Outside the world barrier, the spatial storm grew larger, faster, and more violent, forcing Zhang Chen to stop his cultivation and rise to dodge it.
Fortunately, Zhang Chen’s speed at escaping was very fast.
As Zhang Chen inhaled and exhaled the power of the spirit storm, black sand continuously fell from within Zhang Chen’s Heng Acupoint. As Zhang Chen devoured more of the spirit storm, the black sand accumulated more, and with the rotation of the Yin wind vortex, the black sand transformed into runes, linking together to form order chains. Then countless order chains twisted, starting to transform into vortices, not long before they gathered together within the Yin wind vortex, gradually forming a vortex.
A spinning, weak vortex!
Resonating coaxially with the Yin wind vortex.
How could that black sand be referred to as sand? It was clearly runes, the most basic vortex particles.
"Not bad, not bad! You actually managed to achieve this; it’s just unknown what level of power this spirit storm belongs to." Zhang Chen looked at the storm vortex within the Heng Acupoint, a trace of satisfaction appearing in his eyes.
The spirit storm vortex, though weak and just in its fledgling state, already had a foundation. Soon, Zhang Chen’s speed in devouring spirit storms would increase rapidly, bringing him close to reaching the second stage of the Sand Merging Skill.
That vortex consisted of two layers: the outermost layer was the vortex of Yin wind from the Underworld, and the innermost layer was the vortex of the spirit storm.
The rotation of the outer layer Yin wind vortex drove the inner layer spirit storm vortex to spin; at this time, the second layer of the Sand Merging Skill already had some semblance.
As the spirit storm vortex formed, Zhang Chen’s speed of absorbing the spirit storm also abruptly accelerated. Zhang Chen didn’t need to specifically recite incantations; as long as he breathed, his acupoints’ vortex automatically attracted the power of the spirit storm from the air, which was then devoured by the spinning vortex.
Zhang Chen kept retreating, with the spirit storm pressing closer with every step. Finally, after ten days, Zhang Chen’s Heng Acupoint vibrated, and the spirit storm vortex was completely formed, solidifying into a stable form, attaching itself to the Yin wind vortex, then gradually merging.
Though merging, they were yet distinctly separate.
"It’s done!" Zhang Chen felt a surge of joy, sensing the vortex formed inside his acupoint. Seeing the increasingly rapid spirit storm in the distance, he transformed into a vampire bat and ran.
Now the speed of that spirit storm had reached a rate of three meters per breath, more than ten times faster than before.
Zhang Chen transformed into a vampire bat and rushed out of the storm’s range, speeding towards the spatial entrance. He didn’t want to get caught in spatial turmoil and perish.
"The destruction of the First Heaven will certainly leave essence behind. If obtained, it could potentially open up the inner world of the human body." It was time for the Great Freedom Celestial Demon to murmur a sentence.
"Do you think I can resist the spatial turmoil beyond the world?" Zhang Chen retorted.
Even though he had the Wind Stabilizing Pill to prevent the spirit storm from harming him, once the entire First Heaven of the Spiritual World disappeared, he would be trapped in endless spatial turmoil, indistinguishable from death.
"Certainly not." The Great Freedom Celestial Demon’s voice was full of regret: "What a pity!"
The greatest advantage of Zhang Chen was his self-awareness, knowing how much he could handle. Once the Spiritual World was destroyed, and the spirit storm turned into spatial turmoil, the Wind Stabilizing Pill would lose its effectiveness, and Zhang Chen would be torn apart in the chaotic space.
Zhang Chen reached the entrance, watching from afar as laborers and soldiers transported goods. After some thought, he gathered some wild grass for camouflage, donned a bamboo hat, and headed towards the entrance.
He didn’t use the Invisibility Rune, as there was someone of the Yang God realm watching the spatial entrance. Using the Invisibility Technique would instead draw more attention.
Even though Zhang Chen wanted to keep things calm, disturbances inevitably arose.
