I Arrived At Wizard World While Cultivating Immortality Chapter 636: Night and First Contact

On the other side of the rift lay a wilderness swallowed by night. The distant horizon showed no traces of human activity—only endless wilds, sparse shrubs, and dry grass rustling in the wind. The sky held neither stars nor moon, only pure, thick darkness.

Jie Ming stood upon the wilderness and raised his hand, condensing an energy orb in his palm. The orb emitted a soft white glow, illuminating dozens of meters around him. The instant the orb lit up, he sensed something shrinking back from the darkness. It felt like lighting a lamp in a dark room, causing the faint rustling noises hiding in the shadows to suddenly fall silent. “So this is the Strange of the Night,” Jie Ming murmured, gazing curiously at the surrounding darkness. He did not attempt to use spiritual power to track or probe the depths of the darkness.

Austin was right—this Strange did not need to be handled; simply “not being touched by it” was enough. His gaze swept the area, searching for traces of the other eight wizards. Not far away, several moving points of light were visible. Those were light sources kindled by the other wizards, scattered in different directions. It seemed each person was advancing toward whatever interested them. Jie Ming chose a direction without any light points and stepped into the darkness.

The night wind on the wilderness carried a dry, cold earthy scent, surging in from all sides. Jie Ming held the energy orb and advanced slowly through the darkness. He showed no urgency. After arriving in a new plane, overly rash actions were unwise. It was better to gather a certain level of intelligence first… exactly as he was doing now.

Jie Ming deliberately kept the orb’s brightness at the minimum, just enough to illuminate three steps ahead and no more. He wanted to test exactly how sensitive the “Night” was. The moment the brightness decreased, the feeling arrived. It was as if something cold and wet had pressed against the back of his neck, or as if countless eyes were staring at him from the darkness, each gaze carrying an indescribable hunger. Merely being “watched” was enough to stir nausea in one’s heart.

“Ordinary creatures staying in this environment for long would probably suffer mental collapse before too long…” Jie Ming did not turn around. He calmly raised the orb’s brightness by one notch. Those gazes instantly retracted, like octopus tentacles scalded on the fingertips. The surroundings became empty and quiet once more, leaving only the rustling of wind through dry grass.

He tried again. Lower the brightness—the peering sensation returned immediately. Raise the brightness—the peering sensation vanished. “The threshold is about here.” Jie Ming stabilized the orb at an intermediate brightness. This level completely eliminated the feeling of being watched without shining like a lighthouse that would draw the attention of half the wilderness. He silently recorded the parameter and continued forward.

He had no plans to test further for the time being. Austin had already explained clearly: the Night was connected to the entire plane. Excessive resistance would cause irreversible damage. It was like entering a wildlife reserve—even if scratched by a monkey, one could not level the mountain with missiles. Rules had to be followed: use tranquilizer guns to capture, cages to contain, not flip the table.

Jie Ming strongly approved of this approach. A plane capable of continuously producing Stranges was far more valuable than one violently crushed into nothing. He was a researcher, not a destroyer.

“Still… the most troublesome part of this Night isn’t having to keep oneself in a lit state at all times.” Jie Ming looked up at the empty wilderness around him and couldn’t help frowning. Maintaining constant illumination in the night did make one an easy target for enemies. But since everyone faced the same situation, this wasn’t a major issue.

The bigger problem was that, at least during the night, he could not casually use spiritual power for wide-area reconnaissance. As Jie Ming walked, he compressed his spiritual perception range to within ten meters of his body. After all, the “Night” itself was the Strange. He was unsure what would happen if spiritual power swept across the night, nor did he intend to test it.

However, judging from the two Stranges he had encountered so far, soul energy easily influenced them. Austin’s warning had been clear: do not cause damage to this plane. Whether spiritual power detection would trigger a stress response from the Night was unknown. If it provoked a reaction and clashed with his own spiritual power’s automatic resistance, the entire plane could very well be injured. In this uncertain situation, the safest choice was to forgo spiritual power perception entirely.

“To be safe, I’ll abandon all detection methods related to spiritual power. Various actively diffusing wide-area reconnaissance spells will also be temporarily disabled to avoid excessive damage to the plane’s environment.”

