Longevity: Start by practicing the ruthless way

Chapter 10 The man-eating monster

An hour later, the man and the dog finally recovered. Gu Chi felt a pang of fear in his heart. Their fighting power just now was almost zero. If they were attacked by the enemy, the consequences would be disastrous.

Gu Chi said: "Old Black, this fundamental of the Dao cannot be added casually. At least the two of us cannot add some at the same time. We must leave one person by our side to protect us."

She carefully examined her body and did not feel any changes.

Gu Chi was puzzled. Just as she was about to add more firewood to the stove, she suddenly caught a glimpse of a tender sprout growing out of the dry firewood in her hand!

"..."

The man and the dog were both stunned and dumbfounded.

"Holy crap! Could this [Root of Tao] actually be able to bring dead things back to life?!"

Gu Chi was surprised and shocked. She immediately picked up another piece of firewood, but this time no matter how she tried, no miracle happened. She touched her nose and coughed awkwardly: "Old Black, you try it."

The big black dog had a solemn expression on his face, pressing his big black paws on a piece of firewood, as if he was exerting all his strength. However, after half a day, everything was still calm, and the scene they imagined did not happen.

"Is it just a coincidence?"

Gu Chi couldn't figure it out, so he simply stopped thinking about it and said, "It's okay, Old Black. We have plenty of time. We can slowly try and study. Tomorrow I'll go out and catch a wild beast and boil it together with the herbs to replenish my body!"

……

Another year passed quickly, and a legend about a man-eating monster appearing on the outskirts of Panlong Mountain began to spread in several surrounding city-states.

It is said that this monster has a green face and fangs. It will disguise itself as a beautiful woman who has fallen into trouble, lure people to its front, and then swallow them alive with its bloody mouth. There is also a ferocious dog under its seat that likes to eat human bone marrow. Many people who go into the mountains to collect herbs have suffered from its vicious hands.

Every night, there are bursts of eerie suona sounds echoing through the mountains and forests, accompanied by the captivating sounds of gongs and cymbals, like a sinister music that demands death!

If you are targeted by this monster in the mountains and don't have the ability to kill it, just find a hole to bury yourself in. At least you can die with dignity.

Countless people couldn't help but break out in cold sweats when they heard these legends. The Panlong Mountains are rich in various medicinal herbs. Most of the people in the surrounding city-states rely on going into the mountains to collect herbs and then reselling them to pharmacies to make a living. If such a monster suddenly appears, how can they survive?

Nowadays, whenever people go into the mountains to collect herbs, they basically form pairs of more than ten people, and they all carry weapons in their hands. Few people dare to go into the mountains alone.

……

On a mountain peak, Gu Chi and his big black dog were collecting the bodies of a group of unfortunate herbalists who had fallen on hard times.

"In this world, some people have to take risks just to survive, while others have enough to eat and drink all their lives but do nothing."

Gu Chi shook his head and sighed, placing a body that had fallen to its death from the cliff into a coffin. He said, "Old Black, these are people who worked hard to survive. Let's find a place nearby to bury them. This way, we can accumulate merit for ourselves."

The big black dog nodded seriously. It is said that doing good deeds will accumulate virtue. They are doing good deeds by collecting the bodies of these poor people in distress and burying them. They believe that God will definitely bless them.

Due to its unique geographical location, the Panlong Mountains are home to many ferocious birds and beasts, and even mutated, spirit-like, and demonic ones can be found here.

Even with the help of the system, Gu Chi, who had embarked on the path of immortality, did not dare to easily set foot in the deep areas of Panlong Mountains. He could only stay in the outer area with the big black dog.

But because the Panlong Mountains are rich in medicinal herbs, many medicinal herbs that are difficult to grow outside and are in short supply can be found here and sold at high prices.

As long as you can get out alive after going into the mountains once, it will be enough to ensure that your family will have food and clothing for the next few years. You can imagine how great the benefits are.

Driven by such huge benefits, many people are willing to take the risk despite knowing that going into the mountains is dangerous.

Over the past year, Gu Chi and Big Black Dog have buried more than fifty people in distress.

"Sister Gu Chi, why don't we help them?" said the big black dog.

Gu Chi asked, "Help? How? Kill all the ferocious beasts that inhabit the Panlong Mountains, or persuade these people not to go into the mountains to collect herbs? Which one do you think we can do?"

