Reborn as Xu Xuan, Plundering Perks & Flooding the Mountain Ling

Chapter 22: The Ferocious Gengjin Fiendstone! Are Alchemy Disciples This Weak?

“Huff—huff—huff—”

Heavy and laboured breathing echoed across the martial training grounds as a figure dressed in a blue Daoist robe struggled forward, carrying a massive greenish stone slab nearly as tall as a person. The passing Combat Sect disciples paused in their steps, glancing over with curiosity and amusement.

“Where did this disciple come from? He’s struggling just to carry a stone?! How did someone with such poor physique manage to enter our Combat Sect?”

“Wait—look at the pattern on his robe. He’s from the Alchemy Sect!”

“Ah, no wonder he looks so frail. So, he’s one of those pill brewers?”

“Probably couldn’t make the cut there, so he settled for second best.”

“To be fair, anyone who enters the Weapon, Talisman, or Alchemy Sects can still learn some basic combat techniques from us. But we’re different. We’re born warriors.”

“Those alchemists, blacksmiths, and talisman makers? They’re just support units! When it comes to slaying demons, upholding justice, and protecting Mount Longhu, the real burden falls on us, the Combat Sect disciples!”

Mount Longhu was a sanctuary of Daoist cultivation, but where there were people, rivalry was inevitable. And in the Combat Sect, where combat was the very foundation, competitiveness was in their blood. As the blue-robed figure gritted his teeth and continued carrying his burden, the gathered Combat Sect disciples watched with smirks. They weren’t outright mocking him, but their words dripped with condescension. However, the struggling disciple, Xu Xuan, was far too occupied hauling the stone to even care about their chatter. Just as his figure disappeared from sight, another person carrying a similar stone walked past. Suddenly, one of the Combat Sect disciples gasped aloud.

“Master?! What are you doing here?” Jin Song exclaimed.

The group of disciples stiffened, their expressions turning into one of shock and disbelief. Wasn’t that Elder Xuan Yuan?! One of the youngest elders of the Combat Sect and a prime candidate for the next Head Master! A figure of such stature… carrying a stone?! Impossible!

“Master, were you… punished for something?”

Xuan Yuan chuckled as he dropped his massive stone onto the ground.

BOOM!

The huge stone slammed into the ground, shattering the paved bricks and sinking into the soil.

“You think carrying this stone is easy?”

Xuan Yuan swept his gaze over his students, instantly seeing through their thoughts. He smirked inwardly.

These little brats needed a lesson. Otherwise, they’d never understand the gap between themselves and true strength.

“Since you think it’s so simple,” Xuan Yuan said, “why don’t you give it a try?”

Jing Song had witnessed firsthand how the stone cracked the ground upon impact. He had expected it to be heavy, but…He had just broken through to the Innate Realm and his arms alone held over 500kg of strength. If he burst out his inner energy, that number would double so he could lift a small mountain if needed. One stone was merely a breeze..

Jing Song steadied his stance, fingers tightening like iron hooks, digging deep into the loose earth, gripping the stone’s base. It should have been a simple feat. He was just about to shout aloud and lift. But the moment he touched the stone…

—BZZT!—

A piercing metallic energy erupted from within the stone, shooting up his arms, attempting to invade his body!

“AH—!”

Jing Song instantly let go and the stone that was barely lifted an inch before slamming back down—

BOOM!

If Xuan Yuan hadn’t stepped in to halt the impact, Jing Song’s foot would have been crushed!

“Wh-what is this stone?!”

Xuan Yuan chuckled.

“Gengjin Fiendstone.”

Jing Song turned pale. The other disciples instinctively backed away.

“Gengjin Fiendstone… the most lethal of all elemental fiendstones?!”

“I remember reading about this in The Book of Wonders! Fiendstones are natural spiritual minerals, formed by fusing the five elemental energies! They’re heavier than refined steel, and the energy inside them disrupts the body’s meridians! That’s why you can’t use inner energy when moving them! If you do, the evil energy will invade your body through your pores and meridians!”

The group visibly paled. Even if they didn’t fully understand the weight, they knew what evil energy could do. Jing Song, who was still shaken, quickly added, “You guys have no idea what it actually feels like! Even if you don’t use inner energy, the evil aura still seeps into your body!”

Silence. Now, the disciples looked even more hesitant. Xuan Yuan smirked and turned to the remaining Combat Sect disciples.

“Well? Does anyone else want to give it a try?”

Lifting the stone was one thing. But now, the fear of failure mixed with fear of losing face. None of them wanted to back down. One by one, they stepped forward, and one by one, they all failed. Just as Xuan Yuan was about to lecture them, he noticed Xu Xuan strolling toward them casually.  When Xu Xuan saw the Fiendstone, his eyes lit up.

“Elder Xuan Yuan, are you taking a break? If so, why don’t I carry that stone for you?”

Before Xuan Yuan could answer, Xu Xuan picked up the Fiendstone and ran off. In mere seconds, his figure had vanished into the distance. His movements were swift and his footwork was light. It was as if… he wasn’t carrying anything at all. The Combat Sect disciples stood frozen.

“…W-what the hell?!”

“Someone slap me. Did I just hallucinate?”

“That Alchemy Sect guy… did he just carry off the Fiendstone?”

“What else would it be?! That massive stone!”

“I tested it earlier—it’s at least 2500kg!”

“But… but he made it look so effortless?!”

“And that Gengjin Fiend Qi didn’t it affect him at all?”

“Wait… was that stone fake?”

“No way—I just tried lifting it myself!”

“Guys… did you forget something?”

“Xu Xuan already carried another Fiendstone earlier—just as big!”

Silence. The Combat Sect disciples no longer knew what to say. And Xuan Yuan? He suddenly let out a low, angry roar.

“That damn brat! He stole my Fiendstone! I spent so long choosing the smallest one—that was mine! MINE!”

TL/N: Geng is a type of iron and jin means metal. So the stone is a magnetic metal composed of iron