Chapter 4: Risks and Rewards

Junior disciple, are you ready?

You are cursed by the异木, with a degree of alienation pollution increased by 0.005%

But I want to kill it. " Li Si said seriously, the reason he agreed to come out was precisely for this matter, and he had paid a 1% degree of alienation pollution, so he couldn't just go back after fetching water.

It was that old lady who opened her murky old eyes and glanced at Li Si for a moment.

Clearly very close, just a stone's throw away, yet it feels unreal

Slay the alien tree to obtain 50 pieces of gray firewood

Upon hearing that the piglet and the mountain boy were to go outside the village to fetch water, they suddenly fell silent, neither daring to refuse nor to agree.

It is not difficult for you to kill it, but the counterattack of the evil being before its death will increase the toxicity of the pollution within you. Accumulated over time, you will not live past the age of twenty

However, there is also good news; the strange, swirling black mist that engulfed the area yesterday evening surprisingly dissipated completely during the day, revealing the landscape of mountains and rivers that resembled an old black-and-white photograph.

Therefore, there are truly two kinds of danger: one is the fallen demons wandering in the wilderness. They were once human but have been corrupted and mutated by the power of the evil gods, growing stronger with the passage of time. However, they have lost their intellect, making them generally easy to deal with.

Li Si tidied up his weapons and followed behind

Stop! There is an evil entity thirty zhang ahead, take a detour.

Thank you, Senior Sister, please lead the formation for me

Junior Brother Li, although there is no black mist shrouding us during the day, the wilderness can be even more perilous, so make sure to remember these taboos

After leaving a considerable distance from the stone house, Sister Jiang finally stopped and instructed Li Si with a serious expression

Li Si in the library was shocked; indeed, it was quite toxic, directly increasing the alienation pollution level by 1%. However, it could continuously restore 600 points of mana within two hours, which is a lifesaver at critical moments

Then, Senior Sister Jiang took out two dark pills and said, "Junior Brother, this item is called the Three Poisons Treasure Pill. It was concocted by our Master several decades ago using various malevolent substances. After consuming this pill, it will increase the toxic pollution within the body, but at the same time, it will continuously provide magical power for one hour."

Sister Jiang was somewhat surprised

This is the inverted Seven Stars Formation of my Floating Cloud Sect, as well as a Demon Sealing Formation. The former can prevent those fallen demons from accidentally intruding, while the latter can resist the black mist

Li Si soon saw the malevolent object, which was a withered old tree. It was not tall, gray and dull, with a trunk that twisted in a strange manner, as if bound tightly by an unknown force.

The Return to Heaven Sutra operates swiftly with surging magical power, capable of leaping over ten meters with ease even while carrying a person. When running at full speed, it can easily cover one hundred meters in five seconds.

Sister Jiang meticulously explained the taboos to Li Si, which he found extremely beneficial, as these were all valuable experiences

Li Si currently possesses the Fortune Furnace, and his future development is promising. However, earning this first bucket of gold is particularly challenging at the moment. Therefore, for Zhu Wa and Shan Wa, this is a calamity they would rather avoid at all costs, while for him, it is the only opportunity.

Especially at this moment, after consuming the Three Poison Treasure Pill, while his magical power was continuously recovering, Li Si's body, having become weaker due to a higher degree of aberration pollution, nonetheless felt as if he had been equipped with a high-powered engine

Li Si naturally did not wish to go

As soon as I approached within fifty meters, the old tree swiftly awakened. I saw the ground crack open, and the old tree actually crawled out of the earth like a person. At the same time, a mass of black mist was surprisingly coalescing at the base of the old tree

In the blink of an eye, the old tree's main body charged within ten steps. A faint light flickered in Li Si's hand, forming a blurred rune in mid-air, which struck the old tree like a bullet. With a loud crack, it created a hole the size of a bowl in the trunk of the old tree, igniting a fierce flame above it

However, it is precisely such individuals who are more likely to lend a helping hand at critical moments

Upon seeing this, Li Si took it and swallowed it in one gulp. At this moment, there was no room for hesitation; one could only choose the lesser of two evils.

Another group consists of those fanatical cultists who worship evil deities. Due to the powers granted by these deities, their strength becomes exceedingly terrifying, yet they manage to retain the knowledge and reasoning of humanity. Over the past few decades, the reason why our Floating Cloud Sect has changed its location more than ten times is primarily due to these evil cultists. This leg of mine is also a result of their actions

If it were not for the drawbacks of accumulated alienation pollution, this evil entity would fundamentally not be brought to the forefront

On the contrary, this Senior Sister Jiang is quite foolish. In this day and age, with such a prevailing environment, it is no wonder that there are still such fools, and it is understandable that she has become a cripple.

Increase in magic power, +5 points per minute, lasting for two hours

At this moment, the old tree was wounded, and it suddenly let out a strange, piercing cry, a sound more jarring than the screams of the exotic weeds that were cut down yesterday

Along with that eerie atmosphere, the entire desolate village inexplicably exudes a sense of absurdity, as if it were trapped within an old black-and-white photograph

A ridge over three meters high can be easily jumped onto, with a body full of strength and senses that are extraordinarily sharp.

