The serpent’s scales were a high-quality material, and he made sure to peel them off delicately, mindful of the worth they held. Next, he moved on to the fangs, noting their average quality. Still, they might fetch a decent price, or perhaps even serve some purpose in his alchemy experiments.
Finally, he worked on the heart and the eyes. The heart, marked as "High," was still warm to the touch, and Wen Ran felt a brief flicker of pride in the quality of the materials he was collecting. The eyes, marked as "Supreme," were the most prized of all, their gleaming pupils still holding a strange, otherworldly quality. He carefully removed them from the serpent’s skull, preserving them as best as he could.
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As he worked, he couldn’t help but feel the weight of his actions. Despite the pain and exhaustion of the battle, there was a sense of accomplishment in his careful, methodical harvesting. Even with the loss of the fiery flower, he had gained valuable resources—and more importantly, he had grown stronger.
"Not bad," Wen Ran murmured to himself as he completed the task, securing the parts in his pouch. "When the system isn’t trying to kill me, it’s so useful and beneficial. It’s amazing. I wonder what other secrets it hides..." His voice trailed off, his thoughts growing distant. He had been so focused on the immediate battle, but now the lingering question about the system’s nature returned to him.
The system, though helpful, was still an enigma. Wen Ran had no control over it, and the more he thought about it, the more it felt too otherworldly. He had never encountered a technique like it in his previous life. Some techniques had a way to communicate with their users, but those were extremely rare, often involving trapped spirits that acted as mediums. This system, however, seemed to be connected to something much bigger, almost like it was linked to the entire world itself.
"I hope that one day, I can reveal all of your secrets," Wen Ran sighed to himself as he observed the massive forest below from the small mountain he was perched on. His words hung in the air, though it was unclear whether he was referring to the system, the world, or even life itself. His eyes gleamed with quiet determination, and his heartbeat seemed to synchronize with the rhythm of the world around him. To anyone looking from the side, he would have appeared as a scholar, lost in thought, contemplating the mysteries of existence.
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Wen Ran clapped his thighs and stood up from his squat, his heart brimming with ambition as he began making his way down the mountain. The forest below called to him with its hidden potential—he could feel that it was teeming with medicinal herbs and beasts that could further fuel his resources. After all, his stingy master had refused to provide for him, and it seemed Wen Ran would have to take matters into his own hands if he wanted to grow stronger.
He had a task to complete; after all, he couldn’t return empty-handed.
Wen Ran pressed the jade slip to his forehead once again, his frustration growing with every word he read aloud.
"Moonlit Herb… Spirit Leaf… Flameberry Bush… Ironroot Herb… Crimson Blossom…" He sighed, feeling the weight of the task his master had set for him. "Wild Wolf Fang… Mountain Serpent Scales… Shadow Bat Wing… Mountain Bear Claw… Dire Wolf Blood..."
Wen Ran let out a low groan, realizing just how rare and difficult these materials were to gather. "All of them are either in dangerous locations or protected by beasts stronger than me… Great." He clicked his tongue in irritation, already dreading the journey ahead.
But the forest had been mentioned in the jade slip, with a distinct crystal tree noted at its center. It stood far larger than the other trees, its translucent branches sparkling with an eerie glow. And that powerful roar he had heard earlier? It came from that very direction.
"Well, no point in complaining now," Wen Ran muttered to himself, his voice sharp with resolve. "Time to move and finish up with this area as quickly as possible. I’ve got at least ten more zones to cover, and that damned tiger to track down..." He sighed, frustration flickering across his face. He wished Xiao Mo were around. The rabbit had disappeared without a trace, but Wen Ran wasn’t too concerned. He knew the little creature would survive, no matter how tough things got. This space was safe for it—unless someone foolishly decided to turn it into dinner.
"If Xiao Mo was here, it could sniff out some herbs for me... when I find that rabbit, I’ll cook it myself. What’s the point of having a companion beast if it’s useless to me? Damned thing..." Wen Ran muttered under his breath, though deep down, he couldn’t shake the slight worry that flickered in his chest. He’d never admit it, of course—his pride was far too strong, and he refused to show any weakness.
When he finally made his way down the mountain, the cool, refreshing air of the forest greeted him, and his spirits lifted slightly. The peace of the forest surrounded him, calming his mind even as he focused on the task at hand. Wen Ran quickly concealed his aura, knowing all too well that even a slight misstep could draw the attention of the powerful beasts lurking in the shadows. He may have grown stronger, but he wasn’t foolish enough to be careless. Moving like a shadow, he placed each footstep carefully, making sure to minimize any sound while scanning the surroundings for his next herb.
Hours passed, and as the sun dipped beneath the horizon, darkness fell over the land. The cool night air settled in, the moonlight casting a silvery glow over everything. Near a cave, Wen Ran’s sharp eyes caught something shimmering through the leaves. He approached cautiously, his heart quickening with anticipation.
There, nestled among the foliage, was a small patch of white flowers with silver veins that seemed to glow faintly in the moonlight. Their dark green leaves had a silvery sheen to them, almost translucent, like delicate lacework.
"The Moonlit Herb... Perfect!" Wen Ran whispered, unable to suppress the smile tugging at the corner of his lips. His first required material was right in front of him. He wouldn’t let this opportunity slip by.