Chapter 230: A Sudden Turn of Events, a Gathering of Fools

'What's going on?'

'I felt as though someone just swept their gaze over me again!'

'There clearly aren't any cultivators in this nearby sea area, what exactly is happening?'

'...'

The moment Jiang Chen's gaze fell upon him, Gu Ran was overcome with confusion and apprehension. His skin tingled with a chilly sensation.

However, the sensation this time wasn't as potent as the first.

It appeared the beholder of the mysterious gaze wasn't particularly interested in him, merely casting a fleeting look before moving on.

This allowed Gu Ran to breathe a sigh of relief.

Remaining alert, he continued his forward flight.

On his journey, he didn't feel the mysterious gaze again, but he also didn't encounter any demonic beasts suitable for hunting.

Without him realizing it, ten days had swiftly passed by.

'Ten days!'

'An entire ten days without encountering a single demonic beast fit for hunting!?'

Having aimlessly roamed the sea for a full ten days, Gu Ran was nearing a breakdown, with not one suitable demonic beast to be found.

He couldn't continue like this.

Furthermore, the vanishing demonic beasts might be signaling a significant event about to unfold!

'All the demonic beasts in the nearby seas, those above the Spiritual Awakening realm, have utterly vanished.'

'Plus, there's an intimidating presence with an incredibly potent divine sense lurking nearby.'

'These two occurrences could be linked!'

'No, I mustn't linger in this sea region any longer. If a major event occurs, with my cultivation base being lower than the Heavenly Origin realm, I could even face difficulties in escaping!'

These thoughts whirled through Gu Ran's mind, making him grow increasingly cautious and solemn. 'I need to depart immediately, without delay...'

Without delay, he summoned his flying artifact and continued towards the direction of Black Wood Island.

[Ding! You have successfully altered the plot, claiming a share of protagonist Gu Ran's opportunities. Gu Ran's Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 1000 points!]

[Ding! You have gained 2000 Villain Value points!]

As Gu Ran chose to pivot and depart, the system's notifications echoed in Jiang Chen's mind.

Under normal circumstances, Gu Ran would have garnered considerable gains from this sea area, enough to elevate his cultivation base to the Heavenly Origin realm, and possibly even advance to the Inquiring Journey realm.

However, apart from the black, tortoise-like demonic beast Gu Ran slew in the beginning, he hadn't come across another demonic beast above the Spiritual Awakening realm!

The subplot of hunting demonic beasts was significant for Gu Ran.

After all, those sea-dwelling demonic beasts, intended to be his prey, were supposed to be his first bounty.

Now, returning empty-handed, the outcome had completely flipped, and his Heavenly Fate Value naturally plummeted.

'Dropped by 1000 points!'

'Not bad, not bad, the days spent tirelessly observing the surrounding seas and slaying the encroaching demonic beasts were not in vain.'

'...'

After hearing the system's notifications in his mind, a satisfied smile appeared on Jiang Chen's face.

However, at that moment, a group of individuals suddenly caught Jiang Chen's attention.

This group, who were merely passersby before, their information panel not even accessible, had suddenly turned into supporting characters!

And they were the type of supporting characters with extraordinarily low Fate Value!

At first glance, Jiang Chen knew these supporting characters were on the brink of death!

'Damn.'

'This group of cultivators must have been temporarily transformed into supporting characters due to Gu Ran's Heavenly Fate Value!'

'Heavenly Fate is so crafty. To ensure Gu Ran doesn't return empty-handed, it 'snags' some cultivators en route to make them easy kills for him!'

'...'

Jiang Chen could only feel a wave of annoyance surging within him, and he rolled his eyes in irritation.

On closer inspection of the group of cultivators, it comprised eleven members, with the most powerful one at the Late-stage Mysterious Platform realm.

The leader was an extravagantly attired young man at the Early-stage Mysterious Platform realm, with a flamboyant expression. His name was Fu Huacan, and he exuded the air of a pampered and privileged young master.

