As Su Lingxi ran, her breaths coming in ragged gasps, she finally caught sight of the river where she had quenched her thirst earlier.
"I don't know how that old man managed to get on my back, but I need to distance myself as far as possible," she thought, urgency coursing through her veins.
As she continued her sprint, a new system panel suddenly popped up before her, announcing, "The system has completely analyzed the barrier used by Aurelius. The skill Barrier has been added to the host's abilities."
Surprised by this unexpected development, Su Lingxi made a mental note to explore her newfound ability later. For now, her priority was putting as much distance as possible between herself and any potential threats, ensuring her safety in this perilous world.
As Su Lingxi reached the river, a sense of urgency gripped her. She realized that the mage, Aurelius, could also use Mana Essence, meaning that employing overt magic could potentially lead to her discovery.
"Using magic will only lead to me being discovered," Su Lingxi thought, weighing her options carefully. With this realization, she knew that remaining hidden was her best course of action for the time being.
Quickly assessing her surroundings, Su Lingxi spotted the closest house and swiftly made her way inside, seeking refuge and a temporary sanctuary from the dangers that lurked outside. Within the confines of the house, she concealed herself as best as she could, waiting anxiously for any sign of pursuit to pass.
"Hey System, give me a book about stealth," Su Lingxi requested, and in response, a book materialized before her.
"Stealth Basics," the title read. Su Lingxi wasted no time delving into its contents, absorbing the knowledge within with focused determination. With each page she turned, she gained insights into the art of remaining unseen and unheard, honing her skills in the subtle arts of stealth and evasion.
Once she had gleaned all she could from the book, Su Lingxi entrusted the system to take care of the rest, confident that the newfound knowledge would serve her well in navigating the dangers that lay ahead.
"System, can you tell me what should I do?" Su Lingxi inquired, seeking guidance from the system.
A new panel promptly appeared in front of Su Lingxi, stating, "The host should kill Aurelius."
"That's not helpful," Su Lingxi responded with frustration, feeling the weight of the situation bearing down on her. While Aurelius posed a threat, Su Lingxi knew that resorting to violence might not be her only option, and she needed to consider her next steps carefully.
"It's only a matter of time before the others search for me. I don't believe that he's alone," Su Lingxi worriedly remarked. "System, give me an offensive technique or defensive," she requested.
In response, a new system panel appeared before Su Lingxi, along with a pile of books.
Su Lingxi wasted no time in examining the books, eager to discover the techniques and strategies they contained. With potential threats looming on the horizon, she knew that expanding her skills in both offense and defense would be crucial for her survival.
"16 books? And they have different colors?" Su Lingxi wondered aloud, perplexed by the assortment of items provided by the system.
"System, explain it to me," she requested, seeking clarification.
A new system panel promptly popped up, stating, "It's the ranking of items."
"Wait, so you're saying that the item rank is 16? Isn't that too much?" Su Lingxi questioned, surprised by the high number.
In response to Su Lingxi's lack of knowledge about item ranking, another system panel appeared, explaining, "Due to the host's lack of knowledge of ranking, the system will put a glow on items based on their rank."
With this explanation, Su Lingxi gained a better understanding of the significance of the items provided by the system and prepared to examine them further, guided by their respective ranks indicated by the glowing colors.
Su Lingxi wasted no time and immediately began reading the first book. "This book has no color, so I guess it's the weakest," she remarked, drawing an initial conclusion based on her understanding.
In response, a new system panel popped up, revealing the ranking system:
Common -Gray-
Rare -Blue-
Epic -Cyan-
Special -Pink-
Forbidden -Red-
Legendary -Orange-
Mythic -Teal-
Divine -Gold-
Heavenly -Dark Yellow-
Godly -Light Yellow-
Primordial -Dark Red-
Void -Purple-
Cosmic -Dark Blue-
Chaos -Dark Purple-
Special Rank:
Terminus -White-
Genesis -White-
Ancestral -White-
Su Lingxi absorbed the information, realizing the significance of the colors and ranks assigned to each item. With this newfound knowledge, she prepared to delve deeper into the books, eager to uncover their secrets and harness their potential to aid her in the challenges that lay ahead.
"There are too many ranks, it's nonsense," Su Lingxi remarked, feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of the system.
Indeed, the extensive list of ranks seemed daunting, each one signifying a different level of rarity and power. Su Lingxi couldn't help but wonder how she would navigate through such a vast array of classifications.
However, despite the initial confusion, she knew that understanding the ranking system was crucial for making informed decisions about the items and techniques she would encounter on her journey. With determination and perseverance, Su Lingxi resolved to familiarize herself with the ranks, trusting that it would ultimately benefit her in her quest for survival and mastery.
As Su Lingxi endured the pain of the system transferring knowledge, she used her Divine Element to alleviate the torment. However, despite her efforts, the strain of the process took its toll on her. In her current condition, she appeared more battered than after the last undead attack. Blood trickled from her eyes, nose, and ears, a grim testament to the toll that the knowledge transfer had exacted upon her body.
Though weakened and battered, Su Lingxi remained resolute. With determination burning in her eyes, she refused to yield to the pain, knowing that every sacrifice brought her one step closer to her goals. Gathering her strength, she pushed forward, unwavering in her resolve to overcome whatever challenges lay ahead on her journey.