Seeing that the big black dog was really thinking seriously, Gu Chi couldn't help but hold his forehead and smile bitterly, saying: "The former is completely nonsense. Not to mention that we don't have that ability, even if we did have that ability, we can't do it."

"It's precisely because these ferocious beasts live here that so few people dare to go into the mountains to collect herbs. If their lives were no longer in danger, those people would become unscrupulous and frantically exploit all the resources here. In just three years, they could strip the entire Panlong Mountains bare! Do you believe it?"

After a pause, Gu Chi continued, "Regarding the latter's advice, do you think they are not afraid of death? Of course they are afraid, so why do they still risk their lives to go into the mountains to collect herbs? Because there is profit!"

"A large sum of money always attracts a brave man. Any herb from the Panlong Mountains can be sold for a high price in the outside world. If you are lucky enough to find a rare and ancient medicinal herb, you will basically have no worries about food and drink for the rest of your life."

"You advise them not to take risks, but you can't give them enough money. Isn't that pure nonsense? Who cares about you?"

The big black dog tilted its head, seeming to understand but not quite.

Gu Chi patted its head and said, "Human nature, natural laws, and ecological balance—you'll naturally understand these things later. For now, just remember one thing—let go of your desire to help others and respect their fate."

After a pause, she added, "But that doesn't mean we won't do anything. We should help where we can, just like we're collecting the bodies of these people and burying them. That's the kind of help we can do."

The big black dog nodded. Although it still couldn't quite understand the reason, it believed that what Gu Chi said was definitely right.

They dug a large earth pit nearby and filled it with unpainted coffins. Because they didn't know the names of these people, Gu Chi didn't erect tombstones.

The weather was warm, and the rainstorm in the jungle came suddenly. The man and the dog were soaked when they returned to their residence.

Gu Chi took a comfortable hot bath, went to the observation deck, and leaned on the railing to listen to the rain.

"There is nothing to do in the mountains. I just listen to the rain, brew wine with pine flowers, and make tea with spring water."

Gu Chi was inspired and felt very comfortable with this leisurely and unrestrained lifestyle.

At the same time, after a year of research, they finally figured out the effects and functions of the [Fundamental of Tao].

Just as Gu Chi guessed, this attribute option can bring dead objects back to life and turn decay into magic.

However, only a little essence can be condensed every month, and the effect is not very obvious.

Now, they have increased the [Root of Tao] to 2 points, and can condense two drops of essence in a month, and the effect has also been significantly improved.

For example, a small piece of dead wood can come back to life after being nourished and grow into a small sapling with green leaves in the blink of an eye.

This made them very happy. If the [Root of Tao] reached a certain value, could it achieve the incredible effect of bringing people back to life and turning their flesh and bones into dust?

Gu Chi had a hunch that the effect of this [Root of Tao] was definitely not as simple as they saw now, and there would definitely be even bigger surprises in the future.

After a year of practice, they have now reached the second stage of Qi training. Their five senses are extremely sharp, and the world seems to be much clearer in their eyes.

Suddenly, Gu Chi and the big black dog's ears moved at the same time, and the expressions on their faces became solemn in an instant. Amid the sound of heavy rain, they heard a noisy sound of footsteps coming towards them.

"They're coming for us, Lao Hei, put on the Green Ghost mask quickly!"

As soon as he finished speaking, three arrows flew through the air. Gu Chi and the big black dog dodged to the side at the same time, then turned over and jumped off the observation deck, hiding in the shed next to them where firewood was stored.

"I didn't expect this monster's perception to be so sharp. It can detect my attacks from such a distance." In the distant woods, a man in a green shirt slowly put down his bow and arrow and drew the sword at his waist.

"Third senior brother, there's no need for you to personally deal with such an uncivilized beast that eats raw meat and drinks blood. Let me, your junior sister, do it." A young woman smiled lightly, but a cold light flashed in her eyes.

A short man with shifty eyes jumped down from the tree, squinting his brows and grinning, "These uncivilized demons who eat raw meat and drink blood are the most brutal. Little Junior Sister, please don't be careless. Let me deal with that demon. Little Junior Sister, you go deal with the vicious dog."

"I heard that the monster can transform into a charming and alluring woman. Fifth Brother, can you control yourself?"

The young woman smiled in such a charming way that the short man with shifty eyes felt itchy.

