Systemless Villain

224  Paths of Determination

Zhang Jun's focus was abruptly drawn to the sky, detecting an encroaching presence.

Out of nowhere, a swift-descending object aimed directly at them.

Reacting swiftly, he instinctively shielded Liu Qian, conjuring an invisible surge of purple energy that manifested into a protective barrier.

The object neared dangerously, and with a resounding "BANG!" it collided, aiming directly at them. However, Zhang Jun's invisible barrier thwarted its path.

Caught off guard, Liu Qian was visibly startled by the sudden assault. As the object became more discernible, it revealed itself as a sizable bird with a menacingly sharp beak and wings that seemed to gleam with razor-like edges.

Meanwhile, Zhang Jun dispersed the invisible barrier, reabsorbing it, channeling its energy into his right fist, shrouding it in a purple glow.

Without a moment's hesitation, he swiftly struck the bird, snapping its beak and crushing its skull, propelling it into the distance.

Though remnants of annoyance lingered on his expression, it gradually softened. He turned to address Liu Qian, "Just so you know, I won't resort to physical violence against you, Qian'er. I'll be around the mountain above. Shout if you're in danger," he assured.

Liu Qian remained silent, offering no response to Zhang Jun's reassurance.

Without lingering, Zhang Jun pivoted and departed.

Observing his retreating figure, Liu Qian wasted no time and chose a different path.

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Zhang Jun pressed on toward the mountains, where yet another forest awaited him. As he advanced, his mind remained consumed by thoughts of Liu Qian.

His acquaintance with Liu Qian traced back to the final year of middle school. Despite attending different schools, their families' close connections ensured frequent encounters.

The allure of Liu Qian proved irresistible to Zhang Jun. From her captivating face to her personality, physique, and strength – every aspect of her stirred a longing within him.

A steely determination gleamed in his eyes. "Soon, Tsagaan Sar will dawn, and we shall return to the Yuan Dynasty. At that juncture, nothing will thwart us, Qian'er," he proclaimed.

Each uttered word resonated with an unwavering sense of determination.

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In another location, within an expansive forested expanse, Long Tian tread upon the lifeless form of a quadrupedal creature resembling a crocodile.

Scattered around him were numerous kin, sharing the same fate – vanquished in battle.

His piercing gaze ahead revealed an assortment of monsters, each possessing a distinct and fearsome form, their predatory eyes fixated on him.

A sly grin etched across Long Tian's countenance. "Annihilate them, my dragons!" he proclaimed, extending both hands.

In an instant, the tattoos adorning his arms morphed into formidable black dragons, soaring with thunderous roars toward the menacing creatures.

Their formidable jaws unhinged, exposing razor-sharp fangs that ruthlessly tore through the monsters' bodies, swiftly extinguishing dozens of lives without a shred of mercy.

Long Tian watched with contentment. The deployment of his twin dragons had been a dormant affair for quite some time, and upon closer scrutiny, the two black dragons seemed to have undergone a transformation, especially in their scales, now tinged with a subtle golden hue. Undoubtedly, an effect stemming from the demise of Qin Chen.

The relentless assault resulted in the demise of approximately 60 of these savage monsters, prompting the dragons to return to Long Tian, reverting into tattoo form.

Long Tian's visage lit up with a broad smile as he strolled toward the lifeless creatures, meticulously examining each one in search of something specific.

After a while, his attention fixated on a colossal gorilla with a coat of black and red fur. Stepping closer, he swiftly overturned the gorilla's massive form, uncovering a conspicuous white crystal nestled at the back of its neck.

A triumphant grin adorned Long Tian's features. "Gotcha," he declared.

With that, he extracted the crystal. As it dislodged, the gorilla's once animated form succumbed to an ashen pallor.

Long Tian paid no heed to the now inert body, directing his focus entirely to the precious crystal.

His expression radiated satisfaction as he scrutinized the valuable artifact. Beyond a mere crystalline entity, it stood as an invaluable treasure, surpassing the caliber of profound-level spiritual stones.

