Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Fellow cultivator, please wait a minute. There’s an insect in your brain, I’d like to peck it out for you… You must know that a bitter medicine cures the disease, you must not hide your sickness in fear of going through treatment!”
In an evergreen forest, a beautiful Crimson-mantled Woodpecker yelled at a red maple tree that was running away.
Although the red maple tree was a tree, it had big strides, and was not slow at all when it was running away.
The tree demon turned a deaf ear, and continued escaping.
It was really not easy for this Crimson-mantled Woodpecker to catch up to it in a short period of time.
Nonetheless, since one was flying and the other was running, not long after, the Crimson-mantled woodpecker managed to catch up. It clung onto its tree branch tightly.
That towering tree quickly waved its branches around to drive it away, but the bird was so agile that it was able to dodge all of it.
However, the bird found it hard to peck on it because of this.
“Sigh, fellow cultivator, I’m doing this for your own good. Back when you were insensible, you were born with the ability to gather vitality, and you flourished with strong vitality, which is why you attracted countless insects. If it wasn’t for me that caught all the insects for you, you would’ve suffered a premature death for having hollow trunks. How could you have lived till the day you gain your sapience!” The Crimson-mantled Woodpecker explained earnestly.
Even so, that red maple tree did not bother, and continued running everywhere, as if it was an ill child who was afraid of needles and medicine.
“You’re so troublesome, so much for trying to care about you. It’s very rare as you’re the only tree demon in the forest that has gained sapience, it’s truly hard to come by. Now, even as some little insects live on your bark, you’re not feeling any pain because of your strong, sturdy body. When you finally feel pain, it’ll be too late.”
The Crimson-mantled Woodpecker continued rattling on but the red maple tree still turned a deaf ear.
At one point, the Crimson-mantled Woodpecker felt helpless. It swayed its head around as if trying to recall something, and finally managed to find an ultimate weapon.
After a long while, it spoke again, “Among humans, a wise man from the same field one said, when the disease is on the skin, it can be cured by hot compress of medicines; when it slips beneath the skin, it can be healed by acupuncture; when it comes to the intestines and stomach, it can be treated with hot drug soups; when the disease comes to your spine, which is at the hands of God, nothing can be done. Now, those insects are on your bark, I can still get rid of them easily. If they’ve slipped into your inner bark, it’ll be just like what the wise man had said, there’ll be nothing I can do. When that happens, I can only kill you too…”
When the red maple tree heard that, it seemed to be afraid. Thus, it stopped flapping its branches around, and became more conscientious.
“Mmm, as expected, words from a human wise man are more useful. After all, you’ve been planted by humans years ago.” Upon seeing the situation, the Crimson-mantled Woodpecker was satisfied.
Since the tree no longer swayed around, it began pecking the tree with its sharp beak.
As soon as it started, “tuk tuk” sounds were heard. The red maple tree kept trembling, and it wanted to escape but it dared not do so.
“Mmm, indeed, after not visiting for a few days, there are more fat insects…” The Crimson-mantled Woodpecker happily listened to the hollows through its echoes, and it sounded like there were quite a number of insects in it.
“Hehe, if you were to die, I’ll lose my free meals, so I won’t let you die.” The Crimson-mantled Woodpecker found the hollows, then with might, it pecked the bark open, and stuck its long tongue into the tree.
Not long after, a squirming fat insect shining in white came out on its tongue, along with a few of its white insect eggs.
The Crimson-mantled Woodpecker swallowed this delicious meal satisfyingly, and expressed its desire of wanting more, “Not bad, after eating a few more times, I’ll be able to advance to the rumored Pond-level. When that happens, I’ll be a strong Pond-level bird, and I’ll be qualified to chase after that Olive-backed Woodpecker.”
The red maple tree swayed its head and spoke for the very first time, “Little Crimson, why do I feel like you’re not really trying to treat me, it’s more like you’re treating me like an insect rearing farm.”
“Uh, don’t overthink. The more you think, the more you’ll hurt your feelings, we’re in a win-win situation. Think about it, if I don’t eat these insects, these insects will eat you.” The Crimson-mantled Woodpecker quickly fooled it.
The red maple tree had nothing else to say as the woodpecker was quite reasonable.
Just as the Crimson-mantled Woodpecker continued searching for insects, two voices from afar were heard.
“Venerable One, that’s the Crimson-mantled Woodpecker we’re looking for. It is already a Basin-level bird demon, and is a step away from being a Pond-level bird. Among all woodpeckers, it is the one with the fastest improvement, and the strongest strengths.
“Its talent in searching insects is probably at number one, and it is definitely best at finding those insect demons that are rich in vitality, which is why it is able to grow so quickly. Know that they don’t have any special cultivation techniques, though humans have many abilities, there aren’t any suitable ones for birds. In the opposite, even pigs can cultivate human abilities.”
“Oh, very well. This is enough, take this pill for your returning journey, I never let soldiers starve.”
