Chapter Nineteen: The Path of Growth Cannot Rely on Others

The Martial Festival had come to an end.

On this day, Chen Wuhen set out for the Azure Dao Sect. By a stroke of fate, he became entangled with Meng Rushan, to whom he revealed that Chen Mu was a disciple of a certain alchemist in Starwatch Valley—but that is a tale for another time.

Ah Xiu, too, joined the Splendid Mountain Sect, departing with her steward to her new home.

As for Chen Mu’s origins, they became yet another topic for townsfolk to discuss over tea and meals.

...

The next morning, Chen Mu bade farewell to Chen Haoran and began his journey back to Starwatch Valley.

The three-day, two-night trek was made lively with playful banter and conversation with Rou’er, leaving him feeling fulfilled.

Upon his return, he first reported in to Liu Quan, then turned his thoughts to the upcoming sect trials.

With his current abilities, the sect assessment posed little challenge; securing first place would be effortless. After all, he practiced the most elite cultivation arts of the Immortal Realm, and had awakened nine Earth Fiend meridians—an achievement rare on this continent—which set him apart from ordinary cultivators of the Meridian stage.

There was still a week before the trials. In the interim, Chen Mu did not idle: by day he studied the Hundred Mysteries of Spirit Herbs, learned about alchemy and refining medicinal materials; by night he cultivated.

On the fourth day, Chen Mu recalled the Xuanjin Sword in his possession. He had never formally studied swordsmanship; he could swing it with brute force, but when it came to actual combat, he was lacking.

Desiring to learn basic sword techniques, he sent a message through his spirit beast bracelet: “Rou’er, I’d like to study swordsmanship. Do you happen to possess any manuals?”

“Do you think a fox would use a sword? How could my adorable little paws wield a blade?” Rou’er replied lazily, then fell silent.

“Looks like I’ll have to figure it out myself...” Chen Mu sighed, muttering under his breath.

He thought to visit the Technique Pavilion and select a sword art, but remembered he lacked enough sect contribution points. Frustrated, he abandoned the idea.

Wandering through the valley, he found himself at the outer sect’s task hall. His eyes lit up: “Of course, if I don’t have enough contribution points, I can do tasks.”

It was no wonder—these past two years, Chen Mu had survived on his monthly stipend, his strength too weak to take on tasks before.

Entering the task hall, he surveyed his surroundings and headed straight for the notice board.

“Delve into the Starcrest Forest and seek out mosscap mushrooms. Thirty contribution points for every ten collected.”

“Delve into the Starcrest Forest and hunt fierce beasts. Thirty-five contribution points for each one.”

“Collect resources for the sect...”

The Starcrest Forest encompassed the entire Starcrest Mountain range surrounding Starwatch Valley. The deeper one ventured, the greater the danger; the outskirts held mere wolves, tigers, and leopards, while within, it was rumored that demon beasts lurked.

Of the tasks that could quickly yield decent contribution points, only “seeking mosscap mushrooms” and “hunting fierce beasts” stood out. Chen Mu promptly accepted five tasks, including “gathering spirit herbs” and “hunting fierce beasts,” then hurried up the mountain.

Threading through the woods, Chen Mu used his spiritual senses to carefully search for fluctuations of spiritual power nearby. Though not as refined as true divine sense, his spiritual perception far exceeded that of ordinary cultivators, more than sufficient for the task.

In no time, he had collected five or six mosscap mushrooms. The ease of gathering task items left him bored, and he decided to venture deeper into the forest.

Along the way, he encountered several fierce beasts, but with a flurry of punches and kicks, he dispatched them easily. Yet, the further he went, the more he sensed a chill and an eerie presence, prompting him to proceed with caution.

Extending his spiritual perception, Chen Mu scrutinized the path ahead. Whenever he detected powerful demon beasts, he retreated immediately. Fortunately, with Rou’er’s protection—and, if need be, the tortoise shell talisman from the City Lord’s Mansion—he could escape danger if necessary.

Suddenly, within his range of perception, an unusual aura appeared. Strong and sinister, but apparently dormant, it had not noticed Chen Mu.

