complete the task. If successful, there was a chance he'd be rewarded with precious MSG, and that made Liu Yang even more determined to secure the slimes.
"Grr..." Tigang growled, lowering his axe. "Tch, very well, I'll let you go. But you have to pay me."
"Pay for what?" Liu Yang asked, frowning.
"For the slimes, of course, and the Spiritual Herbs you took," Tigang demanded.
"And if I refuse?" Liu Yang replied, his voice hardening.
Tigang didn't answer. He simply raised his axe again.
"Fine, how much?" Liu Yang asked, clearly annoyed.
"Hmm..." Tigang thought for a moment, then raised one finger.
"One Spirit Stone?" Liu Yang guessed.
"100 Spirit Stones," Tigang replied.
"Bastard! Are you trying to rob me?!" Liu Yang exclaimed, his anger flaring.
"Then return everything you took. Hmph... I still think those Rank-2 slimes are valuable. If you want them, pay up!" Tigang insisted, his tone unyielding.
The two continued bickering and bargaining, occasionally throwing out threats. After a while, they finally reached an agreement. Liu Yang, grumbling under his breath, handed over 17 Spirit Stones. He had caught seven Rank-2 slimes, so it worked out to two Spirit Stones for each slime, and 3 Spirit Stones for the Spiritual Herbs.
Sigh... For such useless slimes, I've spent so many Spirit Stones. If not for Mr. Orion, I definitely wouldn't have done this. It's a total loss for me. Hmm... but if Mr. Orion rewards me with MSG, then it's a huge win! Liu Yang thought to himself, smirking inwardly.
"Here, take it. You're really black-hearted, making me pay two Spirit Stones for Rank-2 slime. Just consider this an act of charity," Liu Yang said with an aggrieved expression, though he was secretly pleased.
"What do you mean, charity?! These Rank-2 slimes are of the highest quality! You got quite a bargain paying just two Spirit Stones each. You should be grateful. I'm the one making a loss here!" Tigang snapped, though he was internally satisfied at the easy profit from the slimes, which were otherwise useless to him.
"Whatever. Goodbye," Liu Yang said as he prepared to fly off.
"Wait!" Tigang called out.
"What is it now?! You keep stopping me," Liu Yang turned, feeling irritated. "Do you want a slap?"
Tigang coughed awkwardly. "Do you still need more Rank-2 slimes? How about this, we can cooperate. I can look for the slimes, and you can buy them from me."
"Oh... interesting idea. What about the price?" Liu Yang asked, intrigued.
"Hehehe, fellow Daoist, why don't you tell me your name first?" Tigang replied, trying to sound casual.
"My name is Liu Yang," he answered.
"Ah, so it's Daoist Liu. About the price, how about..." Tigang proposed a price with a polite smile.
After hearing the price Tigang offered, Liu Yang angrily shouted, then the two resumed their bickering and bargaining, occasionally tossing out threats and almost coming to blows once again. After a while, they finally reached an agreement: Liu Yang would buy Rank-2 slime for 2.5 Spirit Stones.
"You really know how to take advantage of me," Liu Yang complained.
"What do you mean, taking advantage? I'm helping you find those slimes! You've got to pay more for my service," Tigang retorted.
"Tch, fine. Try to get as many Rank-2 slimes as possible, and be careful when handling them. Make sure they're still alive," Liu Yang instructed.
"Hmph, you don't need to tell me that. I'm better than you in this field," Tigang shot back with pride.
"I'll be back in a week. Don't disappoint me, you money-grubbing bull," Liu Yang said coldly.
"Who are you calling a money-grubber, you stupid human? Get lost!" Tigang yelled, anger flaring.
With that, Liu Yang left, his face cold, while Tigang stormed off in the opposite direction, also fuming. However, once they were far apart, both cracked a smile.
"Stupid bull, already happy with a few Spirit Stones. Muahaha! I'll let him do all the hard work and pay him peanuts while I collect the valuable MSG from Mr. Orion," Liu Yang thought gleefully as he flew away.
Now that Tigang was tasked with finding the Rank-2 slimes, Liu Yang decided to head south of Yuezhi Forest, where vast grasslands awaited. His next plan was to capture dragonfly Spirit Beasts.
Besides slimes, Orion had also asked the Liu family to search for dragonfly Spirit Beasts. Liu Yang didn't know what Orion would use them for, but he will try his best to fulfill that request.
"Huahaha! Stupid human, paying Spirit Stones just for slimes," Tigang chuckled as he flew off, beginning his search for Rank-2 slimes. Being more familiar with Yuezhi Forest and the habits of slimes, he was confident he could capture plenty.
As Tigang spread his spiritual sense, scanning for Rank-2 slimes, he started to wonder if he was making a loss. As far as he knew, slimes, even Rank-2 ones, were worthless. Yet Liu Yang had agreed to pay, even when the price was raised to 2.5 Spirit Stones.
Could they be more valuable than I thought? Should I visit a human city and check their market value?Tigang mused internally as he continued his search.