The stone altar shimred with an ethereal green light, wrapping itself around the object like a web of vines. The glow pulsed faintly, each thread of light appearing to funnel energy directly into the golden ginseng perched atop the altar.
"This looks like so sort of ritual," Wen Ran murmured, his sharp gaze analyzing the scene. "If I'm not careful, I might fall into the trap of a formation. These kinds of treasures are usually heavily protected. Unless..." A sly grin spread across his face. "It's an offering. In that case, why shouldn't I be the one to take it? After all, this world owes plenty."
He stepped forward, his movents deliberate and calculated. His eyes swept over every branch, every patch of ground, scanning for signs of a hidden formation.
"If there's a formation, it would be subtle, but there's always a flaw. If I can spot it, I might be able to dismantle the whole thing." However, no matter how intently he observed, there was nothing—no visible lines, no runes, no traps. Or perhaps it was so well-hidden even he couldn't detect it. The lack of any obvious defenses left Wen Ran puzzled, his cautious steps bringing him ever closer.
As he approached the altar, a sudden shift gripped the world around him. The daylight faded, replaced by an unnatural night that cloaked the forest in darkness. The green light emanating from the vines intensified, and they began to grow. The once-delicate tendrils expanded, twisting and coiling into the form of a massive tree. Its roots and branches encased the golden ginseng, shielding it as though protecting a cherished child.
"Well… I should have expected this," Wen Ran muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing as he studied the towering structure. Without a weapon—no sword, no axe—he knew breaking through the vines would be a far greater challenge.
HISSSSS.
The sharp, guttural hiss cut through the air like a blade, sending a wave of piercing sound directly into Wen Ran's ears. He winced in pain, clutching his head as the hiss reverberated, infused with spiritual energy that assaulted him from within.
His heart quickened as the realization hit. Whatever was approaching held power far beyond the Spirit Gathering stage.
Yet, instead of panicking, Wen Ran's instincts kicked in. He drew upon his spiritual technique, masking his aura entirely before darting behind a nearby tree. The strategy wasn't perfect, but it was all he had for now. Every movent was precise, every breath carefully controlled as he remained still.
Assess the situation carefully... One mistake here could cost my life.
The hissing sound grew louder, accompanied by the faint rustle of sothing massive slithering through the forest. Whatever the beast was, it wasn't in sight yet, but its presence was overwhelming. Wen Ran silently hoped the creature wouldn't notice him—or better yet, wouldn't notice him at all.
The beast approached swiftly, its massive azure body undulating with lethal grace. It was easily the size of two grown n, its scales gleaming faintly in the dim light like polished armor. The serpent's deep erald-green eyes were srizing and piercing, scanning its surroundings with a cold, calculated vigilance. It coiled protectively around the vine-ford altar, its movents thodical as though seeking the one who had triggered its guardian instincts.
Great... Wen Ran cursed inwardly, his teeth clenched. That thing is at the third circle of Spirit Flow stage. How am I supposed to fight it without a weapon? His mind raced, trying to form a strategy. Maybe I could tear off one of these massive vines and use it to pierce the beast... but no. I'd need to cut it first, and for that— His inner monologue was interrupted by a fresh wave of frustration. This stupid system. I swear it's trying to kill the mont I get back to life. Ridiculous!
Suddenly, a glowing system screen popped up in front of him, its sudden appearance nearly making him lose his balance. Why does it always have to show up so suddenly?! he growled internally, glaring at the ssage.
[You may trade in your lifespan for items]
[Would you like to see your options? Y/N]
Trade my life for items? Are you kidding ?! Wen Ran's face twisted into a grimace. Fury bubbled inside him, but he quickly forced himself to calm down. It's better than dying here... he rationalized. And I can regain those years with cultivation later. Many cultivators choose paths that sacrifice lifespan for power, but most of them burn out, their foundations too weak to face soone with the sa cultivation base. I can't afford that...
Still, the bitter reality gnawed at him. Unlike those reckless cultivators, he had no intention of crippling his potential. But since the trade wasn't directly linked to his cultivation base, the idea of exchanging years for a weapon seed less destructive. I need this to survive.
"Show it to ," he whispered softly, barely audible, careful not to alert the serpent to his location.
[Iron Sword: 10 years]
[Iron Spear: 11 years]
[Dual Iron Swords: 20 years]
[Spiritual Infused Iron Axe: 30 years]
[Spiritual Infused Iron Sword: 25 years]
You've got to be kidding , Wen Ran thought, his expression souring further. The cost of these items was no joke. Even demonic cultivators infamous for sacrificing lifespan would balk at these prices. This is practically a deal with the devil...
Grinding his teeth, Wen Ran whispered through gritted teeth, "Give the simple iron sword."
The mont the words left his mouth, he felt a strange, otherworldly sensation. It was as though so unseen force had reached into his very soul and taken a piece of it. A hollow, fleeting pain echoed through his body, leaving him slightly breathless.
This system will regret this one day, he swore silently. And whoever is behind it all... His thoughts simred with fury, but he quickly pushed them aside. His focus returned to the massive serpent before him.
With a soft tallic hum, an iron sword materialized in his hand. It was plain, unadorned, and functional—exactly what he needed. Wen Ran's fingers tightened around the hilt, his lips curling into a smirk.
"Let's see how good snake soup tastes today," he whispered, his voice dripping with mockery. Moving like a shadow, he began closing the distance between himself and the serpent, every step calculated and silent. His body tensed as he prepared for his first strike, his mind sharpening for the battle ahead.
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