"Bi Fang, an exotic beast recorded in the Classic of Mountains and Seas, often carried fire in its beak and wreaked havoc."
"It seems to be a beast of calamity. Named after it, the [Bi Fang Sigil]'s transcendent power should have something to do with fire."
After reading its attributes, Wu Yu understood.
The pebble in his hand had become an explosive under the transcendent power of the [Bi Fang Sigil].
As for its destructive power and exact effects, he would have to test them.
And obviously... setting it off while they were traveling was not a good idea.
I can feel my control over this pebble...
Wu Yu recalled what he had done earlier.
This pebble was probably like the panel and the other features: he could make it explode with a thought!
Unfortunately, the information on both Talisman Seals and talents is vague. I still have to figure everything out myself.
Otherwise, even with a curse, a red talent would surely be incredibly powerful.
I just wonder how it compares to the [External Heavenly Spiritual Root]...
The thought stirred Wu Yu, and excitement began to rise within him.
Once he returned, with the [External Heavenly Spiritual Root] and his red talent, the transcendent gate would no longer stand in his way.
He would smash it open with a single punch and see the true wonders of this life!
Could a martial artist really pluck stars and seize the moon after a single injection?
Who was faster, an immortal cultivator flying through the skies and burrowing through the earth, or a maglev flying car?
Were augmented humans' "mechanical ascension" and "Spirit Energy ascension" as spectacular as the rumors claimed?
A mountain that looked close could still run a horse to death. Though their destination seemed right before them, the group took three hours to cross the wasteland and enter the mountain forest.
Their initial excitement gradually faded, and they stopped to rest in a shaded patch.
"It's such a tiny distance on the map, but we've been running for so long!"
The fat chef was drenched in sweat, complaining between gasps.
He had not exercised strenuously in a long time. Being able to keep walking for three hours was already thanks to that chair in the Mysterious Tower.
"Everyone, take a break!"
Inspector Liu still sounded full of energy as he announced, "According to the [Map], there are five Evacuation Points! One at Evil Tiger Stronghold, one at Redfang Village, and one at Lostway Cave! Those three places all look dangerous, so we can't go there. That leaves the end of the road and the first location, which is much farther away!"
"The Evacuation Point at the end of the main road is the closest and safest!"
Inspector Liu's booming voice immediately soothed the group's anxiety.
"Here's what we'll do. Rest for half an hour, then move out!"
"All right! We'll follow your lead, Inspector Liu!"
"Just the right time for a break."
Everyone voiced their agreement, and Wu Yu found a shady spot to rest as well.
After three hours of traveling, everyone had realized that time here differed from the real world. It was nighttime in reality, but here it was nearly noon, with the sun blazing overhead!
"Young man, are you all right?"
Yu Tiezhu sat nearby to rest. Seeing Wu Yu's pale face, he could not help asking with concern.
"I'm fine. Just a little tired from walking so long."
Wu Yu answered politely.
"Haha, you youngsters just don't get enough exercise! When I'm on the construction site..."
Yu Tiezhu boasted about his strength, spittle flying.
Wu Yu listened silently and glanced at his inventory. There were seven pebbles inside!
Along the way, he had occasionally picked up a pebble and inscribed a [Bi Fang Sigil] on it. He had planned to make dozens, perhaps even a hundred, but after inscribing just three, he had started feeling unwell.
The first inscription had taken only the blink of an eye, but the second had taken several minutes to trace successfully. Each one took longer than the last.
By the time he finished the seventh, his heart was pounding and his body felt weak, so he decisively stopped.
Clearly, the [Bi Fang Sigil] consumed something!
Judging by the descriptions of the high-grade spirit wine and Exquisite Food, the [Bi Fang Sigil] consumes vitality or Spirit Power! It might even consume both!
Once he had a theory, he needed to test it.
Without hesitation, Wu Yu took a steamed bun from the "Exquisite Food" in his inventory.
This was also a decoratively carved bun, exquisite and beautiful. In appearance alone, it was no worse than the meals served by Shanghai's top chefs in his previous life.
A wisp of fragrance drifted out. Just one sniff made Wu Yu's tired, weakened body feel considerably better!
I underestimated this food!
Startled, he bit off a mouthful and swallowed it.
The bun tasted wonderful, but Wu Yu had no time to savor it. Instead, he carefully observed the changes in his body.
In less than three seconds, his body relaxed, and warmth and comfort spread through him.
It's about as effective as the "Life-Recovery Potion" the academy handed out last time. My body should recover after a little while.
But that was a transcendent potion!
And this is green quality...
Wu Yu's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly devoured the bun in large mouthfuls.
Fortunately, the bun was small, and he soon finished it.
Wu Yu felt better and better. It was not just his stomach that was satisfied; the vitality throughout his body seemed to boil, and an energy surged wildly inside him, making him want to charge into the mountain forest and run!
"Young man, did you bring that bun in with you too?"
Yu Tiezhu noticed and said enviously, "It smells amazing. I'm definitely going to have a big feast when I get back!"
"Let me tell you, my daughter's a chef. She can even make sweet-and-sour carp, and it's delicious! Do you know sweet-and-sour carp? That's a recipe from before the Great Cataclysm..."
He seemed to dote on his daughter, bringing her up every time he opened his mouth.
Seeing that he had not paid much attention to the bun, Wu Yu relaxed.
My body's recovered a lot. I can keep going.
The [Bi Fang Sigil] consumes vitality, and I have 200 servings of consumables that restore it. That's pretty good news.
Half an hour later, everyone had more or less finished resting.
Yu Tiezhu had boasted for a full half hour without repeating himself. Wu Yu could only admire him.
While listening and responding, he added another sigil-inscribed pebble to his pocket.
"Time's up!"
Inspector Liu glanced at his wristwatch and stood, ready to lead the group onward.
Suddenly!
"Aaaah!!!"
A scream rang out in the distance!
Everyone scrambled to their feet in panic.
Inspector Liu drew his pistol and looked in that direction, asking gravely, "Who went over there?"
"Big Fatty! He... he said he needed to relieve himself."
The middle-aged woman spoke shakily and hurried over to Inspector Liu.
Seeing this, Wu Yu moved over too, keeping the others in front of him as a shield.
"That fat chef... hmph, bet a twisted creature dragged him off... oh, wait, there should be wild beasts here!"
Blue Hair glanced at the teenage girl and cracked a joke, pretending to be calm.
Just then,
Another scream came from ahead.
A figure burst out of the bushes, utterly bedraggled.
It was the fat chef!
But now he was covered in blood, one arm was missing, and his face was filled with terror.
"Inspector Liu, save me! Save me!"
He ran frantically toward Inspector Liu, but after only a few steps, he stumbled and fell.
Behind him, machetes hacked through the bushes, and several familiar figures emerged.
Beastskin garments, tall and muscular builds, machetes gripped in their hands...
"It's the mysterious men!"
"There are so many! More behind them!"
"Watch out!"
Several people cried out, and Inspector Liu fired without hesitation!
Bang!
The nearest burly man in a beastskin garment jolted to a halt, a hole appearing in his head!
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