Treasure Appears?

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"Scan complete."

As the scan success message popped up, Bai Chuan finally breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly slipped away while no one was around.

Only when he was back in his nest, more than twenty meters underground, did Bai Chuan fully relax. Ever since the last cave-in, he had relocated his lair to this depth.

And precisely because it was so deep, those humans hadn't managed to track him down during this time.

After all, Bai Chuan had seen one of his kind—a King Cobra sleeping soundly in its nest—dragged out by force by a rough-faced man, who then pinched and toyed with it at will.

He guessed that maybe they had some tracking skills, which was why he had been staying invisible and suppressing his aura all this time.

"Humans," Bai Chuan sighed with an unreadable expression, then opened his panel again to look at the ability model. Let me see what your abilities are like.

"Race: Human."

"Abilities: Smart Brain LV3 (King), Dexterity LV2, Endurance LV2, Symbiosis LV1, Information Communication LV1, Will LV1, Strength LV1..."

"So these are the abilities of humans in this world? LV3—a new tier within the ability ranks—King?"

The moment the ability panel popped up, Bai Chuan's attention was caught by the first ability font, which blazed like fire.

"King!"

Could it be that LV3 is on a completely different level from other abilities? Smart Brain?

Bai Chuan was startled at first, then came to his senses and nodded in understanding. That makes sense. Humans became the true rulers of the world thanks to their brains and incredibly dexterous hands. So that means the "King" rank is above "Overlord"?

Then the question arises—are there other ranks above "King"? Or is the next step LV4?

Bai Chuan lowered his head, pondering this new rank. Though the humans' abilities didn't seem numerous, each one was more powerful than the last.

But it seemed he hadn't found what he was looking for.

Where did these strange powers that humans now possess come from?

Some moved as swiftly and lightly as swallows; others were as soft and flexible as if they had no bones; some had monstrous strength; and still others wielded weapons with godlike skill.

Bai Chuan found it strange. Looking at the abilities listed, none of them matched the bizarre behaviors he had observed in those people before.

Could it be that this power is cultivated later in life and cannot be taken away?

He shook his head. With the situation still unclear, he didn't want to overthink it. His top priority was to understand the humans' language, find out their purpose, and see if he could get a piece of the action.

After all, this was his territory. If he had a chance and didn't give them a proper welcome, wouldn't the guests think their host was rude?

Bai Chuan smiled with a glint in his eyes.

Anyone would be furious if a bunch of people rummaged through their home and forced them to stay hidden.

After carefully examining each ability for a while, Bai Chuan finally looked at "Information Communication LV1." Among all these abilities, this was the only one that might let him understand what these people were saying.

And since evolving an LV1 ability didn't take much time, he might be able to finish before they found their target.

With that decided, time to strengthen.

He casually pulled out the ability, dismantled it, and threw it into the fusion.

After completing the familiar process, Bai Chuan sank into slumber.

The evolution had begun again.

Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was noon the next day.

With a familiar cracking sound, Bai Chuan broke free from the hardened shell clinging to him—the solidified viscous residue from the evolution process.

He propped himself up and carefully sensed his current state.

"Strange. It doesn't feel like anything changed," Bai Chuan said hesitantly. Had the ability not strengthened successfully?

He opened his panel to check and found the ability was already there.

"Maybe it's a passive ability. I'll know whether it worked or not once I listen."

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

In front of a campfire, a man and a woman sat roasting a sizzling wild chicken. As drops of hot oil fell onto the glowing coals, thick white smoke rose, accompanied by a strong aroma.

"Big brother, do you think 'that thing' is really here? Why haven't we found it after searching for so long?" The woman added a few sticks of wood to the fire, then massaged her sore legs as she asked the man in confusion.

"Mm." The man glanced at her, then lowered his head again to keep turning the chicken on the stick. Only after a moment did he speak: "Based on the rumors spreading like wildfire lately, and the fact that Master Guangshan did indeed stay in this area for a few years, it should be about right."

"And have you forgotten the Frozen Stream we discovered not long ago? That was probably 'its' doing. Let's finish eating and hurry to search—can't let others get there first."

"This concerns the rise or fall of our clan. I wonder if Father and the others will make it in time. At least he's already sent word to nearby friends to rush over."

Finishing his words, the man let out a sigh.

"The power of ice! Who knows how many monsters and demons it'll draw. Hope we're not too late."

"Oh~"

The woman pouted in displeasure, but in the face of the clan's great matter, she had to restrain herself—after all, they were the closest. She gave a sullen reply.

Boom!

Just then, a violent burst of frigid air erupted from the eastern direction.

In an instant, centered on that spot, a thin layer of frost spread rapidly across the ground. White rime clung to the emerald leaves, and the chill was spreading fast.

It turned the area within a hundred meters into winter.

Soon after, a cold wind swept toward the siblings, snuffing out the blazing campfire before them.

The two exchanged a glance. The next moment, the man dropped the roasted chicken in his hand, leaped to his feet, and dashed toward the Cold Air Center. The woman followed close behind.

If Bai Chuan were here right now, he would have realized these two were the first humans he had ever seen.

At the same time, the moment the cold air erupted.

That section of the forest suddenly came alive. Shouts of surprise, cries of ecstasy, and loud cheers rose and fell, all surging toward the Cold Air Center.

"What's this?"

Bai Chuan, who had just emerged, happened to witness this astonishing scene. Curious, he lifted his head and gazed in that direction.

"Charge! That treasure's finally shown itself! Whether we make a name for ourselves and become admired heroes—it all comes down to today!"

"Indeed, indeed!"

The sudden outburst of voices right by his ear startled even Bai Chuan. Still hidden, he halted, turned his head, and looked at the noisy fellows not far away.

It suddenly dawned on him—a treasure had appeared.

And he could indeed understand this world's human language.

A treasure, huh?

He watched the figures growing more distant, then narrowed his sharp serpentine pupils and followed close behind.