Wen Ran stared at his palm as the golden light began to fade. Something reddish-brown took shape, and as the form solidified, his sharp eyes locked onto it. It was a bracelet. It appeared to be made of copper, its surface smooth and unadorned. Yet, when he picked it up, it felt weightless, almost as light as a feather. This baffled Wen Ran greatly. Despite his years of experience, honed from studying countless artifacts, he couldn't discern the nature or purpose of this mysterious object.
"What is this bracelet for?" he muttered, his tone laced with skepticism. He attempted to envelop it in spirit energy, expecting some kind of reaction, but nothing happened. His brow furrowed, and his expression betrayed a growing frustration. "Surely this so-called system wouldn't give me trash as a reward… right?"
Gripping the bracelet tightly, he tried to test its strength, but no matter how much force he applied, it didn't so much as bend. Its durability caught him off guard, and a flicker of intrigue replaced his irritation. "Hmm… at least it's sturdy," he murmured, sliding it onto his wrist.
The moment the bracelet clasped around his wrist, a surge of spiritual energy rushed into his body like a flood, flowing through his meridians with an intensity he hadn't felt before. Wen Ran's eyes widened as the sensation settled over him.
The connection to the world around me… it's enhanced by at least two or three times, he thought, his mind racing. This bracelet… it's no ordinary item. It's a treasure.
For a moment, Wen Ran was rendered speechless, his fingers lightly brushing over the bracelet as he marveled at its effects. A small smile tugged at his lips, a mix of satisfaction and awe. "So, it's not trash after all," he murmured, his voice barely audible. "Hahaha! Good! Good!" He laughed to himself in pure joy.
[Congratulations]
[You have acquired Spirit Convergence Bracelet (Rank S)]
[The bracelet enhances the wielder's spirit absorption rate by 2 times.]
[Can Evolve]
The message appeared before Wen Ran's eyes. He scanned it carefully, afraid to miss even the smallest detail. What is S rank? His face reflected his confusion. The same rank appears next to my cultivation manual, but it shows three S letters. Does more letters mean better quality? If that's true, then my manual must be exceptional... It will do for now until I can forge one of my own in the future.
He spoke quietly to himself, mulling over the implications, until his eyes widened with sudden realization. Panic flickered across his face as he hastily removed the bracelet.
"Shit... I've almost advanced to the third circle of the Spirit Gathering stage." His expression turned grim. "If I attract attention now and get caught with these bodies, I'll be joining them soon enough..." He grimaced at the thought, disgust evident in his tone.
The power of the bracelet was far greater than he had anticipated, even for someone with his vast experience. Controlling the spiritual energy coursing through him was far more challenging than expected.
After steadying himself, he began cleaning up the scene. He neatly collected each corpse, dragging them back into the tunnel, and methodically worked to clean the blood-stained storage room until no trace of his deeds remained.
"For now, at least, they won't be able to find the corpses. The smell should remain sealed in the cave, buying me some time." His eyes gleamed with a wild look, a dangerous glint flashing within them. "After all... I must raze this place to the ground soon..."
Making sure he had carefully hidden the bodies in the darkest corner, Wen Ran retraced his steps back to the crossroad. Now… which path should I choose? He stood still for a moment, straining his ears to catch any faint sounds or vibrations. Yet both paths seemed to stretch endlessly beneath the palace, offering no clear clues.
His sharp gaze flicked between the tunnels before he made his decision. This time, I'll take the western route.
With his hands clasped casually behind his back, he moved forward, his steps measured and deliberate. Though his demeanor was calm, his mind remained razor-sharp, mapping every turn and detail of the cave as he ventured deeper into the unknown.
The tunnels were a labyrinth, forcing him to descend at times and loop in near-circles at others. What a strange system… he mused, his sharp mind analyzing every twist and turn. This place isn't naturally built—it's been enhanced, likely the work of an array master.
Array masters were well-known in his world, almost akin to magicians. They could create separate dimensional spaces, alter the terrain, and set complex traps. They were masters of manipulation, both in war and in shaping reality itself. To think there's someone of that caliber tied to this place… it seems the Fang Clan is full of surprises, Wen Ran thought, his lips curling into a faint smirk.
Moments later, Wen Ran reached another trapdoor. Ensuring he wasn't seen, he carefully placed the newly acquired black sword in a dark corner, blending it into the shadows. He couldn't risk being caught with a weapon—being discovered as a lowly slave was bad enough. A slave with a weapon? That would be a disaster, branding him an enemy of the clan.
He examined the trapdoor closely. Unlike the previous one, this handle bore signs of frequent use—the rusty edges smoothed by countless hands.
Is this the place? Wen Ran thought, his movements cautious as he eased the wooden door open.
But before he could fully lift it, a pair of wide, curious eyes appeared, staring straight down at him. The face was so close that even Wen Ran, an old fox hardened by countless battles, lost his grip in shock. The trapdoor slammed shut, and he tumbled backward, his head striking the ground with a sickening thud.
"Wen Ran!" Fang Jinyao's panicked voice echoed from above. She scrambled down the ladder, her golden eyes filled with worry as she bit her nails in distress. Reaching his side, she dropped to her knees, her hands trembling as she cradled his head.
Her heart raced as she sobbed, "Wen Ran… wake up…"