Lin Fan smiled broadly. "Excellent! Welcome, Brother Chen Ming! With you, our mission will surely be easier!"
Lin Fan felt satisfied. He gained a strong ally, though a little... eccentric. And this young man's face... will surely surprise many in the Sect.
Li Hua still stared at Chen Ming suspiciously, but she said nothing. I'll keep an eye on him. There's something seriously off about this young man.
"Alright, let's continue," Lin Fan said. "We must find the Jade Bamboo Bear's lair and collect its materials."
Chen Ming nodded. He stepped beside them, feeling the aura of other cultivators around him. This was the beginning of a new adventure, with new allies, and perhaps... more Strangeness Points.
Hopefully, they won't be too surprised by my unconventional fighting style. Chen Ming thought, a faint smile etched on his lips. And hopefully, this face of mine won't cause too much trouble...
They continued their journey through the forest, now with five people. Lin Fan led the way, with Wang Lei and Zhang Wei behind him, while Li Hua walked beside Chen Ming, her eyes occasionally glancing at him. Chen Ming tried to walk as normally as possible, but he felt the curious gazes of Wang Lei and Zhang Wei occasionally stealing glances at his face.
Damn, they must be wondering why my face is like this. It must be because of the dragon's essence and that damned System. I need to stay calm. Don't let myself look ludicrous.
The forest grew denser, and the spiritual aura became thicker. Giant bamboo trees soared higher, their stalks thicker, and sunlight barely penetrated. The sounds of the forest felt more intense, with the constant rustling of leaves and the chirping of unseen insects.
"Jade Bamboo Bear lairs are usually in areas with very dense Qi," Lin Fan explained, his voice calm. "They use Qi to strengthen their lair's defenses."
Chen Ming nodded, trying to appear understanding. Qi? I know it's energy, but how does it work in a lair? This is all too complicated for my brain, which used to only think about games.
Li Hua suddenly spoke, her voice cold. "Brother Chen Ming, your movements on the battlefield earlier... were very unorthodox. Which sect are you from? I've never seen techniques like that."
Li Hua won't let this go. She definitely wants to know my secret. Damn it, why does she have to be so smart?
Chen Ming scratched his head again. "Ah, that's... as I said, a secret family technique. Our sect is very secluded, so perhaps you haven't heard of it."
Wang Lei, an honest-faced young man, chuckled. "A secret family technique that can defeat a Jade Bamboo Bear alone? That's incredible, Brother Chen Ming!"
Wang Lei seemed sincere. Good, at least someone isn't suspicious of me.
Zhang Wei, who was more reserved, simply nodded in agreement.
[Ding! Detection: User successfully deceived sect cultivators with a... cliché yet effective excuse. Collecting Strangeness Points from the comical lie...]
[+7 Strangeness Points.]
"System, you really support my lies! I like that!" Chen Ming cheered inwardly. My Strangeness Points were now 706.
They continued their journey. After about an hour, the Qi aura in the air became incredibly dense, feeling like a thick, tangible mist. A low rumble began to be heard, Grrrrummm..., and the scent of damp earth mixed with a peculiar sweet aroma, like honey and moss.
"We're close," Lin Fan whispered, his eyes narrowing. "This is their lair. The Qi aura is very strong."
They hid behind a very dense bamboo clump, peeking ahead. In the center of an open area, there was a large cave whose mouth was covered by thick vines and jade-green moss. From inside the cave, a powerful Qi aura emanated, making the surrounding air tremble.
"The lair," Li Hua said, her voice tense. "Jade Bamboo Bears are very territorial creatures. They will attack anyone who approaches."
Li Hua felt uneasy. The aura in this lair is stronger than I expected. That Jade Bamboo Bear must be incredibly powerful.
Lin Fan nodded. "The plan is simple. We'll lure it out, then attack it together. Wang Lei and Zhang Wei will hold its attacks, Li Hua will attack from the side, and I will launch a focused attack on its vital point. Brother Chen Ming, you can... disrupt its movements from behind, as you did earlier."
