Chapter 004: Xuan Shui Jun

This is truly a colossal creature, measuring at least six or seven zhang in length, with a girth much thicker than that of a water barrel. The pitch-black serpent's body sends chills down the spines of all who behold it. Even more terrifying is the fact that the shape of its head resembles that of a large rooster, with its crest entirely darkened.

As for the notion of being the foremost in infatuation, it is indeed quite absurd. Therefore, upon hearing this self-praise, Gu Yinghua's mood improved significantly, and someone had already begun to undermine Liu Suiyun: "Suiyun, your vegetable-growing skills have only developed in the past year or two; before you ventured into the world, your vegetable-growing abilities were..."

Indeed! Liu Suiyun's complexion appeared somewhat pale: "Our luck is truly poor. It is said that Xuan Shui Jun is a chicken-headed snake demon. I heard from my mother that Xuan Shui Jun was originally an egg laid by a rooster, which was hatched by a snake demon. It is a full five or six zhang long, capable of spitting venom, and its snake scales are impervious to blades and spears..."

Gu Yinghua watched Liu Suiyun, who was about to disappear from her sight, and tightly clenched her jade-like hands. Just as she wanted to say something, Liu Suiyun shouted over: "Miss Gu, I worked so hard today to divert Xuan Shui Jun, I should at least be compensated an extra three to five thousand in wages, right"

Liu Suiyun casually peeled open another oil bowl bean and popped it into his mouth, appearing quite relaxed. His words also eased everyone's tension, dispelling the initial sense of unease: "There are still four days to go, and we've only traveled one full day. Everyone should not be complacent!"

We say we have crossed the Falling Star Mountain, but in reality, we have merely brushed the edge of it. If we were to venture deep into Falling Star Mountain, not only would our team be inadequate, but even a group of highly skilled masters capable of performing the Sky-Splitting Fist, along with foundational stage cultivators, would not suffice. It is extremely perilous inside; I nearly lost my life there.

Gu Yinghua, while on the sliding rod, was momentarily captivated by Liu Suiyun's bright smile. However, she soon spotted the giant snake, which was quicker than a rabbit.

Liu Suiyun's words resonated with Gu Yinghua, who clenched her fist and said: "How can this be? We will wait for you there, no matter what happens"

Liu Suiyun had already patted the two-foot short sword on his back, then lightly leaped and dashed towards the right side of the path. Next, he heard the sound of a bowstring snapping through the air, as a sharp arrow shot straight towards the serpent demon. Xuan Shui Jun emitted a sharp hissing sound and had already chased after Liu Suiyun.

Upon hearing the renowned name of Xuan Shui Jun, the young men present no longer exhibited their initial eagerness; instead, they craned their necks to look around. It was evident that Xuan Shui Jun was one of their childhood nightmares, and his reputation was formidable. In contrast, Huo Qianshu, unfamiliar with the monsters of Falling Star Mountain, boldly declared, "What is there to fear? Let us go up and have a fight!"

Gu Yinghua heard Liu Suiyun's self-praise while on the sliding pole. The thought of the additional seven to eight hundred wen earned each day, although such an amount would not even register in Gu Yinghua's mind if it were to multiply tenfold, could be considered a humiliation for a girl.

Liu Suiyun raised his hand and took a strong bow from a young man's grasp, then grabbed a quiver and said, "Brother Huo, leave this Xuan Shui Jun to me"

I was initially unaware of the vastness of the world and once ventured deep into Falling Star Mountain, where I encountered this Xuan Shui Jun battling with other demonic creatures. Liu Chang gasped again, as the hissing sound in the distance grew ever closer: "I almost fainted from fright."

Thus, she raised her head and mocked, "A Foundation Establishment period cultivator? Truly remarkable. The monsters deep within Falling Star Mountain pose a significant threat; not only Foundation Establishment cultivators but even Golden Core cultivators face peril. A few years ago, a Golden Core cultivator perished in Falling Star Mountain. As for you, Liu Suiyun, what a skill you possess to have escaped from the depths of Falling Star Mountain."

In the previous moment, his hands were still covered in soybean oil, exuding a sense of nonchalance. The next moment, however, it was as if a long bow had been drawn, and he was filled with energy; his gaze became extremely sharp. Gu Yinghua also sensed the problem: "There is trouble!"

No need! Liu Suiyun said calmly, "Xuan Shui Jun has arrived, everything will be entrusted to me!"

Liu Suiyun said helplessly, "God knows what has gone mad, give me the bow!"

"What?" Huo Qianshu knew that Liu Suiyun's eyesight was not much inferior to his own: "How is that possible? My pair of meteor hammers weighs sixteen pounds; they can even smash through steel armor!"

Along the way, he encountered numerous monsters; just a light touch from this sixteen-pound meteor hammer could either kill or severely injure them. However, Liu Suiyun said very solemnly, "Brother Huo, even if we join forces, we are not his match."

Thus, her mood was poor, the frost in her heart overshadowing the pride at the corners of her mouth, and there was even a feeling of jumping off the slide and disappearing into the mountains. She had no desire to go to Yuanzhou, and once there, she had no idea how to cope; everything felt far too cruel for her.

In the distance, a hissing roar echoed through the wind, a sound that was quite uncomfortable to the ears. Liu Suiyun candidly remarked, "We are truly unfortunate to encounter Xuan Shui Jun..."

Although Liu Suiyun was injured and could not last more than ten moves in a fight, he was still a skilled practitioner at the Tiger Fighting level. If he were at his peak, he would have to turn and leave upon encountering Xuan Shui Jun. Huo Qianshu immediately understood that Xuan Shui Jun was not someone he, as a practitioner at the Bone Refining level, could contend with: "Is he really that strong? How could he appear here at https://www.hetushu.com?"

