From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 252 Treasure Hunt Showdown: Xiao Yao at the Pinnacle of Glory

The aftershocks of the broken barrier had not yet dissipated when I staggered to my feet, my palm pressed tightly against the storage bag, feeling the weight and warmth of the treasures inside.

A warm current flowed through my body, dispelling the previous fatigue and pain.

This is not just the joy of victory, but also the expectation for endless possibilities in the future.

I took a deep breath, and the sea breeze, carrying a faint salty smell, rushed towards me, while the calls of seabirds in the distance were clear and melodious.

I turned and walked deeper into the island, where there were still many unknowns waiting for me to explore.

Beneath my feet was soft sand, each step leaving shallow footprints that were quickly smoothed out by the waves.

Sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, casting dappled shadows on the ground, and the air was filled with a unique fragrance of grass and trees.

After walking for a while, I keenly sensed something was amiss.

The surrounding air seemed to freeze, and a sense of danger crept in.

I slowed my pace and looked around warily; something seemed to be hidden among the dense bushes.

In the distance, a familiar figure flashed by – it was Blood Shadow!

He was furtively gathered with a few junior contestants, whispering and plotting something.

Blood Shadow's cold gaze swept around, a sinister smile curling at the corner of his mouth, which made me shudder.

not good!

They must be plotting something!

I held my breath, trying to hear what they were saying, but they were too far away, and only indistinct whispers could be heard.

I realized something was wrong and was about to leave quietly when suddenly my feet slipped.

"Ah!" I exclaimed, my body falling uncontrollably downwards.

A powerful force bound me tightly, rendering me unable to move.

I looked down and realized I had stepped into a hidden trap. Vines gleaming with a cold light were wrapped around my body, tightening their grip as if to strangle me to pieces.

Fear and anger mingled together; my heart pounded and my breathing became rapid.

The surrounding trees seemed to have turned into hideous monsters, the shadows kept swaying, and the oppressive atmosphere made it almost impossible for me to breathe.

"Damn it!" I cursed under my breath, struggling desperately, but I couldn't budge those tough vines at all.

A chilling laugh echoed around the trap, and Blood Shadow's figure came into my sight.

"Xiao Yao, you didn't expect this, did you? Hahaha..." Blood Shadow's voice was full of smugness, "Just surrender obediently!"

I gritted my teeth, glared at him fiercely, and felt a deep sense of resentment.

Just then, I heard Ling Yun's angry roar from not far away: "Who is it? How dare you ambush this young master?"

Oh no, they're falling into the trap too!

I struggled, but the vines tightened their grip, and a stinging sensation came from my limbs, like countless needles pricking my skin.

All that could be heard was Xueying's arrogant laughter, as well as Lingyun and Qingfeng's continuous roars and exclamations.

"Who dares to ambush me!" Ling Yun's voice was filled with disbelief and anger. "Qingfeng, was it you who did this?"

"Ling Yun, don't make false accusations!" Qingfeng's voice was also filled with anger. "I'm the victim! You were the one who stepped in first!"

Seeing that the two were about to start arguing, I felt anxious and wanted to persuade them: "Now is not the time to argue, we should..."

"Xiao Yao, you good-for-nothing, do you even have the right to speak?" Ling Yun sneered. "If it weren't for you, how would we have fallen into this trap?"

Qingfeng chimed in, "Exactly! He overestimated himself and is a real jinx!"

A pang of pain shot through me, and a sense of injustice welled up inside me. I had clearly intended to help them, but all I got in return was this mockery.

The surrounding air seemed to stagnate, and the shadows of the trees swayed like menacing demons.

Just then, Blood Shadow emerged from the darkness, a bloodthirsty smile on his face.

In his hand now lay a gleaming dagger, its chilling presence sending shivers down one's spine in the dim light.

"Alright, stop arguing. Your treasures are now mine!"

As Xueying spoke, he swung the dagger in his hand and easily severed the vines binding Lingyun and Qingfeng.

He walked toward us, each step like the footsteps of death, and the surrounding darkness seemed to spread and envelop me.

I watched helplessly as the Blood Shadow swept past Ling Yun and Qing Feng, snatching their storage bags. Then, with a greedy look in his eyes, the Blood Shadow walked towards me.

His gaze was like that of a venomous snake, sending chills down my spine.

“Your turn, Xiao Yao.” He grinned maliciously and grabbed at my storage bag.

I instinctively hugged the storage bag to my chest. This was a treasure I had gone through countless hardships to obtain, and I absolutely could not just give it away like this!

I struggled desperately, trying to break free from the vines, but I felt my spiritual energy being suppressed by a powerful force, making it impossible for me to move.

My heart is filled with despair. Is all my hard work going to be so easily taken away by the devil in front of me?

I felt Blood Shadow's hand about to touch my storage bag, and I heard his smug laughter.

Just then, I saw Blood Shadow's confident smile freeze on his face, his eyes wide open as if he had seen something utterly unbelievable.

His body jolted suddenly, and he froze on the spot.

Blood Shadow's sinister grin was right in front of me; I could almost smell the stench emanating from his breath.

