[Looks like the system doesn't plan to let this little guy die, master,]
"Good, now that I know what to do, this thing won't be impossible anymore," Di Tian said, his mood shifting dramatically from despondent to ecstatic. The newfound hope filled him with renewed determination.
"Little guy, wait for me here. I promise I will save you, okay?" He gently spoke to the injured white snake, nudging it with his claw. The white snake seemed to understand his words and intentions, responding by limply rubbing its head against his claw. The gesture conveyed trust and gratitude, deepening the connection between them.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Di Tian embarked on the quest to save the white snake. The challenge ahead was indeed daunting, but he was resolute in his determination to find the ancient magical herb and heal the creature's injuries. The bond he felt with the injured snake fueled his drive to succeed, and he couldn't bear the thought of losing the one being in this world who seemed to understand him on a deeper level.
As he journeyed through the forest, Di Tian couldn't shake the feeling of isolation. Since waking up in this new world, he had been without companionship or someone to share his thoughts with. Though he had
With a few parting words of reassurance to the little white snake, Di Tian took a deep breath, summoning his courage as he prepared to face the challenges ahead. With a powerful leap, he propelled himself into the air, his serpentine body gliding gracefully through the sky.
Guided by the quest's description, Di Tian delved deeper into the forest, his serpentine form gliding swiftly and silently above the towering trees. The quest's formidable S rank difficulty indicated that the path ahead would be rife with perils and trials. Nonetheless, Di Tian remained undeterred, his journey until now having been relatively undisturbed. While he encountered some predators along the way, his immense strength and presence alone were enough to make most of them flee at the mere sight of him. As for the foolhardy ones who dared to see him as their prey, he greeted them with unwavering resolve, claws at the ready.
As Di Tian ventured deeper into the forest, the weight of the quest's S-rank difficulty hung on his mind. He couldn't help but feel perplexed by the lack of danger and challenges he had encountered so far. According to the system, an S-rank quest should be fraught with peril at every turn, but the journey had been mostly uneventful.
Curiosity gnawed at him, and he turned to
Di Tian's curiosity was piqued, but he also sensed a tinge of unease hearing the latter part of
"What does that mean? Please explain," he asked, his intuition hinting at potential complications.
< Wise One> clarified, "Master, it is impossible for an herb to be born with spiritual energy in this world. As it hasn't awakened its spiritual energy yet, but there are certain exceptions to every rule in heaven and earth."
"Are you suggesting that the herb we're searching for could be an inborn spiritual herb?" Di Tian inquired.
< Wise One> clarified further, [That's not what I'm saying, Master. I'm implying that even the great rules of the heaven and earth can be bypassed if certain near-impossible conditions are met.]
Curiosity and amazement swirled within Di Tian. "Tell me more, partner! What are these conditions?" he asked eagerly.
< Wise One> explained, [For instance, age. In certain legends, it is said that if a normal herb grows continuously for ten thousand years, then it's possible for it to contain spiritual and magical properties.]
"Ten thousand years?" Di Tian mused, impressed by the thought. "I always thought the tales of cultivation for ten thousand years and becoming a deity were just mere legends. I never thought they would also hold some truth."
"But this still isn't the answer to my question," Di Tian continued, his determination resurfacing. "What does all this have to do with the quest being ranked 'S' in difficulty?"
< Wise One> replied, [The difficulty ranking may have been assigned due to the rarity and value of the magical herb. Quests of this nature, involving the search for unique and powerful items, are often deemed as high risk, even if the actual journey may not be perilous.]
< Wise One> stated, [In this case, if that herb has truly gained magical and spiritual properties, it's impossible that it isn't being guarded by a powerful guardian.]
Di Tian's curiosity was piqued once more, and he inquired, "Guardian? What do you mean?"
< Wise One> explained, [When a spiritual herb is born, there would always be a powerful guardian beast that claims the surrounding territory as its own and guards the herb.]
Di Tian couldn't help but question the guardian's intelligence, "Well, that's pretty stupid. Why would they guard it when they could simply eat it and gain the benefits it provides?"
< Wise One> replied in a matter-of-fact tone, [They don't have an IQ as high as yours, genius.]
Di Tian raised an eyebrow, "Wait, are you mocking me?"
< Wise One> retorted, [That's only your imagination, Master.]
The conversation continued, and < Wise One> elaborated, [Guarding a spiritual herb is very beneficial for beasts. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth near the spiritual herb's presence will always be a few times denser than in other places. The beasts instinctually feel that guarding that herb is more beneficial, and in the process, they absorb the spiritual energy spread around by that herb, which makes their cultivation faster.]
[In conclusion,] < Wise One> summarized, [There is an 80% chance that there is a powerful guardian beast guarding that herb. It might have been cultivating for many years, even decades. Even though you are a true dragon with a natural physique made for fighting, you still don't have what it takes to battle a beast that has been cultivating by absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.]
Di Tian considered < Wise One>'s words seriously. The prospect of facing a powerful guardian beast was indeed daunting, and he realized that his current strength might not be sufficient for such a challenge.
"Still, I will fight" Nevertheless, he remained determined to save the little white snake and obtain the magical herb. With newfound resolve, he pressed on, ready to face whatever obstacles lay ahead.
…
Di Tian soared through the sky, pushing his serpentine body to its top speed. This was the first time he had to fly at such a relentless pace, but he was determined to reach the cave haven that held the ancient magical herb. The journey had been long and arduous, and he had been flying for over an hour, covering a distance of more than a hundred kilometers.
As he pressed on, the weariness started to creep into his muscles, but he fought against it, knowing that the reward he sought was within reach. Just as he was starting to lose his patience, a glimmer of hope appeared before him. He spotted a massive cave entrance, its size reaching almost ten meters in height and more than fifteen meters in width.
Relief washed over Di Tian as he slowly descended and approached the cave entrance. The sight was both awe-inspiring and foreboding. He knew that this was the place he had been searching for, the haven where the ancient magical herb was supposed to have been growing undisturbed for over ten thousand years.
The massive entrance exuded an air of grandeur, as if it were a gateway to another world. Di Tian couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence for the place, but at the same time, a cold sensation crept over his scales, warning him of the potential dangers that lay within the cave. His instincts screamed at him, reminding him that whatever dwelled inside could be powerful enough to pose a significant threat to his life.
Despite the foreboding atmosphere, Di Tian steeled his heart and slowly hovered a few inches above the ground, ready to dart out of the cave at the first sign of trouble. He knew that he needed to be cautious and vigilant as he ventured further into the depths of this mysterious haven.
The cave's interior was almost pitch black, with only faint traces of dim light filtering in from the entrance. Di Tian's eyes gradually adjusted to the darkness, allowing him to make out faint shapes and outlines. The silence in the cave was deafening, and the gloomy ambiance only added to his sense of trepidation.
Undeterred, he moved forward, relying on his heightened senses and instincts to guide him. Each second and moment felt like an eternity, and the air seemed to grow heavier with every passing moment. He couldn't help but feel as though the cave itself was alive, watching and waiting for any mishap.
With a deep breath, Di Tian continued his journey deeper into the darkness, knowing that the quest to save the white snake and obtain the magical herb had only just begun. Little did he know that the trials that awaited him within the cave would test his strength, resolve, and understanding of the world's mysteries like never before. The battle he will have in this cave will bring him closest to death than ever before.
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