Disrupt its movements? You mean, I'll be the ludicrous distraction again? Chen Ming sighed inwardly. But it gives me points, so... alright.
[Ding! Detection: User assigned an absurd supporting role. Collecting Strangeness Points from comical acceptance of fate...]
[+10 Strangeness Points.]
"System, you really know how to motivate!" Chen Ming grinned inwardly. My Strangeness Points were now 716.
"Alright," Chen Ming said, nodding. "I'll disrupt its movements."
Lin Fan looked at him with a faint smile. "Good. We'll attack together. Get ready."
They took their positions. Lin Fan gestured, and Wang Lei stepped forward, throwing a small stone into the cave mouth.
Thud!
The stone hit the cave wall, breaking the silence.
ROOOARRR!
A furious roar from the Jade Bamboo Bear thundered from inside the cave. The ground trembled, and a powerful Qi aura swept out, making the surrounding leaves rustle.
The Jade Bamboo Bear emerged from its lair, its eyes blazing red, full of rage. Its size was even larger than Chen Ming remembered, and its green fur looked denser, radiating an intimidating Qi aura.
"Attack!" Lin Fan shouted.
Wang Lei and Zhang Wei charged, their swords glinting, launching Qi attacks towards the Jade Bamboo Bear. Li Hua darted to the side, looking for an opening.
Chen Ming darted behind the Jade Bamboo Bear, activating 'Light Shadow Steps'. His movements were still clumsy, but he managed to avoid the Jade Bamboo Bear's massive claws swinging wildly.
He launched a 'Raging Rooster Kick' at the Jade Bamboo Bear's hind leg.
Thud!
His kick landed, and the Jade Bamboo Bear staggered, its growl turning into a groan of pain.
[Ding! Detection: User successfully disrupted the main target. Collecting Strangeness Points from ludicrous but effective tactics...]
[+15 Strangeness Points.]
"Haha! I'm truly the best disruptor!" Chen Ming cheered inwardly. My Strangeness Points were now 731.
The battle continued. The Jade Bamboo Bear was incredibly strong, its defense solid, and its attacks deadly. Wang Lei and Zhang Wei struggled to withstand its assaults, and Li Hua had to keep dodging.
Chen Ming continued to move around the Jade Bamboo Bear, launching unconventional kicks and punches at unexpected points. He leaped onto its back, punched its head with 'Raging Dragon Fist', then jumped down before the Jade Bamboo Bear could catch him.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
His odd movements confused and frustrated the Jade Bamboo Bear. The monster roared in anger, but couldn't catch Chen Ming.
Lin Fan saw an opportunity. "Now! Focused attack!" He and Li Hua launched powerful Qi attacks at the crack Chen Ming had created in the Jade Bamboo Bear's leg.
Clang! Clang!
The crack widened, and the Jade Bamboo Bear roared in pain, collapsing to its knees.
Chen Ming darted forward, launching a final punch to the Jade Bamboo Bear's head.
Thud!
The Jade Bamboo Bear trembled violently, then completely collapsed to the ground, motionless.
Chen Ming panted, his body trembling with exhaustion. He stared at the motionless Jade Bamboo Bear, then at his companions. He had succeeded! They had succeeded!
The Sky Sword Sect cultivators stared at Chen Ming with a mixture of admiration and bewilderment, even greater than before.
"Incredible, Brother Chen Ming!" Lin Fan exclaimed, panting. "Your movements... are so unique! I've never seen anything like it!"
Lin Fan stared at Chen Ming. This young man is truly a treasure. His beautiful face, his bizarre strength... he will be incredibly useful.
Li Hua looked at Chen Ming with a deeper gaze than before. Her suspicion lingered, but now it was mixed with reluctant respect. He is indeed peculiar, but he is strong. And he saved us.
