To show her sincerity, the woman hurriedly introduced herself and explained her purpose for coming.
Her name was Bi Xin, and she was a minor Vine Demon from the vicinity.
The mountain environment was originally extremely suitable for plant spirits like them to survive. However, just a few days ago, a massive boulder had blocked the stream that the Vine Demons relied on for survival.
Water was the lifeblood of the Vine Demon race. Seeing the downstream water source gradually drying up, if things continued this way, none of her kin would be spared.
That was why Bi Xin had resorted to such a tactic in her desperation, hoping to request Chen Ning’s help.
Chen Ning quickly finished listening to the whole story.
“So, you want me to help shatter the giant rock blocking the river?”
“Yes, exactly.”
“Where did you hear that I would help demons?”
“I heard it from two ginseng babies. They said you are handsome and kind-hearted, Lord Sword Immortal, and that you even took action a few days ago to slay demons and eliminate monsters, escorting them all the way home.”
Chen Ning: “...”
It really was those two rascals.
Presumably, after surviving their ordeal, those two little ones had started boasting in every possible way. By now, every demon near Ning'an Village likely knew there was a ‘great philanthropist’ willing to help demons.
“A single rock is nothing, but let me state this beforehand: I am no great saint. I won't waste my time for no reason.”
Bi Xin hurriedly said, “Please rest assured, Master Sword Immortal. I have already prepared a reward. As long as you are willing to act, I am willing to offer a bottle of Jade Dew Nectar brewed from the bodies of our Vine Demon race.”
“From the Vine Demon's body? Uh, which part are you referring to?”
Chen Ning fell silent for a moment.
Nectar brewed from vines sounded normal enough, but facing a Vine Demon who had taken human form and possessed such an excellent figure, it was hard not to let one's imagination run a bit wild...
Bi Xin’s fair face flushed red. “I... I cannot say... But Master Sword Immortal, please rest assured. Jade Dew Nectar is extremely precious no matter where it is placed. Just one or two drops can not only clear the blood vessels and remove impurities but also quickly heal wounds. If converted into human currency, a single bottle should be worth at least two thousand taels.”
This sentence instantly moved Chen Ning.
Never mind what it was; as long as it was valuable, it was a good thing!
...
On the mountain.
The lush forest provided ample shade, and many emerald-green vines grew alongside the trees.
Seeing Chen Ning and Qing Yan ascending the mountain, a chorus of cheers immediately erupted along the path.
“The Big Sister really brought the Sword Immortal!”
“Wonderful! We’re finally saved!”
In this world teeming with demons and monsters, even vines could become spirits.
However, very few among them could take human form like Bi Xin.
Before long, the two were led to the mountainside by Bi Xin.
Just as she had said, the entire mountain relied on a stream flowing down from the summit for irrigation.
But halfway up the mountain, a massive boulder about four or five meters long and wide—roughly the size of a house—lay across the path, directly blocking the entire stream.
“Does the Master Sword Immortal feel he can succeed? Will it be a bit forced?”
Facing such a colossal boulder, Bi Xin felt a deep sense of helplessness.
“Don't worry. It’s just a small stone.”
Chen Ning stretched his arms.
Having just learned the Divine Ability of the Mountain-Collapsing Punch, he happened to be looking for a target to test it on. This giant rock, weighing several tons, was a perfect target.
“Stand back. Leave this rock to me.”
After Qing Yan and Bi Xin retreated into the distance, Chen Ning stood before the rock. He raised his hands, and his toes traced a graceful, ethereal arc on the ground.
A breath of air settled into his dantian and circulated rapidly within his body.
As his waist and torso twisted, Chen Ning threw a punch wrapped in a hurricane-like force.
Boom!
The seemingly hard rock surface actually cracked instantly, leaving a clearly visible fist print. The surging force of the punch billowed out toward the back.
“What powerful force!” Bi Xin’s face immediately showed surprise.
Although she had already heard the stories from the two ginseng babies, Chen Ning’s strength appeared far more terrifying than what she had heard.
“But even so, it’s still not enough to shake such a giant rock...”
Looking at the rock that remained almost unmoved, Bi Xin couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.
She didn't know that this punch was only the first in the Mountain-Collapsing Punch sequence, and also the weakest.
When Chen Ning threw the second punch, the power surged visibly to the naked eye.
Boom!
The cracks on the rock surface instantly expanded, spreading out like a dense web.
Not only that, the thunderous roar echoed throughout the entire forest, startling the birds into flight.
“Why does it feel like the Sword Immortal’s strength has grown another notch?” Bi Xin couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
“Of course. The Young Master exercises frequently; his stamina is very good!” Qing Yan smiled sweetly.
Bi Xin asked in confusion, “Is that so? Does the Sword Immortal also practice against rocks on a daily basis?”
