Lem’s simulated self turned back. He stared into the trees and bushes. Somewhere in the middle of the undergrowth was a supposed invisible barrier that could distort the martial elder’s perception.

Lem knew what was going through his mind.

Did the barrier work in both directions?

If he ran to the other side, would Master Brightflame detect it?

This led to the larger and more heavy questions…

What were the chances that the martial elder would kill him if he stayed?

Was it worth it taking the risk?

It was a moment that required cold calculation.

Even if Master Brightflame was gone from sight, Lem was sure that the martial elder could still sense him. This meant that if his simulated self ran through the barrier, the martial elder would know, and would likely pursue him after he finished dealing with the harvest tree.

Of course, there was the chance that Master Brightflame would not enter into conflict with the harvest tree in the first place.

If the spiritual lily was not potent enough, or the harvest tree seemed too dangerous, he could forgo the lily and turn back around.

In this situation, if Lem’s simulated self decided to flee, he would be dealt with directly. No matter how much Lem stretched his thinking, it was impossible to believe that he could survive the wrath of the martial elder.

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It appeared that Lem’s simulated self had come to a similar conclusion. He reluctantly tore his eyes away from the invisible barrier and began walking in the direction of the pond.

The feeling of spirituality continued to increase.

It began to relax his body, and then give him the sensation of bliss.

He could not help himself.

Even though he knew of the danger ahead, with every passing tree he could not help but feel more exuberant.

In the simulation where he had encountered the harvest tree, he had been caught off guard and completely captured by the intoxicating sensation of spirituality.

In that state, it had felt like he was walking towards paradise.

With his current awareness of the surrounding dangers and his anticipation beforehand of the spirituality, it did not have quite the same effect as it had then, but it still was not far off.

This spoke to the potency of spiritual energy!

Prepare for it or not, it will affect you!

Lem’s simulated self continued walking.

As he passed by a small copse of arrow trees, the scene of the still pond filled with gently swaying water lilies revealed itself. This time, the barren and gnarled harvest tree was completely conspicuous, drawing his attention away from the perfect water lily.

The martial elder was standing a short distance away from Lem’s simulated self. He was staring into the water with a familiar expression of rapture.

[You approach the pond in the same direction from your memories, and it comes into sight. You see the martial elder staring into the water and guess that he is possessed by greed for the spiritual water lily.]

“A treasure, a treasure, so close to the town. It is lying under the noses of all of those old dogs and they cannot even see it.” The martial elder muttered to himself in excitement.

He cast his eyes towards the harvest tree in a furtive motion and then turned them back to the water lily, where they were riveted again.

“How to get it? The harvest tree is in the way. It will no doubt be triggered the moment I approach the water…”