The strawberries were cursed—poisonous to men, yet harmless to women.
Given this revelation, Meng Hao decided to bring them back for his mother and sister.
Oddly enough, the curse had enhanced their flavor to a sublime sweetness.
For men, they were fatal.
For women, however, these berries were luscious, restorative fruits—capable of enhancing beauty and replenishing vitality.
After ten minutes of intense harvesting, Meng Hao had completely cleared the strawberry field.
[Strawberry +10086]
"That should do it!"
Time was running short. If the berries hadn't tasted so divine, he wouldn't have lingered this long.
Casting a glance at the sky, he pressed forward.
Ahead lay a stretch of low shrubs, interwoven with a profusion of blooming flowers.
For reasons unknown, these blossoms exuded an unnatural allure—scarlet as blood and unsettlingly vivid.
"Any plant on this island could hold hidden value. Perhaps these flowers are no exception."
Curious, Meng Hao stepped forward and gently plucked one of the blossoms.
[Cursed Crimson Bloom: These vibrant flowers flourish in the jungle, radiating fragrance and beauty. Once prized for their ability to stop bleeding, the curse reversed their effect—now, they induce uncontrolled bleeding upon contact with wounds.
He who trifles with the crimson bloom will learn the true reason why the flowers run red.]
Startled by the warning, Meng Hao instinctively stepped back.
This was no ordinary flora—should its cursed petals touch a wound, the bleeding might never cease.
"What kind of curse could invert its very nature from healing to harm?"
"Blood activator, maybe?"
Despite the danger, Meng Hao recognized their medicinal potential.
Whether for clotting or stimulation, such herbs would be invaluable on this medicine-starved island.
"I'll take them."
And so he resumed his work.
[Crimson Bloom +1, +1, +1…]
[Crimson Bloom +10010]
"Finally finished. That feels good."
He exhaled deeply, placing the last blossom into his storage ring.
A glance at the time made his heart skip.
"Damn—another ten minutes gone."
Only forty minutes remained before nightfall, and he had yet to search for the true treasure.
"No time to waste!"
Meng Hao charged ahead. The surrounding shrubs grew taller, though curiously sparse, their leaves stripped as though by unseen forces.
Their twisted limbs clawed at the air, grotesque and skeletal.
Scanning the eerie grove, his eyes caught sight of a clearing ahead.
"A treasure chest!"
He broke into a run.
The ground was carpeted in fallen leaves—some rotting, others freshly shed.
Each step emitted a crunch that echoed like grinding jaws.
But his focus remained locked on the chest ahead.
It gleamed in a hue he had never encountered.
[Black Iron Treasure Chest Detected. Open?]
"Black iron!"
Delight flickered in his eyes.
In this survival game, loot followed a hierarchy: Rottenwood, Black Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Starlight.
The sandalwood chests he had encountered before were clearly of Rottenwood grade.
Now, he had found a superior-tier Black Iron chest.
Coupled with his 100x bonus, the potential rewards made his heart race.
"Juicy."
Still, Meng Hao resisted the temptation to open it immediately.
"Rule one: always collect first, open later."
He tucked the chest into his ring and advanced once more.
Soon, he arrived at a dilapidated thatched hut, its roof punctured with a gaping hole, cobwebs and dust coating every surface.
Abandoned for ages.
"Doesn't seem like a place that would hold treasure."
Something about the structure unsettled him.
On an island brimming with life, this spot reeked of decay.
Just as he turned to leave, a blue system prompt materialized before his eyes.
[You have entered the Witch's Quarters. This was her place of residence, where her treasures lie hidden. Gain her approval, and the riches shall be yours.]
[Witch's Treasure: Gold-tier loot. The Witch, once mighty, traversed these seas, collecting countless magical artifacts. Most were stolen by a faithless lover—what remains lies here.]
Meng Hao nearly laughed aloud.
"The Witch lived here?"
This broken shack was pathetic compared to his own wooden cabin.
Still, curiosity stirred within him.
"How do I earn her approval?"
He circled the hut but found nothing noteworthy.
"Do I… have to go inside?"
The place looked ready to collapse at any moment.
He eyed the narrow interior, then his 98K sniper rifle—too bulky.
"Better stow this away."
As he prepared, a message popped in the family chat:
Meng Hao: "Sis, send me the Super Redhawk—ran into some trouble."
Meng Ke (Sister): "What happened?! Here, take it—stay safe!"
Zhang Hailan (Mom): "You're exploring again?! It's almost dark! Take my MP5 too."
Meng Nanshan (Dad): "Still as reckless as ever. Be careful. Here—have the Power Gauntlets."
Zhang Hailan (Mom): "And the Agile Boots—take those too!"
He had only meant to borrow the revolver, but his family flooded him with gear.
The gesture warmed him to his core.
"No matter what happens—home is where the heart is."
Holstering the Super Redhawk, cradling the MP5, donning the boots and gloves—he was fully armed.
"OJ8K!"
Fully geared, Meng Hao stepped into the shattered hut.
The world spun.
And then—before him stood a colossal, majestic temple.
Its grandeur radiated divine power, awe-inspiring and ancient.
[Welcome to the Witch's Temple. Prepare for the trial.]
[You shall either leave with treasure… or not leave at all.]