The storage bag was tightly clutched to his chest, and the sweat from his palms soaked the rough fabric of the bag.

I felt a wave of suffocation, my heart pounding wildly, almost bursting out of my chest.

Does this mean all my efforts are going to be in vain?

Resentment, anger, fear—a torrent of emotions overwhelmed me.

I struggled desperately, but the vines tightened their grip, and the excruciating pain made my vision go black in waves.

I have to find a way, I absolutely have to!

I'm going to take back my treasure!

A crazy idea flashed through my mind—fight it out!

I mobilized the little spiritual power I had left, preparing to fight to the death.

But at the very moment the spiritual energy surged, I suddenly felt a violent dizziness.

Damn!

I forgot, my spiritual power was suppressed!

Despair washed over me again, and I closed my eyes helplessly. Was this my end?

and many more!

My master's words suddenly flashed through my mind: "Stay calm in the face of adversity, and you will be able to turn misfortune into good fortune." Yes, I must not panic!

I still have a chance!

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down.

I opened my eyes again, no longer focusing on the blood-red shadow so close to me, but instead turning my gaze to the vines wrapped around me.

These vines shimmered with a faint green light, their surface smooth as jade, yet incredibly resilient.

They were like venomous snakes, tightly coiling around my limbs and torso, rendering me unable to move.

I began to examine the vines closely, trying to find their weaknesses.

Around the trap, Xueying, Lingyun, and Qingfeng were all stunned. They didn't understand why I had given up resisting at this moment and instead started to study these vines.

An eerie silence filled the air, broken only by the sound of waves crashing against the rocks and the cries of seabirds in the distance.

I noticed that although these vines were tough, there were tiny gaps at their joints.

These gaps are so small they are almost imperceptible, but they are my only hope!

A spark of hope ignited in my heart.

"What are you doing?" Blood Shadow's voice broke the silence, tinged with doubt and impatience.

I ignored him and continued to observe the vines, my fingers gently touching the tiny crevices.

I sensed that although these gaps were small, they were not completely sealed and seemed to be usable.

"Madman!" Ling Yun scoffed disdainfully. "At a time like this, you're still wasting your time!"

Qingfeng chimed in sarcastically, "They really won't shed a tear until they see the coffin!"

Their mockery was like the buzzing of mosquitoes, which I automatically ignored.

My entire attention was focused on the vines, and my fingers slowly slid along the gaps, feeling their texture and structure.

Suddenly, my finger touched a slightly raised area, and it felt like...

An organization!

A surge of joy welled up within me; could it be...?

"Don't move!" I suddenly raised my head and shouted at Blood Shadow.

Blood Shadow froze, his hand hovering in mid-air, a look of confusion on his face.

"Back off!" I shouted again, my tone firm and cold.

Blood Shadow hesitated for a moment, but ultimately obediently took a few steps back.

A barely perceptible smile appeared on my lips, my gaze fixed on the bulge, and I slowly extended my finger...

I held my breath and gently pressed my fingertips against the tiny bump.

With a soft click, the vines that had been wrapped around me suddenly loosened, as if a spell had been broken, and quickly retreated back to the ground and disappeared.

I am free again!

"What's going on?" Blood Shadow exclaimed, his face showing disbelief.

Ignoring his shock, I quickly jumped out of the trap.

I stretched my somewhat numb limbs, a cold smile playing on my lips, as I glanced at Blood Shadow and the few henchmen behind him.

“Now, it’s my turn!” I said coldly.

I quickly formed hand seals, mobilizing the surging spiritual energy within my body.

Golden rays shot out from my fingertips, coiling around Blood Shadow and his accomplices like serpents, binding them tightly.

"What...what did you do?" Blood Shadow cried out in terror, struggling desperately, but unable to break free from the golden light's restraints.

I walked up to Blood Shadow, looked down at him, and sneered, "An eye for an eye!"

I took out my treasure from Blood Shadow's storage bag, as well as the treasures that Lingyun and Qingfeng had been robbed of.

Then, following the terrain I had previously observed, I found a cave hidden deep within the island.

The entrance to the cave was hidden by dense vines; if I hadn't accidentally fallen into a trap earlier, I probably wouldn't have discovered this secret.

I pushed aside the vines and entered the cave.

Inside the cave, a glittering golden treasure, piled high like a mountain, came into view.

Various rare and precious treasures radiated a dazzling light, captivating and mesmerizing the eye.

I immediately spotted a huge luminous pearl placed in the very center, emitting a soft light that illuminated the entire cave.

This is the island's most precious treasure!

I walked up to the luminous pearl and picked it up in my hands.

A powerful spiritual energy surged into my body, making me feel full of power.

I stood before the pile of treasure, looking around, my heart filled with an unparalleled sense of accomplishment.

Blood Shadow and his accomplices were trapped in my trap, while Ling Yun and Qing Feng stared at me in disbelief, their faces filled with shock and disbelief.

Someone started clapping, and then enthusiastic applause erupted from the surrounding area, lasting for a long time.

I basked in the gaze of the crowd, feeling the joy of victory.

I put the luminous pearl into my storage bag and turned to leave the cave.

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out: "Xiao Yao, please wait!"