Chapter 7: Desperate Situation! Mutated Talisman Beasts (Part 1)

Li Ran said, “There’s a 50% chance, maybe up to 60%. Actually, you don’t need to worry. Even if we can’t get through, we can at least fight our way back. It shouldn’t be life-threatening.” His tone clearly carried a soothing effect.
Guo Shier thought to himself, “This so-called ‘normal’ situation isn’t normal at all—it’s a trick… 50% chance, a 50/50 odds. The risk isn’t small.” Yet he wasn’t discouraged. This incident itself was earth-shattering—transferring from one world to another was something unheard of even in his past life. Without extremely powerful strength, it was simply impossible.
Ever since he heard he could leave this small world, Guo Shier had been filled with longing. It was from Li Ran that he learned this wasn’t the great world he had lived in his past life. He didn’t want to live in this small world forever. Though this world was large, rich in resources, and had strange talismans, he still longed deeply for his past life.
Like Li Ran, Guo Shier also wanted to leave, so even though there was danger, he was willing to take the risk. If he failed, as long as he remained alive, he still had a chance. Even if he died, at most he would just be unable to leave and have to live in this world forever. If he didn’t take the risk, he would never have another chance after reincarnation, as his soul would completely merge with this world.
Guo Shier took out some dried food—things like marinated meat and flatbreads. It wasn’t suitable to cook food here.
Li Ran picked up a flatbread, and a faint red light flashed in his hand. The flatbread immediately became steaming hot. He then picked up a piece of marinated meat and warmed it up as well before slowly starting to eat. Fan Zhen and Yang Miluo came over, grabbed flatbreads and marinated meat, and ate heartily. The two were clearly hungry.
Many professionals cleaned up the carcasses of the mutated beasts and began setting up hidden talisman shelters or simply spreading thick animal skins to sit on and rest. Some people died in this battle, but the vast majority of professionals survived. After all, they were high-level professionals and not so easily defeated.
The strong smell of blood gradually dissipated. Guo Shier noticed more professionals arriving. He said with a smile, “This is indeed a suitable battlefield. It seems professionals from other places have also come.”
Li Ran took a bite of the flatbread and said, “I still prefer talisman food. I hate flatbreads. I like real food…”
Guo Shier replied, “Just eat whatever’s available. It’s not suitable to cook here.”
Li Ran said, “What a tough situation.” He was also a food lover, even more so than Guo Shier.

The professionals who gathered were truly overwhelming in number, forming teams that gradually connected with each other. Altars flew everywhere, creating a magnificent sight. The dazzling magical lights illuminated the snowy ground brightly, while the altars in the distance appeared like moving lights, coming one after another. Even during the day, with the bright snowlight all around, those magical lights remained extremely dazzling.

Guo Shier exclaimed, “It’s fucking spectacular! How many ancient clans must there be… to gather so many professionals?”

Li Ran smiled and said, “The number of ancient clans in this world is impossible to count. Just like the number of continents and secret realms in this small world—uncountable. When I first entered this world, I was even more lost than you. Hehe, at that time, when I suddenly lost contact with my main soul, I knew… this was no longer my original world.”

Guo Shier asked, “I wonder if one can advance further after surpassing the ninth-level altar?”

Li Ran replied, “No, it’s impossible to advance anymore. Unless one leaves this small world, the ninth-level altar is already the highest level here. But… if there’s a special opportunity, one might be able to build another layer. This small world is different from the larger world; the power here can only develop to a certain extent before being completely restricted.”

Guo Shier said, half-understanding, “Your main soul is stronger than you… so how can you take control?”

Li Ran chuckled and said, “That’s because… this small world is very tolerant of souls. So souls can grow incredibly strong here. Just look at the spirit beasts that can take shape in this world—something that’s impossible in the larger world.”

Guo Shier shook his head. “The larger world… isn’t that amazing at all.”

Li Ran said, “You’re wrong again. Your experience is limited to just one planet, and the planet you’re on is quite primitive. The power of individuals here hasn’t been fully developed. Don’t be shortsighted. You’ve already seen the wonders of this world—how can you still doubt those of the larger world?”

A hint of longing flashed in Guo Shier’s eyes. He sighed softly and said, “I hope I can go there.” He wondered if he would still retain such terrifying strength if reborn on Earth. He wondered if the altar could be reborn with him, and if the handsome old man would still remain in the altar.

