My Strangeness Points are now 416.
The sunlight began to dim, painting the forest canopy with shades of orange and purple.
They continued their journey through the forest, leaving the Earth Dragon's area, which was probably still confused by Chen Ming's fighting style.
The air grew colder as dusk arrived, and the sounds of the forest changed, from the chirping of daytime birds to the chirp... chirp... of night insects that began to fill the forest, accompanying them into a darkness that promised new mysteries.
They camped under a giant tree, lighting a small bonfire. Xian'er sat cross-legged, her eyes closed, recovering her Qi. Chen Ming, still feeling energized after his "victory," tried practicing 'Light Shadow Steps' again around the campfire.
His movements were still far from perfect, more like someone dancing with stiff legs, but he no longer bumped into anything.
[Ding! Detection: User displays questionable persistence in practicing at night. Collecting Strangeness Points from the... unique dedication...]
[+8 Strangeness Points.]
"Good heavens, System, you're truly a master point collector! Even my efforts at night count!" Chen Ming sighed internally, feeling amused.
My Strangeness Points are now 424.
The next morning, they continued their journey. The forest grew denser, and the spiritual energy felt thicker.
They were now in a rarely touched part of the forest, where trees soared incredibly high and natural rock formations formed small labyrinths.
"We're getting closer to the Jade Bamboo Forest," Xian'er said, her eyes sharply looking ahead. "The spiritual energy here already feels different."
As they walked further, a faint sound echoed from a distance. Clang! Clang! Swoosh! The sound of clashing swords and small Qi explosions.
"What is it, Xian'er?" Chen Ming asked, his hand instinctively touching his knife.
Xian'er narrowed her eyes. "That's the sound of a battle. Other cultivators."
They moved cautiously towards the source of the sound. In an open area, they saw a group of people fighting against several forest monsters.
The monsters were low-level Spirit Wolves, with gray fur and glowing red eyes, moving quickly and attacking with sharp claws.
Roar! Roar!
The cultivators wore light blue robes with cloud symbols on their chests. They fought with swords and basic Qi techniques, but seemed to be struggling against the agile Spirit Wolves.
[Detection: Blue Cloud Sect Cultivators (Outer Disciples) x3. Strength: Equivalent to Mid Mortal Body Stage. Spiritual Beasts: Low-Level Spirit Wolves x5. Strength: Equivalent to Mid Mortal Body Stage.]
Oh, a sect! Finally, I see real cultivators besides Xian'er and those villains! But they're struggling against wolves? Looks like I can help! This will be a good opportunity to... well, collect Strangeness Points.
Chen Ming thought, his eyes sparkling.
"Don't interfere, Chen Ming," Xian'er suddenly said, her voice calm. "This is their experience. Let them learn."
Chen Ming frowned. "But they're in danger!"
"They will be fine," Xian'er reassured. "And if you interfere, you'll attract unnecessary attention."
Just then, one of the cultivators fell, and two Spirit Wolves pounced on him. Rip!
Chen Ming couldn't hold back.
Damn it, I can't just stand by! He darted forward, activating 'Light Shadow Steps' with all his might.
Whoosh!
He moved quickly, though slightly wobbly, and arrived beside the fallen cultivator.
He swung his knife at one of the Spirit Wolves with a 'Raging Rooster Kick' movement that he transformed into a knife slash.
Swoosh! The knife struck the wolf's side, making the monster howl in pain, Awoooo! and bounce away.
The Blue Cloud Sect cultivators and the Spirit Wolves gasped, surprised by Chen Ming's sudden appearance and his unusual attack.
"Who are you?!" one of the cultivators cried out, confused.
Chen Ming just smiled awkwardly. "I... I was just passing by! Happened to see you struggling!"
He gave them no time to react. He darted again, using 'Light Shadow Steps' to move among the Spirit Wolves, attacking with 'Raging Dragon Fist' that he combined with kicks and knife slashes.
His movements were fast, inelegant, yet each of his attacks carried the surprising power of the Half-Dragon Meridian.
Thump! Thud! Swoosh!
The wolves were confused by Chen Ming's unpredictable fighting style. They couldn't predict his movements.
One wolf was sent flying by a kick, another howled in pain from a fist hitting its head.
[Ding! Detection: User engaged in a highly unorthodox but effective battle. Collecting Strangeness Points from the surprising fighting style...]
[+15 Strangeness Points.]
"Here it is! More Strangeness Points! I'm a savior with a... unique style!" Chen Ming cheered internally.
