Like a sweeping breeze, Ye Wenshan and Tang Hua drew closer and closer to Ling Han. A cold smile crept across their faces.
‘You’re about to run out of luck.’
“Out of our way!” they roared in unison. They leaped once more, and hurtled toward the nearby Ling Han.
Ling Han had been waiting for this moment, and launched his fists toward their faces without as much as a single glance backward. He didn’t hold back, and a small Mountain River appeared behind him as he unleashed his full power.
Pu!
The people around the lake all burst in laughter.
They had seen all kinds of Mountain Rivers before, but they had never seen one this small.
Shui Yanyu was even more confused. Ling Han had been so powerful in the Shattering Void Tier, so how had he become so weak after breaking through to the Mountain River Tier?
The size of one’s Mountain River directly correlated to their power.
“You’re seeking death!”
Ye Wenshan and his Tang Hua both wore malicious smiles. Ling Han had only just broken through to the Mountain River Tier, yet he actually dared to clash with them? He truly didn’t know the spelling of the word “die”. In fact, they even held back a fraction of their power so as not to directly crush Ling Han to death.
Crushing a junior brother to death under the watchful gazes of everyone was quite a large crime.
Peng! Peng!
The two peoples’ arms were easily pushed aside by Ling Han’s fists. Meanwhile, Ling Han’s fists were barely affected as they continued hurtling toward the two peoples’ faces.
‘What!?’
The two of them didn’t even have the time to cry out in alarm. However, the expressions on their faces said everything.
There was shock, bewilderment, and terror.
He had only just entered the Mountain River Tier, and his Mountain River was also so small. How could he possess such terrifying power?
Before this thought had finished flashing through their minds, a fist had already smashed into their faces. As though they had been belted by a God Tool, the flesh on their faces started rippling like waves.
Then, tooth after tooth came flying out of their mouths. Afterward, even their bodies started to flail about like ragdolls. After drawing a long arc through the air, both of them landed in the lake with a loud plop.
“Ahhh!” they instantly shrieked in pain, and started frantically swimming back to the bank.
Their skin and flesh started dissolving at a rate that was visible to the naked eye. Even when they channeled their Origin Power at full strength, the effect was only minimal. They were only able to delay the dissolving of their flesh by a short moment.
Everyone was dumbstruck by this sight. Who could’ve envisioned this result?
Although Ye Wenshan and Tang Hua were only ranked in the four and five hundreds, one had to realize something: just how many students did the Low Extreme Division of the Northern Institution have?
Almost 500 students could enter the Northern Institution every 20 years, and it would take them a maximum of 100 years to advance to the Low Extreme Division. Also, just who entered the Scarlet Heaven Academy yet couldn’t break through to the Mountain River Tier?
In other words, everyone could advance to the Low Extreme Division.
However, it would become especially difficult to advance starting from here. Taking tens of thousands of years to break through to the medium extreme was a common sight.
Of course, the Scarlet Heaven Academy only accepted prodigies. Thus, one would be expelled from the academy if they couldn’t break through to the medium extreme within 10,000 years. Even with the assumption that one would only remain in the low extreme for 5,000 years, the number of students in the Low Extreme Division would still exceed 100,000!
So, was being ranked in the top several hundred out of 100,000 impressive? Converting this number, such ranks would be equivalent to ranks of top 20 in the Shattering Void Tier Division!
However, Ling Han had sent them flying with a mere two punches. He… was far too powerful!
More importantly, he had only just entered the Mountain River Tier!
He was already so powerful now, so how powerful would he become in the future?
“It’s rumored that this person from the small world passed eight levels of the academy’s assessment, meaning he has the potential to become a four-star genius.”
“If he has the potential of a four-star genius, that means he’ll have a battle prowess on par with the early stage of the medium extreme upon breaking through to the low extreme. No wonder he’s so strong.”
“But don’t Ye Wenshan and Tang Hua have battle prowesses at the early stage of medium extreme as well? And there’s two of them!”
“No, no, no. They obviously didn’t know how powerful Ling Han was. They underestimated him, and didn’t use their full power, so of course they could only eat the fruits of their own evil deeds.”
“I see!”
Everyone nodded in agreement. First off, Ling Han was indeed strong. Second, Ye Wenshan and Tang Hua had both underestimated their enemy. This allowed them to breathe sighs of relief. Although four-star geniuses were freakish, at least they were still within their realms of acceptance.
However, there were also some who fell into deep thought. It was clear that Ling Han had only advanced into the Immortal level after refining Mountain River Stones. If the distance between the early stage and middle stage of the low extreme was represented by 100 steps, then he was at most only standing on the first 10 steps right now.
So, would his battle prowess reach the level of a five-star genius when he arrived at the 100th step?
It wasn’t likely, but it was possible!
This was the most terrifying part. Five-star genius… Just thinking about it was enough to make one quake in fear.
Ling Han turned around. In his eyes, he had merely swatted aside two flies. In any case, his target wasn’t these two people, nor was it Bai Yuansi and Fan Yong. Rather… it was Zhao Lun!
