The deranged bird continued to pursue Nian Lin.
It had already lost all reason.
It could no longer think normally.
The only thing remaining in its mind was killing Nian Lin.
It continued charging forward.
Ahead was a narrow passage between two giant rocks.
Nian Lin did not stop.
He used all his remaining strength and poured spiritual energy into his legs.
His body shot through the air and crossed a long distance in a single leap.
He landed on the other side of the rocky passage.
The deranged bird continued rushing toward him.
Nian Lin stood there and watched.
The ground looked completely normal.
However, Nian Lin knew that nothing here was normal.
This was the trap he had prepared year ago.
Soon, the deranged bird drew closer.
Its remaining eye was filled with madness.
It ignored everything and charged directly toward Nian Lin.
Just as it was about to reach him, the ground beneath it suddenly collapsed.
Boom!
The deranged bird instantly fell downward.
A terrifying scream rang out.
Below the ground was a deep pit.
Nian Lin had spent months digging it.
The top had been covered with grass, branches, and thin plants.
Anyone stepping onto it with enough weight would immediately fall through.
The deranged bird's massive body crashed into the pit.
At the bottom were numerous giant wooden spikes.
Each spike had been sharpened by Nian Lin long ago.
Puchi! Puchi! Puchi!
The spikes pierced deeply into the body of the deranged bird.
Blood immediately splashed everywhere.
The deranged bird let out a miserable scream.
It struggled madly.
Its wings flapped violently.
Its claws smashed against the walls of the pit.
However, Nian Lin did not get close.
He remained standing above.
He picked up the bow and continuously fired arrows downward.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Arrow after arrow struck the deranged bird.
The beast struggled even harder.
It tried to stand up from the spikes.
It tried to climb out.
However, it soon discovered that its body was no longer listening to it.
The poison had already spread completely through its blood.
The poison was wreaking havoc inside its body.
Its movements became slower and slower.
The strength in its wings gradually disappeared.
The deranged bird continued thrashing.
It continued struggling.
Its movements became slower.
Soon, the pit became quiet.
The deranged bird no longer moved.
Only the smell of blood remained in the air.
It did not take more than a minute before the others arrived.
When they arrived, they saw a deep pit between them and Nian Lin.
Nian Lin was standing on the opposite edge.
They walked closer and looked into the pit.
Inside was the deranged two-headed beast.
Numerous wooden spikes pierced through its body.
Blood stained the bottom of the pit red.
Everyone fell silent.
They then looked at Nian Lin who was standing on the opposite side.
Their expressions were complicated.
There was shock.
There was disbelief.
There was also wariness.
They could not understand why someone would risk his life to lure a deranged beast into such a trap.
Nor could they understand why the beast had pursued Nian Lin with such madness.
It was as though it had come specifically for him.
The group stood there for some time, silently looking at the dead beast.
The middle-aged man was also looking at Nian Lin.
No one spoke.
Soon, the burly man could no longer hold himself back.
Without waiting for permission, he jumped directly into the pit.
He landed beside the corpse of the beast.
After that, he began cutting open a particular part of the beast's abdomen.
Nian Lin silently watched everything.
The others also watched.
A few moments later, the burly man reached inside and pulled something out.
It was a crystal.
A red crystal.
The crystal was completely red and emitted dense spiritual energy.
Nian Lin immediately thought of the black crystal he had obtained from the Red Snake Lizard King.
However, this one was different.
Its color was red.
Its shape was also different.
More importantly, it was several times larger than the crystal from the Red Snake Lizard King.
The burly man stared at it for a moment before jumping out of the pit.
He then walked toward the middle-aged man and offered the crystal with both hands.
However, the middle-aged man did not take it.
Instead, he continued looking at Nian Lin.
After that, he calmly spoke.
"Give it to him."
The burly man's expression instantly changed.
"What?"
The middle-aged man repeated calmly.
"He killed the beast. The crystal belongs to him."
The burly man's face became extremely ugly.
However, he did not dare to disobey.
The coldness in his eyes became even stronger as he looked at Nian Lin.
Even the wariness he had shown before completely disappeared.
Nian Lin, who was standing on the opposite side, was slightly surprised.
After a moment, he leaped across the pit and landed before the group.
The burly man unwillingly handed over the red crystal.
Nian Lin accepted it.
The crystal felt very warm.
Dense spiritual energy continuously flowed from within it.
The moment it touched his hand, he could clearly sense the spiritual energy inside.
It was much stronger than the crystal from the Red Snake Lizard King.
Nian Lin lowered his head and quietly observed the crystal for a few moments.
The middle-aged man also looked at him silently.
However, to everyone's surprise, Nian Lin took the crystal and walked toward the middle-aged man.
He then offered the crystal with both hands.
The middle-aged man looked at Nian Lin.
Nian Lin also looked at him.
The others were stunned.
Even the burly man was surprised.
Nian Lin then spoke.
"Senior, I am new to your group. This gift is too valuable. I cannot accept it."
The middle-aged man remained silent and continued looking at him.
Nian Lin continued.
"Ever since we met, I have only caused trouble for everyone. This beast came because of me. I am also the reason everyone had to fight such a dangerous battle."
He lowered his head slightly.
"I hope Senior can accept this crystal as a form of apology."
The middle-aged man looked at him for some time.
After that, he calmly shook his head.
"It is fine."
"You are already part of the group for now. Until we leave this place, your matters are also our matters."
Nian Lin fell silent for a few moments.
After that, he spoke again.
"If that is the case, then please accept this crystal as payment."
The middle-aged man's eyes narrowed slightly.
Nian Lin continued.
"After we leave this place, I will still need everyone's care and guidance. Consider this crystal as my payment."
The surroundings became quiet.
The middle-aged man looked at the crystal.
After that, he looked at Nian Lin.
A strange look flashed in his eyes.
Finally, he stretched out his hand and accepted the crystal.
"Very well."
After speaking, he put the crystal away.
He then turned and looked at the corpse of the two-headed beast.
"The battle here was too intense."
"A beast of this level dying here will attract other beasts."
"Perhaps even stronger beasts from deeper inside the ruins."
"We should leave immediately."
Everyone nodded.
The burly man no longer spoke.
The beautiful girl also glanced at the corpse before turning away.
The group quickly gathered their things.
After that, they departed.
Nian Lin cast one final look at the corpse of the two-headed beast.
This beast had hunted him for years.
Now, it was finally dead.
He did not do good deeds merely to gain praise or recognition.
Without saying anything, he turned around and followed the group as they headed toward the exit of the ruins.