A World Worth Protecting

1

“Is this the place?” Zhao Yameng stared at the world inside the defensive barrier from outside. She took a deep breath. She was clearly shocked by what she was seeing. She stared at Wang Baole. Even though she knew that Wang Baole’s cultivation surpassed hers and that of other cultivators, she believed that this wasn’t a place an ordinary Core Formation realm cultivator could enter freely.

Zhuo Yifan had the same views. He was shocked by what he saw on the other side of the defensive barrier. It was clear that what lay on either side of the barrier were worlds apart. Anyone looking at it for the first time would be shocked.

Wang Baole was pleased to see their shock. Though he appeared unfazed as he waved his hand.

“Once we enter from here, we’ll step into the sword body. We’ll be inside the sun. The temperatures inside are scorching, and danger lurks around every corner. There are hexes and spatial tears, the Sea of Fire and hurricanes. Any of those can destroy both our physical and spiritual forms… you don’t have to worry too much though. As long as you stay close by my side, you should be fine!” Wang Baole coughed. Despite saying that, he remained on high alert. He could accept injuries happening, but he wouldn’t allow either Zhao Yameng or Zhuo Yifan to die on his watch.

After speaking, Wang Baole thought for a bit. He then continued to give more detailed instructions, until both Zhao Yameng and Zhuo Yifan listened very carefully to what he was saying and began to look highly alert and on their guard. Then, he took a step and went through the defensive barrier. This wasn’t Zhao Yameng and Zhuo Yifan’s first adventure with Wang Baole, so they followed him swiftly and with familiarity.

The three of them went past the defensive barrier, where waves of scorching heat greeted them. Wang Baole began dashing ahead. Zhao Yameng was presently at the perfected Foundation Establishment realm, as was Zhuo Yifan. While their speed couldn’t compare with Wang Baole’s, with some adjustment on Wang Baole’s part, they managed to enter the sword body smoothly and avoid the Sea of Fire, the hurricanes, as well as the spatial tears.

Their journey was absent of danger, and they traveled quickly. As they raced across the lands, they witnessed eruptions in the Sea of Fire and shifting in the lands. They approached their destination steadily.

Zhuo Yifan had never been as alert and cautious in his entire life. He knew that his level of cultivation wasn’t as high as they all preferred, but he trusted Wang Baole. In addition, he was prepared to do everything possible to prevent any accidents from befalling his friends should he meet with any danger.

Zhao Yameng was silent throughout the entire journey. However, she was running through potential strategies in her head. After seeing the mountain peaks in the sky as well as the hexes on them, her breathing clearly stilled for a moment. A flash of color flickered in her eyes. She was unleashing her full talents in array formation in her mind.

With occasional breaks and choosing to go the longer route, they took an hour before they finally arrived at the mountain peak where Wang Baole acquired his identity tokens!

When Wang Baole saw the slanted mountain peak from afar, he released a sigh of relief. His top worry was the occurrence of some transformation and the mountain peak shifting to a different location. If that had happened, those credits he had spent would have been for nothing.

“This is it. Meng, we’re counting on you to make us all rich. I’ve put in a few thousand battle credits into this.” Wang Baole looked at Zhao Yameng with anticipation in his eyes.

Zhao Yameng had been running through her plans in her mind. Her face seemed to darken when she heard what Wang Baole said. She ignored him, took a few steps forward, and lifted her right hand. She stared unblinkingly at the mountain peak as she began to form a series of hand seals.

“Yifan, why do you think Zhao Yameng is giving me the cold shoulder? Aren’t we all brothers?” Wang Baole sighed and whispered to Zhuo Yifan.

“Baole, do you really not know, or are you pretending?” Zhuo Yifan was speechless. He patted Wang Baole on the shoulder, then walked towards Zhao Yameng. He stood guard beside her.

Wang Baole stood there, blinking. His eyes swept past Zhao Yameng. Then, he slapped his forehead. He sighed secretly in exasperation.

<em>This is all about Li Wan’er, right? But… Meng, you’re my brother. I treat you like a true brother of mine. You actually think… </em>Wang Baole coughed. He patted his stomach. This wasn’t Zhao Yameng’s fault, he thought secretly. This was because he was the most handsome person in the whole of the Federation. He was the slimmest in the entire Federation. He was also the most excellent cultivator in the entire Federation.

Wang Baole sighed at that thought. A sense of self-satisfaction filled his being, but it was short-lived. Zhao Yameng frowned, then said coolly.