My Strangeness Points are now 439.
In a short time, Chen Ming managed to incapacitate all the Spirit Wolves, leaving them lying helpless on the ground. He was panting, his body slightly trembling, but he felt satisfied.
The Blue Cloud Sect cultivators stared at him with a mixture of admiration, confusion, and a little fear.
"Who... who are you?" asked the cultivator who had fallen earlier, his voice still trembling. "What kind of technique was that? I've never seen it!"
Chen Ming just scratched his head, smiling awkwardly. "Ah, that's... a secret family technique. Can't be told."
Xian'er stepped out from behind the trees, her majestic aura immediately drawing the cultivators' attention.
Their eyes widened at Xian'er's extraordinary beauty and aura.
"We were just passing through," Xian'er said, her voice calm. "Make sure you are more careful in this forest."
The cultivators immediately bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Your Grace! We will not forget your help!"
Chen Ming and Xian'er continued their journey, leaving the cultivators still whispering in confusion behind them.
"You didn't listen to me," Xian'er said, without turning her head. There was a hint of amusement in her voice.
"I couldn't just stand by," Chen Ming defended himself. "They were in danger!"
"That is your nature," Xian'er sighed, but there was a faint smile on her lips. "But remember, every action has consequences. Now, they will remember you."
They walked for several more hours. The forest began to thin, and in the distance, Chen Ming could see tall, bluish-green silhouettes—giant bamboo trees.
"We have reached the border of the Jade Bamboo Forest," Xian'er said. She stopped, looking towards the Golden Dragon Mountain Peak, which was now faintly visible in the distance. There was a faint trace of sadness in her eyes.
What's wrong, Xian'er? Chen Ming asked internally, sensing her change in mood.
Xian'er turned to Chen Ming, her golden eyes radiating deep tenderness. "Chen Ming, I... I cannot accompany you further inside."
Chen Ming gasped. "What?! Why?"
"I am the Guardian of the East," Xian'er explained, her voice slightly trembling. "My essence is bound to the Golden Dragon Mountain Peak. I can leave for a while, but if I am away for too long or too far from my territory, my power will weaken, and the territory will become vulnerable.
Especially now, after my essence has been divided with you."
She extended her hand, touching Chen Ming's cheek. Her touch was cold yet gentle. "Our bond will not break, Chen Ming. I will always sense your presence.
But I must return to my place. I must recover, and protect my territory from incoming threats."
She's leaving me? Alone? In this forest full of monsters and strange cultivators?
A sense of panic began to creep into Chen Ming's chest. I can't even properly control my Qi yet!
[Ding! Detection: User abandoned alone on the cusp of adventure. Collecting Strangeness Points from the ridiculous despair...]
[+20 Strangeness Points.]
"System, you truly have no heart! I'm being left behind and you're still collecting points?!" Chen Ming screamed internally.
My Strangeness Points are now 459.
Xian'er smiled faintly. "Don't worry, Chen Ming. You are not alone. You have the Half-Dragon Meridian, your unique System, and... you have yourself. You are an anomaly, and that is your greatest strength."
She removed her hand from Chen Ming's cheek. "In the Jade Bamboo Forest, you will find abundant spiritual energy.
Use it to cultivate. Find a safe place, and don't be too conspicuous. I will watch over you from afar."
Xian'er took out a small jade pendant shaped like a dragon from her neck.
"Take this. This is a protective pendant. It will give you a little protection if you are in great danger. And... it will be a reminder of our bond."
Chen Ming took the pendant. It was cold in his hand, yet there was a strange warmth. "I... I will miss you, Xian'er," he said, his voice slightly hoarse.
Xian'er nodded. "Me too, Chen Ming. But our destinies will meet again. Until then... live well. And don't bump into too many trees." There was a final amused smile on her lips.
With that, Xian'er turned. Her majestic aura radiated, and she darted away, disappearing among the trees with incredible speed, returning to the Golden Dragon Mountain Peak.
Chen Ming stood alone at the edge of the Jade Bamboo Forest, looking in the direction where Xian'er had disappeared. The forest seemed so vast and intimidating.
He held the jade pendant in his hand, feeling the pulse of Qi within it.
Alright, Chen Ming. Here we go. Solo adventure. Hope I don't die a ridiculous death on the first day.
He sighed, then stepped forward, entering the Jade Bamboo Forest. The rustling sound of bamboo leaves greeted him, as if the forest itself was whispering.