[Ding! Host may now add attribute points.]
A voice echoed in his mind. Once again, he added a point to Strength, and did the same for the black ox.
Ethan discovered great benefits from increasing his strength. He had more energy for work, his eyesight improved, and one man could now do the work of two—impressively powerful.
Even Daisy, the forty-year-old spinster in the village, frequently gave Ethan flirtatious glances.
"Perhaps this is what being a man is all about."
Ethan sighed deeply as he looked at his muscles. That irresistible charm, captivating countless village girls.
"Hey, old ox! Slow down when you eat!"
Ethan was shocked to find the black ox had taken advantage of his moment of reflection to devour his midnight snack.
Snort!
The black ox reacted quickly, swallowing everything in one gulp. Ethan was left speechless, at a loss for words...
The following year, Ethan and the black ox apprenticed with a blacksmith. His strength greatly impressed the blacksmith, who constantly praised Ethan for having the makings of a fine smith.
Ethan didn't ask for wages—room and board for himself and the ox would suffice. The blacksmith readily agreed.
A month later, Ethan happened to step into the forge left foot first, violating a taboo. They were immediately thrown out.
Ethan could only sigh. Perhaps this was the burden of being extraordinary.
They returned to farming, finding a good plot to grow rice. The black ox plowed the fields, and the man-ox team worked in perfect harmony, growing prosperous through hard work.
"This is our empire."
"Moo!"
Ethan gazed at the lush green fields before him, eyes filled with joy, gripping a mountain-cleaving axe in his hand with two more tucked in his waist.
The black ox was equally delighted, though its four hooves were fitted with blades, and an axe was tied to its remaining horn.
"If those villains dare come steal again!"
Ethan's eyes gleamed with cold intent as he looked at the black ox, which stared back and nodded emphatically.
"We'll just run away! No direct confrontation! With our equipment, who would dare chase us?"
"Moo! Moo!"
This year turned out well. Rumors said something major had happened in the neighboring village, keeping everyone occupied and away from Ethan's fields.
He added another point to both his and the ox's strength, happily harvesting the rice.
The black ox dug a pit in the cave, and Ethan understood its intention, storing numerous bags of white rice inside. However, he kept some aside, planning to return several times the amount he had borrowed to the village chief.
Clang! Clang!
Gongs sounded throughout the village, echoing far and wide. Even in the cave, the sound was faintly audible—the village gathering signal for major events.
Ethan narrowed his eyes and rushed out of the cave. If it was a village brawl, his current strength would be more than enough to take down a large man.
They crouched stealthily on the hillside, observing the situation. Contrary to his expectations, the village was in a festive mood, with everyone gathered outside the chief's house.
"Let's go, old ox, and take a look."
"Moo!"
In the village, over a thousand people stood with hopeful, excited eyes, holding chickens, ducks, fish, and meat, bowing their heads respectfully to two central figures.
"The Cloud Heaven Sect is recruiting disciples. Those with spiritual roots have the opportunity to step onto the path of immortality."
One of them, dressed in Daoist robes, stood on the roof of the village chief's house, looking down imperiously at the crowd.
"Immortal sir, how can we know if we have spiritual roots?"
"Yes, my Little Blackie has been strong as an ox since childhood. A fortune teller said he was an immortal's reincarnation!"
The villagers couldn't contain their excitement, firing questions like machine guns, making the two cultivators frown deeply.
"Silence."
The cultivator appeared angered. He activated a talisman in his hand, and suddenly a great fire ignited in mid-air—terrifyingly powerful, radiating heat throughout.
The village instantly fell silent. You could hear a pin drop. Fear filled their eyes as they thought: So this is what an immortal is!
"This is quite a show."
Ethan arrived at the edge of the crowd with his ox, admiration flashing in his eyes. This world truly had cultivators.
The black ox looked confused at Ethan's comment, not understanding the idiom.
"Spiritual roots are classified as Five-Element Mixed Roots, Four-Element Lower Roots, Three-Element Middle Roots, Two-Element Upper Roots, and Single-Element Heaven Roots."
The cultivator explained with his hands behind his back, activating a token. "Don't be nervous. Anyone under twenty years of age may now test their spiritual roots."
A pillar of light emerged from the ground, shimmering with various colors, dazzlingly bright. The villagers began chattering again, even the elderly wanting to try.
The village children and youths eagerly lined up, each stepping into the light pillar, but none triggered a response.
"This can't be possible! I dreamed I was an immortal!"
One villager muttered superstitiously, disbelief in his eyes. Suddenly, he fell to his knees, crying out, "Immortal sir, please take me as your disciple!"
"Leave. You have three breaths." A cold voice responded.
"Please, immortal sir!"
The villager cried, refusing to leave the light pillar. "I dreamed it!"
Swish!
A sword flash cut through the air, blood sprayed, and the villager fell slowly to the ground, eyes still filled with disbelief.
Countless dropping sounds followed as villagers knelt, trembling with fear.
Ethan's pupils contracted. He quickly crouched down, cold sweat beading on his forehead. These cultivators were truly lawless!
The black ox also silently prostrated itself. They exchanged glances while keeping their heads low, their beautiful fantasies shattered in silence.
"Continue," the cultivator said coldly, his gaze treating them like livestock.
There was no more commotion. The villagers passed through the light pillar in orderly fashion, though hope still gleamed in their eyes.
Ethan timidly took his turn, but having only Five-Element Mixed Roots, he attracted no attention from the cultivators.
"Not bad. We actually found someone with Three-Element Roots."
The cultivator revealed a faint smile, looking at a small girl. "Say goodbye to your family."
"Yes, immortal sir."
The little girl was both reluctant and secretly delighted. After bidding farewell to her family, the cultivator gave them several dozen silver taels.
"Those with Five-Element Mixed Roots may enter the sect as servants, also with a chance to step onto the immortal path."
The cultivator glanced at several people, casually remarking.
"Immortal sir, I'll go!"
Upon hearing this, those with Five-Element Roots were overjoyed, immediately kneeling down.
The cultivator glanced at Ethan, who was now foaming at the mouth, sweating profusely. Even the black ox beside him appeared at death's door. They had clearly been terrified by the earlier scene.
"Weak-minded. No hope on the immortal path. Leave."
The cultivator shook his head, producing a flying sword from his storage pouch. He carried the chosen few away on his sword, vanishing into the distance.
The villagers stood lost in thought, their gaze lingering on the cultivators' receding figures, filled with envy.
"Damn it... old ox, I told you to pretend to be dead and fool them, not try to kill me!"
Ethan lay on the ground, severely injured, his chest heaving. That kick had nearly sent him to meet his long-deceased parents.
Moo~
The black ox nudged Ethan gently. It hadn't realized its own strength had grown so formidable.
It carried Ethan back to the cave, where he recuperated for several days before his condition finally improved.
"We definitely cannot join those sects."
Seeing the ox's confused gaze, Ethan explained, "The sects are too dangerous. They kill people without consequences and eat beef—including bull penises."
The black ox's pupils trembled as it shook its head frantically. It might not have understood about the killing, but it certainly understood about eating beef.
The cultivators' visit didn't inspire longing in Ethan. Instead, it gave him an extreme sense of insecurity.
They had a grudge with Old Wang's family in the neighboring village, but that only resulted in fighting. These cultivators killed without hesitation over a single misspoken word...
Ethan deeply remembered that look in the cultivator's eyes—just like his own when slaughtering chickens.