Pov: Vik
System: "Host, you are in a secret realm, specifically a world with its own rules. This place is among the most powerful secret realms. It has laws even stronger than those in the original world, Blue Star. These laws, like the Heaven suppressing zone, resist any changes caused by spiritual energy, forcing everything to return to its origin. So, you have become a snake, a mortal one. But don't be scared; you are quite large and poisonous for a snake."
After hearing the system's explanation, I looked back at my disciples. I tried to say something, but instead of words, a hissing sound came out. My disciples looked at me with doubt and said, "Master, we don't understand what you are saying. Can you please repeat that?"
Seeing this, I sighed with a hiss and started writing words in the ground soil with my tail, explaining my situation to my disciples. Sigh, now this mission is even harder.
After explaining, I wrote more words on the ground: "Disciples, normal communication is restricted. You have to operate mostly on your own, but for convenience, I will give you some signs. If I hiss in any direction, then attack there. If I lift my tail, then stop and hide. If I raise my front part, then retreat immediately from your position."
After reading what I wrote, both of them said, "Copy that."
Now that I had established some signs for communication, I told them to follow me. We moved forward to find Lin Chen and his group or the treasure. Soon, I climbed a tree to get a better view of the scenery. What I saw surprised me: mountains, forests, and various types of animals.
This is like an evergreen forest. It has become more challenging to locate Lin Chen and his group, so I asked the system for help, "Hey system, do you have any way to track down Lin Chen or the treasure?"
System: "Host, I am not an all-powerful being. Everything supernatural is restricted here, so how do you think I can find them? I am as powerless as you."
This situation is really problematic. Now I need to find the treasure and Lin Chen in this vast forest. I have to think of a way. Just then, I sensed a presence approaching us. Turning my head in that direction, I lifted my tail, signaling Lu Xiaoran and Roman. They noticed and pointed their guns in that direction.
Soon, the presence came closer, and I finally saw it—a small mouse scurrying on the forest floor. As soon as it spotted me, it squeaked in fear and ran away.
Sigh! I mistook a small mouse for a person. I should have focused more on the size of the presence. Then it suddenly hit me: how can I still sense beings around me? This shouldn't be possible since there is no spiritual energy or power inside me. Then I remembered I am a snake.
Laughing inside my head, I said to the system, "System, do you know snakes have a sharp sense of smell and can detect vibrations? Snakes can feel the vibrations of any living being from a distance as long as it is moving. Snakes even have infrared senses, so I can see at night."
System: "Host, I almost forgot. Even though everything returned to origin, you are still a snake, an apex predator in the forest ecosystem."
I continued my search, this time with a creepy smile on my snake face, which looked a bit scary. I didn't have time to think about my expression as I moved through the forest, sensing the beings around me. To avoid repeating the mistake I made with the mouse, I used the vibrations from Lu Xiaoran and Roman as a reference to filter what I sensed.
Soon, I felt a hidden presence. Whoever this person is, they are definitely human. I could feel it, but they were trying to remain silent as they moved, attempting to evade detection. However, they couldn't fool the senses of a snake like me.
I signaled my disciples to move toward that direction. We got closer to the person, who turned out to be a skilled hunter. He sensed our presence about 10 meters away and hid behind a tree. We continued approaching, and just as we were about to confront him, he stepped forward and aimed a bow with a cocked arrow at us.
I saw him; he was not Lin Chen but a middle-aged man with black hair and blue eyes. He looked like a seasoned warrior. Just as I was about to ask Lu Xiaoran to contact him, he said something unexpected, "Father?"
Lu Xiaoran called that stranger father and removed his helmet to reveal his face. Roman also took off his helmet and gun. Looking at both of them, the stranger appeared confused but recognized Lu Xiaoran after a moment. He said, "Lu Xiaoran? Roman? What are you two doing here?"
Lu Xiaoran rushed toward him and said, "Father, I was really scared when I found out you were missing. Mother is also worried about you."
He tried to hug his father, but the man showed an angry expression and punched him on the back of the head. "You idiot! Why did you come here? You should have left for another city. I already spoke with your uncle. You really don't listen to your parents. Now you've come to this dangerous place. You've decided to rebel? Alright, this time, I'll beat you until your mother doesn't recognize you."
As he said this, he twisted Lu Xiaoran's ear and pulled out a stick, ready to hit him. Watching all this, I could confirm that he was indeed Lu Xiaoran's father. Now, the father was showing his love for his son. I thought we should give them some time.