Absolute Death Game

"Why have you brought such a pet? This is an ominous beast that will hinder its master. Take my advice and kill it."

Xiao Buli was rendered speechless by Ge Qiugang's words. Just kill it, he thought, as if it were that simple; this pet could evolve! He glanced at Maoqiu, who seemed very quiet, peering around nervously, seemingly oblivious to their conversation. Maoqiu's appearance may not have been striking, but it didn't look particularly off-putting either. How could it be associated with an 'ominous beast'?

However, he understood that the other party's words were not without reason; there had to be some cause for them. Coupling this with the Pale Ring, which also possessed the ability to grow, he felt it was better to ask for clarification.

"May I ask what you mean by 'ominous beast'?"

Ge Qiugang (Master Leatherworker) did not answer directly but instead asked, "Have you ever heard of naturally-spawned spirit beasts?"
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(I've heard of naturally-spawned stone monkeys), Xiao Buli thought, typing, "I have not heard of them."

Ge Qiugang (Master Leatherworker): "The so-called naturally-spawned spirit beasts are not actually born from nature but are ordinary wild beasts that have been influenced by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth during gestation. Compared to common wild beasts, naturally-spawned spirit beasts have stronger learning and growth abilities.

With enough time, even the weakest of them can become incredibly powerful."

That's just the legendary green-named pet, Xiao Buli thought to himself. However, it seemed according to the Master that this fierce looking creature was not a so-called naturally-spawned spirit beast.

"So what is the relationship between my pet and a naturally-spawned spirit beast?"

Ge Qiugang (Master Leatherworker): "Just as there is spiritual energy between heaven and earth, there is also malevolent energy. Your pet was influenced by the malevolent energy of heaven and earth during gestation. Such a malevolent beast, while possessing the powerful growth ability like the spirit beast, inevitably needs to go through slaughter and death to grow. It indeed is an ominous beast.

Keeping it with you for a long time will surely attract misfortune. This misfortune may not be its intention, but it will inevitably arise because of it."

So that's how it is, Xiao Buli reasoned, but he did not want to give up his treasured pet so easily. He then asked, "I really do not wish to discard this beast. May I know if the Master is aware of any methods to break the curse?"

Ge Qiugang (Master Leatherworker): "Well, since you helped me out a great deal, I will tell you. There are only two ways to dispel the ominous beast's curse of hindrance. One is if your destiny is strong enough to subdue it. In that case, not only will it not hinder you, but it will also give you great help in times of crisis.

The second way is to find a Taoist magic practitioner who can dissipate the malevolent energy from it. Once dissipated, it will revert to its original form, still possessing its strong growth ability, but it will no longer hinder its master."

As for whether his own destiny was strong enough, Xiao Buli didn't have much confidence. It seemed that only someone like Liu Bei from the past, with such a destiny, could control a mount believed to hinder its master. Zhang Wu rode it and met with untimely death, while Liu Bei rode it and turned danger into safety.

But no matter how conceited, Xiao Buli didn't think he could compare to Liu Bei, who was known as an indestructible cockroach.

(But a Taoist magic practitioner? I wonder if my makeshift master counts.) With that thought in mind, Xiao Buli had already made up his mind; the first thing to do upon returning was to take Maoqiu back to Mystic Hollow Palace. On one hand, to dissipate the malevolent energy from Maoqiu, and on the other, to learn a few new spells as well.

However, the Mystic Hollow Palace was far away, and the round trip would not be short. Holding to his habitual practice, Xiao Buli still chose to type and ask, "Do you know any such Taoist magic practitioners, Master?"

Master Leatherworker Ge Qiugang: "It's not easy to just stumble upon such a person. I've traveled far and wide over the years and seen many who are skilled in Taoist magic, but most of them are just chasing fame, fishing for compliments. A true master, however, is someone I've never encountered before. That's all I have to say on the matter; you'll have to figure out the rest on your own."

Xiao Buli didn't hold much hope in the first place, so he typed a word of thanks and left the trading house.

As the saying goes, whether you herd one sheep or two, you still have to tend to them. Since he needed to find a master to help him dispel the malevolent energy, Xiao Buyi considered taking the Pale Ring with him as well. While continuing his journey to Nine Dragons City, he turned to Zhang Yaoyang and said, "Group leader, do you still have the equipment left behind by Zhang Qiang?"

Zhang Yaoyang nodded, "Yes, I have all the equipment left by the members of our group who died. Why do you ask?"

Xiao Buli replied, "Among his belongings, I remember there was a 'Cursed Pale Ring.' I'm not sure if it's still there, could you give it to me?"

Zhang Yaoyang thought for a moment and said, "Indeed, there is such an item. It's a pretty useless thing. But you're from the magic system, why would you want such a thing? Moreover, that ring is quite eerie. Although we're still not clear about what the Luck attribute does exactly, it still feels very important. I think it's best if you don't wear it."

Xiao Buli inwardly noted that Zhang Yaoyang seemed quite concerned for him, "Don't worry, I won't be wearing it. I have a special use for it."

A special use? A glint of sharpness flashed in Zhang Yaoyang's eyes, "Could it have something to do with the dungeon strategy plan?" The so-called dungeon strategy plan naturally referred to how to deal with the Qilin Group. Zhang Yaoyang reflexively filled in the blanks, assuming that must be the reason, and immediately asked.

"Exactly, it's related to the dungeon strategy plan." Xiao Buli took the opportunity to slide down the slope with his answer, thinking to himself how universally applicable this response was.

Without any further questions, Zhang Yaoyang said, "Alright, I'll give it to you when you get back to the city."

Half an hour later, when Xiao Buli returned to Nine Dragons City, Zhang Yaoyang traded the ring to him. Upon receiving it, Xiao Buli was both startled and delighted to see that the previously deep blue-quality ring had now turned silver.

Cursed Pale Ring (Silver Ring): Health points upper limit +100, Luck -2.5.

Equipment description: A legendary magic ring that is said to be cursed, emitting an ominous light. Those who have worn it have all paid a terribly tragic price.

Xiao Buli analyzed the growth of the ring. The first time he saw it, it gave a health points upper limit of +40, Luck -1. After changing owners twice (Sun Bin, Zhou Kaihuang), the second time he saw it, it was health points upper limit +80, Luck -2. Now, after another change of hands, it had become health points upper limit +100, Luck -2.5.

It seemed that whenever an owner died, the ring would gain +20 health points upper limit and -0.5 Luck, which was truly a wondrously malevolent item.

However, as long as one didn't wear it, it shouldn't matter, right? After all, the properties of an item only become apparent once it's equipped. While pondering this, Xiao Buli tucked the ring away in a corner of his inventory and then opened his storage. He equipped all the items he had collected for Ji Xiangyun and Jingci during this time.

With everything in order, Xiao Buli set off for the Mystic Hollow Palace. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to give your recommendation and monthly votes on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)