[Ding! Detection: User successfully led a group battle with a highly unorthodox style. Collecting Strangeness Points from an impressive victory...]
[+25 Strangeness Points.]
"YES! Here it is! More points! I'm a helper with a... matchless style!" Chen Ming cheered inwardly. My Strangeness Points were now 756.
"Let's collect the materials," Lin Fan said. "We must be quick before other creatures arrive."
They began collecting the claws, fur, and spiritual core from the Jade Bamboo Bear. The process took about an hour. The Jade Bamboo Bear's claws were incredibly hard and sharp, its fur thick and radiating a faint spiritual aura, and its spiritual core pulsed with powerful energy. Chen Ming helped, though he felt a little awkward having to cut parts of the monster's body.
This is my first time helping to butcher a monster. In games, you just click loot. Here, it's bloody. Chen Ming thought, feeling a little nauseous but also a rush of adrenaline.
After they finished, Lin Fan divided the materials. "For you, Brother Chen Ming," he said, handing him some claws and a handful of fur. "As a token of our gratitude. We will take the spiritual core to the Sect."
Chen Ming nodded. "Thank you, Brother Lin Fan." Not bad, I can sell it or maybe the System can process it into points?
The sun began to set. The once bright forest was now covered in long shadows. The scent of damp earth and decaying leaves grew stronger.
"We will camp near this lair," Lin Fan said. "This area is relatively safe after defeating the Jade Bamboo Bear. We can recover and prepare for tomorrow's journey."
They found a suitable spot, lit a small bonfire. Wang Lei and Zhang Wei began preparing dinner from their rations. Li Hua sat a little apart, sharpening her sword, her eyes occasionally glancing at Chen Ming.
That night, they shared stories around the campfire. Lin Fan spoke about their mission to collect Jade Bamboo Bear materials for a Sect elixir. He also asked about Chen Ming's "secluded sect."
Chen Ming, with the System's help, managed to concoct a fairly convincing story about his remote mountain sect, which focused on unorthodox physical techniques and unique cultivation. He even managed to create some details that sounded plausible, though he had to hold back laughter inwardly.
[Ding! Detection: User successfully fabricated a... convincing background story. Collecting Strangeness Points from a comical yet successful lie...]
[+12 Strangeness Points.]
"Haha! I'm truly a great actor!" Chen Ming cheered inwardly. My Strangeness Points were now 768.
Wang Lei and Zhang Wei seemed impressed by Chen Ming's story, asking questions about his peculiar techniques. Li Hua remained skeptical, but she couldn't deny Chen Ming's strength.
"So, Brother Chen Ming," Lin Fan said, "what are your plans after this? Will you return to your secluded sect?"
Chen Ming nodded. "I plan to explore Tian Xuan Continent further. I want to seek experience and strengthen myself."
Lin Fan nodded in understanding. "Tian Xuan Continent is vast and dangerous. Many factions are rising, and there are rumors of impending chaos." He stared at the campfire, his expression serious. "In recent years, there has been an increase in dark cultivator activity, and also the emergence of several mysterious new sects with cruel methods."
The chaos Xian'er mentioned. Chen Ming thought. It seems this world will indeed never be boring.
They talked late into the night, sharing knowledge about monsters, elixirs, and some safe cities. Chen Ming absorbed all the information like a sponge, feeling his newly recovered brain working very efficiently.
[Ding! Detection: User successfully gathered important world information. Collecting Strangeness Points from unconventional learning...]
[+8 Strangeness Points.]
"Even information gives points? This System is truly versatile!" My Strangeness Points were now 776.
Finally, they all fell asleep, only the crackling of the campfire and the chirping of night insects filling the forest. Chen Ming lay, staring at the bamboo canopy above him.
This will be a long journey. But with them, and my System, perhaps it won't be too ludicrous... or perhaps it will become even more ludicrous. Chen Ming thought, a faint smile etched on his lips. And I have new allies, even if they don't fully know who I truly am.