"To comprehend the laws of heaven, walk ten thousand miles and witness the workings of the world."
This was the official description of the ability, and Su Min knew exactly what she needed to do. After all, her Changchun Gong was only a fragment. There was no guarantee it could even support her cultivation into the Qi Refining stage.
Moreover, it might take years before she could obtain the remaining parts of the manual. Relying solely on it was impossible, especially since this cultivation method emphasized long-term accumulation, making it ill-suited for early-stage practitioners.
This was still the first chapter of the world's unfolding. Spiritual energy was thin, and the great conflicts of the future had yet to begin. The gods and demons remained hidden, leaving the world to mortals.
But soon, countless powerhouses would descend upon the land through reincarnation, self-sealing, hidden realms, and even the merging of continents. Among them were death calamities, inescapable trials that, if failed, meant true annihilation. Each calamity was unique, but all marked pivotal moments in the world's evolution.
"Right now, it's the ultimate 'Blue Ocean' phase. Rare treasures are emerging, and competition is minimal. Perfect..."
Her thoughts were cut short as a faint ripple of energy brushed against her senses. It was subtle and fleeting; had she not been so close, she would have missed it entirely.
"A hidden opportunity?"
In the game, these were randomly generated events, moments when rare treasures manifested and released a unique spiritual pulse. These pulses were fleeting, detectable only by cultivators, and required immediate action to locate. At this point, most powerhouses were still sealed or not yet reborn. There should be no competition.
"Might as well check it out."
With a flick of her hand, she extinguished the campfire. Wind gathered beneath her feet as she dashed toward the source. Cultivation resources were invaluable—treasures, artifacts, and techniques were all indispensable. Since she had no fixed destination, there was no reason not to investigate.
Half a Month Later
"Hah... So this isn't a game after all."
Even with her enhanced physique, the journey had taken weeks. She now stood at the fringes of the Great Wei's territory, far enough that the imperial arrest warrants held no sway here. More importantly, no one had beaten her to the prize.
In the game, treasure hunts were often chaotic free-for-alls. If a player's character wasn't strong enough, they would be lucky to even see the treasure before someone else claimed it.
But here, she was the only one who had sensed the pulse. Her excitement lasted exactly three seconds before reality smacked her in the face.
"You've got to be kidding me."
Perched on a cliffside, hidden in an inconspicuous crevice, was a small, unremarkable gourd. Unremarkable, except for one detail.
It was unripe.
Heaven and Earth Treasure Gourd
A rare vessel born from the condensation of heaven and earth's essence. Only one emerges every thousand years. Requires ten years to mature. Upon ripening, releases a golden radiance visible for miles.
Su Min's eye twitched. This was a top-tier treasure. Once refined, it could become a formidable magical tool.
She had to have it.
But the problem wasn't just the decade-long wait. The moment it ripened, it would light up the sky like a beacon.
So much for keeping a low profile.
"Guess I'm settling down here."
The Southern Wilds were harsh, teeming with venomous insects and miasma, but not uninhabited. Local Tusi chieftains ruled these lands like petty kings, and the region was isolated enough that the Great Wei's influence didn't reach here.
Besides, wandering the world was its own form of cultivation. Her identity wouldn't be an issue either. The Alchemy and Artifact Manual contained countless pill recipes, and her expertise was precisely in this field.
"Might as well make this home for now."
Ten years from now? She'd cross that bridge when she got there. If too many powerhouses came knocking, she'd know when to cut her losses.
"Time to get to work."
Clapping her hands, she grinned. Blindly roaming the world served no purpose. With her current strength, finding a stable place to cultivate was paramount.
This location was perfect, with lush forests, abundant spiritual herbs, and ample resources for alchemy. Without delay, she began felling trees to construct a simple cabin. It would be a place to cultivate, refine pills, and study the heavens.
Soon, a modest wooden hut took shape atop the mountain. It wasn't luxurious, but it sufficed.
At least here, she wouldn't have to worry about being hunted.
A Silver Lining
"Girls change a lot when they grow up"
When she had fled the mountain, her face had been smeared with soot. The arrest warrants probably bore little resemblance to her current self. This world had no photographs, only crude sketches and vague descriptions.
At fourteen or fifteen, she had been in the midst of growth. Originally standing at one meter forty-five, her cultivation had spurred her height to one meter sixty. The difference was night and day. And here, so far from the Great Wei's core territories, even the warrants were scarce.
In ancient times, population mobility was low. Most people never left their birthplace, which made outsiders stand out immediately.
But here? No one cared. And if the Great Wei did send an army into these treacherous wilds?
"Well, let's see how many survive."
As Su Min settled in, the ancient, secluded mountains began to stir, ever so slightly.