Reborn of the immortal cultivator

9. The forest

A few minutes later, Wallace found his way into the inner core of the forest, with each herb calling for his attention.

However, using his knowledge as a powerful past cultivator, he knew that most of these plants were poisonous despite their attractive appearance.

Only then did he stumble across specimens he never thought he would see in this universe: Sky-anchor Vine, Cicada Petal, and Star-plucking Grass. Together, they represented the bone, blood, and breath required to rebuild the broken bridges to the heavens and soften his withered tissues.

“My goodness!” he exclaimed in shock. With these herbs and a few wisps of ambient energy, the body he was stuck in was primed to break through to the next stage of Qi.

He quickly gathered them and prepared to move to the next section of the dark forest. Suddenly, he screamed in agony, dropping the leaves as he collapsed. Before he could realize what was happening, an Emerald Glint Serpent coiled around him, constricting so tightly that he found it difficult to breathe.

If he wasn't careful, the serpent would crush his ribs, and he would die again in another world. What, then, would have been the point of being granted a second life?

Normally, demonic beasts guarded these forests, casting illusions to make cultivators wander in circles. However, Wallace hadn't expected one to recognize him, given that he was no longer in his original body. He reached for his spirit plate to defend himself, only to realize with a jolt of horror that it was missing.

“What the hell?” he gasped, the serpent tightening its grip, relentlessly.

Without his former strength, he was vulnerable. If he didn't act, he would die without ever redeeming himself or saving his mother.

Just as the serpent prepared to drain the last of his energy, a sharp sound echoed through the trees. The serpent hissed and slowly uncoiled from his body.

“Young Master, it’s you!” a tall figure exclaimed, rushing forward to help Wallace up. Wallace squinted, a cold smile touching his lips as he recognized the man.

It was Reed, his father’s "faithful" servant. This was the same man who used to visit him at the sect, bearing gifts of herbs and honeyed lies from his father. The old Wallace hadn't realized those herbs were actually toxins designed to destroy his cultivation system and wither his soul all for the price of a thousand spirit stones.

Wallace knew he had to play along; the man was clearly up to something.

“Reed?” Wallace replied, feigning confusion.

“Young Master, you aren't meant to be here! Have you forgotten you are still stuck at the Foundation level? You would have died if I hadn't saved you!”

Wallace’s smile deepened as he realized the truth. It was a common, desperate tactic for a cultivator to send a beast like that serpent toward a prey, only to swoop in and play the hero.

“I am here to cure myself,” Wallace said shortly.

“You could have waited for me to send you the herbs! You know how much I care about you... Young Master!” the man insisted. Wallace saw right through the pretense. How could the original Wallace have been so blind?

“Enough with the act, Reed!” Wallace snapped.

Reed laughed shortly, his friendly mask slipping. “Do you consider me an enemy? After everything I’ve done? All the herbs I provided to help you get where you are?”

“You mean those herbs over there?” Wallace countered, pointing toward a patch of callous weeds nearby. Reed looked in that direction and swallowed hard.

Since when did Wallace know how to identify medicinal plants? Something was not right.

The old Wallace had been too dim-witted to notice a trap, let alone a betrayal. This new Wallace looked ready to pierce him with a sharp gaze if he didn't force the truth out of him.

Yet, he knew he dared not because the consequences would be worse than working for his master.

“What do you mean?” Reed stammered. “Are you accusing me? Have you forgotten what you’ve been through and how I helped you? How your mother was a traitor and…”

“If you mention my mother again, I will strike you down where you stand!” Wallace barked, his voice laced with newfound authority.

“Now, listen. I know you are in communication with my father. I know you are his dog.”

“You really think I am working against you?” Reed asked, his voice wavering.

“I have a message for him,” Wallace continued, narrowing his eyes. “Tell him I am coming for him. And when I do, it will be disastrous. As for you... watch your back.”

With a snort of contempt, Wallace snatched up his herbs, shoved Reed aside, and stormed out of the forest. Behind him, Reed’s heart raced. How had the "dumb" Wallace discovered the truth?

He needed to report to his god master because good news was definitely coming.

Only then did he pull out a small mist jug that contained the spiritual essence harvested by the serpent and smiled coldly.

It turned out that every drop of spirit energy he drained from the father's treasury and every ounce of potential he stifled in the son was being funneled into a forbidden ritual and now, he was just a step ahead of becoming an assistant god.

“Wallace, I don't know what may have gotten into you. You may think you are a step ahead of me now but when the perfect time comes, you will swallow your words and come back crawling, Qi trash!”