“Well, it’s not that kind of exercise. But I can't tell you. That’s a secret between the Young Master and me...” Qing Yan’s cheeks flushed slightly with embarrassment.
Bi Xin: “Could it be that you two are already in that kind of relationship? (O_O)!”
Chen Ning: “???”
When did he ever have such a strange agreement with Qing Yan?
Don't say things that cause such misunderstandings!
Pulling his focus back, Chen Ning increased his intensity once more.
“Third punch.”
“Fourth punch.”
“...”
As each punch was thrown, not only did Chen Ning’s speed increase, but each strike became more vicious than the last.
The sound of air exploding was incessant, caused by the friction between the force of the punches and the rock.
“How does it feel like the Sword Immortal’s power has increased by more than just a little? No, this isn't even on the same level as the power of his first punch!”
Bi Xin finally sensed the anomaly, and a look of undeniable shock appeared on her face.
She had never imagined that simply throwing a punch could unleash such terrifying power.
The force of the punches whistled and swirled, and with Chen Ning at the center, a massive vortex of wind had actually appeared.
Finally, the Mountain-Collapsing Punch reached the seventh strike, which was the peak power this Divine Ability could currently exert.
The strength within Chen Ning’s body erupted completely, causing the ground beneath his feet to suddenly shatter.
The wind pressure surged!
The entire ground trembled along with it.
Boom!
Like a thunderclap from the Nine Heavens, this punch landed right in the center of the rock!
Cracks spread rapidly, covering the entire stone block.
“Mountain-Treading Step.”
Chen Ning leaped into the air in a single step, his entire body descending like a falling meteor.
This final strike, carrying a violent and wild force, directly pierced through the entire rock.
Rumble!
The sound was earth-shattering!
The entire giant boulder actually collapsed and shattered at that moment, with broken stones flying in all directions.
If Chen Ning hadn't timely manifested a Purple Qi barrier to block the flying debris, even Bi Xin, standing on the periphery, would likely have been caught in the crossfire.
When the dust cleared, the massive rock was long gone, leaving only scattered fragments of stone on the ground.
The stream began to flow again, slowly trickling down toward the foot of the mountain, with only the deep pit left by the shattered boulder still clearly visible.
“What terrifying power!” Bi Xin took a sharp breath, her face filled with respect.
The power Chen Ning displayed was far stronger than the rumors suggested.
As the stream flowed down, the Vine Demon race finally received the long-awaited nectar.
Even Bi Xin felt her body becoming moist and refreshed, and even her hair became a more vibrant emerald green.
“Thank you, Master Sword Immortal, for your help. According to our agreement, please accept this.”
As she spoke, she presented an exquisite small jade pot with both hands.
Opening the lid, the liquid inside was crystal clear, and one could sense the dense spiritual energy contained within at a glance.
It seemed Bi Xin hadn't exaggerated; this bottle of Jade Dew Nectar was indeed a precious treasure of no small value.
Chen Ning didn't stand on ceremony and directly put away the jade pot.
He had originally worried whether he would have enough silver for the trip to the Imperial Capital, but with the silver sent by Jingkong and this bottle of Jade Dew Nectar, Chen Ning felt like he had suddenly become quite wealthy.
“Qing Yan, let’s go. It’s time to go back and pack our bags.”
Chen Ning turned to call Qing Yan.
But just as he had taken two steps and was about to leave, a roar suddenly erupted from deep within the mountain forest.
“Foolish Vine Demon race! You actually dared to hire a human to destroy the punishment I laid upon you! Since that's the case, then all of you can die along with this human!”
The gruff voice echoed in their ears, causing Bi Xin’s face to turn deathly pale in an instant.
“How... I didn't expect it still wouldn't let us go!”
“It? Was the rock in the stream placed there intentionally?” Chen Ning asked.
Bi Xin hesitated for a moment before nodding fearfully.
“It was done by that Magic Stone Colossus. The Magic Stone Colossus wasn't originally a demon of this mountain; it arrived here a month ago. The demons on our mountain originally lived in harmony and peace, but since it arrived, it has forced all demons to submit to it. Not only that, this Magic Stone Colossus is extremely lustful and has tried to target our Vine Demon race many times. It was because I repeatedly rejected it that it flew into a rage a few days ago and moved that giant rock to block our water source, trying to force us into submission. I originally thought that as long as I asked the Master Sword Immortal to help us break that rock, everything would be fine. I didn't expect it would only enrage it further...”
As Bi Xin’s voice trailed off, a truly massive elephant emerged from the forest.
It was seven or eight meters tall, its entire body made of hard rock. Even its face only had a few holes for eyes and a nose; everything else was composed of stone.
While it did look quite imposing at first glance, but...
“This thing can actually lust after women? Big brother, you're a rock; please figure out your own anatomy! Truly... a cock-and-bull story, without the cock.”
Rate on N.U.
