Li Ping felt cold and disgusted, her skin prickling as the serpent crawled down her leg. She wanted to be anywhere but here. She swallowed hard, her throat bobbing. Her eyes followed the receding mist. As much as she wanted to stay and help Johan, she couldn't stop the nauseating feeling in her gut. The air here in the Forest of Forgotten Echoes was heavy with uncertainty.
"Have I thought this through?" Johan repeated.
Of course he had. On Earth, his primary objective was to destroy the world, but eventually circumstances changed. He then changed his mind, wanting to disappear from the face of the Earth. If so-called fate had given him a second chance in this strange world, he would make his goal a reality no matter what it took.
"Yes, master, I have thought it through," Johan said softly, his eyes shining with cold determination.
"Alright." The one-eyed oracle nodded, turning to the overheated cauldron bubbling in the corner.
It was medium-sized with strange markings. Some multi-coloured substances ran down its sides, vibrating intensely.
"I'm refining a formidable pill. I can feel its breakthrough nearing." The one-eyed oracle's red eye narrowed.
"I need utter concentration in this period." She summoned three books.
They hovered in front of Johan.
"Barat, take the guests to the heart of the forest. I'll send word as soon as I'm done." The one-eyed oracle said.
"So soon?" The left-head hissed in disappointment.
"Unless you want to be the final ingredient of the Soul Devouring pill." The one-eyed oracle's killing intent surged, a huge grin plastering her face as the dark mist swirled around her, making the hut vibrate.
"Of course not, Master. We'll leave now." Barat shook its three heads.
"I believe these techniques are suitable for one with your aptitude. Follow the instructions. You can write them down if you find any difficulty. We shall go through them when I come to find you." The one-eyed oracle turned her attention to the cauldron, waving her hand dismissively.
"I shall take my leave, Master." Johan bowed his head.
He held the books close to his chest. Li Ping followed closely behind.
"In the heart of the forest lie the Five Sacred Trees from the Eternal Harmony era. Together, they form a divine star formation. Beneath the formation lies a forgotten Sacred land." The serpent's right head flicked out its tongue, tasting the air.
Barat slithered up Johan's robe, coiling around his shoulders as he walked. Johan felt the snake's body tighten around him, the cold scales grazing the robes. Johan showed no fear or disgust, only a strange sense of calm. No matter how little his progress was, he could feel that his goal wasn't so far off.
As they walked deeper into the forest, the fog became denser and denser, shadow crows cawing in the distance. Li Ping was worried. She brought out a wooden token from under her sleeve. Born from the earth, the token glowed with green and brown. Li Ping infused her primeval essence into the wood, forming a light barrier around them as they walked.
"The Eternal Harmony era? That was eons ago." Li Ping thought.
"But given the scarcity of such resources, the Sacred Land is always so benevolent. It gives opportunity to the willing. Instead of immortal essence, it measures one's willpower." The middle-head added.
"Just willpower?" Johan raised his brows.
"The stronger your determination, the faster the star formation breaks." The left-head concluded.
Li Ping was stupefied as Barat's words sank in. Things were progressing so fast. Regaining her composure, she finally spoke.
"A Sacred Land? That's impossible. How could there be a Sacred Land in such a demonic forest?
The three heads laughed in unison.
"That's because this place wasn't always like this. Master said this place is one of the many ruins that contain God Remnants."
"God Remnants…" Johan repeated.
The influx of information didn't overwhelm him, but it, in fact, deepened his knowledge of this strange world.
"The legends say that the gods who fell in the Great War infused their remaining will and power into anything they found. Artifacts, lands, and even to animals, hence creating mutant and variant beasts. These were later called Sacred Artifacts, Sacred Lands, and Divine Beasts." Li Ping's eyes shone brightly with wonder as she recounted.
Johan listened intently, cataloging every word. Though Li Ping was just an attendant, she was surprisingly knowledgeable. Johan valued her as a really useful tool. After walking a few more miles, they finally arrived at their destination.