The principle is actually quite simple—just like the butterfly effect.
Before his rebirth, Li Tan, after becoming a son-in-law, dared not defy others at all, so Lin Yuan barely noticed him. However, after the rebirth, Li Tan did several things completely contrary to his previous actions, which drew Lin Yuan’s attention—and even hatred—towards him.
By the same token, the more changes occur, the fewer overlaps there will be between the reality before and after the rebirth.
Li Tan realized this but wasn’t overly worried. The affairs of Linjiang were intricate and complicated, and even now there were still things he didn’t know. Yet as the Human King, how could he fear a little hardship?
He strode forward fearlessly, his dark eyes filled with indifference: “Rats hiding in the sewers—this time, not one of you will escape.”
After speaking, Li Tan entered the forest.
Outside Linjiang, the jungle connected to the vast and perilous domain known as Zhuixian, teeming with countless ferocious beasts and monsters. However, as previously mentioned, due to relentless human hunting, the outermost area had been cleared, becoming relatively safe.
Conversely, after years of destruction, even medicinal herbs within this safe zone were nearly depleted, with spiritual plants completely vanished. To obtain valuable resources, one had to venture deeper, where both treasures and dangers increased. At a certain depth, people had to travel in groups, and at that point, humans would shift from hunters to prey.
Li Tan entered the mountains this time to search for medicinal herbs needed to concoct pills that could eliminate a deadly poison lurking inside his body. These herbs weren’t particularly rare, but since they were essential ingredients for several low-grade pills, they were scarce and highly sought after in a small place like Linjiang. Thus, he decided to venture in and try his luck.
Naturally, he wouldn’t find what he needed in the safe zone, so Li Tan headed straight into the depths.
Under mottled tree shadows, a gentle breeze blew.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed in his ears. Li Tan turned his head and saw about ten fully armed burly men—likely mercenaries. Hmm, if one looked closely, among the mercenaries was a handsome young man dressed in white.
“A strange combination,” Li Tan murmured softly before turning back and continuing on his way.
Just then, a voice as light as a breeze called out, “Esteemed sir, please wait a moment.”
The one who stopped Li Tan was the handsome youth among the mercenaries. Li Tan asked indifferently, “Do you have something to say?”
Because of the youth, the mercenaries also stopped and looked at Li Tan. The youth nodded and said, “Beyond here lies the hunting zone. You should go back now.”
Judging from his attire, he wasn’t an ordinary person, and he didn’t seem to belong to any of the three major families in the area.
Li Tan thought for a moment before asking, “May I know your name?”
The youth almost answered instinctively but held himself back at the last moment, saying awkwardly, “Forgive me, but I cannot reveal it.”
“No problem. Thank you for your concern, but I have urgent business inside. I must take my leave now.”
Saying so, Li Tan turned to leave.
“Wait a moment,” the youth called again and suggested, “Meeting here must be fate. If you don’t mind, why not travel together with us?”
Li Tan looked at the youth with slight surprise. An unkempt mercenary uncle stepped forward in two strides and heavily patted Li Tan’s shoulder: “Kid, you’ve got guts walking alone into the hunting zone. Is your family in trouble and short on money? Don’t be stubborn, kid. With your build, going in alone would just make you a snack for the beasts. Don’t hesitate—our employer has spoken, so come along.”
Without waiting for a reply, the uncle dragged Li Tan into the group.
Li Tan was a bit speechless but didn’t resist.
Firstly, refusing now would seem ungrateful. Secondly, he had completely lost his cultivation and entering alone would make it hard to escape if he encountered a beast.
The group continued forward. As the surroundings grew increasingly towering with vines entangled, the uncle said seriously, “Up ahead is the hunting zone. You two young ones mustn’t run off carelessly. Whatever you do, you must report it first.”
The youth asked tentatively, “What if someone urgently needs to relieve themselves?”
The uncle replied solemnly, “Handle it on the spot.”
The youth’s face immediately flushed red to his ears: “Ah, that’s too…” Clearly a pampered young master from a wealthy family.
Li Tan lightly tapped the tree beside him and teased, “If you want to hide somewhere to relieve yourself, that’s fine too. Just remember to watch your head—something might be drooling over you up there. And watch your step too—there’s more than just stones underground. One misstep, and your manhood might become someone else’s delicacy.”
Instinctively covering his crotch, the youth said, “Brother, don’t scare me like that.” The uncle looked at Li Tan appreciatively: “You’re right. In the hunting zone, the most dangerous thing isn’t the big creatures glaring at you with bared teeth—it’s the tiny things hiding in the shadows.”
The youth nodded earnestly: “Indeed, open swords are easier to guard against than hidden arrows.” Li Tan couldn’t help but recall You Kuang, who had betrayed him. He exhaled a cold breath bitterly: “Yes, hidden arrows are hard to guard against.”
Uncle Zhou noticed the fleeting melancholy in Li Tan’s eyes, slightly surprised but not prying further, merely keeping a closer watch on him.
“Ahem, kid, my name is Zhou Tong. If you don’t mind, just call me Uncle Zhou.”
The youth smiled: “You can call me Ming Ren.”
Whether it was a real name or not, Li Tan didn’t care.
“My name is Li Tan.”
Li Tan?
Ming Ren immediately thought of the Li Tan who had married into the Lin family, his mouth slightly agape in surprise. But he soon thought it might just be a coincidence and shook his head, dismissing the thought.
As they ventured deeper, the scenery around them gradually changed. The ground was overgrown with weeds, branches drooped so low they nearly touched the ground, and thickets and thorns were everywhere, severely slowing their progress. The pleasant sunlight was completely blocked out, and the temperature dropped several degrees, making them shiver from the cold.
“Uncle Zhou, have we reached the hunting zone now?”
Ming Ren, shivering slightly, looked around and asked.
Zhou Tong nodded: “Yes. I guess this is your first time here—be careful.”
As Zhou Tong spoke, the mercenaries instinctively surrounded Li Tan and Ming Ren.
Li Tan briefly observed the lush greenery around them. Drawing upon his abundant and terrifying experience, he easily determined that only small beasts were nearby—no threat to their group. Idly, he asked Ming Ren, “What brings you here?”
Ming Ren sighed with slight disappointment: “Same as you, searching for something.”
Li Tan crushed a poisonous insect camouflaged as a dead leaf underfoot and casually said, “If you don’t mind, tell me about it.”
Ming Ren hesitated briefly, then decided not to hide since they were traveling together: “Water Cloud Bamboo and the beast core of a Jackal Tiger.” Both the Water Cloud Bamboo and Jackal Tiger’s beast core were excellent medicinal ingredients for healing pills. However, few except alchemists knew that when mixed together, these two ingredients could produce a deadly poison. Li Tan was slightly concerned but ultimately decided not to interfere. After all, he and Ming Ren were merely chance acquaintances—there was no reason for him to meddle in another’s affairs.
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