I Can Strengthen Infinitely

After spending some time in the West Qi Mountain Temple, Qin Yuesheng benefited greatly from Huang Ting, especially deepening his understanding of how to cultivate up to the Five Qi Towards the Origin Realm.

During these days, Qin Yuesheng did not return home, instead staying in the West Qi Mountain Temple to familiarize himself with the Martial God Atlas.

The effectiveness of the Martial God Atlas was far greater than Qin Yuesheng had imagined. With it in his possession, no matter what martial art he used, the Atlas would automatically activate, enhancing the power of the techniques he displayed, supplemented by the force of heaven and earth—essentially, a temporary empowerment each time.

In this period, Qin Yuesheng made good progress on the Reincarnation Scripture, vaguely touching the threshold of the Second Life. If he took one more step, he could manifest the avatar of his second incarnation.

After Qin Yuesheng arrived at the West Qi Mountain Temple, Ah Jiu, who had been residing there for months, heard that this handsome elder brother had come. She immediately became delighted and came every day to chat with Qin Yuesheng, just like a little white rabbit seeing her favorite carrot, her enthusiasm overflowing.

Now that the Great Tang had completely fallen into the hands of the Sanhuang, there was no point in letting Ah Jiu return to Chang’an. Qin Yuesheng, having nothing better to do, taught Ah Jiu a few martial skills to help her defend herself.

As the day foretold by Hong Meng, when the seal of Lanhai Dragon City would weaken, drew near, Qin Yuesheng began to prepare for action. Naturally, he was greatly interested in the legacy left by the Saint Mark Experts within Lanhai Dragon City.

If he could manage to obtain it by chance, it would save him much bitter cultivation.

...

On this day, above the East Sea.

In all the lands of the Nine Provinces, there had always been legends of the Maze-like Great Desert in the north and the many island clusters of the east since ancient times.

In the depths of the East Sea, many small islands are scattered; some of them contain ruins said to be ’Immortal’s Abodes’. Those who enter them might have the chance to find magic treasures or magic arts.

Thus, every day, many martial folk venture out to sea, searching for Seeking Immortal Islands.

Besides such small islands, however, there exists something even more dangerous.

That is, the Secret Realms.

A Secret Realm might be an island, a vortex on the sea’s surface, or even a section of floating log—diverse in form, and extremely difficult to find.

But should one be extremely lucky and manage to locate a Secret Realm, there’s a chance to rise overnight and change one’s lot in life.

Some Secret Realms have seals that crumble away with the passage of years, letting the discoverer enter easily and plunder riches with no risk at all.

Some Secret Realms, however, retain their seals; those who cannot avoid their traps may risk and even lose their lives there.

Therefore, the search for Secret Realms is perilous, and countless treasure-seekers have perished because of them.

Qin Yuesheng sped swiftly above the East Sea. The location of Lanhai Dragon City was no secret; even Huang Ting knew of it.

Traveling roughly ten thousand miles northeast across the East Sea, one would see an island made entirely of sand, covered with the bones of giant creatures, densely scattered everywhere. Yet what caught the eye most was the half-ruined city perched atop the pile of skeletons.

This city had decayed for many years; moss and ivy covered its city walls, making it look most ordinary, without anything especially remarkable.

But often it is the most unremarkable things that hide the deadliest of dangers.

All those who had ever underestimated the dangers of Lanhai Dragon City had perished without exception.

When Qin Yuesheng landed on the beach, he saw three people sitting beneath a giant skull not far away.

These three—one woman, one old man, one youth—wore different attire. They looked like a family.

On that day in Celestial Secret City, Qin Yuesheng had not seen these three, proving that the number of Grandmaster experts in the world was even greater than he had imagined.

"Little brother, I suppose you also came for the weakening seal of Lanhai Dragon City? It’s dangerous inside. Even Grandmasters struggle alone. We three have formed a team to help each other—what do you say, will you join us?"

Upon seeing Qin Yuesheng arrive, the youth immediately inquired.

Qin Yuesheng naturally shook his head in refusal. With Lanhai Dragon City being this perilous, how could he team up with three strangers? Who knew if they were good or evil—if they all turned out to be villains, wouldn’t that spell disaster?

"My apologies. I am by nature solitary and prefer to act alone. You three should look for someone else," Qin Yuesheng said, striding directly toward the island’s depths.

He did not expect, however, that just at this moment, the three suddenly struck.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The three moved with astonishing speed, forming a triangle to swiftly surround Qin Yuesheng.