He continued forward, and his advance was still relatively relaxed.
Just his power alone had already reached the early stage of the medium extreme. This was especially advantageous as what good was a powerful battle prowess in this place? The best way to resist these gravity fields was naturally one’s own power.
Thanks to the restriction on cultivation level, how many people here could compete with Ling Han’s power? Moreover, in addition to having outstanding power, Ling Han had an even more terrifying physique.
Under the pressure of the gravity fields, others had to protect their hearts, brains, and other vital organs with their Origin Power. Otherwise, these organs would be mercilessly crushed by the immense pressure of the gravity fields. However, Ling Han didn’t need to do this, as his physique was already on par with Level Two Godly metal. How could the gravity field hurt him?
Thus, everything was fine as long as his power could stand up to the weight of the gravity fields.
60 steps, 80 steps, 90 steps… He walked at a brisk pace, and only slowed down after reaching the 90th step. A look of exertion appeared on his face.
Indeed, only 10 or so people could reach the island and obtain a Mountain River Stone each time. This was definitely no easy feat.
Sweat rolled down Ling Han’s forehead.
Qiang, qiang, qiang!
His Godly bones clacked, and his skin also trembled slightly. The gravity fields became increasingly terrifying, and tried to rip his skin and snap his Godly bones.
However, Ling Han’s footsteps remained firm as he continued to walk forward.
“F*ck! This guy’s a freak!” someone by the lake shouted in astonishment.
Everyone nodded in agreement. “Freak” was the only word that could describe the advancing male.
After all, there were a few locations in this Mystery Realm which produced Mountain River Stones. As a result, those who entered were scattered in several
places. Although people had already arrived at the Crimson Lake three days ago, they all had yet to reach the island and obtain a Mountain River Stone.
However, it was evident that this was about to change.
Chapter 960 - Success
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
95, 96, 97…
As the saying went, to cover 90 miles out of 100 brought the traveler no farther than midway. Although only a few steps remained, these steps just so happened to be the most difficult to cross. In fact, calling it midway was already being generous.
98, 99!
Ling Han faltered slightly. Then, he drew on all his power and took the last step.
The overwhelming power that weighed down on his body instantly vanished. He immediately lost balance and stumbled forward a few steps before regaining his balance.
This so-called island was incredibly small, measuring no more than six meters in radius. It was also extremely even, and appeared much like a large boulder with its tip cleanly cut off. There were a dozen or so earthen-yellow Mountain River Stones scattered around this island.
‘Can’t I pick up two—or even more—at once?’
Ling Han bent down and grabbed a Mountain River Stone.
Peng!
A burst of power instantly erupted from the island and sent him flying outward, all the way to the bank of the lake. He plonked heavily to the ground.
He scratched his head as he trained his eyes on the island once more. He wanted to visit the island again and use both his hand and Blood Sucking Origin Gold to grab a Mountain River Stone. If he performed these two actions at once, would he be able to obtain two Mountain River Stones?
However, several ill-meaning people were already glaring at Ling Han as they walked over.
Although ordinary Mountain River Stones could arouse one’s greed, they were still not valuable enough for people to fight over before so many others. Who could guess who would become the final victor? However, it was a different story right now. This was a Mountain River Stone with a special attribute!
Special attributes in Mountain River Stones could bring permanent improvements to one’s battle prowess. It could elevate one from a one-star genius to a two-star genius, or from a two-star genius to a three-star genius. Of course, such improvements definitely required more than one special Mountain River Stone. However, without the first Mountain River Stone, where would the second come from?
Say, who could control their greed?
Even if there was only a 1% chance, people would still take a punt on it.
‘So what if you’re a four-star genius? Your true cultivation level—the early stage of the low extreme—is clear for all to see. At best, your battle prowess will only reach the early stage of the medium extreme. Many here have also reached this level. In fact, some have already surpassed it.’
“Hand the Mountain River Stone over!” The first person to act was an elder at the peak stage of the low extreme. With the help of a secret technique, his battle prowess soared to the peak stage of the medium extreme. The elder was confident that he could crush Ling Han.
Ling Han didn’t say anything nonsensical like “I obtained this Mountain River Stone, so what right do you have to take it?” He placed the Mountain River Stone in the Black Tower, and said calmly, “Take it if you can!”
In the martial arts world, only strength mattered. Only weaklings would yammer and complain.
“Brat, don’t ruin yourself.” Several other people walked over, all of them individuals of an older generation. Right now, only cultivators with a battle prowess at the peak stage of the medium extreme had the right to fight over the Mountain River Stone.
Without five-star geniuses, four-star geniuses at the peak stage of the low extreme were undoubtedly unrivaled beings in this place.
There were 22 such people here, though only seven of them had stepped forward. The rest remained put as seven people were already enough to deal with the matter. Afterward, the most important matter would be deciding which of the 22 people the Mountain River Stone would belong to.
Ling Han smiled slightly, and asked, “What’s the hurry? Look, I’m planning to obtain another one. So, why don’t you fight over it after I obtain a few more?”
