Chapter 6: The Immortal Deity’s Gift

Upon returning to Akamana City, Zhang Luan simply found a lodging and succumbed to a profound sleep.

He slept soundly through the night. Only when the first light of dawn painted the sky, and he observed the world outside, did he truly believe that the events of the previous day had not been a mere dream.

Facing his reflection, he struck a narcissistic pose, raking a hand through his hair.

“Still as handsome as ever,” he mused aloud.

Stepping out, he found the early morning streets bustling with small stalls, offering a variety of breakfast foods and assorted items.

While most adventurers were hardly diligent, a dedicated few always emerged as the early birds, ready to seize the day.

Today, he intended to venture into the Ancient Forest, seeking out that abandoned temple. Having successfully employed the [Fearless Explorer] ability on the battle-axe yesterday, he now felt confident in his ability to unravel the mystery of the quest.

Passing through Akamana City’s grand gates, Zhang Luan followed the path etched in his memory towards the dilapidated temple. Only truly seasoned adventurers understood the wisdom of setting out at this particular hour.

The nocturnal monsters had just settled down, while the creatures of the day had yet to awaken. Only a select few peculiar entities observed all outsiders. This precious hour was, without a doubt, the safest time to traverse the forest.

As the sun gradually climbed higher, he finally located the ancient, forgotten temple. Unlike other ruins, which were invariably overrun with monster nests, this place was pristine, devoid of even a single weed.

Traversing the dark tunnel, Zhang Luan stepped into the temple’s interior.

A small window adorned the temple’s apex, allowing a faint glimmer of external light to pierce the gloom.

Beneath this ethereal glow, a worn and ancient coin lay embedded within the rock. Etched upon its surface was the image of a weeping maiden.

Without hesitation, he walked directly to it and touched the coin.

The anticipated voice resonated in his ear.

[Triggering S-Rank Quest: [Direction] Quest Description: Destiny will guide you. Rewards granted based on completion.]

Zhang Luan had long been prepared for this. He no longer needed to meticulously investigate the quest’s intricacies, unlike those in his previous life. He simply closed his eyes and activated his ability.

[Fearless Explorer]

In a daze, a kaleidoscope of bizarre images flooded his mind, revealing its history before his very eyes.

Unlike the axe’s clear memories, this coin’s history was shrouded in kaleidoscopic hues. The few discernible scenes were blurry, and in the end, only one image remained strikingly clear.

It depicted an incredibly lovely silver-haired maiden, her head bowed, her gaze downcast. An unapproachable aura emanated from her. Strangely, Zhang Luan felt as though the maiden in the vision was looking directly at him.

He shook his head, striving to maintain his lucidity.

But upon opening his eyes, the coin had, at some point, begun to emit a dark golden glow. It drifted through the air like soft silk ribbons, swirling and coalescing into a humanoid form.

Suddenly, the ball of light exploded, causing Zhang Luan to instinctively shut his eyes.

When he reopened them, a silver-haired maiden, clad in a flowing white gown adorned with gold patterns, sat gracefully upon the stone where the coin had been embedded.

Her appearance was identical to the maiden etched in the coin’s memory.

The maiden remained silent, simply observing Zhang Luan. After a long moment, a faint smile graced her lips.

Zhang Luan took several deep breaths, calming the surge of desire within him. He then addressed the maiden.

“Who are you?”

The maiden remained speechless for a considerable time, her gaze fixed on him. After a while, she smiled softly, a smile as beautiful and captivating as a blooming lotus.

“Avanyin.”

Her voice was ethereal and pure, like a clear spring gushing into his heart.

Upon hearing that name, Zhang Luan’s heart began to pound wildly.

[Immortal Deity: Avanyin]

In the period before his rebirth, only the most elite players had pieced together fragments of information from various quests, learning of beings that transcended even gods.

These individuals were revered as Immortal Deities.

They possessed power far exceeding that of gods, and unlike gods who were born inherently mighty, Immortal Deities cultivated their strength from nothing. Avanyin was precisely the name that had surfaced in those fragmented quest details.

“You are the one I have been waiting for.”

Her tone conveyed an undeniable certainty.

Yet, Zhang Luan knew very well that no matter who she was waiting for, it couldn’t be him. He had been reborn; if he were truly the one awaited by this Immortal Deity, how could his past self have perished?

Avanyin paid no mind to Zhang Luan’s thoughts. She touched her chest, and a flawlessly white silken thread emerged, extending outwards.

The thread continued to lengthen, eventually settling on Zhang Luan’s chest, connecting with him.

In a trance, Zhang Luan felt a wave of profound comfort. His soul seemed to shed a thousand tons of weight, becoming incredibly light.

At the same moment, the system’s hollow voice chimed in.

[New Talent Detected]

[Peculiar Destiny]:

① Luck transforms to EX (surpassing the maximum value, reaching an unknown quantity).

② All abilities affecting the Luck attribute are completely exempted.

Evaluation: A maiden who transcends even gods has connected with you.

This talent, capable of completely exempting certain abilities, was utterly unique, and the Luck attribute had surpassed its maximum value.

Regardless of what she had done to him, or whether it was good or bad, with this talent, he had already gained immensely.

Seeing the joyous expression on Zhang Luan’s face, Avanyin’s smile grew even more radiant. She seemed rather pleased.

Just as she was about to speak, she sensed something. With a hint of regret, she cast one last look at Zhang Luan, then reached out and retrieved the coin.

“For you.”

She placed the coin into Zhang Luan’s palm. As their skin brushed, Zhang Luan felt a rush of desire. Her cool, soft hand made him wish to hold it close, like a pillow to ward off the summer heat.

Having done this, Avanyin’s form slowly vanished, accompanied by a scattering of butterfly-like light. Her final gaze held a lingering reluctance.

Zhang Luan instinctively reached out to grasp her, but the spot where she had been was now utterly empty.

Everything felt so unreal, as if nothing had ever happened.

Only the coin remained, a silent testament to the fact that a maiden named Avanyin had momentarily graced his side.

****

Boom!

The dilapidated temple began to tremble and collapse.

Zhang Luan swiftly darted out, watching the now completely vanished temple with a touch of regret.

His gaze shifted to the coin’s information.

[Avanyin’s Coin of Choice]

Tier: Legendary

Effect ①: When in a near-death state, activate [Avanyin’s Law of Battle One] to gain 100% damage immunity for one minute. During this duration, all attributes increase by 300%, and critical hit rate increases to 100%. Cooldown: 24 hours.

Effect ②: When in a near-death state, activate [Avanyin’s Law of Battle Two] to briefly enter a state of nullity and forcibly disengage from combat, teleporting to a random safe location. Cooldown: 24 hours.

Description: Battle is simply about winning or losing. Just survive.