Huo Qianshu directly asked, "How strong is it?"

In Gu Yinghua's impression, there were no such low-level demon beasts as Xuan Shui Jun. After thinking for a while, she finally recalled what it was: "Chicken-headed snake demon?"

Although Gu Yinghua felt that Liu Suiyun's asking price was too domineering, at this moment, the frost in her heart melted away. She said with great confidence: "This is too dangerous; your stamina can't handle it, or rather, this young lady..."

She now wishes that this journey could be a bit longer, but she also knows that if this perilous journey is delayed, it would certainly indicate a major problem. It is important to note that although their strength is lacking, they are still protected by capable individuals like Huo Qianshu and Liu Suiyun, not to mention her own presence

As Liu Suiyun mentioned earlier, they were merely planning to brush past the edge of Falling Star Mountain on their way to Yuanzhou. When encountering truly ferocious beasts or monsters, not to mention Huo Qianshu, even the peak of Liu Suiyun would not be able to cope. A powerful creature like Xuan Shui Jun should rightly appear deep within Falling Star Mountain.

Leave it to me! Liu Suiyun said readily: "I, Liu Suiyun, am first in love, second in farming, third in Taoist arts, and fourth in martial arts. I am already as familiar with this area as I am with my own vegetable garden. I will lead this Xuan Shui Jun away!"

Mount Luoxing can be said to be the most perilous place within thousands of miles in the vicinity, thus it is surrounded by numerous legends and myths, making it difficult to discern whether these are indeed myths or mere stories

Upon hearing that Liu Suiyun had earned a significant increase in his wages due to his numerous achievements, everyone felt even more discontented: "Suiyun, if I had known that entering the Tiger Battleground could earn me an extra seven to eight hundred coins a day, I would have risked my life to rush into the Tiger Battleground. By the way, when will we arrive in Yuanzhou"

He continued to explain: "Brother Huo, you will continue straight along this mountain path for another ten to twenty li, and climb up to that flat mountain top, which is just right for camping. Please wait for me there for one night. If you do not see me, there is no need to wait; just go directly to Yuanzhou..."

Liu Suiyun was exposed by Gu Yinghua for boasting, yet continued to chew on the oil bowl beans: "Miss Gu, I, Liu Suiyun, am first in love, second in vegetable cultivation, third in Daoism, and fourth in martial arts... wait a moment!"

They did not even dare to speak loudly, for they knew that dangers lurked at any moment in the valley, the woods, and along the sides of the main road. Whether it was ferocious beasts or those supernatural creatures, they could wipe out this relatively weak team in an instant.

Once they entered Falling Star Mountain, this group of young people from Linjiang County fell silent. The terrain before them was undulating, sometimes requiring them to climb peaks of over 1,000 feet, while at other times they had to force their way along nearly impassable paths. Occasionally, after risking their lives to cross one valley after another, they would find themselves facing a chillingly dark gorge ahead.

The serpent armor of this Xuan Shui Jun surpasses ordinary steel armor, and not only can it spit venom, but it can also breathe toxic fire. Liu Suiyun gasped in shock, as if the chicken-headed serpent demon had already arrived before him: "What is even more deadly is that this damned serpent demon moves faster than a thief, swift as the wind"

He spoke lightly, but Gu Yinghua did not find any signs of what he referred to as "first in infatuation, second in farming, third in Daoism, and fourth in martial arts"; perhaps the mention of martial arts being fourth was a form of modesty

For the young people in these mountain villages, the cultivators in the Foundation Establishment stage are akin to celestial beings or earthly emperors, utterly unattainable. Let alone the great cultivators in the Golden Core stage, everyone expresses their astonishment and harbors a bit of caution. Although there are Huo Qianshu and Liu Suiyun overseeing the group, they are, after all, not figures with extraordinary powers.

The entire team moved forward slowly with such solitude. Gu Yinghua sat on the sliding rod, and although it did not require much effort, the swaying on the mountain path reminded her of too many worries. Listening to the babbling stream in the mountains, she felt little joy in her heart, even recalling the tears she shed last night. As for the vibrant azaleas, they further reminded Gu Yinghua of the bloodstains scattered everywhere

He made a clicking sound with his mouth, and Liu Suiyun felt somewhat embarrassed. He immediately said, "Before I ventured into the world, my skills in farming were quite good. Moreover, without me earning a thousand wen, how could you all earn these extra few coins..."

She was momentarily taken aback until she heard Liu Suiyun's voice again. He was carelessly stuffing oil-soaked beans into his mouth while discussing with everyone: "Don't think that earning a thousand wen a day is easy. I am first in love, second in farming, third in Daoist arts, and fourth in martial arts. With such excellent skills and so many methods, I can only earn a thousand wen a day. What a pity!"

Huo Qianshu had firmly grasped a pair of meteor hammers in his hands, ready to engage at any moment, while everyone else was also prepared for battle. Gu Yinghua, hearing the strange sound carried by the wind, inquired, "What is this?"

As for the third aspect of Daoism, it is purely boastful. Gu Yinghua cannot perceive even a trace of spiritual power in him. The Tiger-Battling realm can indeed be compared to a cultivator in the early stages of Qi Refinement. If he truly possessed such cultivation, why would he be trapped in a small mountain village? Regarding the second aspect of vegetable planting, Gu Yinghua has seen him cultivate half an acre of vegetable garden in the courtyard, which he tends to very well. But can growing vegetables really increase one's wages?

In my prime, unless I saw this serpent demon and turned to flee immediately, there was absolutely no chance of survival

I have heard that this snake demon can not only spit venom but also spew poisonous fire. Huo Qianshu knows that this has already become a refined demon. Even if he and Liu Suiyun have a slight advantage, it will still require considerable effort to deal with it: "How do you know so much?"