Chapter 11 Heaven and Earth's Fortune

"To comprehend the laws of heaven, walk ten thousand miles and witness the workings of the world."

This was the official description of the ability, and Su Min knew exactly what she needed to do. After all, her Changchun Gong was only a fragment. There was no guarantee it could even support her cultivation into the Qi Refining stage.

Moreover, it might take years before she could obtain the remaining parts of the manual. Relying solely on it wasn't an option—especially since this was a cultivation method that emphasized long-term accumulation, making it ill-suited for early-stage practitioners.

This was still the first chapter of the world's unfolding. Spiritual energy was thin, and the great conflicts of the future had yet to begin. The gods and demons remained hidden, leaving the world to mortals.

But soon, countless powerhouses would descend upon the land—through reincarnation, self-sealing, hidden realms, and even the merging of continents. And among them were death calamities—inescapable trials that, if failed, meant a true game over. Each calamity was unique, but all marked pivotal moments in the world's evolution.

"Right now, it's the ultimate 'Blue Ocean' phase. Rare treasures are emerging, and competition is minimal. Perfect—"

Her thoughts were cut short as a faint ripple of energy brushed against her senses. Subtle, fleeting—had she not been so close, she would have missed it entirely.

"A hidden opportunity?"

In the game, these were randomly generated events—moments when rare treasures manifested, emitting a unique spiritual pulse. But these pulses were fleeting, detectable only by cultivators, and required immediate action to pinpoint their origin. Right now, most powerhouses were either sealed away or not yet reborn. There should be no competition.

"Might as well check it out."

With a flick of her hand, she extinguished the campfire. Wind gathered beneath her feet as she dashed toward the source. Cultivation resources were invaluable—treasures, artifacts, techniques—all were indispensable. And since she had no fixed destination, she might as well investigate.

Half a Month Later

"Hah... So this isn't a game after all."

Even with her enhanced physique, the journey had taken weeks. She now stood at the fringes of the Great Wei's territory—far enough that the imperial arrest warrants held no sway here. More importantly, no one had beaten her to the prize.

In the game, treasure hunts were often chaotic free-for-alls. If your character wasn't strong enough, you'd be lucky to even see the treasure before someone else snatched it.

~Edit and rewritten by Rikhi, Reiya_Alberich, ReiNyam~

But here, she was the only one who had sensed the pulse. Her excitement lasted exactly three seconds before reality smacked her in the face.

"You've got to be kidding me."

Perched on a cliffside, hidden in an inconspicuous crevice, was a small, unremarkable gourd. Unremarkable, except for one detail.

It was unripe.

Heaven's Treasure Gourd

A rare vessel born from the condensation of heaven and earth's essence. Only one emerges every thousand years. Requires ten years to mature. Upon ripening, releases a golden radiance visible for miles.

Su Min's eye twitched. This was a top-tier treasure. Once refined, it could become a formidable magical tool.

She had to have it.

But the problem wasn't just the decade-long wait. The moment it ripened, it would light up the sky like a beacon.

So much for keeping a low profile.

"Guess I'm settling down here."

The Southern Wilds were harsh—teeming with venomous insects and miasma—but not uninhabited. Local Tusi chieftains ruled these lands like petty kings, and the region was isolated enough that the Great Wei's influence didn't reach here.

Besides, wandering the world was its own form of cultivation. Her identity wouldn't be an issue either. The Alchemy and Artifact Manual contained countless pill recipes, and her expertise lay in this very field.

"Might as well make this home for now."

Ten years from now? She'd cross that bridge when she got there. If too many powerhouses came knocking, she'd know when to cut her losses.

"Time to get to work."

Clapping her hands, she grinned. Blindly roaming the world served no purpose. With her current strength, finding a stable place to cultivate was paramount.

This location was perfect—lush forests, abundant spiritual herbs, and ample resources for alchemy. Without delay, she began felling trees to construct a simple cabin. A place to cultivate, refine pills, and study the heavens.

Soon, a modest wooden hut took shape atop the mountain. It wasn't luxurious, but it sufficed.

At least here, she wouldn't have to worry about being hunted.

A Silver Lining

"Girls change a lot when they grow up"

When she'd fled the mountain, her face had been smeared with soot. The arrest warrants likely bore little resemblance to her now. This world had no photographs—just crude sketches and vague descriptions.

At fourteen or fifteen, she'd been in the throes of growth. Originally standing at 1.45 meters, her cultivation had spurred her to 1.6 meters. The difference was night and day. And here, so far from the Great Wei's core territories, even the warrants were scarce. In ancient times, population mobility was low. Most never left their birthplace, making outsiders instantly conspicuous.

But here? No one cared. And if the Great Wei did send an army into these treacherous wilds?

"Well, let's see how many survive."

As Su Min settled in, the ancient, secluded mountains began to stir—ever so slightly.