A World Worth Protecting

1

Wang Baole would have glared if someone else had said that. He hated it when anyone called him fat and felt that he needed to correct the person’s aesthetics by punching this person who had no idea what he or she was talking about.

After all, he was the slimmest and most handsome person in the entire Federation!

But… if the person saying this was an old man who was both strong-boned and had an ethereal air to him, who had a sharp intelligent glint in his eyes while giving off an impression of having a rather bad temper, then Wang Baole felt that it wouldn’t be that embarrassing if he played the coward once in a while.

After all, no matter how great the old man was at pretending to be peaceful, Wang Baole could still distinctly sense the fearsome temper hidden deep inside him and the scorching heat he was exuding.

In addition… Wang Baole saw that the Grand Elder and Elders of the Alchemy Pavilion cupped their fists and saluted the old man respectfully when he had appeared. He even saw the Sect Lord and Deputy Sect Lords, as well as the other Grand Elders, appear in mid-air. They cupped their fists and saluted the old man as well. Wang Baole immediately realized… who he was!

He was the former Federation President, the Grand Supreme Elder of the Ethereal Dao College, Li Xingwen!

<em>He doesn’t really look like the statue in the capital city… </em>Wang Baole blinked as he stared at the barrier around him. The Grand Supreme Elder was a short distance away from him, hovering in mid-air. He couldn’t really sense the Grand Supreme Elder’s exact level of cultivation through the barrier. However, he could vaguely sense an awesome spirit energy exuding from the old man. It was as terrifying as a hurricane.

<em>I’m just here to find Bunny… how is the Grand Supreme Elder involved in this… and he’s sealed me in. Is he trying to test how powerful I am? </em>Wang Baole sighed. His fighting spirit was roused though. He wanted to test too, the difference in power between himself and a perfected Core Formation realm cultivator.

At that thought, and due to the anticipatory and encouraging looks given by the Sect Lord and the Grand Elder of the Dharmic Armament Pavilion, Wang Baole took a deep breath. A flare of lightning erupted in his eyes.

The light exploded and transformed into countless lightning bolts that wandered all over Wang Baole. Countless lightning bolts appeared in the air around him as well, and their crackling sounds resounded in the air. The seal that had been invisible to the eye began to show its form under the electrical disturbance.

It looked like a translucent box!

<em>Since you want to test me… then, I’ll show you everything I’ve got! </em>Decisiveness flashed across Wang Baole’s eyes. He trusted the Ethereal Dao College; it was his sect. That was why he didn’t only intend to activate his Lightning Core but was also going to activate his Dark Core Lotus. He was going to unleash the full power of his dual Cores!

His external Lightning Core, his internal Dark Core, and the power of his physical form were all activated at the same moment. From afar, one could see a black light shining in Wang Baole’s eyes. A chill seemed to be spreading out from his person at the same time, and beyond this chill were bolts of lightning crashing and thundering. A strong, powerful spirit energy continued to grow stronger and more powerful inside him, and cracks began to appear on the translucent box!

He hadn’t even attacked yet, but the box was already showing signs of not being able to withstand his power!

Shock flashed across everyone’s eyes as they witnessed the sight. The Sect Lord, the Deputy Sect Lords, and the respective Grand Elders, especially, widened their eyes. Their faces were colored with incredulity. Even the Grand Supreme Elder seemed slightly surprised. His eyes began to shine brightly, colored with approval and joy.

“Interesting. Seems like an early-stage Core Formation realm seal isn’t sufficient to assess your actual strength. In that case… we’ll strengthen it!” As he said that, Li Xingwen’s right hand formed a series of hand seals. Then, he pointed at the box. Instantly, the box-shaped seal shone. It seemed to grow sturdier, and the earlier cracks sealed shut immediately.

Almost as soon as the box’s cracks were healed close, Wang Baole raised his head abruptly, letting loose a low roar that sounded like thunder. He could feel his body, which used to have a constitution that surpassed his cultivation, struggling to support the full activation of both his Cores. He had no time to worry now though. He raised his right hand and tightened it into a fist. He didn’t unleash any divine power or pretty trick, he simply held it before the barrier in front of him and… punched!

This single punch encapsulated the Supernova technique. It unleashed the full power of Wang Baole’s physical form as well as the full, dual-Core cultivation of his Dark Core and Lightning Core. It could be said to be the strongest and most powerful punch that Wang Baole was capable of without using any mystic art!

An aura seemed to form around Wang Baole as he unleashed the punch. It was an aura… that spoke of relentless advance, that promised to blow everything in his path to pieces!

It was similar to when he had been in the Mystic Luna Realm, what he had unleashed then during those life-or-death situations. He had killed his way to survival and hadn’t spared a single glance at those he had left dead.