Though forfeiting the most convenient means of reconnaissance was a pity, for a wizard, it was a minor inconvenience.

Beyond active diffusion methods, numerous self-enhancement detection techniques were available.

For Jie Ming, it was even more straightforward: he would simply rely on his own five senses.

Enhanced by his perfect Void Refinement true body, Jie Ming's five senses already surpassed the capabilities of many sixth-ring wizards employing enhancement spells.

And in addition to his senses, other methods existed.

Jie Ming paused, his eyes closing for a brief moment.

A subtle golden luminescence bloomed on his forehead.

Fate Subsystem, initiate activation.

The golden light pulsed gently above his brow, akin to an invisible sense unfurling.

The landscape before Jie Ming underwent a transformation.

Innumerable thread-like streams of light materialized across the wilderness—some radiant, others faint.

Some extended straight into the distance; others twisted and intertwined at specific points, forming one cluster after another.

These were the threads of fate.

Each cluster signified a nexus of destinies, typically indicating human habitations, unfolding events, or some form of anomaly.

He would not interfere with these fate lines.

In a realm where the Strange and its laws were deeply interwoven, actively manipulating the causal network was akin to flying a kite during a thunderstorm—a likely invitation for unwanted complications.

He remained unaware of the potential severity of these "unwanted complications" or how intricately they were connected to this world. Until he gained understanding, it was most prudent not to provoke them.

However, mere "observation" for personal information gathering posed no threat.

Jie Ming's gaze traversed the clusters, focusing on those that met two criteria: high entanglement with the Strange and a limited number of individuals involved.

Intelligence was his immediate need.

Information regarding language, writing systems, societal structures, and the distribution of the Strange—all of this had to be acquired from the native inhabitants.

He quickly pinpointed a direction.

To the northeast, approximately two hundred kilometers distant, lay a relatively unobtrusive cluster of fate lines.

The density of light threads there was considerably lesser than in the surrounding areas, and their color was more subdued.

Furthermore, the texture of these lines exhibited an unnatural contortion, as if forcibly twisted by an external influence.

Jie Ming's eyes opened; the golden radiance on his forehead dissipated.

He adjusted his course and proceeded northeast.

He continued to refrain from flying, choosing instead to travel on foot.

Flight would generate energetic fluctuations that could be detected by the Night or intercepted by other entities within this plane. Until he acquired intelligence pertinent to this world, extreme caution was essential.

"Hah!! This sensation is truly evocative of the past!"

Jie Ming suddenly found himself chuckling involuntarily.

Having been part of an elite combat unit, it had been an considerable time since he had last engaged in this type of cautious exploration and intelligence gathering upon entering a new world.

"The last time I exercised such carefulness was likely during my graduation trial with Victor and Amy... Unbeknownst to me, nearly two millennia have slipped by..." The wilderness beneath his feet receded "leisurely" into the deepening darkness, accompanied only by a sigh carried away on the wind.

Jie Ming's stride appeared unhurried, yet each step covered a hundred meters—a passive enhancement bestowed by his true body.

No energy expenditure was necessary; it was purely a demonstration of his physical prowess.

After approximately half an hour of walking, the landscape ahead began to transform.

The flat expanse of the wilderness yielded to rolling terrain, with low hills etching indistinct outlines against the twilight sky.

Nestled between the hills, faint, regularly shaped geometric patterns became discernible—clearly the work of artificial construction.

Jie Ming moderated his pace and further dimmed the brightness of his guiding orb.

The structures loomed closer.

With his keen eyesight, Jie Ming could clearly discern that it was an abandoned settlement.

The majority of the stone ramparts had crumbled, and the wooden roof structures had long since decayed, leaving only leaning beams to creak in the night breeze.

Narrow pathways snaked between the edifices, choked with debris and withered branches.

Yet, deep within the settlement's heart, a few relatively intact buildings permitted faint, reddish-orange light to seep through the fractures in their stone facades.

The glow of a bonfire.

Someone was present.

Jie Ming made no attempt to conceal himself and proceeded directly towards the flickering firelight.

His footsteps were light, but in the pervasive silence of the night, the crunch of rubble shifting underfoot was distinctly audible.