At the entrance of the village, Aurelius reported the recent events to the princess.
"Princess, the peasant I saw in the mansion is possessing Divine Element," Aurelius stated.
"Hmm. And you let her run. I think you understand how rare the Divine Element is, right?" the princess replied, her tone tinged with displeasure.
"Yes," Aurelius replied, acknowledging his failure.
"Then what are you doing here? Find her!" the princess commanded, her voice firm and authoritative.
"Yes," Aurelius responded with a determined nod, understanding the urgency of the situation. With a sense of purpose, he turned and set off, determined to locate Su Lingxi and bring her back to face the consequences of possessing such a rare and coveted power.
The princess, with a wave of her hand, commanded her small army to fan out and search for Su Lingxi. The soldiers dispersed quickly, their footsteps echoing as they moved through the village with purpose.
Meanwhile, in the house where Su Lingxi hid, she tried to steady her breath, the pain from the system's knowledge transfer still lingering. Blood continued to seep from her eyes, nose, and ears, a stark reminder of the perilous situation she was in. She knew she had to move soon; the princess's forces would not rest until they found her.
With a deep breath, Su Lingxi summoned her resolve. She couldn't afford to be caught. Carefully, she peered out from her hiding place, assessing her surroundings and planning her next move. The shadows of dusk were beginning to fall, offering her a potential advantage in the cover of darkness. Determined to survive, Su Lingxi prepared to slip away and continue her journey, her mind racing with thoughts of safety and strategy.
"The pain is getting more unbearable!" Su Lingxi thought, coughing up more blood as the agony intensified. She had made it to the Epic Rank book, its cyan glow casting a faint light in the dim room.
Despite her determination to absorb the knowledge, the sounds of multiple footsteps approaching filled her with dread. The princess's soldiers were closing in.
Pushing through the pain, Su Lingxi forced herself to focus. She couldn't afford to be caught here. With a last, desperate glance at the book, she committed as much as she could to memory before closing it. Wiping the blood from her face, she knew she had to move, and fast.
Quietly, she slipped out of the house, using her newfound stealth techniques to blend into the shadows. Her mind raced with strategies to evade capture, her body fueled by sheer willpower and the knowledge that her survival depended on it.
Su Lingxi, now invisible thanks to her newfound stealth abilities, carefully made her way toward the south entrance of the village. Her movements were deliberate and cautious, every step calculated to avoid detection by the searching soldiers. She kept her senses sharp, constantly on alert for any sign of Aurelius.
As she navigated through the village, she noticed the soldiers methodically searching every house and alley. The sound of their footsteps and the occasional barked order echoed through the night, adding to the tension. Su Lingxi knew that her invisibility was her greatest asset, but she couldn't afford to be complacent.
Every now and then, she paused to scan her surroundings, ensuring that Aurelius or any of his men weren't nearby. She took advantage of the darkness and the natural cover provided by the village structures, moving silently and swiftly. The south entrance was her goal, a way out of this perilous situation and a chance to regroup and plan her next move.
With each step, the pain from the knowledge transfer throbbed through her body, but Su Lingxi pushed it aside, focusing on her immediate objective: escape. She was determined to survive and use the skills she had gained to outmaneuver her pursuers and stay one step ahead.
As Su Lingxi moved cautiously towards the south gate, she suddenly heard someone call her name. Shocked that someone could see her despite her invisibility, she immediately turned towards the voice. There, standing with an air of elegance and authority, was a woman accompanied by Aurelius.
"Su Lingxi," the woman said, her voice calm but commanding. "I see you even when you think you're hidden."
Su Lingxi's heart raced. She realized this must be the princess that Aurelius had mentioned, and it was clear she possessed powerful abilities of her own.
"You can't hide from me," the princess continued, her eyes locked onto Su Lingxi's invisible form. "Surrender now, and you might find mercy."
Aurelius stood slightly behind the princess, his expression a mix of frustration and determination. He had clearly underestimated Su Lingxi before, but now, with the princess by his side, the stakes had been raised.
Su Lingxi weighed her options quickly. Surrendering was not an option; she knew she had to escape or fight. Drawing upon her inner strength, she prepared to make her next move, hoping to find a way to outsmart her pursuers and continue her quest for survival.
But before Su Lingxi could make a move, the accumulated pain and exhaustion from the undead horde, clearing the mansion, escaping Aurelius, and the agony of the knowledge transfer caught up to her. She vomited, coughing up a lot of blood, and bled from her eyes, ears, and nose before falling to her knees.
"W-what?" Su Lingxi asked, confused and disoriented, before collapsing and losing consciousness.
The elegant woman, the princess, approached Su Lingxi's prone form with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Aurelius, take her. We need to understand the extent of her abilities and why she possesses the Divine Element," she commanded.
Aurelius nodded, lifting the unconscious Su Lingxi carefully. "Yes, Your Highness," he replied.
As they carried Su Lingxi away, the princess couldn't help but wonder about the young woman's potential and what secrets the Divine Element held. She was determined to uncover the truth, even if it meant delving into the mysteries that surrounded Su Lingxi.