It was similar to when he had been in the fight for the New Mars Region, in that last battle, when he had been faced with countless Beast Tides. He had stood alone amongst the monsters, as everything had fallen apart around him. He had advanced fearlessly!

His experiences over the years seemed to merge and fuse together at this moment, during the Grand Supreme Elder’s test. They flowed into his fist, which unleashed… a punch… that carried his will!

Wang Baole yelled. His punch landed, and the strengthened seal that could hold a mid-stage Core Formation realm cultivator shuddered and warped violently, unable to withstand the attack. It cracked and broke upon the fist’s impact, shattering into pieces!

From afar, it seemed as if Wang Baole’s punch had broken through a mirror as countless semi-transparent shards were flung into the air. An incredible wave of spirit energy, like a furious tidal wave, surged outward. It rumbled and roared, rousing strong winds in the air.

The scene sent the Sect Lord, the Deputy Sect Lords, and the Grand Elders reeling back in shock. They stared at Wang Baole with incredulity and shock.

It was clear that… in their minds, they saw Wang Baole as someone who had just reached the Core Formation realm. He had not yet even began to practice any Core Formation realm techniques. As a Core Formation realm cultivator, this should be when he was at his weakest.

But… at what should have been considered his weakest moment, Wang Baole had unleashed a strength that had stunned everyone. One could imagine how much more powerful he would become after he had grown accustomed to his current cultivation and was in possession of a Core Formation realm technique.

Amidst the crowd’s shocked stares, Wang Baole walked out of the surging energy waves. His long hair was loose and flowing in the wind, and lightning bolts snaked around his body. He was like a god of war, standing in a pool of lightning, in mid-air. He lifted his face skyward and looked up at Grand Supreme Elder Li Xingwen. He could feel the beginnings of self-satisfaction surfacing inside him. He was about to say something when he froze suddenly, his eyes widening.

His senses had been muted when he had been inside the box-shaped seal. Now that he had freed himself, when he looked at the Grand Supreme Elder again, he could immediately sense an awesome, terrifying spirit energy exuding from the Grand Supreme Elder. It was completely different from that of a Core Formation realm cultivator!

Wang Baole wasn’t unfamiliar with such a spirit energy. It was identical to the spirit energies of the three extraterrestrial cultivator… the spirit energy of a Nascent Soul realm cultivator!

It seemed incomplete at the moment and appeared to still be growing rapidly. However, he was definitely not mistaken. He could indistinctly sense the Grand Supreme Elder’s core dissolving and reforming inside his body. He was going to ascend to the Nascent Soul realm any day now!

Wang Baole blinked. His courage shriveled instantly, and he immediately put on an expression of complete obedience and respect, cupping his fists and saluting the Grand Supreme Elder.

“Your disciple Wang Baole greets the Grand Supreme Elder. I don’t know why, but I felt an immediate familial closeness when I saw you, esteemed Grand Supreme Elder. It’s almost as if I’m reminded of my grandfather… Baole wishes Grandfather Grand Supreme Elder, long life and everlasting fortune!” Everyone had a strange look on their faces when they heard what Wang Baole said. Grand Supreme Elder Li Xingwen simply had what seemed like a smile on his face. He clearly saw through Wang Baole’s earlier aborted attempt at showing off. He might not know exactly what Wang Baole had planned to say, but they were likely arrogant words of a brash and overconfident youth.

Of course, he knew why Wang Baole had swallowed those words back down and shown his belly instead. However, he was growing increasingly fond of this Wang Baole. The kid had made some accomplishments while he had been in the college, which was why he had found the kid all right. Then, he had battled with his own disciple, which was when he realized he wasn’t bad and had thought about having him as his own disciple.

It hadn’t been an intense desire at the time. When he had been truly stirred was during the Mystic Luna Realm incident, which had been when he began to see Wang Baole with new eyes. Else, he wouldn’t have acted on Wang Baole’s behalf and captured the Core Formation realm Elder of the Galactic Dusk Sect alive.

He had been monitoring Wang Baole since his deployment to Mars, watching him grow in strength and advance to his current position. Wang Baole’s exemplary performance during this brief period won his overwhelming approval. The outcome of his test today made him happier still. He liked Wang Baole’s personality.

“This kid has many secrets. I believe he only revealed them because he’s back with us. Based on his crafty character, he would have kept a tight lid on his secrets when he was outside. That’s why… n

1

Wang Baole would have glared if someone else had said that. He hated it when anyone called him fat and felt that he needed to correct the person’s aesthetics by punching this person who had no idea what he or she was talking about.

After all, he was the slimmest and most handsome person in the entire Federation!

But… if the person saying this was an old man who was both strong-boned and had an ethereal air to him, who had a sharp intelligent glint in his eyes while giving off an impression of having a rather bad temper, then Wang Baole felt that it wouldn’t be that embarrassing if he played the coward once in a while.