“Fatty, do you still have any puppets left? Release a few to test the hex. I want to see the entire activation process.”

Wang Baole almost quit when he heard what Zhao Yameng said. “Fatty” was a taboo word for him. He was about to glare when Zhao Yameng turned and gave him a sideways stare. The aura that she exuded then, the feeling she gave, was almost identical to that of the Martian Colony Governor that Wang Baole remembered.

Wang Baole sucked in a deep breath. He comforted himself by insisting secretly that he wasn’t afraid of her mother. He was doing this because of their fellowship. He stuck his belly out and walked forward. Then, he pulled out his puppets and flung them out. They raced towards the mountain peak, and the black light appeared instantly and turned them into dust.

The scene alarmed Zhuo Yifan, and Zhao Yameng’s eyes narrowed. After a moment of contemplation, she took out a jade slip that was meant specially for documenting array formations. She began inking inscriptions and designing an array formation that would dispel the hex.

Time passed slowly. Two days went by. During these two days, Zhao Yameng hardly slept or rested at all. She began to look exhausted and frail. Zhuo Yifan and Wang Baole had no time for rest either, as they stood guard and kept watch over the surroundings. Fortunately, they didn’t need to do this for long. Zhao Yameng suddenly raised her head on the third day.

“In general, a hex is a type of array formation. However, there are different types of hexes. If I’m not wrong, this particular hex is a multi-layered, interconnected array formation. Triggering any point would unleash the full power of the entire array formation. We have a safety window of thirty breaths…” Zhao Yameng looked at Wang Baole after saying that.

“Yameng, Yifan, both of you will head for the pavilions. I’ll head for the cave abode at the very top. Let’s do our best to return within the duration of thirty breaths!” Wang Baole narrowed his eyes and said immediately.

Zhuo Yifan nodded. Zhao Yameng took a deep breath before throwing the jade slip in her hand out. It transformed into a rainbow that raced towards the mountain peak. As soon as it approached, the same black light appeared and headed for the jade slip, intent on destroying it.

As soon as the black light collided with the jade slip, the jade slip shuddered and exploded. It didn’t shatter into multiple pieces but transformed into nine parts that lined themselves together and encircled the black light. It seemed to form an instant seal that trapped the black light within. The black light shook violently but was unable to free itself.

“Quick, let’s go!” As soon as Zhao Yameng said that, she moved and dashed towards the array formation. Wang Baole was quicker. He grabbed Zhao Yameng and Zhuo Yifan, sped up, and brought the three of them passed the hex, straight into the mountain!

Just as they stepped foot on the mountain peak though, the trapped black light began to shudder violently. It morphed into a dozen black strands of light that attacked the broken pieces of jade slip, imprisoning them. It seemed as if they were about to free themselves successfully. The entire mountain peak quaked as they attacked. The retaliation from the hex seemed to be summoning forth the powers of teleportation. There were certain unknown forces present in the mountain that were causing the region to shift and teleport away.

“Quickly!” Zhao Yameng said hastily and flew off, racing towards a well-preserved pavilion. Zhuo Yifan reacted equally quickly, dashing towards another pavilion. Wang Baole didn’t pause in his steps at all after he entered the mountain. He marched forward with wide steps, leaping into the air and landing in the cave abode on the very top of the mountain peak!

They knew what they were supposed to do, and they did it quickly. Zhao Yameng and Zhuo Yifan spared no time auditing what they took. They grabbed whatever they could see when they entered the pavilion. Wang Baole did the same. The first thing he grabbed when he approached the cave abode was the purple identity token that belonged to a core disciple.

His devouring seed activated then, and the token flew towards him under its extreme suction. The corpse was pulled along as well, entering his storage bag.

His heart thumped loudly after he completed the series of actions, but he didn’t stop. He dashed into the cave abode behind the corpse.

The cave abode was a mess. Everything was in ruins, and shattered stone littered the ground. It was difficult to inspect anything in detail, so Wang Baole flung his sleeve aside and took everything. He was about to leave when suddenly, on the wall of the cave abode, a faint glowing light appeared. A line of words appeared on the wall!

“Those who manage to enter this cave are fated to do so. As a core disciple of the Vast Expanse Dao Palace, I find it difficult to continue living on after calamity has befallen our sect. The cultivators of our generation defied the laws of the universe with our cultivation. We should not fear death. However… one’s spirit may perish, but the laws of the universe cannot be broken. I leave behind my life’s work and research on runic soldiers for the one whose fate brings him here…”