Just as he prepared to withdraw, he sensed a surge of pure and natural vital energy near that strange aura.

“Such abundant, pure vital energy—could it be a rare treasure of heaven and earth? Or perhaps a spiritual medicine?” Excitement burned within Chen Mu; stumbling upon such a marvel was enough to stir anyone’s heart.

Yet, in an instant, he hesitated. The powerful aura was clearly guarding this treasure. Should he try to take it? If so, he would surely fail; if not, he would lose the chance forever.

“Damn it, I’ll risk it! If things go wrong, I’ll call Rou’er for help.” Chen Mu resolved to gamble and attempt to seize the treasure right under its nose.

He activated the “Phantom Concealment Technique,” a secret art gifted by Rou’er from the Shadow Fox clan, which proved quite effective.

As he approached the source of the strange aura, he discovered a red-haired mountain boar demon. It was as large as two grown men, and its crimson fur radiated an intimidating power, tightening Chen Mu’s nerves. Fortunately, the beast was snoring loudly, oblivious to his presence.

Tiptoeing past the boar, Chen Mu reached a pool behind it, where a purple spirit fruit grew. The fruit emanated vigorous life force and abundant vital energy, captivating him further. Quickly, he plucked the purple fruit.

At that moment, a furious roar erupted—the red-haired mountain boar demon had been startled awake. Chen Mu turned to find a pair of enraged eyes fixed upon him, an aura comparable to a fully-formed Meridian Foundation cultivator flooding the air, making his scalp tingle and complexion pale.

Without hesitation, Chen Mu launched into a Meteor Step, fleeing wildly toward the forest’s edge.

He cried out through his spirit beast bracelet, “I’m done for! Rou’er, help! There’s a demon boar chasing me!”

Just then, the bracelet glowed white, and Rou’er appeared, yawning atop Chen Mu’s shoulder. “What did you do to make that stupid boar so angry?”

“I... I only wanted to borrow its spirit fruit...” Chen Mu replied, eyes evasive.

“You plucked its spirit fruit?” Rou’er rolled her eyes.

“Mm...” Chen Mu nodded awkwardly.

Ignoring his embarrassment, Rou’er leaped off his shoulder and let out a long howl at the charging boar. A wave of coercion struck, causing the red-haired mountain boar demon to shudder and flee in terror.

Collapsed on the ground, Chen Mu muttered, “Thank goodness for Rou’er, or I’d really be dead now....”

Rou’er, with a stern look, said, “Woodhead... your father asked me to follow you, not to help you bully others. I can save you from mortal danger, but if you rely on me for everything, how will you ever grow? Will you spend your whole life depending on others?”

Chen Mu lowered his head. “Rou’er... I was wrong. I only wanted to do some tasks to earn contribution points to learn swordsmanship, but when I sensed that unusual vital energy, curiosity and greed got the better of me, and I brought trouble upon myself.”

“So you must learn to weigh your choices—what to touch and what to leave alone, what could endanger your life. You must think things through before acting....” After a long lecture, Chen Mu became much more cautious in his future cultivation.

“What about this spirit fruit?” Chen Mu held out the fruit for Rou’er to see.

“I can’t use this fruit. Exchange it for your contribution points—it should fetch a fine value in a place like this.” Without so much as a glance, Rou’er vanished into the spirit beast bracelet.

Stowing the fruit, Chen Mu was about to leave when a roar sounded nearby. A young man was fighting a murderous demon bear, and was already on the losing end, retreating repeatedly under the bear’s savage claws.

“Am I destined to die here?” The youth spat blood, unwilling to accept his fate.

Just as the bear prepared to deliver the fatal blow, a figure slipped close and struck the demon bear’s head with a sudden punch.

The ghostly blow caught the demon bear off guard; blood flowed, and the beast was left bewildered. Seizing the opening, Chen Mu leaped forward, unleashing a crushing attack. With a thunderous crash, the demon bear collapsed, unable to rise again.

“Thank you, brother, for saving my life. I am Lü Shi. If ever you have need of me, please do not hesitate to ask.” Safe at last, Lü Shi bowed to Chen Mu, exhausted but grateful.