"This item will command immense value in the future. I suppose I need to unearth more of these crystals within this portal," he mused with a smirk.

Having securely stored the crystal in his spatial ring, Long Tian proceeded to explore another locale.

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Meanwhile, outside the portal, at the bustling heart of Tianzhou city, Lin Fan sauntered along the sidewalk. Each stride exuded an air of tranquility, mirroring his casual attire that befitted the leisurely pace.

As he traversed, his discerning gaze canvassed the surroundings, scouting for any remaining gambling dens or establishments hosting guessing games.

Virtually all avenues of entertainment had fallen prey to his systematic exploitation, courtesy of the potent capabilities bestowed by his golden eyes.

In the current moment, his attention was captivated by a modest kiosk boldly labeled "Legendary Herbal Medicine." n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Coming to a halt, he deliberated, stroking his chin as he contemplated the prospect of exploring its offerings.

After a brief interlude, Lin Fan resolved to venture forth, steering himself toward the herbal haven.

The chiming of a bell echoed as he crossed the threshold, prompting the storekeeper – a genial elderly man in his sixties – to extend a warm welcome. "Step into the Legendary Herbal Medicine store, sir. Feel free to make yourself at home," the old man beckoned with a pleasing tone.

Lin Fan reciprocated the gesture with a friendly smile and proceeded to inspect the store's array, where meticulously arranged shelves exhibited an eclectic assortment of plants and herbal remedies.

Without hesitation, Lin Fan activated his golden eyes' ability to discern the most valuable plants.

His vision shifted, taking on an X-ray-like quality, allowing him to perceive the plants' colors.

However, amidst the shelves, none exhibited a golden hue. The most vibrant shades were radiant purples, which still held merit.

Choosing various plants, including the waterfall lily, blood rose, and a few unidentified specimens, Lin Fan amassed eight distinct selections. He then proceeded to the cashier, where the elderly man awaited.

Arranging the plants on the counter, Lin Fan inquired, "What's the total for all of these?"

The elderly man didn't respond immediately; instead, he scrutinized the presented plants.

Then, a smile graced his features. "You've chosen the rarest plants in our inventory. Are you aware of their benefits?" he asked.

"I don't know," Lin Fan replied.

The old man's smile persisted. "Understandable; you might still be a student. Nonetheless, it's an opportunity for learning. The plants you've selected can be highly beneficial for various treatments, such as heart attacks, internal ailments like Reiki channel blockages, and nerve disconnections," he elaborated.

"Reiki channel blockages?" Lin Fan raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, particularly the waterfall lily. Unfortunately, there's only one here, and you've taken it," the old man responded.

Lin Fan remained silent, his thoughts immediately focused on Jun Li, who suffered from Reiki channel blockages. Last time, he hadn't fully cured him, only improving him condition. However, this time, he possessed the ingredients for a potential complete cure – that is, if the old man's words held truth.

"Are you serious about that? How do you know?" Lin Fan asked with curiosity.

The old man smiled, "I've been immersed in the medical and herbal medicine realm for 50 years, traversing various countries and uncovering secret recipes. So, to answer your question, it's all about experience and knowledge," he explained calmly.

Lin Fan found himself inclined to trust the old man's words; they exuded an air of credibility.

"Well, I'll purchase all of these. What's the total?" he inquired.

"All of them amount to only 42,000 Yuan," the old man responded.

Lin Fan deemed the price reasonable. Retrieving his ATM card, he proceeded to make the payment.

Once the transaction concluded, he bid farewell and exited the shop.

Now outside, a broad smile adorned his face, radiating anticipation. "The upcoming agenda is attending the Jun family banquet and healing the old Jun Li. Also, clarifying that I'm the owner of that genuine jade token. With that, my name will be cleared," he declared, his tone resonating with determination.

He still holds hope that the token given by Jun Li is not fake, and at the upcoming banquet, he will seek the truth.