bookbashuk Chapter 41 Bad News Arrives
Chapter 41 Bad News Arrives
Zhou Ning gripped the Qingfeng Sword tightly, channeling his inner energy into it, causing the sword to glow with a blue light.
"Boy, you're asking for death." A man in black robes grinned maliciously, raising his hand and shooting out a black beam of light.
Zhou Ning dodged the beam of light with a flash, and at the same time slashed out with his sword, the cyan sword energy knocking the black-robed man to the ground.
More people in black robes surrounded them, and black mist, pillars of light, and vines attacked from all directions.
Zhou Ning fought and retreated, constantly throwing out "evil-dispelling talismans" to clear away the approaching black-robed men.
But with too many enemies, he gradually became overwhelmed.
"roar!"
A deafening roar came from deep within the village.
The Foundation Establishment stage demon general has emerged.
He was a full ten feet tall, his body emanating a thick black mist, and his eyes burning with eerie green flames.
"Kid, you dare to cause trouble on my turf?"
The demon general raised his hand, and a huge black palm slammed towards Zhou Ning.
Zhou Ning gritted his teeth, concentrated his inner energy at the tip of his sword, and unleashed the "Demon-Slaying Slash".
A streak of cyan sword energy slashed out and collided with the black palm.
"boom!"
The two forces collided, producing a deafening explosion.
Zhou Ning was thrown to the ground by the blast wave, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
The demon general was also forced back a few steps, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
"He's got some skill. But..."
He formed a mudra with his hands and chanted incantations.
The ground began to shake, and countless black chains surged from underground, wrapping around Zhou Ning.
Zhou Ning tried to dodge, but the chains were too fast and instantly wrapped around his limbs, locking him firmly in place.
"Oh no!"
Zhou Ning struggled desperately, but the chains tightened more and more, almost breaking his bones.
The demon general walked up to him, looked down at him, and grinned maliciously:
"Boy, now that you've delivered yourself to our doorstep, don't even think about leaving. Perfect, the blood sacrifice is missing the heart of a cultivator. Your heart is just what you need."
Zhou Ning gritted his teeth, his mind racing.
I can't die here.
He suddenly remembered the "Explosive Qi Pill" his master had given him, and quickly took it out of his pocket, tilted his head back, and swallowed it.
As soon as the pill entered his stomach, a violent power exploded within his body.
Zhou Ning felt his body brimming with power, his inner energy several times stronger than usual.
"Open it!"
He struggled violently, and the black chains binding him broke off inch by inch.
The demon general's expression changed drastically: "What?"
Zhou Ning leaped up from the ground, channeling all the internal energy into the Qingfeng Sword, unleashing his strongest "Demon-Slaying Slash".
A dazzling azure sword aura, like a dragon emerging from the sea, rushed straight towards the demon general's chest.
The demon general tried to dodge, but the sword energy was too fast, and there was no time to react.
"Pfft!"
The sword energy pierced through his chest, and black blood gushed out.
The demon general stared wide-eyed at the hole in his chest in disbelief before collapsing to the ground with a thud.
Zhou Ning, panting heavily, looked at the other men in black robes.
When the black-robed men saw that the demon general was dead, they were so frightened that they scattered and fled.
Zhou Ning did not give chase. Instead, he walked over to the rescued civilians and escorted them to safety.
Then, he turned around and set Black Wind Stronghold ablaze.
The raging fire reduced the evil lair to ashes.
Zhou Ning dragged his tired body back to Lanruo Temple.
The side effects of the Explosive Qi Pill began to kick in; he felt weak all over and could barely walk.
But he felt a sense of ease he had never experienced before.
The side effects of the Explosive Qi Pill were more severe than Zhou Ning had anticipated.
After returning to Lanruo Temple, he lay in bed for three whole days.
My whole body aches and feels weak, and I can hardly gather any internal energy. Even getting out of bed and walking is difficult.
Yan Chixia visited him once a day and fed him a conditioning pill, but his expression remained indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger.