The white orb of light accompanying him clearly marked his location.

Jie Ming advanced into a confined alleyway bordered by partially collapsed stone walls.

The source of the firelight was less than fifty meters ahead. Through a gaping hole in a stone window, he observed several figures in motion.

Subsequently, a sharp sound echoed.

An object shot from the shadows with a velocity that would be impossible for ordinary individuals to track.

Jie Ming lifted his right hand, extended his index and middle fingers, and gently intercepted the projectile before him.

A projectile crafted from copper was deftly "plucked" from the air. It still retained a residual warmth from its origin within the firearm and emanated a faint aroma of gunpowder. Jie Ming assessed the bullet, then directed his gaze towards its source.

Concealed behind a stone aperture illuminated by the flickering firelight, a shadowy figure gripped a slender metallic tube, its terminus still emitting wisps of smoke.

A firearm.

A spark of interest ignited in Jie Ming’s eyes.

Based on the bullet’s diameter, velocity, and composition, the technological advancement of this realm appeared comparable to the world he inhabited prior to his transmigration. This was… intriguing.

With a casual flick of his wrist, Jie Ming let the bullet fall to the ground, resuming his advance.

The marksman behind the stone window was evidently taken aback.

From this vantage point, the gunman could not clearly discern Jie Ming’s features. All he knew was that his shot had apparently caused the bullet to vanish, seemingly without any evasive maneuver from the target. Was it a miss? A protective vest? Or some other unforeseen factor?

Regardless, his response was swift.

A rapid succession of three more gunshots rent the night air. The projectiles flew in a tight triangular pattern—two targeting Jie Ming’s torso, and one aimed for his head.

The shooter displayed remarkable accuracy, strategically aiming to negate any possibility of evasion to the left or right.

Jie Ming extended his right hand, carving a gentle arc through the space before him. As if ensnared by an unseen force, the three bullets veered from their intended paths and were "drawn" into his palm, settling obediently within his grip.

He regarded the captured projectiles, then shifted his attention back to the gunman.

“Not bad,” he murmured. Though his voice lacked volume, it resonated powerfully in the nocturnal stillness.

The individual behind the stone window clearly registered the words. The silhouette became rigid, and the hand wielding the rifle quivered almost imperceptibly.

Jie Ming made no haste to increase his speed, continuing his deliberate stride.

Given that the opponent’s weaponry posed no significant threat, he was inclined to further probe this world’s technological capabilities and ascertain the ultimate limits of these firearms.

Concurrently, Jie Ming began to observe the group more closely.

There were four individuals in total: three males and one female. They were clad in rugged leather jackets, their faces obscured by dark facial paint, rendering their features indistinct.

In addition to their firearms, they were equipped with daggers and short blades—accouterments suggestive of local militias or seasoned hunters.

The sharpshooter was the tall individual positioned behind the stone window. He possessed a robust physique, and a tattoo depicting an animalistic totem adorned his right arm.

The weapon in his grasp was a long-barreled rifle, its craftsmanship somewhat rudimentary yet undeniably sturdy, bearing evident marks of extensive and frequent use.

The instant Jie Ming crossed into the fire’s illumination, the quartet finally obtained a clear view of him: a youth garbed in unassuming dark robes, his features remarkably refined. In his right hand, he held a softly radiant orb of white energy. His left hand hung naturally at his side, and his gait was as unburdened as if he were leisurely promenading through his own private garden.

Whether it was the luminous white orb or his nonchalant handling of the earlier gunfire, it was patently obvious that this was no common adversary. The tall man squeezed the trigger once more.

This time, Jie Ming elected not to intercept the bullet.

He inclined his head slightly. The projectile whizzed past his ear, impacting the stone wall behind him with a shower of debris.

“Decent precision,” Jie Ming offered, a slight nod accompanying his words.

He had anticipated the bullet’s trajectory by analyzing the muzzle flash, and the near-miss aligned perfectly with his prediction. This demonstrated the firearm’s stable trajectory and high degree of accuracy.

Another shot found its mark on Jie Ming’s shoulder, but the bullet disintegrated into mere fragments the moment it made contact with his robe.

A further shot was discharged.

