My Strangeness Points are now 231.
ROOOARRR! The Moss Golem's roar thundered behind them, shaking the trees.
Its massive hands slammed into the ground, Thump! Thump! creating shallow craters and sending debris flying.
Chen Ming darted through the forest, his legs pumping as fast as he could, his heart pounding like a frantic drum.
Beside him, Xian'er glided gracefully, her movements almost silent, as if she were merely floating above the ground.
The contrast between Chen Ming's panic and Xian'er's calm was striking.
Damn it! This isn't a morning jog! This is a run for my life! And why is it so fast?! It's just a walking lump of moss! Chen Ming screamed internally, his lungs burning.
The humid forest air felt heavy; every breath was a struggle.
Thump... thump... thump... The heavy footsteps of the Moss Golem grew closer.
Chen Ming could feel the ground vibrate beneath his feet. He glanced back, seeing the Golem's glowing red eyes growing larger.
"Run, Chen Ming! Don't get caught!" Xian'er called out, her voice calm but with an underlying urgency.
She no longer pulled Chen Ming, as if she wanted him to rely on himself.
"I know! But my legs aren't as fast as yours, Your Grace Xian'er!" Chen Ming shouted back, nearly tripping over a protruding tree root.
[Ding! Detection: User displays a highly inefficient but spirited running style. Collecting Strangeness Points from the ridiculous panic...]
[+8 Strangeness Points.]
"System, this isn't a comedy marathon! I'm being chased by a monster!" Chen Ming yelled internally, feeling utterly annoyed.
My Strangeness Points are now 239.
He tried to activate 'Light Shadow Steps' again, focusing his Qi into his legs.
Whoosh!
He sped up for a moment, but in his panic, he miscalculated and slammed into a large tree in front of him with a dull Thud! He bounced off, spun in the air, and landed in a very inelegant position on the ground, resembling an upside-down crab.
"Ouch! Damn tree!" Chen Ming groaned, rubbing his slightly sore nose.
Xian'er, who was already several meters ahead of him, stopped and turned around. A faint smile played on her lips.
"Focus, Chen Ming. Don't run into trees. Trees are innocent."
"Easy for you to say!" Chen Ming screamed internally. She's definitely laughing at me! This dragon truly has a strange sense of humor.
The Moss Golem was getting closer.
ROOOARRR!
It raised its large hand, ready to strike Chen Ming, who was still sprawled on the ground.
Chen Ming panicked, quickly rolling away, narrowly avoiding the Golem's blow that crushed the ground where he had been lying.
Thump! The ground trembled.
"Get up, Chen Ming! Don't just roll around!" Xian'er called out, her voice now slightly firmer.
Chen Ming scrambled to his feet, panting.
He saw Xian'er pointing to a narrow crevice between two giant rocks.
"Through there! That gap is too narrow for the Golem!"
Chen Ming didn't think twice. He rushed towards the gap, squeezing through with difficulty.
His recently transformed body was indeed slimmer, but the gap was truly a tight fit. Rip! Rip! His robe got caught, and he had to pull it forcibly.
The Moss Golem roared in frustration as it tried to enter the crevice, but its massive body got stuck.
Grrrroink!
A furious growl came from the Golem as it tried to smash the surrounding rocks.
Chen Ming crawled out the other side of the crevice, gasping for breath. He saw the Moss Golem still struggling, trying to break down the rocks.
"Phew!" He sighed in relief. "Close call! Luckily, I'm not as wide as him!"
[Ding! Detection: User successfully utilized a narrow gap to escape in an... unexpected manner. Collecting Strangeness Points from the ridiculous but effective tactic...]
[+10 Strangeness Points.]
"System, you're really... you're like a commentator for my life's match!"
Chen Ming yelled internally, feeling both amused and annoyed.
My Strangeness Points are now 249.
Xian'er was already waiting for him on the other side of the crevice, her eyes fixed on the still-raging Moss Golem.
"Good. You made it. Now, we must move quickly. He'll find another way or break through that gap."
They continued their journey, this time at a faster pace. The forest grew deeper, and the trees became more ancient. Sunlight barely penetrated, creating a dim, mystical atmosphere.
The scent of moss and damp earth grew stronger.
Crack! Crack!
Suddenly, the sound of heavy footsteps was heard again, this time from the side.
It wasn't the Moss Golem. The sound was lighter, yet still threatening.
Xian'er tensed, her eyes narrowing. "Be careful, Chen Ming. We are not alone."
From behind the bushes, two figures emerged. They were humans, wearing dark robes with skull symbols on their chests.
Their faces were covered by hoods, but their eyes radiated a cold, bloodthirsty aura. Each of them held a gleaming longsword.
[Detection: Low-Level Dark Cultivator x2. Aggressive. Strength: Equivalent to Early Qi Gathering Realm.]
Dark Cultivators?! Why do I always encounter enemies stronger than me?! And there are two of them! This isn't an adventure anymore, it's a nightmare!
Chen Ming swallowed hard, his hand reflexively reaching for his basic hunting knife, though he knew it wouldn't help much.
"Look what we found here, Brother," one of the dark cultivators said, his voice hoarse and cold.
"A weak young man and a beautiful woman. This forest is indeed generous."
The other dark cultivator chuckled, their laughter sounding eerie in the silence of the forest.
"And it seems they have decent Qi. It will be very useful for our cultivation."
Xian'er stepped forward slightly, her majestic aura radiating, pressing down on the two dark cultivators. Their eyes widened slightly, feeling the immense pressure.
"Retreat," Xian'er said, her voice calm yet full of authority. "Do not disturb our journey."
The dark cultivators hesitated for a moment, but the greed in their eyes was greater than their fear.
