263: Chapter 263 Evil and Justice

Yesterday, it took so long to fall to the bottom. This height... is probably no less than several thousand meters!

"How do I get up?" Qin Yan's brows furrowed, faced with a difficult problem.

When he came down, he was swallowed by a flower bud and fell in a free fall for an unknown amount of time.

But to go up now... for one, he wasn't a Middle-grade martial artist, so he couldn't fly through the air;

Secondly, even with abundant stamina, this vertical, unknown-height "shaft" was definitely not something that could be solved by climbing.

Was he going to be trapped to death here underground?

Just as Qin Yan was at his wit's end, the black seed in his palm seemed to sense his distress.

The faint light on its surface suddenly brightened, no longer dim and steady as before, but flickering with a strange rhythm.

Then, something even more miraculous happened!

The surrounding walls of black vines, which were originally stationary or slowly writhing, seemed to receive some silent command and began to liven up!

Vines of varying thickness, like living tentacles, detached from the walls and extended, reaching out toward Qin Yan's direction!

Qin Yan instantly became alert, holding his long spear across his chest.

But he soon discovered that these vines were not attacking him.

They nimbly wove, intersected, and wound through the air, connecting tightly to each other. Finally, starting from the edge of the hole in front of Qin Yan, they constructed an upward-sloping staircase woven from vines that, though steep, was wide enough for a person to walk on!

The staircase extended all the way up, disappearing into the dark depths of the hole, with no end in sight.

Qin Yan stared dumbfounded at this scene, which could be called a miracle. Then he abruptly lowered his head to look at the black seed in his palm, which was emitting a soft, faint light and trembling slightly as if in "triumph."

It was it! It was this sentient, mysterious seed that was controlling these vines!

It could actually control the remaining vines in this area to build a path for its departure!

Qin Yan narrowed his eyes slightly.

Qin Yan's knowledge of this mysterious seed with its unknown origin and peculiar behavior was almost zero.

He could only roughly speculate based on the "sentience" it displayed that it likely belonged to the category of Rank Eight or even higher-level rare spiritual medicine.

As for its specific species, characteristics, whether it was good or evil... he knew none of this key information.

In his initial judgment, he was inclined to believe this seed was similar to the "yimu spirit heart" above, being the energy core or source of this Vine Evil Spirit ecosystem.

Used by that underground Evil Spirit entity to gather and convert energy.

This guess seemed reasonable.

However, the scene before him caused a strange ripple in his heart.

These vines that formed the massive network were now actively weaving a path under the "will" of this seed, their posture even revealing a sense of near-submission and awe!

This was more like... an embodiment of authority.

An almost primordial, absolute dominance over similar or lower life forms.

"These vines... it's almost as if they've encountered their 'King'..."

A thought welled up in Qin Yan's heart that made even him feel a bit uneasy.

Thinking of this, he subconsciously lowered his head to look at his palm.

The seed was now sitting there quietly, occasionally nuzzling his finger gently.

It exuded a sense of dependence and intimacy almost like that of a child.

Qin Yan's tense heartstrings relaxed inexplicably once more.

He shook his head slightly.

"Forget it," he murmured to himself, as if speaking to the seed or perhaps convincing himself. "At the very least, you are helping me right now rather than harming me.

When I was unconscious, you didn't harm me in the slightest."

He recalled records in ancient texts about high-level spiritual items; not all beings that birthed intelligence were benevolent by nature.

Many spiritual medicines that were malicious by nature could also become good in the future if they met a kind guide.

"Power itself has no good or evil; it all depends on how it is guided and used.

I believe that as long as I treat you with sincerity and provide correct guidance, even if you truly are a so-called 'evil thing,' we might not be unable to coexist."

Qin Yan's gaze became firm again.

"However, one cannot be without a cautious heart.

Once I return to Blue Star, I must properly investigate the background of you little fellow."

Qin Yan made a silent resolution in his heart.

Although the human race's heritage wasn't as long-standing as those great races, there were still many records and studies regarding various heavenly treasures and rare species; perhaps he could find related clues.

No longer hesitating, Qin Yan took a deep breath and stepped onto the strange staircase made of vines.

Although the stairs were woven from plants, they felt exceptionally stable when stepped upon.

Qin Yan moved forward steadily along this upward-sloping passage.

Surroundings were pure darkness, with only the occasional golden glow from the long spear in his hand and the faint light from the seed's surface illuminating the small space around him.

He didn't know how long he had been walking; time seemed to lose its meaning in this enclosed vertical passage.

Only the constantly extending stairs beneath his feet and the gradually clearing airflow from above reminded him that he was approaching the surface.

An unknown amount of time passed, perhaps half an hour, perhaps longer.

At the end of the darkness ahead, a very weak but real light finally appeared!

It wasn't firelight or energy light, but the natural light of the outside world!

Qin Yan's spirit was bolstered, and he quickened his pace.

As he drew closer, the light became more obvious, and he could even hear the faint sound of wind.

Finally, he reached the end of the stairs—this place was sealed by a "top cover" made of a mixture of vine roots and soil.

"I'm here!"

Qin Yan let out a low shout and stopped being polite.

The blood and qi in his body surged instantly, and the long spear in his right hand erupted with a brilliant golden light. Powerful piercing force condensed at the spear tip as he thrust it fiercely toward the "top cover" above his head!

Boom—!!!

With a muffled sound, soil and broken vine roots flew in all directions!

The long-awaited fresh air, carrying the scent of vegetation and earth, rushed toward him!

The blinding sunlight made him subconsciously close his eyes.

Exerting force with his feet, Qin Yan's figure shot out like an arrow from the breached opening, landing steadily on the solid ground!

Phew—I'm finally out!

A sense of relief from having survived a disaster welled up within him.

However, when he looked around with joy, the smile on his face instantly froze, replaced by a deep sense of doubt and alertness.

"Where... is this?"

What he saw before him was completely different from the eerie forest he remembered, where the sun was blotted out and vines were entangled!

The ground was no longer writhing black vines, but covered in a thick layer of dark black dust like ash, which felt soft and made no sound when stepped on.

As far as his vision could reach, there were no tall plants or obvious obstacles.

Only in the far distance could he vaguely see the twisted and strange mountain silhouettes characteristic of Ancient Yue.