Chapter 35: The Coin’s Vessel

Avanyin, depicted in the image, smiled faintly, a serene expression identical to the one she wore in the abandoned temple that day.

“The fact that you’ve made it here indicates you possess my coin. Otherwise, Ruoruo would have tossed you out.”

Zhang Luan instinctively glanced at Aruola. She nodded earnestly, having sensed her sister’s aura the moment Zhang Luan stepped into the mage tower.

She had already concealed herself by his side, yet a curious part of her had wanted to pinpoint the source of her sister’s presence. She’d subtly manifested a portion of her physical form, only to find nothing and, instead, get grabbed.

Many had entered this ancient mage tower before, but none had ever emerged completely unscathed. Some lost limbs, all their memories, and were condemned to a future of endless terror.

Others were left disoriented and cast into the distant forests and plains, forever haunted by a profound dread of the towering structure.

This was precisely why the Akamana Temple had sealed the place. Despite everyone knowing its dangers, there were always those who believed themselves exceptional, the protagonists of the world.

In his previous life, many players had foolishly ventured inside, only to quickly fall unconscious and awaken with no recollection of anything.

Even in the real world at the time, this phenomenon sparked heated debate. People protested, claiming the game harmed the human brain. Yet, no one ever responded.

Unable to find a target for their outrage, those idle busybodies eventually gave up, returning to their games.

Now, it was clear that Aruola and the malevolent spirits within the tower were behind it all. Had Aruola not guarded him throughout his journey, he would have long since been tormented by those spirits in the darkness.

He had prepared for danger before entering, knowing that with the Coin of Choice, he could disengage from combat and escape at any moment.

He harbored no fear.

Avanyin continued to speak.

“The coin is a vessel. It can house Ruoruo’s spirit, replacing the tower. But from that moment on, she will fall into a deep slumber.”

“If possible, I hope you can find these items to reshape her body. The magic tool is a token of my gratitude.”

The moment her voice faded, Zhang Luan heard the system’s prompt echo in his mind.

[S-Rank Quest Triggered: [Biological Sculpting]

Quest Objective: Locate five materials: Moon Cherry Branch, Flying Blossom Hiding, Yellow Spring Water, Cursed Spirit Stone, and Yama Leaf.

A stage reward will be issued for each material found.

Do you accept?]

****

Accepting the quest, Zhang Luan’s eyes sharpened. He knew this S-rank quest was unlike the one in the abandoned temple, which could be easily completed using [Fearless Adventurer].

Among the five materials listed, he had only ever heard of the Moon Cherry Branch in his ten years in his previous life, and its location required a minimum level of 70 to even access.

This was truly a long and arduous quest. He wondered when he would even complete the first stage. Still, he wasn’t in a hurry; given enough time, he would accomplish it.

After listing the materials, Avanyin propped her hand on her slender, fair leg, her face resting in her palm. It was as if she gazed through the veil of time, directly at Zhang Luan’s face.

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

As she spoke, the light strips forming the screen gradually vanished. Aruola watched them disappear, a hint of reluctance in her eyes. She had wanted to see her sister more.

Though regretful, seeing her even once was better than not seeing her at all.

“Sister said the coin can hold me. I feel it can.”

Aruola looked at the Coin of Choice in Zhang Luan’s hand. Before he could even speak, she seemed ready to transform into a spirit and dive inside.

Zhang Luan quickly stopped her.

“Didn’t you hear your sister’s other words? You’ll fall into a permanent slumber once you enter the coin, until I find those materials. Aren’t you afraid I won’t look for them, and simply ignore your existence?”

In response to Zhang Luan’s question, Aruola tilted her head, pondered seriously for a moment, then shook it.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because the person Sister waited for would never go back on their word, right?”

She gazed at Zhang Luan with innocent eyes, as if a thousand critical blows exploded within his heart. He covered his eyes, and after a long moment, sighed.

“Fine, fine. I’ll find them for you. You can come in, but first, you have to tell me how to get out of this tower, right? And even though that mage has been dead for a long time, they should have left some treasures, shouldn’t they? Is there anything useful left? I lost an old companion that had been with me for two or three days just to get here.”

He held up his broken Green Righteousness Sword, looking as if he had suffered an immense grievance.

“There’s nothing left. Sister broke everything in that mage’s warehouse when she was bored a long time ago.”

Zhang Luan dropped his hand, speechless. Though he hadn’t held much hope to begin with, his greatest gains from this trip, besides the Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon, was meeting Avanyin. Losing a rare weapon was no loss at all.

Aruola was ready. She looked at Zhang Luan, pointing to the Coin of Choice.

“I’m going in.”

Zhang Luan spread his hand, the coin resting quietly in his palm. He shed his usual playful smile, speaking with utmost seriousness.

“You need to think this through. As your sister said, if you enter here, you’ll fall into a deep slumber. There’s no telling when you’ll wake up again. It’s no different from being imprisoned.”

“Sister told me that sleeping and then waking up feels very fast.”

Zhang Luan said nothing more. Aruola walked to his side, looking up at his face.

“Will you help me?”

Looking at her, Zhang Luan reached out and placed his hand on her face, kneading it like dough under Aruola’s displeased gaze.

“You guess.”

Aruola reached up with her small hand, grabbed Zhang Luan’s wrist, and pulled his hand away from her face. Then, she placed one of her hands into Zhang Luan’s palm, where he held the coin. The cool, refreshing sensation was quite pleasant.

Her body surged with vibrant magic. The Coin of Choice leaped up, soaring into the air. Gusts of wind swept through the space, and Aruola’s body gradually transformed into luminous, butterfly-like motes of light, drawn into the coin. The dreamlike, ethereal scene left him mesmerized.

“Hey, how do I get out?”

Zhang Luan nearly forgot. Without this emotionless loli’s help, would he have to walk all the way back to the first floor?

Aruola tilted her head, a smile actually gracing her face.

“Sister once said, if you insert that magic tool into the sparkling device, this tower will collapse, and you’ll be able to leave. So, I look forward to the day we meet again.”

The moment she was completely absorbed into the coin, Zhang Luan caught the falling coin. With the Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon in hand, he walked to the device.

He hadn’t noticed it before, but there was an opening exactly the same size as the Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon.

Glancing around, Zhang Luan took one last look at the mage tower.

“It’s time for your early demise, old man.”

BOOM!

The tower collapsed.