Chapter 43. Attempt
Fulan held the 《Spirit Realm Atlas》 she had exchanged from the Points Exchange Hall and began searching for the type of Guide of the Spirit Realm she currently possessed.
She compared the entries in the book with the characteristics of the guide in her hand.
“Emits a blue glow, with relatively strong brightness. This is a sign of a trial. After completing it, one can obtain extremely valuable rewards.”
“This kind of trial is different from the trials granted by the Spirit Realm itself. It is produced by the region itself. The usual rewards include spells, items, or knowledge, and in extremely rare cases, ownership of a portion of a Spirit Realm region.”
“Since the guide is a stone, the corresponding region will likely be located in places such as the Earth Mountains, the Jade Corridors, or the Pure Valley.”
[You have identified a Guide of the Spirit Realm. Spirit Realm Excursion Technique proficiency +1.]
Fulan now had a general understanding of where this guide pointed and what it was used for.
However, she felt that Richter had been somewhat cheated by receiving this as a reward.
From the notes she had previously obtained, it was clear that Richter intended to follow the advancement path of the Modification School rather than advancing through the Spirit Realm.
So this item seemed completely useless to him. After receiving it, he could hardly abandon all his previous progress just to switch to the Spirit Realm path.
Considering Richter’s reputation, Fulan even suspected that the staff member distributing the reward might have disliked him and deliberately given him something useless.
Or perhaps the item was actually extremely valuable, but its usefulness would only become apparent after participating in the trial.
Regardless, Fulan decided to give it a try.
After all, Yiqi had mentioned the “beginner protection period.” Since she had that safety net, why not test it out?
She had no classes tomorrow. The deadline for delivering the potions was still far away, and she had no appointments with anyone else.
Perfect.
Fulan lay on her bed, touched the Guide of the Spirit Realm, and recited the incantation.
This time, unlike the previous attempt where her consciousness had stalled midway, her consciousness rose rapidly.
In an instant, she lost awareness.
---
When Fulan tried to open her eyes, she discovered that everything before her was pitch black.
She could not see anything.
At the same time, she felt as though something was wrapped around her body. Although the pressure was not strong, she could still feel it pressing against her skin.
She moved her hand slightly.
CRACK.
A sound of something breaking rang out. She felt that a portion around her shoulder had lost its wrapping, and a faint chill touched her skin.
Fulan exerted a little more force.
Instantly, her entire body felt lighter, accompanied by the sounds of cracking and objects falling to the ground.
Only then did she finally see her surroundings.
Stone walls surrounded her above and below, making the place look like a cave. Along the sides and ceiling of the rock walls were protruding stones that emitted light in various colors.
Although it looked like a cave, it seemed to extend very far into the distance. Fulan could not see the end.
She patted the material still clinging to her body and shook herself a few times before barely managing to clean it off.
When she looked down at the ground, she saw dark red fragments scattered everywhere. It seemed that she had just been wrapped inside those things.
“Hm?!”
She suddenly felt that something was wedged between her hand and her body. Only when she moved her hand did she notice it.
She grabbed it and held it up before her eyes, startling herself.
It was the tattered book she had seen the last time she left the Spirit Realm excursion.
Just like Teacher Yiqi said… this book really has attached itself to me.
Fulan steadied her emotions before examining it carefully.
At first glance, the book did not seem any different from before—at least judging by the cover.
But when she opened it, the previously blank pages were no longer empty. Even the cover that had once been blank now bore text.
Written on the cover were the following words:
[Trial Mission: Find three pieces of jade. For each one you find, you will receive a reward upon leaving the Spirit Realm.
Hint: The first jade is on your companion.
The second jade is in a dim place.
The third jade can be found by following the flow of a river.]
Fulan felt somewhat puzzled.
Why had the trial mission appeared in this book? And if she had not possessed the book, would the contents have appeared somewhere else?
She had no idea.
Still, she began analyzing the information.
First, she needed to find three pieces of jade. This seemed to be a typical material-gathering task. Most likely, each jade would be guarded by some form of danger.
As for the hints…
They were annoyingly vague.
She had absolutely no idea what the hint about a “companion” meant. She looked around, but there was not a single moving thing nearby. She doubted it referred to the book either.
The “dim place” was also unclear. She had no idea where to search, especially since she was completely unfamiliar with this area.
As for the final hint about following the flow of a river…
In the far distance, she could vaguely see a small river.
It seemed that was the only clear lead.
As she continued brushing off the fragments on her body, she suddenly realized something.
What exactly was she wearing?
Fulan lowered her head and saw that she was dressed in a grayish-yellow robe.
And then she noticed something else.
Her body felt different.
She seemed taller than before. Compared to her original body, she was noticeably taller—and her chest had developed a distinct curve.
“Ah!”
She exclaimed aloud.
Even her voice had changed.
“It feels like I’ve become a completely different person.”
She touched her body in confusion.
The first time she had entered the Spirit Realm, she clearly remembered using her own body. The height had been the same, and there had been no discomfort.
So why was her body different this time?
Suppressing her doubts, Fulan decided to move first and investigate later.
She began walking toward the distant river.
As she walked, she gradually adapted to the new body. Each step carried her farther than before.
After walking for some time, she realized that the river was still a long distance away.
“Why is it so far?”
“Hm?”
Just as she muttered to herself, a sound suddenly came from behind a slope on her right.
Footsteps followed.
Fulan stopped and turned her head.
A tall figure emerged from behind the slope.
He was wearing leather armor covered in marks of battle. Many small cracks ran across its surface, and it was stained with dust and dirt.
Several daggers hung from his waist. Each blade gleamed coldly, clearly well maintained.
In his hand, he held a short sword with a purple blade that shimmered faintly like crystal.
“Oh!” he exclaimed, his tone suggesting he had finally found what he was looking for.
He raised the short sword to chest level and adopted a combat stance.
“So I finally found a companion!”
“You…”
Fulan had intended to speak with him.
But the man had already charged forward.
Fulan sighed.
She prepared herself for battle as well, gathering a Wind Blade in her hand.