After all, no matter how great the old man was at pretending to be peaceful, Wang Baole could still distinctly sense the fearsome temper hidden deep inside him and the scorching heat he was exuding.

In addition… Wang Baole saw that the Grand Elder and Elders of the Alchemy Pavilion cupped their fists and saluted the old man respectfully when he had appeared. He even saw the Sect Lord and Deputy Sect Lords, as well as the other Grand Elders, appear in mid-air. They cupped their fists and saluted the old man as well. Wang Baole immediately realized… who he was!

He was the former Federation President, the Grand Supreme Elder of the Ethereal Dao College, Li Xingwen!

<em>He doesn’t really look like the statue in the capital city… </em>Wang Baole blinked as he stared at the barrier around him. The Grand Supreme Elder was a short distance away from him, hovering in mid-air. He couldn’t really sense the Grand Supreme Elder’s exact level of cultivation through the barrier. However, he could vaguely sense an awesome spirit energy exuding from the old man. It was as terrifying as a hurricane.

<em>I’m just here to find Bunny… how is the Grand Supreme Elder involved in this… and he’s sealed me in. Is he trying to test how powerful I am? </em>Wang Baole sighed. His fighting spirit was roused though. He wanted to test too, the difference in power between himself and a perfected Core Formation realm cultivator.

At that thought, and due to the anticipatory and encouraging looks given by the Sect Lord and the Grand Elder of the Dharmic Armament Pavilion, Wang Baole took a deep breath. A flare of lightning erupted in his eyes.

The light exploded and transformed into countless lightning bolts that wandered all over Wang Baole. Countless lightning bolts appeared in the air around him as well, and their crackling sounds resounded in the air. The seal that had been invisible to the eye began to show its form under the electrical disturbance.

It looked like a translucent box!

<em>Since you want to test me… then, I’ll show you everything I’ve got! </em>Decisiveness flashed across Wang Baole’s eyes. He trusted the Ethereal Dao College; it was his sect. That was why he didn’t only intend to activate his Lightning Core but was also going to activate his Dark Core Lotus. He was going to unleash the full power of his dual Cores!

His external Lightning Core, his internal Dark Core, and the power of his physical form were all activated at the same moment. From afar, one could see a black light shining in Wang Baole’s eyes. A chill seemed to be spreading out from his person at the same time, and beyond this chill were bolts of lightning crashing and thundering. A strong, powerful spirit energy continued to grow stronger and more powerful inside him, and cracks began to appear on the translucent box!

He hadn’t even attacked yet, but the box was already showing signs of not being able to withstand his power!

Shock flashed across everyone’s eyes as they witnessed the sight. The Sect Lord, the Deputy Sect Lords, and the respective Grand Elders, especially, widened their eyes. Their faces were colored with incredulity. Even the Grand Supreme Elder seemed slightly surprised. His eyes began to shine brightly, colored with approval and joy.

“Interesting. Seems like an early-stage Core Formation realm seal isn’t sufficient to assess your actual strength. In that case… we’ll strengthen it!” As he said that, Li Xingwen’s right hand formed a series of hand seals. Then, he pointed at the box. Instantly, the box-shaped seal shone. It seemed to grow sturdier, and the earlier cracks sealed shut immediately.

Almost as soon as the box’s cracks were healed close, Wang Baole raised his head abruptly, letting loose a low roar that sounded like thunder. He could feel his body, which used to have a constitution that surpassed his cultivation, struggling to support the full activation of both his Cores. He had no time to worry now though. He raised his right hand and tightened it into a fist. He didn’t unleash any divine power or pretty trick, he simply held it before the barrier in front of him and… punched!

This single punch encapsulated the Supernova technique. It unleashed the full power of Wang Baole’s physical form as well as the full, dual-Core cultivation of his Dark Core and Lightning Core. It could be said to be the strongest and most powerful punch that Wang Baole was capable of without using any mystic art!

An aura seemed to form around Wang Baole as he unleashed the punch. It was an aura… that spoke of relentless advance, that promised to blow everything in his path to pieces!

It was similar to when he had been in the Mystic Luna Realm, what he had unleashed then during those life-or-death situations. He had killed his way to survival and hadn’t spared a single glance at those he had left dead.

It was similar to when he had been in the fight for the New Mars Region, in that last battle, when he had been faced with countless Beast Tides. He had stood alone amongst the monsters, as everything had fallen apart around him. He had advanced fearlessly!

His experiences over the years seemed to merge and fuse together at this moment, during the Grand Supreme Elder’s test. They flowed into his fist, which unleashed… a punch… that carried his will!

Wang Baole yelled. His punch landed, and the strengthened seal that could hold a mid-stage Core Formation realm cultivator shuddered and warped violently, unable to withstand the attack. It cracked and broke upon the fist’s impact, shattering into pieces!

