Thinking of the empress of the Chaotic Stars Majestic Empire’s fondness toward the Ninth King, who would dare to disrespect her?
Even the members of the Chaotic Stars Majestic Empire didn’t dare touch the Ninth King. It was much the same for the Eternity Sky and Jade Drop Majestic Empires. In fact, they even had to risk their lives to rescue her if she were to come across any dangers. After all, everyone was aware that the empress of the Chaotic Stars Majestic Empire would definitely erupt in rage if the Ninth King were to die here. She definitely wouldn’t hesitate to bury everyone here alive as a tribute to the Ninth King.
There was no need for doubt—the empress of the Chaotic Stars Majestic Empire could definitely steel her heart to do that.
Shui Yanyu wasn’t stupid. It was impossible to come across Hu Feiyun during normal occasions. Now that she had such a great opportunity, she naturally had to act friendly with Hu Feiyun. The Ninth King was charming and naive, and knew little of the world’s dangers and evils. Before long, she had already fallen into a cheerful conversation with Shui Yanyu.
Ling Han casually cultivated in front of everyone else.
In the eyes of others, such action was crazy and rash. However, Ling Han was incredibly relaxed. This was because no one else knew that his physique had already reached the toughness of a Level Two Godly metal. Who here could injure him?
Even if they used divine flames, they would probably still need to refine him for several days, right? If they instead chose to use the most potent poison, it would still be quite a while before he was actually taken down by it.
After all, the unique environment here guaranteed that Ling Han was almost completely safe.
The Mountain River Stone in his hand was slowly becoming dimmer. Meanwhile, the large mountain in his Dantian was rapidly growing larger.
The lower one’s cultivation level, the faster one’s growth. When the Mountain River Stone became dull and brittle, the first Mountain in Ling Han’s Dantian had already grown 100-fold. Now, it was finally starting to look a little bit like a mountain.
‘I’m almost at the middle stage of the low extreme,’ Ling Han thought to himself. ‘But this Mountain River is already about to form and condense a river, so why is the mountain still so small?
‘Is it because I’m relying on the Mountain River Stone to rank up?
‘Whatever, everything will be fine as long as my battle prowess matches my tier.’
Ling Han stood up and started to cross the river again.
This time, he charged to the 60th stone in one breath before finally slowing down. After raising his cultivation level, his improvement was especially clear. However, a feeling of strain once again overcame him when he reached the 90th stone. He pushed himself to take another step forward, yet all he could do was helplessly plop into the river.
“Hahaha!” A few people immediately started to howl with laughter. They looked as if they were about to break into gleeful applause at any moment.
However, looks of shock spread across their faces in the very next instant.
It was because Ling Han was actually swinging his arms and swimming toward the island!
‘Monster! He’s definitely a monster!’
It wasn’t that no one had thought of this before. Since they had made it more than halfway, why couldn’t they swim forward? In fact, the distance was even shorter if they swam.
The answer was simple. It was because this was actually more difficult—more than one hundred times more difficult, to be precise.
Swimming away from the island was extremely easy. Apart from the corrosive nature of the lake water, there wasn’t even the tiniest bit of resistance. However, swimming toward the island was a completely different story. In addition to the threat of the lake water, there was also a terrifying resistive power.
It was like a reverse gravity that was pushing one away from the island. Moreover, there was nothing to push off in the water, so it was naturally much more difficult to swim forward.
It could be said that apart from being corroded by the lake water, it was basically impossible to move forward if one tried to swim toward the island.
However… although Ling Han wasn’t advancing, his body wasn’t being corroded, either!
This was far too astonishing. What kind of physique could resist the corrosion of the lake water?
After swimming for a short while, Ling Han could only reluctantly turn back. The pressure was instantly lifted off his shoulders, and he made it back to the bank in no time. The clothes on his body had already transformed into ragged strips that were now peeling off and falling onto the ground. However, the unharmed muscles on his body radiated a divine glow.
Ling Han retrieved a new outfit and quickly dressed himself. Being able to resist the corrosive ability of the lake water wasn’t merely because of his strong physique. It was also because he had been channeling the Indestructible Heaven’s Scroll. This skill allowed him to resist all spells, and the corrosive lake water was nothing in the face of this powerful skill.
“Huh? Have you guys not seen me before?” Ling Han chuckled. “Why are your expressions so weird?” Right now, both Shui Yanyu and Hu Feiyun’s eyes were wide with disbelief.
How could they not be astonished? The corrosive ability of the Crimson Lake was widely acknowledged to be terrifying. No matter who fell in, they would definitely lose a layer of skin. However, Ling Han had swum around it as if it were merely an ordinary lake. This was extremely astounding.
Even the old fellows from before felt their hearts palpitate in fear. They were secretly thankful that they hadn’t clashed with Ling Han just then. With such a powerful physique, who here could injure him?
Ling Han sat down and retrieved the last remaining ordinary Mountain River Stone.
After refining it, he would most likely be able to reach the island.
