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Join the ServerZhang Luan stared at the fiery red pot before him, utterly speechless.
He never imagined that, of all things, he would unearth a pot.
“I’m not a chef, what good is this useless pot to me?!”
He raised his foot and kicked it.
*Dong!* The sound was surprisingly pleasant.
“Ah, my bad luck, I suppose. A useless pot is still a pot. At least I’ve already drawn a Mythic item. I can always use this to cook.”
The mention of cooking suddenly reminded Zhang Luan of something crucial.
“Oh, right. I can’t cook.”
He sighed, a hint of resignation in his breath, and summoned the pot’s interface. He held no expectations for this peculiar-looking vessel.
[The God of Cookery’s Spicy Pot]
Rank: Legend
Effect ①: Food prepared in this pot will be judged as either [Super Spicy] or [Supremely Delicious], determined by the user’s Luck stat.
Effect ②: Consuming [Super Spicy] food will reduce maximum HP by 0.5% per second and increase movement speed by an additional 30%. The duration is determined by the maximum attribute value.
Effect ③: Consuming [Supremely Delicious] food will increase maximum HP by an additional 50% and restore 10% of maximum HP per second for 10 seconds.
After reading the effects, Zhang Luan quietly rubbed the spot he had kicked, a wide smile spreading across his face.
“I knew my luck wouldn’t let me draw a piece of junk. As expected of me, even a mere pot can be this powerful.”
He was merely taking advantage of the pot’s inability to speak; otherwise, it would have undoubtedly cursed his shamelessness long ago.
Just as Zhang Luan was preparing to experiment with some leaves, his ears twitched. He heard the sounds of a struggle echoing from not far away.
His brow furrowed. He immediately used the Stars of Flame to absorb the bonfire, then concealed himself. Few people ventured into such a place at this hour, and most were lower-tier adventurers.
Yet, even if these adventurers clashed, they wouldn’t create such a ruckus. After all, the scythe hanging in the sky was clearly not something a low-level adventurer could summon.
Adhering to the principle of avoiding trouble when possible, he decided it was best to observe from the shadows. If he could glean some advantage, all the better.
He melted into the darkness, employing a special technique to minimize his presence. Even if someone walked directly past him, they wouldn’t detect him.
*Clang, clang, clang.* The clatter of chainmail grew closer. A group of warriors clad in gleaming silver armor swiftly rushed into the cave, shielding a petite figure in their midst.
The mature woman leading them surveyed her surroundings. She found nothing else, only the cold, ancient remains of a campfire.
She let out a soft sigh of relief and declared loudly, “Go and hold back those cultists! Ensure the Saintess’s safety at all costs!”
The warriors respectfully saluted, then surged out to join the battle.
Only the mature woman, the young girl she protected, and the hidden Zhang Luan remained in the cave.
Once all the warriors had departed, the young girl looked at the mature woman’s face with her beautiful golden eyes and said, “They are after me. Hand me over. You return to the city and inform the Matriarch to come and rescue me.”
The mature woman shook her head, a gentle smile gracing her lips. “As your guardian, how could I allow you to fall into danger? Don’t worry, I will definitely take you—”
Before she could finish her sentence, a cold, black arrow struck her in the back. Cursed runes spread rapidly, and the intense pain forced her to her knees.
“Such touching devotion between master and servant! It’s a good thing I came in; otherwise, wouldn’t such a fine spectacle be wasted? Hahahaha!”
An arrogant voice reached Zhang Luan’s ears. A man in a black robe gradually materialized, a crossbow clutched in his hand. The chilling arrow had been fired from this very weapon.
The mature woman gritted her teeth, remaining silent, as she trembled and grasped her greatsword, positioning it in front of the young girl.
The black-robed man sneered and clapped his hands. The woman instantly collapsed.
“What’s the point of holding on? This level of spectral curse means certain death once it touches you. Now, it’s your turn, esteemed Saintess.”
The young girl bit her lip, her hands clenched tightly. She ignored the man’s provocation, instead staring at the woman’s face, as if something within her was slowly awakening.
The man, seeing her silence, mistook it for fear and grew even more triumphant. He strode forward, reaching out to grab her.
Just then, a soft cough interrupted his movement, and also the awakening within the young girl.
From the shadows, Zhang Luan emerged, cradling a crimson pot. The man immediately aimed his crossbow at him.
“Who are you?! The Demon Roar Holy Church is at work here; value your own life.”
Despite his tough words, the man was secretly shocked. He hadn’t detected this person’s presence at all before they appeared, which could only mean their strength far surpassed his own. He subtly sent a message, directing those outside to come here.
Zhang Luan ignored him, instead observing the young girl’s appearance, a silent shock stirring within him.
He knew this young girl.
No, perhaps it was more accurate to say he had seen her once online in his previous life.
She was Nan Fenghua, the sole human among the Three Pillar Disasters, who had incited the world-destroying catastrophe and was known as the [Saintess of Ruin].
In that era, she was the protagonist, the disaster, and the human who made gods bleed.
Yet, the girl before him now bore none of the cold aloofness from his past life. She was merely a fragile, endearing young girl.
Her golden eyes seemed to hold countless treasures, her soft black hair cascaded to her waist, and despite her delicate frame, she possessed a beauty that inspired a desire to draw near.
Nan Fenghua gazed at Zhang Luan, her eyes filled with confusion. She desperately hoped this sudden apparition of a man would help her, but… they were strangers. Why would he risk danger to assist her?
Because she was the Saintess?
The black-robed man, of course, understood this. His finger rested on the trigger as he spoke with a hint of menace, “If Your Excellency leaves now, we can all remain unharmed. This young girl is the prey of our Demon Roar Holy Church. You should know that we do not show mercy to our enemies.”
At that moment, a group of similarly robed figures entered the cave from outside. Each held a crossbow aimed at Zhang Luan, as if ready to unleash a volley of arrows the next second, riddling him like a sieve.
Zhang Luan glanced at him, a cold sneer on his face, and wrapped an arm around Nan Fenghua’s waist.
“I hate being threatened most of all.”
“Fire!”
The black-robed man no longer hesitated, commanding everyone to pull their triggers.
“Idiots.”
The instant the dark arrows were about to reach him, a massive wall of fire erupted, incinerating them into black ash.
Zhang Luan watched the black-robed figures, a triumphant smirk curving his lips, an arrogant smile gracing his face. He hooked a finger, beckoning them.
“Go on, then. Weren’t you all so arrogant??”
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