[You expect to be killed in the next moment, but surprisingly no attack comes.

A bearded cultivator in robes walks in front of you. He asks for you to elaborate.]

Lem’s simulated self scrambled to his feet and bowed deeply.

“Senior, it is a spiritual water lily,” he said. “There are no beasts nearby. I can lead you there. All I want is to read a cultivation manual in return.”

For a second he wanted to mention the harvest tree but something made him stop. He didn’t know if it would provoke the bearded cultivator’s sense of caution and ruin his chances of survival.

The cultivator did not reply immediately.

Would he agree to the exchange?

Would Lem's simulated self be tortured for the information?

Or would the cultivator decide that he did not want to take any risks with a suspicious water lily.

Lem knew that his simulated self was desperately hoping that his theory about spiritual herbs and beasts was correct.

If the cultivator was not interested in the water lily, then he would be dead, no matter what he said.

His life was no longer in his hands.

[The cultivator pauses, and you guess that he is considering whether he could take the treasure by force.

You wait with increasing nervousness.]

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“How are you so sure that it is not guarded by a beast?” the bearded cultivator finally asked with suspicion in his voice.

Lem felt his heart pounding in his chest.

He knew that his simulated self was caught between disclosing the presence of the evil flower or the presence of the harvest tree.

He didn’t know which would be more likely to ruin his chances.

At the same time, he was sure that if he did not mention either that the cultivator would not believe him and he would be killed.

“I am sure that it is not guarded by a beast because there is a presence nearby. It may be an evil. It is within two days of the spiritual lily, but I did not dare get close enough to find its specific resting place.”

Lem’s simulated self finally decided to mention the evil flower.

Surely, it was far enough away that the cultivator would not be scared off.

“The spiritual lily is also in the water,” Lem’s simulated self said nervously when he did not get a response.

He looked at the face of the bearded cultivator, but he could not discern his attitude.

Was an evil being really so terrifying for a cultivator?

“Your infection, when did the signs begin?” The cultivator had a much lighter tone of voice, as he unexpectedly changed the subject.

“It has been nearly three weeks.” Lem’s simulated self answered immediately.

Lem saw a look of shock on the face of the cultivator, followed by a light smile.

He was surprised by the shift in attitude. Why was he suddenly being treated so well?

Lem’s simulated self was also surprised, but he was more fearful that he was being misunderstood or that he wouldn’t be believed.

He quickly explained how he had only survived because he had found several different spiritual plants. He reiterated everything that had happened from the moment he had been abandoned to his present circumstances.

To replace the role of the simulator, he explained that at every key moment, his intuition had led him away from danger or towards opportunities.

Once he had finished, he looked nervously at the cultivator. A smile was beginning to grace the robed man’s lips.

“In the middle of all this unpleasantness, I don’t believe I introduced myself. I am Master Brightflame, an elder of the Mountain Paths Martial School. Why don’t you tell me your name?”