He didn’t hesitate any longer, and immediately started to refine this last Mountain River Stone.
A few hours later, the Mountain River Stone in his hand once again crumbled into dust.
During these several hours, many more people had arrived at this place. There were also some who left after realizing that they had no hope here. The physique that Ling Han had displayed was far too powerful, and it had caused a large majority of people to squash their wandering thoughts.
However, a prodigy from the Eternity Sky Majestic Empire was a part of the new arrivals. His cultivation level had reached the peak of the low extreme, and he was even a three-star genius. After a herculean effort, he had also managed to obtain an extreme weight Mountain River Stone.
From this, it could be clearly seen that battle prowess wasn’t the deciding factor that determined whether or not one could reach the island. There were numerous individuals who were more powerful than him, yet up until now, only he and Ling Han had succeeded in reaching the island. It could be seen that strength was the true might.
That individual was named You Hao, and not only was he extremely powerful, but he also had two elders guarding him by his side. They both possessed incredible battle prowess, which resulted in the surrounding people not daring to act recklessly.
There had been over 20 such elders not long ago, but almost all of them had left a short while back. There were only seven of them remaining, and as such, they weren’t confident of achieving certain victory in battle. As a result, they naturally didn’t dare to recklessly charge into battle.
You Hao appeared especially smug as he laughed loudly and swept his gaze around the surroundings.
Who didn’t know that being able to reach the island represented outstanding ability? Only a mere 10 or so people would be able to reach the island each time. Being imbued with the secret techniques of the old monsters was nowhere near enough.
This was an extreme test of power!
“Congratulations, Young Master!” The two elderly servants were all smiles as they congratulated You Hao.
You Hao was extremely self-satisfied, yet a pecul
iar expression quickly spread across his face. This was because many people were naturally stunned speechless by his great achievement. However, there were also many people who remained calm and unmoving as if they hadn’t seen his glorious feat at all.
‘Are they blind?’
Little did he know that Ling Han had already succeeded once before. Although he hadn’t succeeded on his second attempt, his actions that time were even more shocking than when he had succeeded.
Right at this moment, Ling Han stood up. He had finally reached the end of the middle stage of the low extreme. He was only a tiny bit off from forming a river, whose formation was the boundary separating the middle stage from the late stage.
You Hao chuckled coldly upon seeing Ling Han’s movements. He had only just succeeded in reaching the island, and this person was already trying to follow in his footsteps. His actions were truly nothing more than a joke.
‘Ptui! You’re biting off more than you can chew!’
Chapter 962 - Reaching the Island a Second Time
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
However, much to You Hao’s surprise, many people actually wore expressions of interest upon seeing Ling Han attempt to cross the river.
‘Am I seeing things?’
A strong sense of jealousy welled up in You Hao’s heart. He was the one who had succeeded in reaching the island, so why was everyone more interested it that person?
‘F*ck! He hasn’t even reached the late stage of the low extreme yet! He only has a mountain, but doesn’t have a river!
‘Could it be that he’s a descendent of some powerful figure?’
You Hao was a small-minded person, and his expression instantly darkened when he saw that his thunder was stolen by someone who hadn’t even reached the late stage of the Mountain River Tier yet. He secretly decided to give Ling Han a lesson when he came back.
Anyhow, he wasn’t a person from his country, so it mattered little even if he was a descendant of a powerful figure. Everything would be fine as long as he didn’t kill him in front of everyone else.
After experiencing a large growth in his cultivation level, Ling Han’s speed was naturally quicker this time around. It seemed as if he were walking along flat ground, and the ease with which he advanced caused the onlookers to almost spit their tongues out in astonishment.
One had to realize that this was the second time that Ling Han was attempting to reach the island!
This was already on par with Zhao Lun!
Moreover, when had Zhao Lun completed his grand feat of reaching the island two times in a row? It was when he was at the peak of the low extreme!
In reality, no one was given any special treatment. The gravity fields bearing down on the stones were the same every time, so it was clearly advantageous to have a higher cultivation level. There was no notion of having it easier just because one was undefeated in their own tier.
It was evident that Ling Han still hadn’t reached the late stage of the low extreme yet. This meant that there was still room for him to grow stronger, and as such, it was completely possible for him to reach the island for a third time, or perhaps… even a terrifying fourth time!
‘Heavens!’
After arriving before the last 10 stones, Ling Han finally felt some pressure bearing down on him. However, he still took large and decisive steps forward.
98, 99, 100!
He reached the island once again.
Everyone was holding their numb heads.
Both had reached the island two times, but Ling Han was even more freakish than Zhao Lun.
If news of this traveled back, it was likely that the entire Imperial Capital would be stunned. It could elevate Ling Han’s standing immensely, or it could also plunge him into a dark and bottomless abyss.
Ling Han grabbed at a Mountain River Stone with one hand and tossed his Blood Sucking Origin Gold outward with another in an attempt to obtain another Mountain River Stone. With his current ability, of course he could complete both these actions at the same time. However, when his hand and the Blood Sucking Origin Gold came into contact with Mountain River Stones at the same time…
Pa!