Li Ran asked, “Is there anything you don’t understand?” He could see Guo Shier’s confusion.

Guo Shier asked, “Can the altar follow the soul to the larger world? If one is reborn, can it be taken along?”

Li Ran couldn’t help but laugh and said, “I really don’t know. We have to wait until we enter the Greater World… only after experiencing it firsthand will you know if you can keep these things. I’m the same as you. But one thing I’m sure of is… once you go out, your soul will be so powerful that you’ll excel at learning anything.”

Guo Shier nodded and said, “That’s okay too. But it would be great if we could be reborn with the altar with us—that would be wonderful.”

Li Ran smiled and said, “Maybe. If we can be reborn with the altar, even in the Greater World, you’ll be a true expert right from birth. Hehe, but… if the body you’re reborn into can’t withstand it… it will definitely collapse!”

Guo Shier immediately realized that even without the altar, his powerful soul would be too much for a human body as weak as a baby. This problem had to be solved; otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to reincarnate again. He had already known this while sober in this life, but he never imagined his soul could become this terrifyingly powerful.

Li Ran said, “It’s not hard to solve. Just seal your soul before reincarnation. Hehe, you specialize in spells, and one of your strongest skills is sealing. After reincarnation, gradually lift the seal and practice according to the methods—your strength will recover quickly. With the right approach, it will take just a few years, at most ten.”

Guo Shier nodded. “Yes, this is indeed a good solution. Before finding a better one, I need to start preparing.”

Li Ran said, “Be prepared. This affects your future growth. Proceed carefully. In the Greater World, it’s not as convenient to cultivate the soul as here.”

Guo Shier agreed. He understood that even Li Ran couldn’t predict what would happen after he left—everyone was just guessing.

Zhen Wuji flew back, followed by only two professionals with eighth-tier altars. Li Ran asked, “No one wanted to follow you?”

Zhen Wuji didn’t look good. He said, “They’re all tied to their families. I can’t force them.” He sighed, unable to hide the disappointment in his eyes.

Fan Zhen said, “Senior, Yang Miluo and I will go back. We won’t explore further.” He was worried about his two friends. Yang Miluo felt he wasn’t useful here and also wanted to return to his family’s group—this place was too dangerous.

Li Ran nodded. “That’s good. The return path should be safe now. With so many professionals here, the route must have been cleared. You go back first. Shier can follow me.”

Fan Zhen and He Yang Miluo stepped forward to bid farewell to Zhen Wuji. After all, they were facing experts from the Ninth-Level Altar, and some respect was necessary. Zhen Wuji didn’t act condescending either; he bid them farewell gently and even gave them a jade talisman, guiding them on the way out as well as providing coordinates of areas where mutated beasts gathered.

Only after the two left did Zhen Wuji introduce two new experts. He said, “These are my old friends. Like you two, they are itinerant professionals, experts from the Eighth-Level Altar—Hong Yuguang and Hong Mu. Hehe, Yuguang and Hong Mu are husband and wife.”

Hong Yuguang was a burly man with a square face. What stood out most were his extremely thick eyebrows, as if painted black over his eyes. He said with a smile, “Pleased to meet you, senior.”

Li Ran nodded and said, “Li Ran.”

Hong Mu was a very robust woman, even more muscular than Hong Yuguang, with broad shoulders and a round waist. Her hair was tied into hundreds of small braids. When she moved her head slightly, the braids floated. Guo Shier noticed that many talismans were attached to her braids, suggesting they might be weapons.

At first glance, Hong Mu appeared to be a plump woman, but her voice was surprisingly gentle, not only soft but also somewhat delicate. If one closed their eyes and listened to her voice, it would definitely sound like that of a beautiful woman.

Hong Mu said softly, “Pleased to meet you, senior.”

Li Ran replied, “No need for formalities. This is my younger brother, a professional from the Sixth-Level Altar, also an itinerant professional like you two—Guo Shier.” He inwardly admired them—two people reaching the Eighth-Level Altar together surely meant they helped each other a lot, indicating a very deep bond between them.

Guo Shier also stepped forward and addressed him as “senior.”

Hong Yuguang laughed and said, “No need to call me senior. Hehe, just call me uncle.”