Chapter 126: Always Prepared (Please vote, please add to favorites!)

At the entrance to the ruins where Yang Fan had entered that day, Dongfang Kui appeared, tearing through the void.

He took a single step into the passageway. He was heading to the ruins to consult with the others. He had formed new ideas and a blueprint for the emergence of the people from the Kunlun Secret Realm. He needed to discuss these with the group to determine if they were feasible.

Once inside the ruins, Dongfang Kui cast his mental energy in all directions. Soon, four powerful streams of mental energy converged above Jubei City.

...

Kunlun Secret Realm.

Yang Fan sat on the bank, his brows furrowed as he stared at his personal stats, feeling deeply troubled.

"Host: Yang Fan"
"Level: Rank 4"
"Title: Huaxia Martial Artist"
"Wealth: 6,200,230"
"Qi Sea: 12.4"
"Spirit: 31.3"
"Available Points: 3,300"
"Addable Points: Qi Sea replenishment +"
"Shop: Locked"
"Draws Remaining: 1"

"Should I draw or not?" Yang Fan murmured to himself, his voice barely audible.

Beneath the Endless Cliff, the spiritual energy was far too thin. Yang Fan estimated this was the most desolate spot in the entire Kunlun Secret Realm, as all the spiritual energy was being absorbed by the four iron chains that bound Kunlun. In such an environment, cultivation was a matter of twice the effort for half the result. Though Yang Fan yearned to master the Kunlun Undying Technique, it was impossible to achieve it in such a short time.

Not long ago, Kunlun had suffered a mental breakdown. He had shaken his chains, roared at the heavens, and let out incessant howls before the great Rank 10 master collapsed into unconsciousness. Yang Fan had shouted for him for ages with no response, and even now, Kunlun remained sprawled on the ground.

After Kunlun lost consciousness, Yang Fan had circled the cave twice, exploring every inch to confirm there was no exit before returning to his original spot. He had intended to use his system draw while Kunlun was incapacitated, but he became conflicted the moment he opened the interface. He didn't know if his physical body would vanish from reality when entering the draw space; if it did, what would happen if Kunlun woke up and found him gone? Furthermore, the items from the draw would appear right beside him—how would he explain that to Kunlun? With a sigh, Yang Fan closed the system interface.

Looking at Kunlun, who was still sprawled on the platform not far away, Yang Fan felt a headache coming on. He wanted to leave, but he couldn't find the way out. Since Kunlun had brought him here and tasked him with helping him in the future, Kunlun must know the way. But the fact that Kunlun wouldn't let him leave was something Yang Fan found impossible to accept.

...

Half a day passed, and Kunlun, who had been lying on the platform, finally stirred. The clashing of the iron chains drew Yang Fan’s gaze.

Kunlun sat up and stretched. Yang Fan found the sight nauseating; he had honestly thought the guy was done for, yet here he was, stretching as if nothing had happened after waking from a coma.

Kunlun noticed Yang Fan’s look of utter disdain and felt a bit puzzled. What was this little brat thinking? Why was he looking at him like that? Had he grown arrogant? At that thought, Kunlun’s mood soured.

He said to Yang Fan, "Boy, circulate your energy throughout your entire body, then step into the magma and practice the Kunlun Undying Technique."

Yang Fan’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. What? Jump into the magma? Was he joking? Damn you!

Kunlun watched as Yang Fan’s expression shifted from disdain to confusion, then to pure terror as he looked at the magma, and he found it quite satisfying. That’ll teach you to look at me with such contempt!

Kunlun continued, "Why are you standing there stunned? Get down there! Just soak within a meter of the bank; don't go any further!"

Yang Fan took a step forward and looked at the churning, bubbling magma at his feet. His scalp went numb. Was the old man insane? Was this a place for humans to stay? And he said don't go further? He wasn't even going to touch the edge!

Yang Fan glanced at the magma below, then at Kunlun on the center platform. Their eyes met for a split second. Kunlun’s lips curled into a mocking smile.

Yang Fan’s heart skipped a beat. He felt an irresistible force coil around him, and a surge of immense energy wrapped him up, dragging him forward. Yang Fan’s eyes widened, cold sweat streaming down his face. He channeled his inner energy to cover his body, and lightning flickered, illuminating his surroundings.

*Splash!*

Yang Fan’s feet hit empty space, and he plunged in.

Once inside the magma, Yang Fan was initially terrified, but he soon realized he couldn't feel much of anything. He poked his head out.

The moment his head emerged, he heard Kunlun say, "Get ready. Spread your energy fully across your body. The ground fire near the bank isn't too scorching, but if you don't go all out, I doubt your flesh can handle it!"

Before the words had even faded, and before Yang Fan could react, the powerful aura that had been shielding him vanished.

Then, a searing, intense pain hit him. Yang Fan let out a scream. He poured his inner energy out more violently, coating himself as the lightning around him intensified, causing the surrounding magma to explode into craters.

"Circulate the Kunlun Undying Technique! If you can't get the hang of it now, I don't think your energy reserves will last long!" Kunlun’s voice rang out.

Yang Fan felt like his world was collapsing. Damn it, you said yourself that even in the prime of the Kunlun tribe, few could master this technique, and those who did became the next patriarch. You’re asking me to gamble my life on a technique this difficult—isn't this bullying? Is there no humanity left? No human rights? Didn't you say you wanted me to stay alive so I could save you later? Aren't you afraid that if I make it out, I’ll never come near this place again? Aren't you afraid of being left alone for eternity? Aren't you afraid I’ll die in this sea of fire and you’ll still be left alone?

Despite the resentment in his heart, the agonizing pain, and his frayed nerves, Yang Fan subconsciously began to channel the Kunlun Undying Technique. His inner energy began to drain at an accelerating rate.

With no other choice, Yang Fan opened the system interface that only he could see, frantically replenishing his energy while continuously cycling the Kunlun Undying Technique.

...

Fifteen minutes after Yang Fan went under, Kunlun watched his figure, his expression growing grave. He was already preparing to fish the boy out the moment he couldn't hold on any longer. Though he had said he would die if he failed, Kunlun didn't actually have the heart to let that happen. After all, this boy was his only hope.

The spiritual energy under the Endless Cliff was too thin; no one came here, and even if they did, no one would be crazy enough to jump down. And even if they jumped, they wouldn't be a martial artist from the outside world. Yang Fan was his only hope—an outsider with decent talent and the blessing of a complete world path. These were things Kunlun could not afford to lose.

...

Half an hour later, Kunlun was genuinely surprised. Five minutes ago, he had intended to pull the boy out, but as soon as his own energy touched him, he felt a steady stream of energy still surging from within the boy, reinforcing his external defenses.

Kunlun pondered. Was it because of the lightning around the boy that slowed the consumption? Kunlun continued to stare, ready to intervene at any moment.