5) The Black frost wasteland.

( How the world runs from the protagonist's perspective)

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Meanwhile,

Zhao Meng crouched low against the frozen rock, his breath totally calm as Cold Qi couldn't pose an immediate threat to him, thanks to the 'Nature turtle' inheritance.

His sharp eyes pierced through the swirling snow, tracing the outlines of the two battling beast lords.

A nine-tailed frost fox and a mutated shadow leopard.

Their clash sent shockwaves through the icy landscape, shattering the ground beneath them and warping the air with raw power.

He had seen battles like this before, in the depths of forbidden zones, where only the foolish or the desperate dared to enter as he was one of those foolish humans, jumping into the water without checking the depth.

But this fight wasn't just a territorial dispute; there was something valuable hidden within the cave nestled between their battleground and his sixth sense was telling him to grab it.

He could feel it, a faint pulse of energy that called to him like moths to light.

'Hehe, Lucky me... How awesome, these two beasts are fighting while, I will go and grab the treasure and run away,'

So, he quickly made his way.

Plus, his eyesight was also able to penetrate the snow mist, thus, he witnessed Zhao Fan, sitting afar and watching the beast fight.

"Haha, look at that stupid bastard, he might be coming to this cave too, hmph, dream on, the treasure belongs to me," He muttered under his breath.

Pathetic.

Genius?

Hmph, he will soon surpass him and show the world who is destined to be great.

A smirk crept onto his lips.

His mind worked quickly, assessing the situation with an innate confidence that only those blessed by fate possessed.

While other cultivators would hesitate, weigh the risks, and perhaps even turn back, he knew better.

This was an opportunity given to him by destiny itself, he can't back down now.

He is no worse than those geniuses.

Pfft, soon those genius won't even be worth washing his feet.

Carefully, he moved through the snow, his steps light and effortless, making sure not to attract any unwanted attention.

His movements were almost ghostly, as if the very world conspired to let him pass unnoticed.

There was no meaningless branch or stones, where he could step.

Then again, even if stepped on something, no one may notice him.

Even the howling wind seemed to lower its voice, making way for his silent advance.

As he approached the cave entrance, he paused for a moment, his keen eyesight piercing through the mist.

He looked back at Zhao Fan.

Hmph!

These so-called 'geniuses' always thought too much.

Always hesitating, always strategizing, always doubting.

They wasted precious time thinking about risks, while true risk taker like him simply walked forward and claimed their fortune.

'What an idiot, still waiting for the perfect opportunity, keep waiting, also that girl from before... She will be mine, ' Zhao Meng thought, his disdain growing.

'Does he think analyzing the battlefield makes him smart? Hah! That's why he's just a stepping stone, while I'm the one who will stand at the peak and embrace all kinds of beauty,'

He shook his head.

Fate had already changed the course of the era, and the rising genius of this era is him, Zhao Meng.

Zhao Fan could watch all he wanted, but the treasure was already his.

'Hahaha! You will forever be like this Zhao Fan, you will always be a step behind me,'

Swish!

With a single fluid motion, Zhao Meng darted forward, his figure merging with the shadows cast by the snowstorm.

He wasn't afraid of being caught anymore, not by the beasts, not by Zhao Fan, not by anyone.

It was already too late.

..

If there was one universal truth in this world, it was that everything worked out for the protagonist.

His halo was glowing brighter than the sun.

Inside the cave, an eerie glow pulsed from deep within.

The air was thick with spiritual energy, rich and potent, as if the very walls of the cave had been steeped in centuries of divine essence, cultivated for ages.

Zhao Meng's heartbeat quickened.

'This... this is beyond what I expected! Hahaha, I am unstoppable,'

The light flickered, revealing an object nestled within a crystalline bed of ice.

A rose, carved from what seemed to be pure frozen energy, its petals radiating an ethereal blue glow.

The Frost Rose of Eternal Winter.

A treasure capable of refining one's Qi, strengthening one's body, and elevating one's cultivation by leaps and bounds. The kind of item geniuses would kill each other for.

But it was his, without fighting or anything.

Of course, there were supposed to be countless deadly traps, and automatic heaven's barriers that should have made this impossible to obtain.

But who was he? Son of heaven, how can heaven try to kill its own son?

But for Zhao Meng,

He simply believed luck was on his side.

With a casual step forward, he extended his hand, his fingers brushing against the rose. And just like that...

The icy restraints crumbled.

No backlash. No countermeasures. No sudden beast guardian leaping out of the shadows.

As expected.

Grinning, Zhao Meng plucked the rose from its resting place, feeling the rush of cold qi seep into his veins.

His body glowed green with his natural aura.

His body trembled, with this, he might get promoted to the Qi Saint realm.

"Hahahaha!!! This is simply what I, Zhao Meng, deserve," he said proudly.

But, this wasn't the time to absorb the rose of eternal winter.

He needs to leave this place.

However, unknown to him,

There were three talismans already set up at the entrance of the cave, and an array formation.

Heaven won't attack him?

Good, but, someone else will.

Tak! Tak!

With a proud smug, he walked with full confidence.

But soon his instinct kills in.

He sensed danger.

His balls were tingling.

And unknowingly, he stepped on the talisman, the talisman.

"Fuck, it's a trap talisman, someone used the invisible rune to make them invisible..."

Boom!

.....

( A/N: check author thoughts )