“Thank you for your kindness, Venerable One, I’ll bid my farewell now.”
“Eh, Little Feng, it sounds like somebody is looking for me? Listen, while you won’t even spare a glance for me, somebody else came from far away to invite me. You must be contented with what you have, I’m truly one of a kind, other woodpeckers won’t be able to handle these insects on you.” The Crimson-mantled Woodpecker said proudly.
The red maple tree was speechless. The person who came had a profound strength that was nothing like what it had felt before. Fortunately, he had a peaceful aura, was full of righteousness, and looked upright. Since it could not sense any form of greed out of him, there was nothing for it to be afraid of.
If it were those illegal poachers and lumberjacks, it would have sensed the greedy aura on them even if they were ten miles away.
…
“Eh, great, Mr. Rich Boss, I came across a precious treasure again…” The System was excited.
“Uh, I know that tree is a precious but can we deal with the proper business first?” Fang Ning was at a loss for words. After all, the System was not him, it did not have human feelings.
The System had no concepts of any tragic events, such that it turned a blind eye no matter how bloody or how cruel the case was, and it would only act according to the System’s rules.
Other than him whom the System would still treat with a little bit of kindness, it really showed no conscience to other beings.
In fact, the names “Vigilante” and “Eastern Pharos” were actually jokes that outsiders would never know about.
“Uh, you’re right. There’s nothing I can do, I’m an honest system.” The System rejoined firmly.
“Forget it, this woodpecker is extraordinary indeed. It’s only the third year of Shenyuan yet as a bird, it was able to achieve Basin-level without cultivating any abilities, and is about to progress into Pond-level, its talent is crystal clear. With the addition of the theory of reinforcing and restraining one another, my instinct tells me that it can counter that despicable Brain-Devouring Insect.” Fang Ning uttered with certainly.
“Oh, my instinct tells me that you might’ve guessed it right again, Mr. Rich Boss.” The System responded in an angry tone.
“What do you mean by guess? I figured this out through careful deductions and inspirations possessed only by geniuses like me.” Fang Ning was disgruntled.
…
“Greetings, fellow cultivator.” Fang Ning stood under the tree as he held a fist salute, and said to the Crimson-mantled Woodpecker on the tree.
“Uh, fellow cultivator, I wonder, why have you come so far?” The Crimson-mantled Woodpecker climbed down the tree hastily to reach a level equal to Fang Ning, then replied.
Fang Ning mentioned with a serious face, “The human world is currently suffering a disaster whereby a devil insect behaves brutally to kill innocent beings, and plunges them into misery. The people are on the verge of death. Currently, it seems like you’re its only born nemesis, fellow cultivator, please lend a kind helping hand. You’ll comfort Heaven, and save the people, it’s a meritorious service, you must help us in this.”
“Uh, the way you put it, hehe.” After being lifted up high, the Crimson-mantled Woodpecker felt shy. “Since you’ve put it this way, I must help you, but I can’t leave this old maple tree. If I’m away from it for a long time, it’ll be bitten to death by insects.”
“Hehe, this is simple. I have a portable arcane realm that is abundant in vitality, it’ll be a cinch to plant trees or flowers there. Fellow cultivator, it’ll be fine if you live there temporarily. ” Once again, the System seized the body again, and answered before Fang Ning could.
“Twice…” Fang Ning recorded the System’s behavior on a little notebook as he was extremely unhappy about it.
“Who cares…” The System was in disdain.
“Casting your benefactor aside after your purpose is served, is this how an honest system behaves?” Fang Ning lectured.
While they conversed, the red maple tree had already disappeared…
The Crimson-mantled Woodpecker was stunned, it wondered, ‘This, this is just too fast, isn’t it?
‘It seems like, it seems like the red maple tree hasn’t even agreed to it at all…’
“Uh, alright, fellow cultivator, you should have no more worries anymore. Oh right, for speed purposes, come stay in the realm too.”
“That, that, can I not stay in there?” The Crimson-mantled Woodpecker asked.
“For all the beings in the world, we ask that you comply with it, brother.” Vigilante A disallowed it from continuing, then pointed his finger, causing the Crimson-mantled Woodpecker to vanish right away without being able to resist it.
At the end of the day, it was only a Basin-level bird, it was not even a Pond-level bird.
Speaking of which, even it were to become a Pond-level powerhouse, it still lacked the powers to go against the System.
“This way, we’ll be able to run faster. Let me look at the System Map to see if that Brain-Devouring Parasite is causing calamities again.” The System was pleased.
The Draconic Arcane Realm was easy to enter but hard to leave.
“Sir, how is this different from snatching a gun? Aren’t you afraid of losing your chivalrous virtue?” Fang Ning was worried.
“Ah, didn’t I explain already? It is for all the beings in the world, I won’t lose it, don’t worry.” The System responded confidently.
“The way you put it, I keep having a visual sense that there’s a righteous, prestigious hero…”
“You’re right, I’m the righteous hero.”