As Zhang Chen stepped out of the spatial passage, a person looking like a steward immediately walked up, blocking Zhang Chen’s path.
The steward obstructed Zhang Chen, and dozens of others dressed similarly to stewards stood around watching.
"Brother, I’m a steward of the Sun family. If you’ve acquired anything good in the Immortal Realm, our Sun family is willing to purchase it at a premium." A man in his thirties smiled amiably at Zhang Chen.
"No! I haven’t acquired anything! Just these grasses, do you want them?" Zhang Chen looked at the surrounding Sun family steward, responding leisurely.
Seeing Zhang Chen in a bamboo hat, looking inconspicuous, the Sun family steward smiled:
"Of course! How about ten taels of silver?"
A bundle of grass for ten taels of silver? Zhang Chen was dumbfounded, no wonder people rushed into the Spiritual World to work regardless of anything.
After completing the transaction, Zhang Chen turned around and left straight away without lingering.
But before Zhang Chen had gone far, he was stopped in a wild area by a group of people.
It was a young gentleman, seemingly around twenty years old, clad in a white robe, remaining immaculate even in this barren wilderness.
His face was like jade, unmarred, displaying an air of privilege.
Behind him followed dozens of armored samurai, standing respectfully, blocking Zhang Chen’s path.
"Please halt." The young man blocked Zhang Chen, smiling as he spoke.
Zhang Chen halted his steps, eyes scanning the group before him, recalling the Sun family steward’s words, realizing trouble had found him.
"May I know your name?" the young man inquired.
"What’s the matter?" Zhang Chen asked.
Though cautious of the Yang God True Man in the vicinity and not wanting trouble, he wasn’t necessarily afraid of it. The Inspection and Supervision Department and Xie Lingyun were nearby, so he wasn’t too worried about trouble.
"You have yet to answer me," the young man casually said, "My name is Gong Bao. You should know my background just by hearing it! To avoid any further trouble, please remove your hat and state your name. If the forces behind you are greater than mine, I will apologize and make way for you. However, if you have no backing..."
"What if I have no backing?" Zhang Chen frowned.
"Then I will have to search you!" Gong Bao gave a devilish grin, "To prevent any leaks of the mysterious objects, everyone leaving the Northern Land must be inspected by us. Of course, if the forces behind you are stronger than mine, then I didn’t say anything."
Hearing this, Zhang Chen was speechless. Despite guarding against many things, he didn’t expect these powerful people to be so shameless, giving no chance to ordinary people to exploit the situation.
The guy opposite him was truly a masterpiece, taking pettiness to the extreme!
Gong Bao smiled slyly, "Lest you underestimate the situation and cause unnecessary tension, I must remind you that if there’s no significant force behind you, you will certainly be intercepted and searched by various factions when you attempt to leave. Every direction has been set up with the Heaven and Earth Net by the major families. Even if you don’t encounter me, you’ll meet others. If you acquire the mysterious object, it will be forcedly bought and sold by the other party. If you master a superpower, you will be recruited by the major families as a henchman!"
Zhang Chen didn’t want any trouble, nor did he want to be searched, so he looked at the young man in front of him and decided to lie: "I am from Prince Pingbian’s Mansion. Do you dare to block my way?"
The biggest powers in the Northern Land were Prince Pingbian’s Mansion and the Inspection and Supervision Department. Zhang Chen did not believe the other party’s forces could surpass Prince Pingbian’s Mansion.
"Do you have any proof?" Gong Bao asked.
"No!" Zhang Chen replied.
"Then I’m sorry, but we must search you anyway!" Gong Bao waved a hand, signaling his armored warriors to step forward for a body search.
Seeing this, Zhang Chen’s eyebrows furrowed. He certainly couldn’t let anyone search him, because if anyone were to discover his slingshot or the Golden Wind Flower, it would certainly provoke covetousness.
So, seeing the approaching samurai, Zhang Chen sighed softly and drew the long knife at his waist, "So it has to come to this, right?"
