Chapter 79: A World Like No Other

Stars shifted, the world changed. Jiang Ming stood motionless, feeling the instant transformation as he descended from the main world. Though he had prepared himself, the sensation was slight, no more than a fleeting awareness.

He sought to comprehend the essence of time.

Given that the main world and the secret realm had differing flows of time, he thought the moment of transition might grant insight. Yet, he failed.

“Time…”

Jiang Ming shook his head. This force is felt by all, for everyone exists within it: the previous moment, the next; yesterday, today, tomorrow… Yet it is the hardest to grasp.

At that moment, rows of words appeared before him.

Secret Realm: Heavenly Profound World.
Restriction: Survival limit of five years; in the final year, the world’s will rejects outsiders, and powerful natives, sensing fate, hunt intruders for a chance at the world’s favor. Note: Only approximate location can be sensed.
Departure conditions: First, endure the five years to completion; second, slay a great demon and a ghost general alone; third, open one hundred and eighty acupoints. Note: Completing the first allows departure at any time, but all gains here will be erased.
Achievement conditions: First, become the acknowledged strongest; second, ascend as emperor; third, open three hundred and sixty-five acupoints; fourth, obtain the Spirit-Calming Realm, Human Sovereign Sword, Golden Crow Visualization Diagram, and Lunar Indestructible Scripture; fifth, slay a demon king and ghost king alone. Note: Fulfillment of any achievement allows departure at any time, with all gains except physical items perfectly retained.

At the bottom, two gray buttons appeared: Depart, Achieve.

“Heavenly Profound World, demons, ghosts!”

Jiang Ming was surprised.

Clearly, this was a special realm—ghosts were present, too. He cared little; after all, ghosts are but souls.

As the words faded, he committed their contents to memory.

Strongest is attainable; emperor, perhaps not. The rest were all within reach. Overall, the pressure was light.

“But what level are demon kings and ghost kings?” Jiang Ming wondered, scanning his surroundings.

The sky was dim, night approaching. He stood on a mountain path, with jagged rocks and dense woods. The air was wet. Above, heavy clouds threatened imminent rain.

“The most urgent matter is to clarify the background of this world—what powers exist—then make my plans.”

He quickly outlined his approach, his gaze sharpening as a system screen appeared.

Name: Jiang Ming
Qi Cultivation: Fourth level (Grandmaster)
Body Cultivation: Fourth turn
Spirit Cultivation: Fourth rank (Materialization)
Techniques: Yin-Yang Scripture, Dragon-Elephant Heaven-Suppressing Art, Yin-Yang Spirit Refining Method; Myriad Swords Return to Sect, Three Swords to Slay Immortals, Yin-Yang Millstone, Yin-Yang Heaven-Shrouding Hand, Nine Suns Divine Fist, Sword Control Technique, Inch Fist, Star-Pointing Finger, etc.
Talents: Hundredfold Comprehension, Nirvana Rebirth, Soul Sovereign, Lord of Space (temporarily fixed)
Task: In final stage of Martial Examination, become Federation Martial Champion

The information had hardly changed.

Most sword arts were now classified under Myriad Swords Return to Sect, all doctrines united, one law manifesting myriad techniques.

Just then, he sensed two strong energies approaching fast—one was powerful, about the level of Gang Qi.

The other was much weaker.

Behind them, several other energies chased in pursuit.

“They’re bringing trouble to me,” Jiang Ming frowned.

With his experience, he easily deduced this was a chase.

On the side of the mountain path, two figures appeared—a woman in red, about twenty, carrying a girl of seven or eight.

Panting, their bodies were shrouded in the scent of blood.

It was unclear if blood had stained the clothes or if the red attire made the blood seem brighter.

They were clearly injured.

“Yan Hongyi, you can’t escape!” As the voice fell, several throwing knives shot forth, glowing with blue light, forcing the woman to dodge.

In that brief moment, five pursuers caught up.

All five were masked in black; three were not weaker than the woman in red, possessing initial Gang Qi-level strength.

“Gang Qi realm—quite powerful,” Jiang Ming mused.

Especially since the woman in red was so young—a prodigy, without doubt.

He also sensed the world’s condition: the vitality here was far denser than in the Nine Yin Nine Yang world.

Moreover, a strange aura lingered—demonic, eerie, suffused with baleful energy. Just by sensing the world’s pulse, Jiang Ming could tell it was far from peaceful.

Jiang Ming stepped back.

Rivers and lakes are full of slaughter; usually, there’s no right or wrong. He truly had no desire to intervene.

“Brother, help me take Liuli away. She will recite the Lunar Indestructible Scripture for you as a reward afterward. Hurry, hurry! Liuli, remember: after you escape, conceal your identity.” Yan Hongyi glanced at Jiang Ming, noting his extraordinary bearing, spotless attire, and calm in the wilds—a man of unusual standing.

A moment’s struggle, then resolution flashed in her eyes. As her voice faded, she flung the delicate girl towards him: “Brother, sorry for the trouble. Please take Liuli away quickly; I’ll hold them off. Your great kindness can only be repaid in the next life.”

Sword in hand, brimming with killing intent, she stood before the five masked assailants.

“Hongyi…” Liuli cried.

Jiang Ming grinned.

He wished to avoid involvement, but seeing the pitiful girl, his hands moved of their own accord to catch her.

He truly didn’t want trouble, yet his hands disobeyed.

What could he do?

“This woman is decisive,” Jiang Ming thought.

To entrust Liuli to him in such a brief moment showed not only keen judgment, but a gamble—hoping he would accept the reward, the Lunar Indestructible Scripture.

