Chapter Twenty-Five: Ten-Mile Slope

To the southeast of the Little Jing Mountain Daoist Temple, beyond a ridge, a vast expanse of rolling grassy slopes comes into view. This lush green hillside stretches all the way to the foot of the mountain, and beyond that lies a patchwork of crisscrossing farmlands. While not quite ten miles in length, its area is considerable.

After leading Fang Xiao to the so-called Ten-Mile Slope, Daoist Pang flicked his sleeves and took his leave. According to him, this place had the highest concentration of little grass spirits, and there were no major demons lurking nearby. It was, therefore, the perfect spot for Fang Xiao to hone his skills and gain experience.

Once Daoist Pang departed, Fang Xiao sat down atop the grassy slope. Something amusing happened: before he had even settled in, a swarm of insects burst from the surrounding grass—grasshoppers, mosquitoes, beetles, centipedes, and other tiny creatures, all scattering in panic as if the end of days had arrived.

Fang Xiao fingered the wolf fang necklace hanging from his neck, suddenly understanding. This thing was truly invaluable! Not that he feared insects, but it was certainly a blessing to be spared their bites and distractions.

Unshouldering his military satchel, he pulled out an aluminum lunchbox filled with large steamed buns. With spring water from his canteen, he savored his meal, feeling genuine gratitude for Brother Li Yuanchao’s mother, who had stuffed three food-laden lunchboxes into his hands before he boarded the train. Thanks to her, he didn't have to worry about starving in this strange new world.

However, replenishing the food in his satchel came at a cost. Beyond the money and ration tickets he’d already spent, the demon crystals he’d kept in the bag were almost depleted. So alongside his quest for experience, Fang Xiao also hoped to earn more demon crystals—otherwise, he would have no buns, dumplings, or red-braised pork to eat, and Daoist Pang’s cigarettes would be gone as well, not to mention the White Rabbit candies promised to the little girl Huaihua.

Swallowing the last mouthful of his bun, Fang Xiao clasped his hands behind his head and leaned back, sprawling on the grass. The blazing sunlight warmed his face, enveloping him in comfort. Ever since mastering the Dragon-Tiger Stance, Fang Xiao no longer feared the heat; even under the noonday sun, his skin neither burned nor darkened, only feeling all the more at ease.

Plucking a stalk of wild grass, he held it between his teeth and squinted, relishing the rare sense of relaxation and leisure. He wished time could freeze in this moment forever. But time, alas, cares for no one’s will. As the hours passed and the sun drifted westward, the sky began to change. A breeze from afar swept over the Ten-Mile Slope, carrying a hint of coolness.

Suddenly, Fang Xiao sat up. He had heard a faint rustling sound.

Although the sounds were light and subtle, they instantly awakened his memory: little grass spirits! He peered in the direction of the noise and, sure enough, spotted several of the creatures a hundred paces away. They must have just emerged from the thick grass, shuffling aimlessly across the field or frolicking with one another, occasionally chirping in sharp, shrill voices.

Fang Xiao felt no hurry. His hiding spot lay at the edge of the slope, well concealed. He was patient, waiting for more little monsters to appear. This time, he aimed to gain enough experience to upgrade both his Dragon-Tiger Stance and Demon-Subduing Fist, lest he be reduced to a poor student at the Liuhe Academy. After all, the academy gathered the brightest youths from across the county; even the weakest liberal arts students were sharp as tacks. The pressure weighed heavily on Fang Xiao.

Night descended slowly. A bright full moon climbed the sky, and its silvery glow drew even more little grass spirits out. Bathed in moonlight, they danced and writhed in delight, their limbs waving wildly at the sky. The endless rustle of vines and leaves filled the air.

It was time.

Fang Xiao leaped to his feet. In his hand, the martial belt he had prepared whistled through the air, lashing at the nearest grass spirit.

Crack!

The creature, caught completely off guard, was struck squarely on the head by the five-star steel buckle. It exploded in a shower of leaves and vine fragments.

[Experience +1]

The message flashed before his eyes, and Fang Xiao laughed aloud. This was exactly what he wanted! Without hesitation, he charged forward, plunging into the circle of grass spirits.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

With his Dragon-Tiger Stance perfected, Fang Xiao was like a one-man army against these weakest of demons. Each swing of his martial belt shattered a grass spirit, scattering the opposition.

[Experience +1], [Experience +1], [Experience +1]...

The thrill of mowing down these lesser foes and racking up experience was exhilarating.

Only after six or seven of their number had fallen did the remaining grass spirits come to their senses. With shrill cries, they swarmed at Fang Xiao.

Some hurled themselves directly at him, while others slyly extended their long vines, trying to entangle his legs and slow his movements. But Fang Xiao was not about to let them succeed. By now, he was well-versed in their ways and gave them no chance to ensnare him. The five-star steel buckle slashed through the air again and again, ruthlessly crushing the oncoming monsters.

A few grass spirits did manage to land on him, but before they could deploy their signature entangling move, Fang Xiao’s left hand, gripping a three-edged spike, drove it down, shredding their leafy heads.

His experience points climbed steadily.

But then, something unexpected happened. A dozen or more grass spirits suddenly lunged at each other, embracing and tangling together. Merging into one another, their bodies swelled and limbs lengthened. In mere moments, they fused into a towering grass man.

With the emergence of this giant, the smaller spirits fell back.

Wheezing and grunting, the hulking grass demon let out a deep roar and raised its thick arms toward the moon. Two glowing green flames flickered to life on its face, like twin ghostly lanterns.

A moment later, it strode toward Fang Xiao, bringing its massive fists crashing down.

Fang Xiao was startled. He had no idea what this creature was capable of, so he immediately dodged backward. But after only two steps, he stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.

Glancing down, he found several grass vines had somehow coiled around his ankle.

The giant grass spirit pursued relentlessly, raising its thick arm for another blow.

In this critical moment, Fang Xiao did not panic. Planting his feet, he sank his breath deep into his core, instantly assuming the Crouching Tiger stance. Muscles in his thighs, waist, and arms tightened in unison.

“Break!”

From Crouching Tiger to Soaring Dragon, Fang Xiao’s internal force erupted. The vines binding his ankle snapped instantly!

At the same time, he spun his right arm, wrapping the martial belt around his forearm. Gathering all his strength, he drove his fist straight at the looming grass demon.

Demon-Subduing Fist!