Chapter 6, Demonic Beasts

Is it not true that the dragon-patterned jade cannot enter the dream world an infinite number of times, and that each entry must create a fissure?

"Fool, do you intend to encounter treasure and return empty-handed?" the old man said, "This alchemist possesses a wealth of treasures; do you not wish to take any?"

Jiang Cen felt a bit thirsty, so he walked towards the distant stream

A terrifying thought arose in Jiang Cen's mind, making the situation he faced even more perilous

The iron horned bell must be on guard, indicating that there are more formidable creatures in the nearby mountains, which are the natural enemies of the iron horned bell! Those creatures can even harm such large antelopes; if I were to encounter them by misfortune, wouldn't that mean certain death!

Jiang Cen immediately decided to exit the mountain range from another direction

It was merely the heat that nearly scorched Jiang Cen, making it difficult for him to breathe

Monster! Jiang Cen was taken aback. In this dreamlike world, he had already witnessed cultivators flying with their swords, so encountering a monster seemed quite reasonable.

He had once studied the dragon-patterned jade very meticulously and was thoroughly familiar with it. Now he discovered that within the dragon-patterned jade, there were unexpectedly several fine cracks, which were difficult to notice without close inspection

The opportunities left for me may only be a few times at most

Even if I were to die ten thousand times, I must find that one path to survival

He mustered his courage and groped around the scholar's corpse, but found no treasures. Only the scholar's sword remained, which appeared to be of high quality

A blazing wolf lunged forward first, and Jiang Cen's resistance was as futile as a mantis trying to stop a chariot, as the wolf's jaws clamped down on Jiang Cen's throat

Not right! Jiang Cen suddenly discovered that the dragon-patterned jade had exhibited some abnormalities

Soon, a sound of galloping approached, as about a dozen iron-horned deer arrived at the stream to drink water

How should this thing be used? Jiang Cen asked

It seems that I cannot afford to fail repeatedly and start over! Each time I die, I lose an opportunity!

It will certainly take ten days to half a month to walk out of this mountain range. Having grown up in the city, he must face the challenges of survival in the wilderness

Completed! Jiang Cen felt a chill in her heart

Jiang Cen heavily pounded his fists a few times, and after much effort managed to counter-kill the Sword-Wielding Scholar, evading the pursuit of his two disciples. However, he was still killed by a group of demon beasts, ultimately returning to square one

Jiang Cen was quickly surrounded by gray shadows. These gray shadows were gray wolves the size of cattle, with blood-red eyes and sharp white fangs half a foot long, exhaling a scorching breath that withered the surrounding vegetation.

These cracks were not present before! Jiang Cen remembers it very clearly

Three cracks! I have entered the dream world with the dragon-patterned jade three times, and I have died three times. Is this not a coincidence?

"The ring!" the old man reminded, "That is a spatial treasure storage ring, do you not recognize it?"

Storage ring? Jiang Cen was taken aback and immediately removed a pitch-black mysterious iron ring from the scholar's finger. The ring was engraved with extremely fine and intricate runes, which he could neither see clearly nor understand

Jiang Cen put away the ring and hid it in his bosom. Although the scholar's sword was good, it was too conspicuous and could easily be recognized if carried around. After some consideration, he ultimately decided not to take it.

Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!

It turns out that the first antelope is on lookout! Jiang Cen said with a smile: It feels safe and then calls its companions to come and drink water

At worst, we can start over again

Now, he must be more careful and cautious, as he can no longer afford to fail a few more times with the library!

Of course, he realized immediately that he was now empty-handed and in urgent need of money

He walked for more than ten miles when he suddenly heard a wolf howl

Just as he arrived at the edge of the stream, he suddenly heard a rumbling sound of rushing water, followed by the sight of a massive long-horned antelope emerging from the forest, coming to drink at the stream.

He prepared to enter the dream once more. Before falling asleep, he habitually picked up the dragon-patterned jade and took a glance at it

He then hurriedly left the valley. Within several miles of the valley, he had escaped multiple times and was very familiar with it, but he had never ventured beyond the valley.

Not a single opportunity should be wasted

The elder said: "You currently have no magical power and cannot use it. First, find a safe place to cultivate your skills. Once you have acquired some magical power, you will be able to activate the storage ring and obtain the treasures within it"

This is a first-level demon beast, the Iron-Horned Antelope. The old man's voice came: "Once you reach the minor achievement in your cultivation, dealing with this demon will be as easy as pie. However, since you currently lack magical power, it is best not to provoke it. Otherwise, a single charge from its iron horn could instantly shatter your internal organs."

Ah! Jiang Cen exclaimed in surprise, waking from his dream

I will not give up

"What a huge antelope!" Jiang Cen exclaimed. As a food lover, he immediately thought that if he were to kill this sheep and make roasted lamb, it would be enough to satisfy his appetite all the way out of the mountains

Jiang Cen was wide awake; he had to devise a more detailed and reliable plan before entering the world of dreams

He intends to try again, even if it means experiencing the terrifying ordeal of being devoured by the demon beasts time and time again, he will seek a path to survival from death

In these final few opportunities, if he cannot remain immortal until he finds a way to break the deadlock, he will lose the Dragon Pattern Jade and thus forever lose the key to unraveling the mystery, plunging into an infinite cycle of despair

Jiang Cen still did not collapse; he managed to stand up, and even he admired himself for it

Jiang Cen's mindset has quietly changed. Previously, he was constantly trying, regardless of how many times he failed, only seeking to find the sole opportunity for survival

Even death cannot achieve this, for death is merely a part of the cycle

Jiang Cen climbed to the peak on one side of the valley, and as he looked out, he saw layers of green peaks stretching endlessly.

Jiang Cen was puzzled when the old man's anxious voice came through: "Run quickly, it is the demon beast Flame Wolf!"

The antelope has a massive and robust body, comparable to that of an adult elephant; its limbs are relatively short, covered with long hair, and it possesses horns on its head that can reach several feet in length

What a vast mountain range! Jiang Cen furrowed her brow

He counted and found a total of 3 cracks

There are mountains and rivers here, and quite a few wild fruits; it should be possible to endure! Jiang Cen thought to himself

I can no longer die

If there are a few more cracks, the dragon-patterned jade is very likely to shatter, and it will no longer be able to enter the dream world

After saying this, Jiang Cen was suddenly taken aback, "Oh no!"

Jiang Cen immediately turned around and ran wildly, but he had already been targeted by those demon beasts. Several enormous gray shadows rushed towards him, moving several times faster than Jiang Cen.

The antelope, having quenched its thirst, suddenly raised its head and let out a few calls, the sound resembling a broken gong, reverberating around.

Jiang Cen tidied up and first went to the antique street to purchase a dragon-patterned jade. He also bought a lottery ticket. Upon returning home, he left a note with information and skillfully "prepared for the future"

Jiang Cen was preparing to escape from the valley, but the old man called out to him

It is not yet evening, how could there be a wolf's howl

He picked up the phone from beside the pillow, glanced at it, and without any suspense... he returned to the starting point