It sounded like a peerless text.

If he were a villain?

Then all hope would be lost. If good, he’d care for her; the hint to conceal her identity suggested deep trouble. She also mentioned facing death, invoking sympathy. That scheming—say she has a hundred wits, and it would be too few.

Jiang Ming shook his head.

But the Lunar Indestructible Scripture—he was surprised. Just upon arrival, he found a clue, no, he could fully obtain it.

“The Lunar Indestructible Scripture, so it’s on you!” The leader in black laughed. “Second, go, kill that pretty boy.”

Swish—

A black-clad man darted forward. Yan Hongyi tried to intercept, but was forced back by the leader’s blade.

“Why aren’t you running?” Yan Hongyi saw Jiang Ming standing there, despairing. Her voice was shrill. Ignoring the others, she turned to attack the second pursuer.

“Exposing your back—is this to insult me?” The leader roared, his blade slashing at Yan Hongyi’s shoulder, clearly aiming to capture her alive.

Sigh…

Jiang Ming sighed softly, cradling the crying Liuli in one arm. With a flick of his finger, two sword-like rays shot forth. Strangely, there was no sound of air being torn.

Silent, yet the traces of piercing air were visible.

They were simply too fast.

The second assailant was struck through the brow.

The leader’s pupils contracted; he tried to block, but was too late—he met the same fate.

A double kill with a flick.

Jiang Ming unleashed the Six Meridians Divine Sword, slaying the remaining three on the spot.

Since he acted, he would leave none alive.

Yan Hongyi was stunned, disbelief written across her face.

The five masked pursuers who had driven her to despair were slain—just like that?

And all within a flash.

They had no chance to resist.

Thus, this man…

At least at Grandmaster level, and likely high-tier.

“I am Yan Hongyi. Thank you for saving us, brother!” Yan Hongyi bowed deeply, though her vigilance remained.

“You threw your trouble on me—could I not act?” Jiang Ming said, setting Liuli down.

“Hongyi!” Liuli cried, rushing into the woman’s arms.

Clearly, she had been terrified.

“It’s all right, Liuli, it’s all right!” Yan Hongyi comforted her.

Liuli slowly calmed.

“Miss Yan, don’t forget the reward,” Jiang Ming reminded.

“Of course!” Yan Hongyi smiled awkwardly. “May I ask your name, brother?”

“Jiang Ming.”

“Brother Jiang, well…”

“What, you want to renege?”

“No.” Yan Hongyi felt his overwhelming killing aura and her eyelids twitched. She hurriedly waved her hands. “The Lunar Indestructible Scripture—Liuli and I only know the first half, we haven’t received the full inheritance.”

“Do you have the visualization diagram?” Jiang Ming asked, suppressing his aura.

The Lunar Indestructible Scripture, together with the achievement list mentioning the Golden Crow Visualization Diagram, and the presence of demons and ghosts, suggested it was a soul cultivation method.

“I do!”

“If you have the diagram, that’s enough. The rest can be owed for now.”

“Thank you, Brother Jiang!” Yan Hongyi breathed a sigh of relief, her eyes shining as she silently speculated: powerful, yet only asks for the reward, showing no intention to harm us. At least not a villain—and principled.

Then…

“Brother Jiang, Liuli and I have been chased for days, gravely wounded, and long since reached our limit. Could we find a place to rest? Once I recover, I’ll draw it for you. Right now, I really… really…” She was embarrassed.

Her energy weakened suddenly, and she nearly collapsed.

Her face was full of pleading.

“Big brother, Hongyi and I haven’t rested for a whole day and night,” Liuli said, blinking her big eyes, pitifully.

“Very well.” Jiang Ming didn’t hesitate. With a sweep of his sleeve, a whirlwind rose, carrying the bodies into the woods.

This display made Yan Hongyi’s pupils contract and her hair stand on end.

Then she glanced at Jiang Ming, her gaze brightening for a moment.

“There’s a ruined temple ahead; let’s rest there,” Jiang Ming said, walking onward.

“We’ll follow Brother Jiang!” Yan Hongyi was obedient.

The two girls supported each other as they walked.

In the forest, the scent of blood drew beasts, soon devouring the remains.

The temple was truly dilapidated, but it offered shelter. Jiang Ming swept it clean with soul force.

“Thank you, Brother Jiang!” Yan Hongyi entered, relaxing at last. Fatigue overwhelmed her; she sat down, her vision darkening, almost fainting.

“Hongyi!” Liuli cried.

“It’s nothing, just exhaustion!” Yan Hongyi assured her.

She glanced at her wounded shoulder and the gash on her thigh—pain surged in waves.

Tired, weak, but she clenched her teeth.

Gurgle…

Her stomach rumbled.

Liuli rubbed her belly as well.

“Brother Jiang…” Yan Hongyi looked embarrassed, her eyes pleading.

She was truly mortified.

“I can’t cook!” Jiang Ming snorted.

Yan Hongyi smiled awkwardly.

“Remember, you owe me again.” In the end, Jiang Ming relented. With a gesture, he sent a stream of vitality, infusing her with true energy.

Yan Hongyi tensed, then relaxed, shocked anew.

This true energy brimmed with life, rapidly healing her wounds and easing her fatigue.

But…

The energy flowed through her chest, down her thigh…

Her cheeks flushed.

“Blushing, yang energy rising—shows my method is effective!” Jiang Ming noted her rosy complexion.

He had transformed his true energy to wood attribute, enhanced with the intent of life, granting it healing power.

(End of chapter)