The stone house suddenly became very quiet

Inside the stone chamber, Ji Chang and Xu Shen continued to sit cross-legged as if nothing had happened, closing their eyes to cultivate their spirits

Adding that one percent of alienation pollution, it would not be an exaggeration to say it is akin to drinking poison to quench thirst

At this moment, Li Si also tried to maintain a mind free of distractions, merely operating the Returning Heaven Scripture. It is indeed miraculous; although he had crossed over and occupied the body of Si Gouzi, he had not retained a single fragment of Si Gouzi's memories.

Sister Jiang, I will go with you

In the midst of their conversation, Li Si had already charged forward with Sister Jiang on his back. Why let such a good opportunity slip away, especially with a true cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage providing support.

This malevolent entity is rather difficult to deal with

Of course, doing so is not without its costs, as it seems to consume a bit of magical power on average every minute

As we go to fetch water, the outcome is uncertain; it is better to eat one for precaution.

Alienation pollution level + 1 %

But in the moment before its death, Li Si felt a cold, sinister aura wrap around his neck, and then—

Li Si raised his head and spoke very earnestly

Sister Jiang spoke quickly, casting an exorcism spell. In an instant, a warmth enveloped Li Si, forming a protective aura. However, this protective aura was at least five times stronger than the one from yesterday.

At this point, there was nothing more to say. Li Si carried the frail Sister Jiang on his back and, following her instructions, circled around the only entrance of the desolate village for quite some time before finally emerging.

Moreover, it is quite difficult to encounter evil spirits in the wilderness during the day; if one were to encounter such a thing, no one would be able to escape except for our master

Sister Jiang no longer spoke

Aside from that, only the young girl appeared somewhat anxious

Sister Jiang suddenly whispered sharply, and Li Si was taken aback, quickly stopping, while secretly astonished in his heart, as he had not discovered anything yet

Thank you, senior sister, I understand, but I still want to kill it

So refreshing

Oh, there is one more thing. Ever since the evil god invaded a thousand years ago, the well water in all human villages and towns must not be approached, for as long as there has been a death in the well water, under the pollution of the evil god's power, evil spirits are bound to emerge. The reason this desolate village where we are temporarily residing can serve as a resting point is that there are no water veins here; the people who once lived here had to go to distant places to fetch water.

This power surprised Li Si, no wonder Sister Jiang did not seem too worried

After speaking, Sister Jiang took one for herself first

Sister Jiang was carefully explaining on Li Si's back

No wonder that old lady, Ji Chang, and Xu Shen, despite possessing formidable strength, still allow the members of the Floating Cloud Sect to experience intermittent hunger and feasting, for to them, it is truly better to remain still than to act.

Not very impressive, but there is no need to waste magic here

In the blink of an eye, the degree of alienation pollution increased by 0.005%. Until he unleashed another strike of the Demon Piercer, the trunk of the old tree was completely engulfed in flames, struggling for a moment before ultimately perishing

Goodness!

However, since the restoration of his magical powers, these powers have flowed like water, automatically coursing through the dried-up channels. Thus, everything fell into place naturally, and he came to master the operation of the "Return to Heaven Classic," while also conveniently acquiring the methods for casting the "Demon Extermination Needle" and the "Evil-Repelling Spell".

Information continuously floated before Li Si's eyes

It is evidently more dangerous outside the village, however, the old lady and her two truly incompetent disciples are clearly unreliable. Even if he tries to ingratiate himself with flattery, he will certainly not gain any benefits.

Upon exiting the stone house, I noticed that the sky was already bright, yet the entire expanse remained shrouded in a layer of gray clouds, allowing not a single ray of sunlight to penetrate, resembling a cloth bag that had been tightly sealed.

Sister Jiang was clearly a bit excited, she patted the little girl's head and then walked out with a cane

The location where we need to fetch water is approximately ten miles away from this desolate village; it is a river. Although the river water has been completely polluted, no evil spirits have emerged from it, and as long as we use a purification pouch, we can purify the river water as much as possible

Is this the feeling of a practitioner

First, do not speak loudly; second, do not look around aimlessly; especially, do not look up at the sky. You should not relieve yourself or eat in the wild. Strive to maintain a calm state of mind, avoiding anger, sadness, or joy, and do not entertain unnecessary thoughts. If you suddenly realize that you are thinking about something, then call me immediately

Not a trace of green

However, there are many malevolent entities in the wild, and these entities are generally similar to the strange herb you eliminated yesterday. The strength of these malevolent entities varies; as long as we do not encounter a particularly strong one, we need not worry

Good

Senior sister, please!

In the next second, a line of information appeared before his eyes

Li Si shouted and began to condense the spell to exorcise the demon. Senior Sister Jiang's protective aura greatly assisted him, as the evil entity, an old tree, swung its branches, but the incoming black mist could not break through at all

Sister, is this evil object powerful