Fang Yuan dismissed the runes and quietly studied the map. "I should be able to escape quite easily with how narrow the mountain range is, however I should be able to attack as easily. I am limited in tools but my aspects and attributes should allow me to fight."
Fang yuan sighed and walked out of the cave, glancing up in the sky. He studied the sun and shadows formed by it and concluded that he had about three hours before the ambush. He decided to use the first hour to properly study and use his tools.
He tested his physique and concluded that he is considerably strong, with his strength far more than mundane men. His aspect allowed him to steal lesser versions of properties of other things, giving him a new attribute. He 'stole' attributes of water, air and rocks to grant him higher defense and speed.
He also tried to find any weapons or armour but was left disappointed. Fang Yuan used his newly absorbed attribute [Flowing Water] to increase his speed and agility and ran towards a nearby mountain.
"The best defence is offence!"
He soon arrived at an intricately designed temple with a monk meditating in peace.
The monk was one of the people he saw ambushing him in the start of the nightmare, Fang Yuan was protected by his new attribute [Stone Skin] but still felt naked. The monk gave aura of someone who far surpassed mundane humans and was an holy existence.
"I would advise you to stop, demon!" the monk slowly stood up and looked at Fang Yuan,
"You have troubled us enough, today your pride will be the end of you."
Fang Yuan was already moving, running towards the monk in a zigzag line, however the monk was twice as fast, jumping back and moving his hand in a controlled manner. Before Fang Yuan knew it, he was laying down in a grassy field.
The grass was soft and welcoming and the weather was pleasant; a soft breeze caressed Fang Yuan as he slowly stood up.
An ugly hag was standing in front of him, staring at Fang Yuan with contempt. He felt his strength diminished and hunger assaulted him.
"Apologize!" the old hag spat with disgust.
Fang Yuan calmly looked around, assessing the situation, "It seems to be a kind of figment of imagination." In Fang Yuan's 500 years of experience he had been in similar dreams, he remembered the Genesis Lotus Immortal Venerable inheritor who had made him live three distinct lives.
He thought back at what the monk said — "You have troubled us enough, today your pride will be the end of you."
'Ah, a trial of pride, A demon is arrogant and prideful, i have worn the mask of pride before too, tch what a disappointment'
Fang Yuan was a shameless person at heart, or rather he did not believe in shame at all.
"I apologise, I, gu yue Fang Yuan am deeply ashamed" Fang Yuan put up a sad and regretful expression, his acting skills were refined in his past life to perfection.
The old hag's expression did not soften, after few seconds of thinking she said with a firm tone
"You then atone for your sin! Spend your life as my slave. I might spare your life then!"
Fang Yuan nodded gratefully as he contemplated 'I may have to live as a slave for a lifetime it seems, however an arrogant man would never apologise. The trial should have ended by now.'
Fang Yuan had to spend some days as a slave before the trial ended.
The monk fell to the ground with a baffled face "how did you-" before he could even finish the question, Fang Yuan pierced the monk with his hand.
As blood dripped from his broken hand as a faint voice spoke.
[You have slain an awakened beast, Mountain monk of none.]
[You have received a Memory: Moonlight spear]
Fang Yuan immediately moved, running towards the next peak. The monk must have sent a message to others, thus Fang Yuan did not have much time.
As Fang Yuan's hair danced a windwheel of sparks appeared in his hand; he summoned the runes and concentrated on [Moonlight spear].
[Moonlight speak: A monk who worshiped none of the gods prayed to the moon.]
"No important information, tch"
Fang Yuan soon reached a small platform with broken pillars surrounding it, the place gave off a weird divine aura. It was desolate and empty. The roof partially collapsed, and the floor was covered with rubble. Moonlight fell through the holes in the roof that suffused the dark hall with a beautiful and otherworldly splendor. Deep shadows surrounded the silver light, not daring to touch it.
Fang Yuan felt chills as he came to an abrupt halt. Fang Yuan felt sharp pain in his jaw as he fell; the [Stone Skin] attribute did nothing to protect him. Before Fang Yuan could respond he felt his ribs cracking as he fell to the hard floor.
Fang Yuan moved his spear, wanting to thrust it into the unknown, suddenly the spear turned into white sparkles as an ethereal voice whispered into his ears.
[Your memory has been destroyed]
While the voice had reached his ears; he could not hear it. Fang Yuan's head hung in an unnatural angle; blood dripped from his lips. Slowly his lifeless eyes turned dark red, eventually turning black and bursting into a pool of blood.
He was dead.