In the web novels from her past life, the kind of behavior where someone saw ruins and absolutely had to explore them, or saw a seal and just had to touch it, was usually reserved for those with protagonist plot armor.
But she didn't have that.
At least, she was clear-headed enough to know that she didn't possess such a luxury.
That being the case, investigating something so obviously high-risk was completely out of the question.
Qimeng felt absolutely no lingering attachment.
She decisively ordered all of her sensory roots to retract, severing every physical connection with that forbidden ruin.
“Today, I've once again perfectly avoided the risk of seeking my own death.”
Through her perception just now, she had made things clear enough.
Not only did the ruins have a defense mechanism, but the defense system was also still operating highly efficiently.
Even just the outer edges exuded a heavy, oppressive aura that screamed, “touch this and die.”
The conclusion was set.
The risk was too high; she had to withdraw immediately.
“A thankless job like archaeology is definitely not within the duties of an ordinary little sapling like me.”
“We won't bother each other, and we'll both be fine.”
Living was clearly far more valuable than any so-called ancient secrets.
A new day.
When the first light of dawn filtered through the branches and leaves, softly scattering across the forest floor, Qimeng's domain had steadily broken through the hundred-meter mark.
For ordinary creatures, this number merely represented a change in area.
But to her, it meant a much larger buffet zone.
She stood up lazily, stretching her perfectly proportioned teenage body—one that would make any artist gasp in awe.
Her long black hair slid down her shoulders.
The simple dress woven from leaves swayed slightly with her movements, exuding an effortless, wild beauty.
Qimeng glanced down at her legs, which were so fair they were almost dazzling.
She couldn't help but reach down and pat them a few times, enjoying the smooth, delicate sensation.
“Hmm... this bouncy texture, absolute perfection.”
She came to a highly satisfied conclusion.
Just as she was about to patrol her domain, a few tiny, pale green flower buds on her main trunk caught her attention, emitting a subtle, sweet fragrance.
“Is this... about to bloom?”
Qimeng stepped closer and gently poked one of the thumbnail-sized buds.
Once upon a time, as a human male, she never would have dreamed that she would feel an inexplicable surge of joy over something like blooming.
But things were different now. Blooming meant growth, and growth meant becoming stronger.
And becoming stronger meant she was one step closer to that indescribably peaceful life.
“Since you're working so hard, have some more to eat.”
Qimeng closed her eyes, and with a single thought...
A gentle emerald glow, far softer than the energy she usually channeled to her roots, seeped into the flower buds.
This was the purest nutrient she had extracted from the mana vein.
A special feeding prepared specifically for these little guys.
As the nutrients poured in, the pale green surface of the buds became lustrous, and the tightly closed petals trembled slightly.
Sensing this wonderful connection of life, Qimeng wore a satisfied smile.
“Good little ones.”
She patted the warm trunk, then turned and walked away with light steps, humming an unfamiliar tune as she vanished into the shadows of the trees.
Ninety meters away, near the edge of her domain.
Qimeng walked barefoot on the soft humus. This feeling of control, where she could sense the extension of her roots with every step, made her squint her eyes in comfort.
“Hmm?”
A strange life signature suddenly intruded into her otherwise quiet sensory web, carrying a clear hostility.
The creature was significantly larger than a Demon Rabbit.
And... it was a pure, carnivorous predator.
“Oh? Someone's delivering themselves to my doorstep?”
Qimeng's eyes lit up.
A sense of amusement from being entertained by prey welled up in her heart.
“It's a bit too early to decide who the hunter is.”
She quietly followed the scent and quickly locked onto her target.
It was a giant gray wolf with sharp bone spikes protruding from its back, its fur as coarse as iron wire.
It kept its head low, its nostrils twitching rapidly.
Its pupils were a dull, dark yellow, exuding the raw ferocity of a true beast.
“Bone Wolf.”
She quickly analyzed the target's rank through her perception.
This was no cannon fodder Demon Rabbit that nibbled on things out of pure instinct. It was a low-level magical beast that had officially stepped into the rank of a true predator.
Translated into human combat power, it was roughly equivalent to an official Bronze Rank knight.
“This one actually has a bit of value.”
The Bone Wolf seemed to sense something amiss, warily scanning its surroundings.
But Qimeng had long since assimilated herself into a part of the forest.
“Perfect.”
She quietly slipped away.
“Since you love tracking so much, let me take you to a special resting area.”
A moment later, in the clearing that Qimeng had carefully set up.
The Bone Wolf caught the scent of blood and locked onto the slender figure ahead.
“Finally noticed me?”
Qimeng turned around, flashing a breathtakingly beautiful smile in the morning light.
“Welcome to my hunting ground.”
In the next instant, the Bone Wolf lunged forward, its ferocious pounce tearing through the air.
However, the moment it landed...
Boom!
The hidden pit suddenly collapsed.
The trap was sprung.
The Bone Wolf let out a miserable shriek as it fell into the bottom of the pit. Even with its hind legs injured, its ferocity remained undiminished, and the bone spikes on its back instantly glowed with a faint light.
“A ranged attack? Interesting.”
Facing the flying bone spikes, Qimeng simply tilted her head slightly, her hair not even getting messed up.
She casually pressed her palm against the edge of the pit.
The roots that had been lying in wait burst from the soil like venomous snakes catching the scent of prey, instantly piercing through the Bone Wolf's defenses.
“Since you're here, become a part of me.”
Qimeng whispered softly.
There was no bloody struggle, nor any risk of getting hurt.
To her, this was merely a simple process of energy conversion.
The Bone Wolf's struggles dissolved into limp submission upon feeling that inescapable power.
As its mana was drained, it dissolved into a pile of harmless, grayish-white powder, dispersing into the shadows.
A warm current surged into her body through her roots like a spring.
The sense of fulfillment was far stronger than when she had devoured the Demon Rabbits and iron-fanged rats.
“No, this is completely different.”
Qimeng narrowed her eyes, feeling the mana flowing within her.
Unlike those low-level magical beasts.
This power was mixed with a distinct innate trait.
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