Deep within the Cloud Mist Forest.
A figure was rapidly traversing the forest. The person was clad in a refined grey robe, with a head of white hair tied atop their head. They had a slender build and their hands were clasped behind their back.
With each step, their form would appear several yards away, and where they passed, not even a single leaf stirred.
Suddenly, the person halted their steps and gazed intently at a spot not far away.
"It's truly close to ripening."
Looking around, they found a flat, massive boulder, about several yards off the ground, jutting out abruptly amidst a patch of low-lying bushes.
With a few leaps, they ascended to the top of the boulder. Finding a suitable angle, they sat down, began to suppress their aura, and closed their eyes to meditate, awaiting the moment the plant matured.
...
After testing whether he could absorb demon crystals, Lu Heng did not rashly begin consuming them. After all, he had no idea of the grade of the demon crystals obtained from the City Lord's mansion. He feared that consuming high-grade demon crystals rashly would cause him to explode.
However, the level three and four zombie crystals in his spatial dimension could be absorbed, though it took a considerable amount of time. Lu Heng did not intend to waste time idly. He could explore the forest while absorbing those crystals. He would only return to his spatial dimension when he felt he was close to breaking through level ten.
It was strange. The other mutated animals Lu Heng had contracted, after reaching level nine, besides enhancing the lethality of their various abilities, the nature-elemental abilities had extended into skills for weapons, shields, and area-of-effect attacks. The strength-type and speed-type abilities had evolved into even more formidable combat power. But why did the Director, aside from the initial mind-reading and the ability to communicate with people, possess no extra skills at all?
Oh, if there was one thing, it was that the Director's mind-reading range had become wider than before, but that was all.
At this moment, Lu Heng had emerged from his spatial dimension. He walked into the forest, popping level three crystals into his mouth. The absorption effect of these crystals was clearly inferior to level four ones, but at least they still had an absorption effect, so they shouldn't be wasted.
He wasn't afraid of encountering Wang Tie Zhu and the others again. This was because those individuals were cultivators at the second level of Enlightenment, and although the demon beasts in the Cloud Mist Forest were not of high grade, there were indeed level four demon beasts in the depths of the forest. At their level, they would absolutely not dare to venture further in.
But Lu Heng had no such worries. He sensed that his own level should be above Wang Tie Zhu and the others. Otherwise, why would he have sensed those wild boars for so long when he first encountered them, only for them to sense them when they were about to approach the boars?
And that time with the blood wolf, he had also clearly seen that after he activated the plants to form a wall woven from vines, the blood wolf had changed its intention to attack them and turned to leave.
So, the blood wolf was wary of him?
And the blood wolf was a level four demon beast. A level four demon beast being wary of him could only mean that his abilities were superior to it, or equal to it.
But it was damn frustrating.
In the apocalypse, he could sense his own level. But in this world, he couldn't sense what level he was at.
Lu Heng expanded his perception, probing the surrounding situation, while contemplating what the appearance of this world truly meant for him.
Suddenly, he stopped. He once again sensed the presence of a demon beast ahead. And that presence was very familiar, like the blood wolf he had encountered yesterday.
Had he entered the blood wolf's territory?
After continuing forward for a short while, Lu Heng saw a bright red fruit not far away.
In the entire forest, where the dense foliage of the trees blocked out the sunlight, the area above the fruit had a small patch of sky exposed. Sunlight penetrated the forest and shone upon the fruit.
This fruit was definitely unusual. He wondered if it had ripened yet.
Lu Heng sensed the situation around him. He did indeed sense the blood wolf's presence near the fruit, but it wasn't entirely the same. That presence was weaker, not as strong as when he encountered it last night.
Then he should retreat into his spatial dimension and wait and see.
The moment Lu Heng returned to his spatial dimension, on a large boulder not far from where he had just stood, the person who had been meditating suddenly opened their eyes.
Then the person stood up, turned in a different direction, and looked towards Lu Heng's previous position.
"Hmm? I clearly sensed a cultivator's aura just now, but why did it disappear so suddenly?" the old man muttered to himself.
Then, with a few flashes, the old man landed where Lu Heng had just been standing.
At this moment, Lu Heng, who had just entered his spatial dimension, was astonished. Fortunately, he had hidden. When he sensed his surroundings earlier, he hadn't sensed the old man's aura.
Although the old man looked kind and amiable, with an air of immortal demeanor, who knew if he wasn't a hypocrite?
Otherwise, why would this person be hiding?
(Old Man: Where was I hiding? I was sitting openly on that boulder. You're the one hiding, you brat?)
One must guard against others, especially in this unknown world.
But why haven't you left yet?
If you don't leave, how can I come out?
...
The old man pondered with confusion for a long time. Just as Lu Heng thought the old man was about to turn to stone, the old man finally moved. With a few flashes, he returned to the top of the boulder.
Oh? So he was there just now. But since he couldn't sense the old man's presence, it meant the old man's abilities were superior to his.
Then, if he went out now, would he still be targeted by the old man?
This old man wouldn't be waiting there for the fruit to ripen, would he? But usually, wouldn't the one guarding something like this be a beast?
Lu Heng continued to hide in his spatial dimension for a while longer. Only when the sky gradually darkened did he emerge from his spatial dimension again. The moment he left his spatial dimension, he controlled the energy in his body and unleashed his speed to its limit, running towards the location of the fruit.
The fruit was about to ripen, the Director had just told him. Moreover, the Director sensed that the fruit was very unusual, saying that consuming it could extend one's life.
Lu Heng... Has the Director's newly developed skill been in this area?
Flashing to the side of the fruit, Lu Heng once again retreated into his spatial dimension to hide. Returning to his spatial dimension could effectively conceal his aura. This was simply the best shield when traveling.
At this moment, the old man sitting on the boulder once again sensed Lu Heng's aura. He opened his eyes and looked down from the boulder, but still saw no trace of any cultivator.
The old man looked at the fruit again. It was evident that the fruit was also about to ripen.
Just as the old man was about to go near the fruit to pick it immediately after it ripened, the aura of a demon beast came from not far away.