The young man in a green shirt said calmly, "Everyone, be serious and don't take it lightly. In a month, our Luoxia Sect will be recruiting disciples. If we can kill this monster, we will definitely establish prestige in the surrounding city-states and attract more people to come."

"You all keep saying you want to hunt monsters, but where are these monsters?"

Such a cold voice came from behind.

Everyone suddenly turned around and saw a slender woman in white slowly walking towards them from behind, followed by a black-haired dog half the height of a human. Both of them wore green-faced and fanged ghost masks on their faces.

"You have a green face and fangs, and a black dog follows you. Are you the evil female monster?!" The short man with shifty eyes pointed at Gu Chi and shouted.

Gu Chi said: "Lao Hei and I are not monsters, and we have never done anything evil or hurt anyone. I think you may have misunderstood."

"You said you have never hurt anyone? Who would believe it? Who would believe that there are monsters in this world that don't eat people?" The man in green smiled faintly. He didn't sense any demonic aura from Gu Chi.

Gu Chi said: "The innocent will be innocent. I don't need to explain to anyone."

As soon as these words were spoken, the people in front couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Don't you understand yet? Everyone says that you are a monster and that you eat people, so you are a monster that eats people. Whether you explain or not, it will not change." said the young woman standing next to the man in green.

"Just surrender obediently. As long as we kill you, this monster that kills people, our Luoxia Sect will be able to establish prestige in this southeast region and further expand our influence!"

Before he finished speaking, the short man left a shadow on the spot and rushed forward in an instant. Veins on his arms were bulging and the knife was trembling. He wanted to take Gu Chi's head directly.

Gu Chi's eyes turned cold, and the jade sword was instantly unsheathed, clashing with the opponent's sword.

"when!"

Sparks flew everywhere, the short man's entire arm was twitching, a gash appeared at the base of his palm, and blood was flowing out.

He was shocked. He never expected that Gu Chi would be so strong. He, a cultivator of the fourth stage of Qi training, could hardly bear it.

"If this is all you have the ability to do, it might be difficult for you to kill me." Gu Chi teased.

"Come again!"

The short man felt provoked and rushed forward again. The sound of metal clashing was loud. The two men fought with each other, and it was difficult to tell who was better for a while.

The big black dog was about to step forward to help, but unexpectedly the young woman from Luoxiamen suddenly attacked with a sword.

"Woof! Woof woof!" The big black dog did not fight with her. Instead, it kicked the woman in the face with one claw in the air, then turned around and ran away, barking wildly, as if saying: You stinky bitch, come chase me if you have the guts!

The young woman smelled a foul odor coming from her face.

She wiped her cheek with her hand and found dog poop, which was still warm!

"Ah————! Bitch! Evil beast! I'll kill you!!!"

The young woman screamed almost crazily.

Shit! That bitch actually used her paws that had stepped on shit to kick her on the face she was so proud of!

"I will cut you into pieces!!!"

The sword flashed, and the young woman was like a human lightning, chasing the big black dog and making it flee in panic.

Not far away, the young man in green shirt frowned slightly. He noticed that although Gu Chi was very powerful, his moves were without any method at all. He was just swinging his weapons randomly.

However, even when facing such a man who only had brute force but no fighting skills, his fifth junior brother was gradually suppressed and put at a disadvantage. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead, his hands were covered in blood, and his knuckles were deeply cracked.

"Third Brother! Come and help me!"

The short man was retreating step by step and could no longer hold on, so he shouted in panic.

"What a waste!" The man in green snorted coldly. He saw Gu Chi's flaw at a glance. The long sword in his hand turned rapidly, and with a sharp sword energy, he slashed at Gu Chi from the side.

"How good do you think you can be?" Gu Chi attacked left and right with two swords in hand.

It is said that force can defeat skill, and this statement is absolutely true. Even though Gu Chi has not learned any sword techniques, every time he chops with his sword, it is powerful and unstoppable, and not something that ordinary people can withstand.

Even a cultivator as powerful as the man in green, who had reached the sixth stage of Qi training, felt that he could no longer withstand Gu Chi's three powerful blows. His palms were painful and his whole arms were trembling slightly.

"Is this the combat power that a cultivator at the second level of Qi training can have?!" The man in green clothes looked as if he had seen a ghost. He was shocked. A cultivator at the second level of Qi training actually beat him, a cultivator at the sixth level of Qi training. Who would dare to believe this if he told others about it?