Chapter 1140 - 518: Will as Steadfast as a Mountain

Chapter 518

With one hand, he could truly interact with the world on a "physical" level, able to pick up, attack, and deploy more techniques.

However, just as he was about to start this grand "creation" project, a sense of being watched welled up from within him again.

This time, it wasn’t the naked greed and brutality of the Bone Predator, but a colder and craftier scrutiny.

Xu Ran’s will instantly withdrew, and the brilliance on the Dao Origin finger bone vanished completely, transforming into a seemingly ordinary gray bone, lying quietly in the shadow of the dragon elephant’s leg bone, like a regular stone.

He "looked" toward the direction from which the scrutiny emanated.

In the distant sky, a black dot glided silently closer.

Was that a... raven?

Its size wasn’t large, akin to a common raven, but its entire body wasn’t pitch black; instead, it was a ghastly white, seemingly condensed from bone dust ground from countless skeletons. Its eyes weren’t of flesh or soul fire, but two deep crystal stones, sparkling with a wisdom that seemed to penetrate everything.

It made no sound, not even the fluttering of its wings, like a ghost wandering in the realm of death.

"Unknown unit detected!"

"Species: Bone Raven (???)"

"Realm: ???"

"Description: Ancient inhabitant of the abandoned wasteland, survives by collecting and exchanging high-value bones and soul sources. They are order maintainers and merchants of death. Extremely dangerous, extremely cunning."

"Warning: This creature possesses high intelligence and unknown strange abilities; it is strongly advised for the host to remain hidden and not reveal their existence!"

Bone Raven!

Xu Ran’s heart tightened. The system’s description instantly clarified the positioning of this creature for him. They weren’t merely predators, more like "merchants" or "corpse gatherers" in this deathly silent cemetery.

The Bone Raven hovered over the battlefield, its deep crystal eyes scanning the ground littered with bone fragments, before finally landing with precision in the shadow of the dragon elephant’s leg bone where Xu Ran was hidden.

It’s found me!

Xu Ran’s heart sank, yet he dared not act rashly. He knew that any careless move against such an unknown, intelligent creature could lead to disaster.

The Bone Raven circled three times in the air, seemingly confirming something.

Eventually, it slowly descended, lightly perching atop the shattered giant skull belonging to the Bone Predator.

It didn’t immediately start collecting those bone fragments but tilted its head, eyes like crystals, unwaveringly "staring" in the direction where Xu Ran was hiding.

An invisible, cold wave of will traversed the space, directly transmitting to Xu Ran’s consciousness.

This wave of will had no language, no text, yet clearly expressed a set of information.

"Outsider... unfamiliar aura... ’wilderness’..."

"You... killed the ’Cleaner Fish’..."

"No, you borrowed the ’King’s power..."

"Interesting... little one..."

Xu Ran’s will recoiled sharply as if pricked by a needle.

It could perceive so much! Not only did it know he was an outsider, but it could also recognize the aura of ’wilderness’ and precisely deduce that he had borrowed the power of the dragon elephant’s leg bone!

This insight is terrifying!

This is definitely no Low Tier creature; behind it surely lies deeper secrets of this "Primordial Bone Sea."

Immediately, a second wave of will arrived.

"Here... are the rules of this place..."

"The ’King’s resting place, everything in silence. The Cleaner Fish’s clamor broke the tranquility, deserved death."

"But its ’inheritance’ does not belong to you."

"By ancient covenants, all ’ownerless objects’ produced here shall be retrieved by us ’Tomb Guardians’."

Tomb Guardians!

Xu Ran caught this crucial word. So they call themselves "Tomb Guardians."

The Bone Raven’s will grew colder, carrying an undeniable authority.

"Hand over the soul source you devoured, and... its most valuable ’core bone.’ Then leave. I can... pretend nothing happened."

Xu Ran fell silent.

Surrender the soul source? That would mean cutting off his own foundation; the recently strengthened soul would instantly revert to its original state, even weaker.

Hand over the core bone? The Bone Predator has thirty-four bones, and one of them must be the core of its power, far more valuable than the others.

This is blatant extortion!

But does he have room to resist?

The opponent’s realm is "???," meaning the system’s current permissions can’t parse it. This itself represents an insurmountable gap.

Moreover, that eerie ability to see through everything fills him with dread.

Confronting it head-on is a dead end.

Running away? He probably can’t outrun this strange raven.

Must he truly hand over the hard-earned fruits of his labor?

Xu Ran’s will was racing at this moment. All his life, he had maneuvered with enemies stronger than himself, seeking that thread of hope in desperate straits.

Compromise, but not complete compromise.

He must make the opponent feel they’ve gained while ensuring he secures the most benefits for himself.

"Respected Tomb Guardian."

For the first time, Xu Ran actively released his wave of will. His wave was calm and humble, devoid of hostility, even carrying a trace of reverence for the ancient presence.

"I have no intention of offending the rules of this place. I am merely a remnant spirit accidentally awakened in deathly silence, compelled to take this desperate measure for self-preservation. I have deep respect for the great ’King’.