In the Northern Plains, in its northwest, there was a dense forest, with several streams cutting through its areas, earning the name Forest of Waters.
Above it, the moon was at its peak, bathing the entire area in its blue light.
On top of a tree, swaying in the night breeze, a young man with handsome features and emerald eyes sat on a branch, his buttocks resting on it. His feet floated in the air, and his hands were folded in an embrace around himself.
"So cold."
Han Jiang's lips trembled as gusts of wind assaulted his skin, giving him the sensation of turning into an ice sculpture.
"Hmmm."
He exhaled a warm breath toward his arms. Feeling a little better, he looked at the moon, which had disappeared.
Suddenly, darkness filled the entire sky and earth, turning the world into a black painting where nothing could be seen.
"Scary."
Han Jiang's heart raced. Tiny beads of sweat ran down his skin.
Swallowing hard, he saw the moon return, as if nothing had happened.
It all lasted only a second.
"M-midnight."
Han Jiang's emotions began to calm.
After letting out several sighs, he adopted a calm expression—or at least tried to. His eyeballs still twitched, but he quickly steadied them, closing his eyelids and adjusting his heavy breathing.
Truly calm now, he opened his eyes. "System, update the rumors in this region."
Han Jiang spoke into the void, where there was nothing for others to see. But in his eyes, a floating panel appeared in the air, surrounded by white characters that moved like shuffled cards, disappearing one by one and arranging themselves like pieces on a board.
Seconds later, five stanzas formed. Han Jiang began reading each letter eagerly.
[Day: March 1st, Year 148 of the Golden Era]
[Region: Forest of Waters, Northern Plains]
[Rumors]
Rumor 1: An ill omen began yesterday when the river inexplicably receded, causing birds to relocate.
Rumor 2: Crimson blood appeared at the of eastern lake.
Rumor 3: At the bottom of a lake, a mortally wounded being is recovering from its injuries.
Rumor 4: Yesterday, at eleven o'clock at night, a cultivator was seen entering a cave to the south, gravely injured.
Rumor 5: A spiritual medicine bloomed yesterday, attracting two figures who fought almost to the death. One of them used a talisman, unleashing a terrifying sword strike that sank the ground beneath the river, causing it to descend deeply. Afterward, the figure obtained the medicine and left gravely wounded, while the struck figure fell into the river.
…
"Holy shit!" Han Jiang's mouth dropped in shock, cursing aloud.
Today's rumors were insane.
Since acquiring the system a week ago, this was the first time he had seen gossip about cultivators.
Before, it was just mishaps in Han Village, mostly involving betrayals.
Tired of that, he had come here seeking opportunities.
"Hehehe! Two injured cultivators! Eleven o'clock at night? Practically an hour apart. I don't think she'll have time to heal."
Han Jiang grinned wickedly, formulating a plan.
He wasn't bad—he just moved according to his desires.
As the two cultivators fought over the medicine, he would fight for his desire to become immortal.
"But what if the cultivator recovered?"
Caution rose in Han Jiang's heart, afraid of misfortune. But thinking of his dream, he gritted his teeth.
Planting his hands on the bark, he used his forearm strength to spin his body. Letting go of the branch, he fell to the ground, bending his legs on impact since he wasn't very tall.
Brushing dust off his jacket with a swipe of his sleeves, Han Jiang dashed south. His feet struck the ground, leaving deep marks with each step and kicking up slight dust.
As he ran, nothing appeared but black blurs passing before his eyes. Soon, at this brisk pace, he reached a stream.
Looking ahead, he saw a waterfall whose waters fell over a shack. When they hit the ground, the sound of rushing water echoed in his ears.
It was a pleasant scene—if not for the faint traces of blood left on the rocks. This made Han Jiang smile maliciously, his eyes reflecting a sinister intent.
After resting a few minutes to calm his racing heart, he crossed the waterfall, leaping across the stones scattered along the river.
After a sequence of agile movements, he reached the foot of the waterfall. Were it not for the blood trailing down it, Han Jiang wouldn't have minded passing through.
"Should I retreat?" He hesitated, but thinking of immortality and his plan, he gathered courage and entered.
In the next instant, a pressure fell on his head from above like a giant, completely heavy club.
Crack!
His legs buckled, snapping with a dry sound.
Han Jiang felt the veins on his face throbbing in agony.
The urge to scream flooded him, but he maintained reason. All or nothing.
Gripping something rough with his hands, he began to infiltrate, moving slowly on all fours.
After several cracks, he passed through the water, arriving at a dark place, filled with darkness that obscured his entire vision.
"I made it."
He whispered softly, taking an ordinary Herb with a strong sweet fragrance from the pouch at his waist and applying it to his open wounds.
They immediately became less painful.
The Herb Han Jiang used was only of a low grade, but still effective for mortal injuries. Even under the water's pressure, it wasn't enough to kill him—only crushed some bones.
"Time to act!"
Han Jiang's eyes gained a determined expression, and his steps quickened, as if running to help someone. After twenty meters, the scent of blood flooded his nostrils. Walking a bit further, he widened his eyes.
He was shocked!
In front of him was not the barbaric cultivator he had expected, but a beautiful woman sitting in a lotus position, her entire body covered in tears and spattered with blood. It was a pitiful sight, making Han Jiang swallow hard.
If it were him, he would already be dead. Cultivators truly are beings beyond human understanding. Even their will surpasses that of mortals.
"Even if she's beautiful, I cannot let my heart waver."