This setup was blatantly intended to lend a hand to the protagonist!

'Damn it.'

'I can't allow Gu Ran to cross paths with these cultivators!'

A glacial gleam flashed across Jiang Chen's eyes, and with a swift motion, he morphed into a beam of light and took off.

However, he was somewhat distant.

Fu Huacan and his entourage were already quite close to Gu Ran, and their sudden transformation into supporting characters was just too damn abrupt!

In the blink of an eye, this group of cultivators, poised to 'assist', had entered Gu Ran's divine sense range.

As Gu Ran spotted Fu Huacan and his team, they too became aware of Gu Ran, who hadn't concealed his presence.

"Damn it, why haven't we encountered a demonic beast of the Spiritual Awakening realm or above yet!?"

"This sea area was teeming until recently. What has caused such a sudden change!?"

"We've been scouring this place for days, managing to slay just a few demonic beasts initially. The yield is far too meager!"

"When this young master set sail, I boasted a lot. I can't return in such a pitiful condition, that's just unacceptable!"

"Yes, yes, we can't go back like this. We'll be the butt of all jokes!"

"..."

Fu Huacan glared at the sea beneath his feet, fists clenched. His voice resounded with a strong hint of defiance, with the other cultivators resonating in agreement.

At this, Jiang Chen was somewhat at a loss for words.

Under usual conditions, wouldn't a large-scale disappearance of demonic beasts incite alarm and compel people to escape?

Yet, Fu Huacan was still fretting over his scanty harvest, stubbornly refusing to return.

It was as if his intelligence had plummeted.

His accompanying cultivators seemed equally obtuse, offering no wise counsel.

All they did was fawn over him and echo his sentiments.

'Heavenly Fate is indeed terrifying!'

Jiang Chen mumbled under his breath, and then watched as Fu Huacan and his group ran into Gu Ran.

From Gu Ran's perspective, the moment he spotted Fu Huacan and his group, his brow knitted, sensing an imminent nuisance!

In the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, Gu Ran had encountered numerous dandy scions, and Fu Huacan's demeanor perfectly fit the mold!

These extravagant young masters were the most challenging to handle, as they could bear grudges over petty disputes.

Currently, all Gu Ran yearned for was to cultivate and advance in peace.

He was exceedingly averse to engaging in conflicts with others!

"Yo!"

"Dear Daoist friend!"

"Crossing paths in this vast sea, it's truly fated!"

Upon sighting Gu Ran, Fu Huacan instantly burst into laughter, drawing near him like a social butterfly. "So, have you snagged any good hauls?"

The rest of the entourage also chimed in, each wearing a grin as they eyed Gu Ran.

"Indeed, it's fated that we meet here."

"Unfortunately, it seems something odd has occurred in this sea area, causing all the demonic beasts of the Spiritual Awakening realm and above to vanish."

"As such, I haven't managed to procure anything either, and I'm planning to return to Black Wood Island."

Gu Ran glanced at Fu Huacan and his group, answering with a composed disposition.

"Oh?"

"So, you didn't secure anything either. It seems we're in the same predicament."

"I, too, am planning to return to Black Wood Island. How about we journey together?"

Fu Huacan's eyes flickered, scrutinizing Gu Ran from head to toe.

Ultimately, his gaze settled on the flying artifact beneath Gu Ran's feet.

For a Mysterious Platform cultivator from the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect and an outer disciple like Gu Ran, owning a flying artifact was rather commonplace.

However, in a remote place like Black Wood Island, a flying artifact would be somewhat of a rarity.

The fact that Gu Ran wasn't stripped of his storage artifact when his 'corpse' was handled was indeed abnormal.

This could solely be chalked up to the protagonist's halo, courtesy of the Heavenly Fate.

At this moment, Fu Huacan had scrutinized Gu Ran from head to toe, swiftly deducing that he was a loose cultivator without any significant backing, albeit a tad affluent.

Immediately, a frigid sneer flickered in his heart!

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