Chapter 19: Extraction: Transformation
Lu Li vaguely sensed the creature behind him. Whether it was due to the sunlight or something else, it didn't pursue him. Nonetheless, Lu Li did not slow down, as it was approaching evening. Darkness would soon fall, and while his abilities were stronger at night, the forest could harbor unknown dangers.
As the last rays of sunlight faded, Lu Li stepped into the area around the witch's hut and found that it was still bright here, as if it was daytime. This led him to speculate about the witch's abilities: "Is this an independent space?"
Carrying the meat lingzhi, Lu Li pushed open the door of the hut and saw that Xu Haoran had already returned. His face was flushed as he gazed at the witch, who was busy preparing potions, while Gao Xiaowen sat nearby, clutching her left arm with a mocking smile. It seemed Xu Haoran had not escaped the witch's charm and was now her devoted follower.
Xu Haoran appeared strong but was internally terrified. He desperately needed to prove himself through various means, always wanting to lead the team and initiate side quests to showcase his strength. However, his mind had significant flaws from the previous instance, making him susceptible to the witch's allure.
"You're back. I've been waiting for you. Quickly, give me the item..." The witch's voice was as harsh as ever, yet this time Xu Haoran showed no reaction, his face still full of infatuation.
Lu Li handed over the meat lingzhi to the witch. She examined it and smiled, "Not bad quality, it was worth all my efforts..."
The witch made no effort to conceal her involvement. Her words revealed a lot. Seeing Lu Li's thoughtful expression, she continued nonchalantly, "That village happened to suffer a plague, and I needed this item. So, I gave its seed to a gravedigger. According to the contract, he could use it at his discretion, and you saw the result..."
"Even those who acquired it later sought immortality and chose to make a pact with me, continuing to use it..." The witch smirked, "They wanted to break the contract and monopolize the lingzhi, so I struck first."
"Yes, it's all their fault," Xu Haoran echoed, but the witch ignored him, focusing on Lu Li. "I just want to extract something from it, which won't affect its properties. If you want, I can give you the lingzhi."
"I have no interest in something with so many hidden dangers. And how do you know so much about us?" Lu Li asked. The witch had no intention of hiding anything and replied directly, "Of course, I placed measures on all of you shortly after you entered the hut. I've been watching your every move. Don't worry, it's only for surveillance, no harm to you."
As she spoke, the witch placed the lingzhi on the wooden table, picked up a freshly prepared potion, and poured it over the lingzhi. The lingzhi absorbed it and folded back into a bud. Black threads extended from it, waving around as if searching for something.
The witch began chanting ancient, strange incantations, then took a crystal needle and pierced it into the center of the lingzhi bud. The black threads immediately entwined around the needle, emitting a brilliant glow that was absorbed into the needle.
After a while, the witch extracted the needle and placed it in a metal box. She then set the withered lingzhi bud in front of Lu Li, saying, "Do you really not want this lingzhi? It can revive with some food. Immortality comes at a cost, but it's still immortality, isn't it?"
"Your mysterious country also has such methods..." The witch continued, waving her hand to make a yellow book fly over from a cabinet. The book's cover bore ancient characters: "Lingzhi Longevity Manual."
This name reminded Lu Li of the "Immortal Sand Reanimation Manual" from the previous scenario. These items seemed to be part of a series, likely from the same secret scriptures. The witch didn't mind Lu Li's puzzled expression and continued, "You could also consume it directly and become the source of everything. This method, I haven't told anyone else."
"No thanks. What I want to know now is how much you know about my situation?" Lu Li recalled the mission reward prompt and asked. The witch's smile faded as she spoke seriously, "You've been marked by a great being. You should know when you encountered such an existence. I'm surprised you haven't turned into a raving lunatic."
"They've given you many things, waiting for you to discover. But be careful, dealing with such beings is never a good thing..." The witch's serious tone carried a hint of self-mockery.
"Fine, if you don't want it, I won't force you." The witch put away the withered lingzhi and took out the metal box, adding fresh herbs and potions before placing it over a fire. The box floated, being roasted.
At this moment, Hu Wenxu returned, looking disheveled but uninjured. He watched the witch as she chuckled and said, in her grating voice, "You did well with the task. My little darlings are very pleased. As a reward for your efforts, this is yours."
The witch tossed the previously taken lingzhi to Hu Wenxu, along with the Lingzhi Longevity Manual. Gao Xiaowen maintained her mocking smile, Xu Haoran said nothing, his face still enraptured by the witch, while Lu Li looked curiously at the lingzhi, pretending he had never seen it.
Hu Wenxu nodded, sitting down to seriously read the Lingzhi Longevity Manual, occasionally making notes. He seemed very pleased with it, happily stepping into the trap. Time would tell if he could climb out of it. [TL: Demn! The world is soo cruel]
The witch retrieved the metal box from the fire, opening it to reveal the crystal needle transformed into a dark green block. Lu Li's expression shifted; it was a module...
[End of the Chapter]