"So, brother, you look down on us, do you? We’re people of pride! We simply asked you to partner up so we could watch out for one another—is that too much to ask?" The youth drew a short sword from his waist, waving it as he sneered coldly.

The woman and old man each wore similar expressions, staring fixedly at Qin Yuesheng, as if ready to strike at any moment.

"Oh, so you three care so much about pride? Well, then—there’s nothing to be done but..." Qin Yuesheng suddenly erupted, throwing a simple, direct punch.

This punch contained the power of the Martial God Atlas; even the air shook with ripples and trembling waves. Its power was formidable indeed. The old man, whom Qin Yuesheng targeted, turned pale in an instant.

He hurried to block, but gravely underestimated the speed with which Qin Yuesheng could strike.

Boom!!!

The fist struck the old man’s arm, instantly snapping both of his arms.

"Aaargh!!"

A wild surge of energy blasted out; the old man flew back, hurtling over ten li away, and his form vanished from sight in a moment.

The remaining two, seeing the might of Qin Yuesheng’s fist, were shaken. Such power far exceeded that of an ordinary Grandmaster.

"A fine Grandmaster, yet neglecting your duties to commit such base deeds—truly, you disgrace your station!" Qin Yuesheng rebuked. Since mastering the Martial God Atlas, his close combat prowess was already beyond the average Grandmaster’s level.

The woman and youth exchanged glances, then struck out together with open palms. At once, a mixed-yuan halo manifested about Qin Yuesheng, a massive force sucking at his body as though to grind him to dust like a giant millstone.

Qin Yuesheng remained calm, unleashing his twin Inner Strengths. Nine Yin, Nine Yang exploded simultaneously; the convergence of yin and yang unleashed terrifying might.

The mixed-yuan halo conjured by the woman and youth shattered instantly; both of them were blown backward uncontrollably.

Qin Yuesheng immediately drew the Demonic Tiger Soul from his Sumeru pouch, and with a domineering slash, swung at the woman.

The blade-light shone blood-red, accompanied by a phantom tiger’s shadow.

Bang!

The youth raised his short halberd to block, but it was hopeless against Qin Yuesheng’s blade. He was thrown back, landing heavily; his short halberd now bore a long crack.

Qin Yuesheng pressed the attack like mighty waves, ceaseless and relentless.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Boom!

The youth could not withstand it at all, forced to retreat. Qin Yuesheng seized the opportunity, spinning the Demonic Tiger Soul upward and stabbing fiercely.

The tip of the blade struck harshly against the youth’s short halberd. Confronted with the Demonic Tiger Soul, the halberd finally met its end, breaking in two instantly.

Crack!

The residual blade energy struck the youth’s chest, slicing open the skin in an instant.

"Hm?" Upon seeing what lay beneath the youth’s skin, Qin Yuesheng’s face changed. Underneath that skin was a layer of green flesh.

Celestial Demon!!!

Qin Yuesheng was shaken. This youth, who appeared to be a Grandmaster, was actually a Celestial Demon in disguise.

Hiss—hiss—hiss!

The youth’s entire skin was torn apart; a wingless Celestial Demon emerged, crimson-eyed, hands raised to smash down on Qin Yuesheng’s head, wanting to crush it like a watermelon.

Qin Yuesheng had no intent of giving him the chance. He immediately pulled his head back, dodging the attack.

Whoosh!

With a single exhalation, Qin Yuesheng unleashed the Inner Strength of the Nine Yang; the searing heat scalded the Celestial Demon’s hand, melting it at once.

The woman now charged from behind, stabbing a sword toward Qin Yuesheng’s back.

Buzz!

The Golden Bell Shield appeared instantly, forcibly stopping her sword strike.

"Ha!" Qin Yuesheng shouted, the shield’s rebound force erupting violently.

Thousand-Handed Buddha Transformation!

The Thousand-Handed Buddha Dharma Aspect unleashed its myriad palms, in the blink of an eye pouring limitlessly down upon the woman’s body.

Though a Grandmaster in her own right, beneath the added power of the Martial God Atlas, the Thousand-Handed Buddha Transformation was deadlier than before. Within seconds, her body was smashed to fragments, and beneath the human skin, too, was the body of a Celestial Demon.

"Ah!" Seeing his companion die, the Celestial Demon disguised as the youth roared in fury; flames erupted from every pore, his aura surging wildly.