‘F*ck!’
Everyone looked at Ling Han dazedly. ‘Is this person smart or retarded?’
Who would complain about not being robbed enough? And he’d even go out of his way to earn more resources so others could snatch more?
The elders looked at each other and nodded. Ling Han wouldn’t be able to escape anyway, so what harm could this do?
“Leave that Mountain River Stone here, then you can go and retrieve the second one. No one will stop you.” Another elder stepped forward, greed glistening in his little eyes.
It would be a huge achievement if he could obtain a Mountain River Stone with a special attribute. He himself didn’t have room for improvement, but his grandson was extremely talented, and could perhaps become a two-star genius after absorbing the energy of an extreme weight Mountain River Stone.
Originally, Ling Han hadn’t wanted to waste his time on these elders. After all, his battle prowess was only five-stars if he didn’t use the Ultimate Arrow. Yet, these people were hell-bent on causing him trouble.
It seemed like he had to show off his might.
Ling Han retrieved his bow and pointed an Ultimate Arrow at that elder.
A cold chill instantly gripped at everyone’s heart, causing their bodies to tremble involuntarily as a feeling of uncontrollable terror formed in their minds.
This arrow would definitely have an earth-shattering effect if it was released.
“I can only use this technique a limited number of times,” Ling Han said calmly. “However, I can guarantee that a person will die with each arrow I release. Who wants to try?”
No one dared to answer. Although they were a little doubtful, what if…?
The aura emanating from the arrow was indeed petrifying. It possessed an overwhelming might that seemed to be able to destroy everything in its path. No one was willing to become its first victim.
“So, does anyone else want to command me?” Ling Han swept his gaze over the others, the tip of his arrow following his sight. Sweat poured down the faces of those who were targeted by the arrow.
Although this arrow possessed an incredible might, everyone knew that Ling Han could only fire a few shots. There were more than 20 of them gathered here, so they definitely had the ability to capture and suppress Ling Han.
However, who was willing to sacrifice themselves?
No one!
They weren’t from the same clan, so why would they fight for the benefits of someone else? Even if they were from the same clan, there was still the problem of close relations or distant relations. Unless it was for their own child or grandchild, who was willing to risk their lives?
The group of elders slowly stepped back. This was a sign that they wouldn’t attack Ling Han. Of course, how long they would maintain this attitude was a completely different matter. Once they smelled a chance, they definitely wouldn’t hold back.
Ling Han also put his bow away. If it wasn’t for the fact that he wanted to keep the existence of his Black Tower a secret, how would he need to worry about these people?
He started to cross the lake again.
However, he immediately felt an astonishing weight upon stepping onto the first stone. This weight was on par with what he had felt on the 80th stone during his first crossing. When he reached the 30th stone, he had no option but to stop and head back.
If he kept going, he would only end up being pushed into the water by the gravity fields.
Some breathed sighs of relief upon seeing Ling Han give up, while cold smiles appeared on the faces of others.
“He was only able to obtain one Mountain River Stone. In the end, he’s still unable to compete against Senior Brother Zhao.”
“Naturally. Senior Bro
ther Zhao is the most powerful prodigy of these past one thousand years, and there’s a chance he’ll reach the Heavenly Body Tier in the future. He’s not a one in one thousand year prodigy, but a one in ten thousand year prodigy!”
“Pei, Ling Han’s merely an ant from a small world!”
Numerous people started throwing barbs at Ling Han. This was naturally because of their jealousy.
Shui Yanyu and Hu Feiyun both walked over. “Don’t lose hope,” Shui Yanyu said. “You’ve already obtained one Mountain River Stone, and such a result is already outstanding. Moreover, you’ve only just reached the Mountain River Tier. You definitely won’t be weaker than Zhao Lun when you reach the peak stage of the low extreme.”
Ling Han smiled, and replied, “Protect me for a while. I’m going to try again after refining a few Mountain River Stones.”
Chapter 961 - New Attempt
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Ling Han didn’t wait for Shui Yanyu’s answer, and directly extracted the essence from a new Mountain River Stone.
Of course, this wasn’t the special Mountain River Stone that he had obtained recently. Rather, it was one that he had obtained from the group of seven that he had killed. He had obtained a total of two Mountain River Stones from them, but as he had been busy with his journey, he hadn’t refined the two stones yet.
The eyes of the others became green with envy as they saw Ling Han refining a Mountain River Stone openly, and they could barely contain themselves, not dashing over and snatching it away.
Fortunately, they were able to stop themselves when they realized that it was only an ordinary Mountain River Stone.
Ordinary Mountain River Stones were only capable of reducing the cultivation time of cultivators. Although they were extremely valuable, prodigies weren’t too fussy about the small amount of time that they could save. Only Mountain River Stones with special attributes could be considered precious treasures. They could genuinely raise one’s battle prowess.
Fearing Ling Han’s battle prowess was only part of the reason that no one charged over. The other reason was because of Hu Feiyun. She was the Ninth King!
Alchemy Emperor of the Divine Dao c1-1294 Page 492