Jie Ming subtly lifted his heel, and the bullet zipped harmlessly beneath his boot. The assailant’s composure was visibly fraying.

Following these four shots, the rifle’s magazine was depleted.

The tall man’s face turned ashen in the firelight’s glow.

He attempted to speak, but only a dry, rasping sound escaped his throat.

The other three individuals had drawn their own sidearms during the exchange, but upon witnessing the unfolding events, they hesitated, their courage faltering. Jie Ming halted his advance, positioning himself less than ten meters away from them.

“Your firearms are quite effective,” he commented.

From the data gathered from those shots, Jie Ming had already formulated his assessments: this world’s firearm technology was broadly analogous to Earth’s, yet with two distinct divergences. Firstly, the power output of the weapons was demonstrably greater. Bullets of identical caliber exhibited approximately thirty percent more kinetic energy, likely attributable to propellant charges and material advancements. Secondly, despite a more pronounced recoil, the shooters managed it with surprising ease, suggesting individuals in this world possessed superior physical conditioning—or perhaps methods for augmenting it.

The quartet obviously failed to grasp his meaning. Their eyes betrayed nothing but stark fear and profound bewilderment.

A linguistic disconnect was, of course, anticipated.

Jie Ming’s gaze settled upon the one individual who remained un-armed—a noticeably tall and slender man.

He detected a peculiar energy emanating from within this person, possessing a… unique resonance. It bore a resemblance to the sensation imparted by the Salty Finger, albeit less potent and more subdued.

The thin man drew a short blade from his hip. The polished steel gleamed coldly in the firelight.

Taking a profound breath, the dread vanished from his countenance, supplanted by a fierce, unyielding determination.

Then, he seemed to ignite from within.

An unusual aura erupted from his form, a sensation Jie Ming recognized instantly—precisely matching the malevolent fluctuations of the curse emanating from the Salty Finger.

Following this, a 'serpent' emerged, spearing forth from the taller man's chest.

This creature, composed of a semi-translucent, viscous substance, was as thick as a grown man's arm. Its body, adorned with fine scales, shimmered with an oily green luminescence under the flickering firelight.

Two pinpricks of dark red, its eyes, held an unnerving gaze. Merely beholding them stirred a primal, instinctual phobia of serpentine beings lodged deep within one's core. Jie Ming intentionally lowered his mental defenses to savor this primal fear.

It felt deeply ingrained, a physiological response coded into our very genes—the terror of being coiled and consumed.

Alas, this visceral experience was fleeting.

Even with his guard deliberately lowered, his body's forging technique swiftly granted him evolutionary immunity to such mental assaults. The fear rose like a tidal wave, only to recede just as rapidly, leaving no lasting impact.

'A pity,' he mused.

With this thought, Jie Ming extended his right hand, fingers splayed, and directed it towards the 'serpent'.

The Strange, symbiotically bound to the tall man, appeared to sense imminent peril. It abruptly detached itself from the man's chest.

Its maw opened, revealing twin rows of fine, inwardly-curved teeth, and it lunged directly at Jie Ming's face.

However, Jie Ming's hand moved with superior celerity.

His five fingers traced a swift arc through the air, precisely seizing the serpent's neck.

A slick, yielding sensation coursed through his fingertips. The serpent thrashed uncontrollably, its scales grating against his skin with a harsh rasp, yet they failed to breach even the outermost layer of his epidermis.

Spiritual power coalesced. Suppression runes flared to life, imprinting themselves upon the serpent's head.

These runes pulsed with a golden radiance. The inscribed technique unfurled from the formation like an ethereal net, completely ensnaring the serpent.

The creature's struggles immediately subsided. Its form constricted, collapsing inward until it was condensed into a dark green bead, no larger than a thumb, nestled within the central groove of the runes.

The very instant the Strange was imprisoned, the tall man emitted a choked cry. His eyes rolled back, his body went slack, utterly devoid of strength, and he crumpled to the ground. A dark fluid dribbled from his nose and mouth. His breathing grew ragged and shallow, his pupils wide and unfocused.

'A soul backlash. It seems your symbiotic connection with this Strange runs quite deep,' Jie Ming observed, his gaze fixed upon the man.