From afar, it seemed as if Wang Baole’s punch had broken through a mirror as countless semi-transparent shards were flung into the air. An incredible wave of spirit energy, like a furious tidal wave, surged outward. It rumbled and roared, rousing strong winds in the air.

The scene sent the Sect Lord, the Deputy Sect Lords, and the Grand Elders reeling back in shock. They stared at Wang Baole with incredulity and shock.

It was clear that… in their minds, they saw Wang Baole as someone who had just reached the Core Formation realm. He had not yet even began to practice any Core Formation realm techniques. As a Core Formation realm cultivator, this should be when he was at his weakest.

But… at what should have been considered his weakest moment, Wang Baole had unleashed a strength that had stunned everyone. One could imagine how much more powerful he would become after he had grown accustomed to his current cultivation and was in possession of a Core Formation realm technique.

Amidst the crowd’s shocked stares, Wang Baole walked out of the surging energy waves. His long hair was loose and flowing in the wind, and lightning bolts snaked around his body. He was like a god of war, standing in a pool of lightning, in mid-air. He lifted his face skyward and looked up at Grand Supreme Elder Li Xingwen. He could feel the beginnings of self-satisfaction surfacing inside him. He was about to say something when he froze suddenly, his eyes widening.

His senses had been muted when he had been inside the box-shaped seal. Now that he had freed himself, when he looked at the Grand Supreme Elder again, he could immediately sense an awesome, terrifying spirit energy exuding from the Grand Supreme Elder. It was completely different from that of a Core Formation realm cultivator!

Wang Baole wasn’t unfamiliar with such a spirit energy. It was identical to the spirit energies of the three extraterrestrial cultivator… the spirit energy of a Nascent Soul realm cultivator!

It seemed incomplete at the moment and appeared to still be growing rapidly. However, he was definitely not mistaken. He could indistinctly sense the Grand Supreme Elder’s core dissolving and reforming inside his body. He was going to ascend to the Nascent Soul realm any day now!

Wang Baole blinked. His courage shriveled instantly, and he immediately put on an expression of complete obedience and respect, cupping his fists and saluting the Grand Supreme Elder.

“Your disciple Wang Baole greets the Grand Supreme Elder. I don’t know why, but I felt an immediate familial closeness when I saw you, esteemed Grand Supreme Elder. It’s almost as if I’m reminded of my grandfather… Baole wishes Grandfather Grand Supreme Elder, long life and everlasting fortune!” Everyone had a strange look on their faces when they heard what Wang Baole said. Grand Supreme Elder Li Xingwen simply had what seemed like a smile on his face. He clearly saw through Wang Baole’s earlier aborted attempt at showing off. He might not know exactly what Wang Baole had planned to say, but they were likely arrogant words of a brash and overconfident youth.

Of course, he knew why Wang Baole had swallowed those words back down and shown his belly instead. However, he was growing increasingly fond of this Wang Baole. The kid had made some accomplishments while he had been in the college, which was why he had found the kid all right. Then, he had battled with his own disciple, which was when he realized he wasn’t bad and had thought about having him as his own disciple.

It hadn’t been an intense desire at the time. When he had been truly stirred was during the Mystic Luna Realm incident, which had been when he began to see Wang Baole with new eyes. Else, he wouldn’t have acted on Wang Baole’s behalf and captured the Core Formation realm Elder of the Galactic Dusk Sect alive.

He had been monitoring Wang Baole since his deployment to Mars, watching him grow in strength and advance to his current position. Wang Baole’s exemplary performance during this brief period won his overwhelming approval. The outcome of his test today made him happier still. He liked Wang Baole’s personality.

“This kid has many secrets. I believe he only revealed them because he’s back with us. Based on his crafty character, he would have kept a tight lid on his secrets when he was outside. That’s why… nothing that’s happened today can be leaked to the outside world. I need you to handle this. Of course, it’s not a problem even if there’s a leak. I’d like to know who dares mess around with my people in the Ethereal Dao College when I’m around.” Li Xingwen instructed the Sect Lord next to him, his tone extremely arrogant. The Sect Lord agreed respectfully. Then, Li Xingwen turned and looked at Wang Baole again, his eyes filled with unconcealed approval and praise.

“You rascal, follow me!” Having said that, Li Xingwen turned and marched straight into the halls of the Alchemy Pavilion.

othing that’s happened today can be leaked to the outside world. I need you to handle this. Of course, it’s not a problem even if there’s a leak. I’d like to know who dares mess around with my people in the Ethereal Dao College when I’m around.” Li Xingwen instructed the Sect Lord next to him, his tone extremely arrogant. The Sect Lord agreed respectfully. Then, Li Xingwen turned and looked at Wang Baole again, his eyes filled with unconcealed approval and praise.

“You rascal, follow me!” Having said that, Li Xingwen turned and marched straight into the halls of the Alchemy Pavilion.