Legend tells that in the land of Sanjin, there existed a legendary divine art.
How this art was cultivated, and who possessed it, remained largely unknown, for no one could clearly discern the figure of its wielder.
This art was called the Cun Mang Shu, and upon mastering it, one could traverse a thousand li in a single step...
That was impossible,
Just an exaggerated saying.
But undeniably, this divine art was truly fast. Though unable to fly, even when running on the ground, observers would only mistake its user for a large black rat that zipped past, disappearing without a trace.
"Holy crap, where did that big black rat come from!"
A young farmer, who had been tilling the soil, felt a blur before his eyes. He looked up and saw a dark shadow streaking towards the distance.
"What in the world is this? These days, even rats are becoming spirits...
Huh? Where's my hoe? Wasn't it just in my hand? How did it disappear in the blink of an eye?
Damn thief, give back my hoe, it's one of only two I have, my absolute favorite hoe!!!"
The farmer roared towards the sky, on the verge of tears.
Then,
He turned,
And picked up his other hoe.
"Fortunately, I have the good habit of bringing an extra hoe when I go out to work. Hmm, it's reasonable for a farmer like me to carry two hoes, right?"
The farmer sighed. Suddenly, his vision blurred again. When he looked up, he saw another white shadow flying into the distance.
"Nowadays, there are even white rats. The world is truly vast and full of wonders...
Ah!!!!
Damn thief, my hoe, I only have these two hoes, give them back! How am I supposed to farm! I shouldn't have come out to work before dark!!"
Old Gou, wielding the snatched hoe in his left hand and carrying his beloved donkey on his shoulder, ran with all his might.
Yes, the hoe for self-defense, and the donkey for riding, both were essential, perfectly reasonable.
Xi Renjun, also clutching a hoe tightly, his heart consumed by rage, had only the detestable old man in his sights, wishing to tear him limb from limb.
As for why he snatched the second hoe, he himself didn't know why. He just felt that since Old Gou had taken one, he should have one too, otherwise, it would be a great loss.
Although no one knew how much attacking power a mere hoe could add.
In short, he just wanted to snatch it.
Old Gou ran, panting as he muttered, hoping that the two kind souls he had known for a long time but whose names he didn't even know, and whom he had tricked thrice, would quickly come to his rescue.
Little did he know, the two saviors he yearned for were currently arguing with a dog.
"What's an NPC?"
"It's... a non-player controlled character in a game, but one that helps advance the plot.
This old man is clearly the village chief of your beginner village. If he dies, who will you get quests from? Who will give you directions."
"Can't I just find someone else?"
"Is that the same? An NPC with a name and a face that you meet upon appearance, is that comparable to a cut-out model by the roadside? This old man is very important. Stop the nonsense and save him quickly."
"Aiya, got it, got it, so annoying."
In the eyes of the two villainous extras on the ground, Wan Lei, who was "talking to himself," flicked his wrist and unleashed two bolts of lightning, killing them on the spot.
Though he didn't know why the old man was so important, since Senior Dog Gou had spoken, Wan Lei grudgingly complied.
"But they've already run far away, where should we look for him then?" Fang Xiaoyu asked, her big eyes fixed on Wan Lei.
"It's a minor matter. My understanding of formations has improved greatly. I left a mark on that old man, so I can directly locate and teleport to him."
"Alright then." Fang Xiaoyu nodded. A moment later, seeing Wan Lei still fiddling with the formation, she couldn't help but ask,
"What's wrong? Is it difficult to locate him?"
"Yes, his movement speed is too fast. If he stopped, or slowed down even a little, it would be easier for me to pinpoint him."
"Then what should we do?"
"We wait. Wait for him to stop... Huh? He's stopped."
"Ouch!"
Old Gou, who had been running with the donkey on his shoulder and the hoe in his hand, his strength long since depleted, was finally tripped by a protruding stone. Due to his extreme speed and inertia, he was flung nearly a mile, leaving a long gouge in the ground.
Old Gou, not being a master, suffered no injuries other than dirt.
Naturally, as expected.
After all, neither Wan Lei nor Fang Xiaoyu, who had crashed down from the sky, had managed to injure Old Gou.
"Ouch... Ouch ouch..."
The donkey was flung far away. Old Gou lay on the ground, one hand clutching his waist and groaning, while the other tightly gripped the hoe, as if it provided him immense security.
"Running, why aren't you running anymore?" Xi Renjun sneered, speaking standard villainous dialogue, as if he were about to say, "Even if you scream your lungs out, no one will come to save you."
"Ouch... my back of the head... my tailbone, my kneecaps..."
"I recall you fell face-first."
"Huh? Really? My apologies, let me try again.
Ouch, my chin... my chest... my prostate..."
"Give it to me." Xi Renjun extended his hand, his expression indifferent.
"What?" Old Gou looked bewildered. He hadn't even had a chance to extort them yet, and now they wanted something from him?
"Cun Mang Shu."
"What's Cun Mang Shu? I don't understand what you're talking about."
"Hmph, your strength is so poor, yet you can run so fast. If you haven't cultivated the Cun Mang Shu, what else could it be?
Hand it over honestly now, and you'll at least keep your body whole. If I have to search for it myself, I'll have to skin you and pull out your tendons."
"No, I really haven't cultivated that darned Cun Mang Shu. I've been fast since I was a child. After growing up, I practiced for a while. My skills aren't high, but I just run fast. People call me the Swift Leopard. If you want to learn, sir, I can teach you.
First, you need a donkey, and run with it on your shoulders since childhood, covering a hundred li a day. As it grows larger and heavier..."
"And then you can eat baked pastries, right?" Xi Renjun's lips curled into a mocking smile.
The donkey, not dead from the fall and lying at a distance, immediately widened its eyes and glared at Xi Renjun. But sensing the oppressive aura emanating from Xi Renjun, it wisely lowered its head and continued to nibble on the crops.
Don't see me, don't see me. Kill the old man if you want, just don't kill me. A fellow Daoist dying is better than me dying...
"Since you won't speak, don't blame me for burning you from head to toe, lighting you up like a lantern."
Xi Renjun's hand materialized blue flames again, and he pressed them towards the old man's feet.
"Help me!!!"
The old man shrieked. If nothing unexpected happened, a hero should now descend from the sky on a colorful cloud to rescue him from peril.
As expected, a beam of light suddenly appeared from the old man.