The samurai, although wearing armor, moved flexibly, aiming to lock Zhang Chen’s acupoints around his body.
If it were prior, Zhang Chen might have found dealing with armored martial artists difficult, but ever since mastering the Mountain-moving Technique, he felt he was capable.
The initial entry into the Mountain-moving Technique enabled Zhang Chen to transport up to twelve thousand pounds of weight, though it didn’t mean he possessed twelve thousand pounds of force, but he could still accomplish a lot.
Like when the armored warrior approached, Zhang Chen sidestepped to avoid his attack, then casually grabbed the opponent’s belt, and directly used the Transportation Technique. The mere two-hundred-pound armored warrior was like a ball of cotton in his hands, and Zhang Chen smashed him directly towards another person.
Zhang Chen’s Blood Control Technique had advanced to the fifth stage, making his physical attributes far exceed those of human martial artists. Whether it was reaction speed or striking speed, combined with ultrasonic waves, he transformed into a martial arts master.
That samurai cultivated power, yet in Zhang Chen’s hands, he had no ability to resist and was directly wielded as a weapon.
Then came the clashing of iron and continuous screams, as Zhang Chen spun the armored warrior vigorously, and despite the dozens of armored warriors wearing iron armor and wielding sharp weapons around him, they couldn’t approach even a bit.
"Use the crossbows! Kill him!"
Seeing Zhang Chen’s actions, Gong Bao coldly ordered, not caring at all about the life and death of the armored warrior Zhang Chen held in his hands.
Dozens of warriors distanced themselves, intending to pull out their crossbows, but how could Zhang Chen give them that chance?
The armored warrior in his hands was like a cannonball, sweeping along with the sound of the wind towards the group of armored warriors, then Zhang Chen darted towards Gong Bao.
"Trying to catch me?" Gong Bao shook his head upon hearing this, his eyes full of mockery, "The Gong family is divinely endowed, mastering Gale Power, how could a mere mortal like you understand? Though your strength is considerable, you are but mere mortal flesh, no more than a firefly."
Watching Zhang Chen pouncing towards him, Gong Bao stood still, reaching into the void with his palm. In the next moment, dozens of wind blades silently shot towards Zhang Chen.
He wasn’t holding back anymore, intending to kill Zhang Chen.
"Mastering Gale Power?" Seeing the opponent’s methods, Zhang Chen’s eyes showed some strangeness.
Among all powers, Zhang Chen least feared the Wind Power. Did they think his Wind Stabilizing Pill was just for display?
The wind blades were invisible and silent, truly daunting to defend against.
Zhang Chen didn’t block them and let the wind blades strike, continuing his charge towards Gong Bao. Watching Zhang Chen’s actions, Gong Bao shook his head and laughed scornfully, "Such a small ant, how laughable."
Yet, as the wind blades neared Zhang Chen by about a meter, the Wind Stabilizing Pill within his magical power emitted a slight glow, and Gong Bao’s wind blades dissipated directly.
On the other side, Gong Bao was waiting to see Zhang Chen torn to pieces, only to find Zhang Chen reaching directly in front of him. Before Gong Bao could react, Zhang Chen’s palm landed on his shoulder.
"Stop! Do not harm the young master!"
The surrounding armored warriors were alarmed by this scene and rushed towards Zhang Chen, but it was too late.
"Ant!"
Facing Zhang Chen’s charge, Gong Bao remained calm, a bluish light shield appeared around his body, forming a gale from high-speed wind rotation.
If Zhang Chen dared to place his hand on his shoulder, it would certainly be shattered and torn asunder by the gale.
But at the moment Zhang Chen’s hand landed, the gale inexplicably disappeared. Before Gong Bao could react, Zhang Chen had already grabbed the man’s shoulder, with the Body-Stabilizing Rune turning into golden light and diving into him.
Gong Bao was stunned, staring blankly at Zhang Chen, his eyes full of disbelief.