The Blood Sucking Origin Gold violently bounced up, and wasn’t able to grab that Mountain River Stone.
Peng!
Ling Han was sent flying back to the bank of the lake again.
‘This brat actually succeeded as well?’
A look of jealousy fell across You Hao’s face. He had originally been unique and unmatched. Now, however, someone was standing neck and neck with him and stealing part of his glory.
Being the petty-minded person that he was, he immediately walked up to Ling Han. He clapped his hands, and said, “Congratulations, congratulations! You’ve also managed to successfully reach the island after me. Huh? I’ve heard that the difficulty will significantly decrease for a short while after someone has successfully reached the island. Heh, in that case, you’ve benefited from my glory.”
The shamelessness of this person was quite startling.
Was he purposefully playing down someone else’s achievement to elevate his own standing?
Those who had been here for a long time all started to roar with laughter. They had personally witnessed Ling Han reaching the island twice with very own eyes. What did reaching the island twice signify? At least in the past 1000 years, only one other person had managed this feat—Zhao Lun.
‘You’ve only reached the island once, yet you dare to say that Ling Han is benefitting from your glory? What an absolute joke!’
Embarrassment and anger appeared across You Hao’s face. “What are you all laughing at?” he asked coldly. “Is there anything to laugh at?”
“Heh, young man, you’re still unaware, aren’t you? Before you arrived, our young friend Ling Han already reached the island once,” an elder explained. As everyone here was at the low extreme, he didn’t dare refer to himself as a senior even though he was clearly older.
This was a rule of the martial arts world—seniority could only be determined by ability.
Pu!
You Hao spluttered in shock as an incredibly colorful expression spread across his face.
He was struck with disbelief. How was this possible? He was well aware that it would become insanely more difficult to reach the island after successfully arriving there once. It was simply an impossible task. In the past 1000 years, only Zhao Lun had managed to accomplish such a feat.
Once had to realize that Ling Han hadn’t even reached the late stage of the low extreme yet! If all this were true, then didn’t this mean that there was a possibility of him reaching the island for a third time after leveling up to the late stage of the low extreme?
“Bullsh*t! You’re definitely spewing bullsh*t!” You Hao furiously shook his head.
“Heh.” More people cracked up in mocking laughter. In fact, if they hadn’t witnessed it with their own eyes, they also wouldn’t have believed that Ling Han could possibly be so powerful.
Hearing the mocking laughter of so many people, You Hao finally accepted the fact that he had made a great fool out of himself. His face involuntarily flushed red. He glanced at the island in the middle of the lake. Then, he gritted his teeth and dashed toward the stones once more. He was going to attempt reaching the island for a second time.
He crossed the first 10 stones with great difficulty, but after that, his body would sway with each extra step that he took.
Plop!
In the end, he still fell into the lake.
He instantly shrieked in pain, and started to hurriedly swim back to the bank.
He had failed.
As he had failed at a relatively early stage, he arrived back at the bank in no time. His wounds weren’t too serious, yet the mental blow was significant.
He was lesser than another person!
That person was a whole two sub-minor levels below him, yet he had managed to reach the island twice. With such res
ults as a comparison, it was abundantly clear who was more able.
Ling Han merely flashed a smile at him. Being able to reach the island once was already a commendable feat. He withdrew his gaze and started to ponder how to reach the island a third time.
With his current ability… it would be impossible.
He could still spare a shred of power when reaching the island for a second time. However, he could at most only make it a third of the way if he made his third attempt now.
Well, he still had two Mountain River Stones, ones with special attributes no less. Would refining an extreme weight Mountain River Stone here create some resistance to the extreme weight bearing over from the island?
‘Let me refine another one and test this out.’
Ling Han retrieved a earthen-yellow Mountain River Stone, and started to refine it in his hand.
Many people looked at him with envious expressions. However, Ling Han’s abilities and physique were clear for all to see, and Hu Feiyun was also standing just to the side. Most people only dared to think about but not act upon their greed.
“Young Master, let’s leave,” the two elderly servants said to You Hao. They had a special Mountain River Stone on them, and such an item would attract greed from others. It was best to leave earlier.
You Hao stared at Ling Han, and only nodded after a long time. “Fine!” If he refined the Mountain River Stone here, then it was extremely likely that he would directly break through to the medium extreme. As an end result, he would be targeted, and then killed, by the regulations of this place.
It wasn’t as if no one had tried this before.
Ling Han continued to extract power from the Mountain River Stone. In his Dantian, a river was slowly forming from nothing.
‘No wonder Mountain River Stones are such hot property. Their effects are even more outstanding than amazing pills and medicines.’
Although the number of Mountain River Stones needed to level up would increase along with one’s cultivation level, a maximum of 10 would probably suffice to help him reach the peak stage of the low extreme.
Alchemy Emperor of the Divine Dao c1-1294 Page 493