"Master, this disciple..." Zhou Ning wanted to say something.
"Don't speak." Yan Chixia interrupted him:
"The side effects of the Explosive Qi Pill will take three days to subside. During these three days, you should rest and not think about anything."
Zhou Ning nodded and closed his eyes.
Three days later, he was finally able to get out of bed and walk around.
His internal energy had recovered most of its strength, but it was still far from his peak condition.
"Next time, you are not allowed to use the Explosive Qi Pill again." Yan Chixia stood in front of him, her tone stern:
"Unless you want to become a useless person."
Zhou Ning bowed his head: "This disciple knows his mistake."
"It's good that you admit your mistake." Yan Chixia's tone softened somewhat:
"However, you did a good job this time. Black Wind Stronghold has been destroyed, and White River Village is safe for the time being. But the people of Black Mountain will not let this go, and they will definitely send people to retaliate."
Zhou Ning's heart skipped a beat: "What should we do with this disciple?"
Yan Chixia said, "Continue your cultivation. Only when you break through to the Foundation Establishment stage will you be qualified to confront Black Mountain head-on."
Zhou Ning nodded: "This disciple understands."
In the days that followed, Zhou Ning trained even harder.
He gets up at dawn every day, first practices the "Demon-Slaying Sword Technique" for an hour, then meditates to cultivate the "Innate Qi". In the afternoon, he practices the art of manipulating objects. In the evening, he helps Xin Shisi Niang heal her injuries. At dusk, he continues to study the classics.
Day after day, rain or shine.
Xin Shisi Niang's injuries were finally healed under Zhou Ning's careful care.
Her complexion regained its rosy hue, and her eyes shone with new light.
"Young Master Zhou, thank you."
Xin Shisi Niang stood at the entrance of the stone chamber on the back mountain and bowed deeply to Zhou Ning.
Zhou Ning helped her up: "No need to thank me. Where's your sister?"
Xin Shisi Niang said, "My sister went down the mountain to gather herbs. She said she was going to prepare a prescription to help our fox clan improve their health."
Zhou Ning nodded: "Your sister is a good person."
Xin Shisi Niang smiled, but a hint of worry flashed in her eyes:
"Young Master Zhou, will the people from Black Mountain... come back?"
Zhou Ning was silent for a moment, then said, "Yes. They won't let this go."
Xin Shisi Niang lowered her head: "Then... then what should we do?"
Zhou Ning said, "You will stay at Lanruo Temple for now. With my master here, the people of Black Mountain will not dare to attack easily. Once my cultivation advances further, I will still go to the North to investigate the details of the Black Mountain Demon."
Xin Shisi Niang raised her head, her eyes filled with gratitude:
"Young Master Zhou, we have no way to repay your great kindness to our fox clan sisters."
Zhou Ning shook his head: "There's no need to say such things. Cultivators should support each other."
Just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats suddenly came from down the mountain.
Zhou Ning walked to the edge of the cliff and looked down. He saw a fast horse galloping along the mountain road. The rider was a young woman dressed in a light blue outfit, with an anxious expression.
"Young Master Zhou, Young Master Zhou," she called out.
Zhou Ning hurried down the mountain to meet him.
"Young lady, you are...?"
The woman dismounted, panting, and said:
"I am from the Qingqiu Fox Clan, and my name is Xiaoyu. Xin Shisi Niang is my older sister."
Zhou Ning was taken aback: "Xin Shisi Niang's sister?"
Xiaoyu nodded: "My sister was kidnapped by the people of Black Mountain!"
Zhou Ning's heart skipped a beat: "What? Isn't Xin Shisi Niang here?"
Xiaoyu said, "It's not Sister Fourteen, it's my other sister, Xin Eleven. She went out to gather herbs a few days ago and was captured by the people of Black Mountain."
"I found out that they've locked her up at the foot of the Black Mountain in the North, waiting... waiting to use her to make elixirs."