"Lady, you may be strong, but there are two of us. And we will not let our prey escape."
Both of them charged, their swords gleaming in the air, ready to attack.
"This will be a good test for you, Chen Ming," Xian'er whispered, without taking her eyes off the attackers.
"A test?! This is suicide!" Chen Ming screamed internally.
[Ding! Detection: User faces a very dangerous and embarrassing threat. Collecting Strangeness Points from the ridiculous despair...]
[+15 Strangeness Points.]
"System, you really... you want me to die a ridiculous death again, don't you?!"
My Strangeness Points are now 264.
Chen Ming sighed, clenching his fists. He knew he couldn't keep relying on Xian'er. This was his adventure, and he had to fight, even if it meant fighting in the most absurd style.
Clang! Clang! The sound of clashing swords began to echo, signaling the start of a thrilling battle.
Chen Ming darted forward, not with the graceful movements of a cultivator, but with a style more akin to a panicked person trying to avoid a wasp.
He tried to recall 'Light Shadow Steps', focusing Qi into his legs.
Whoosh!
He moved quickly, but stumbled slightly, almost hitting another tree.
The first dark cultivator, with his longsword, swung a vertical slash.
Swoosh!
Chen Ming saw the glint of steel approaching.
He instinctively ducked, performing a movement he remembered from basic Shaolin training: 'Dragon Bends to Avoid Slash'.
His movement was clumsy, but somehow, he managed to escape the deadly attack, the sword whistling just inches above his head.
[Ding! Detection: User successfully avoided a deadly attack with an unorthodox Shaolin technique. Collecting Strangeness Points from the absurd agility...]
[+10 Strangeness Points.]
"Close call! Luckily, I remembered that move! Thank you, old monk!"
Chen Ming screamed internally, as he jumped back.
My Strangeness Points are now 274.
The second dark cultivator charged, his sword thrusting straight forward.
Zing!
Chen Ming tried to parry with his hunting knife, but he knew it wouldn't work. He chose to dodge to the side, performing the 'Tiger Dodges Claw' movement, twisting his body awkwardly.
The sword only grazed his robe.
"Hmph, agile, aren't you!" growled the first dark cultivator.
Chen Ming saw an opening. The second cultivator slightly lost his balance after his attack missed.
Chen Ming didn't waste the opportunity. He lunged forward, not with an elegant kick, but with an attack more akin to a panicked shove: 'Raging Rooster Kick'. His foot struck the second cultivator's knee with a dull Thud!
The cultivator staggered, screaming in pain.
"Ouch! What was that?!"
[Ding! Detection: User successfully incapacitated an enemy with a highly unconventional attack. Collecting Strangeness Points from the embarrassing but effective fighting style...]
[+15 Strangeness Points.]
"YES! That's it! Strangeness Points are working!" Chen Ming cheered internally, feeling both proud and embarrassed.
My Strangeness Points are now 289.
The first cultivator, seeing his companion fall, growled and charged at Chen Ming with fury.
His sword flashed, creating a series of rapid slashes.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Chen Ming panicked. He couldn't dodge them all. He remembered the Qi Recovery Pill. He quickly swallowed another one.
Gulp! Fresh Qi flowed, giving him a burst of energy.
He tried another movement from his memory: 'Raging Dragon Fist'. It was a series of quick, brutal punches that were supposed to be devastating.
However, what came out of Chen Ming was a series of rather clumsy fists, more like someone trying to swat a fly.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Strangely, even though his movements were imperfect, each of Chen Ming's fists carried the unexpected power of the Half-Dragon Meridian, fueled by the Qi he had just recovered.
His punches struck the first cultivator's arm and chest, making him stumble backward.
"What... what is this power?!" The cultivator gasped, feeling his bones vibrate.
[Ding! Detection: User successfully launched a deadly attack with a ridiculously executed Shaolin technique. Collecting Strangeness Points from the absurd power...]
[+20 Strangeness Points.]
"This is absolutely crazy! I'm a genius of ridiculous martial arts!" Chen Ming cheered internally, feeling extremely delighted.
My Strangeness Points are now 309.
The first cultivator, already injured and shocked, saw Xian'er still standing calmly behind him, radiating a terrifying aura.
He knew he had no hope. With a frustrated growl, he picked up his still-staggering companion, and both of them fled, disappearing among the trees at high speed.
Whoosh!
Chen Ming panted, his body trembling with exhaustion. He stared in the direction where the dark cultivators had disappeared, then at his slightly bruised hands.
He had succeeded! He had defeated two cultivators stronger than him, with the most absurd and embarrassing style!
Xian'er stepped closer, a faint smile on her lips. "Not bad, Chen Ming. You succeeded. An... unusual method, but effective. You are indeed an anomaly."
Chen Ming could only offer a wry smile. "Thank you, Your Grace Xian'er. I... I was just trying to survive."
Xian'er nodded. "You have shown potential. This battle is your first lesson in the outside world. Remember, in this Tian Xuan Continent, strength is not the only thing that matters.
Cunning, and sometimes... strangeness, can also be a weapon."
She glanced at the sky. The sun was beginning to set, painting the forest canopy with shades of orange and purple.
"We will camp here for the night. You can use the Qi in your body to recover. And tomorrow, we will continue our journey."
Chen Ming nodded, feeling tired but also satisfied. He had taken his first steps in the outside world, and they were steps full of strangeness and Strangeness Points.
His peculiar adventure in the Tian Xuan Continent had just begun, and he was ready for it, with all the absurdity that was yet to come.
Chirp... chirp... The sounds of night insects began to fill the forest, accompanying them to sleep.