Page 81: Escape

"This is interesting."

"What's interesting?"

"This place. It is inside me and yet it exists. How can such thing happen? How can such large space exist in a small space. There must be some explanation behind it."

"Of course, it is explainable. You were supposed to receive a chaos ring artifact but instead, the chaos space formed into your core system making this tiny world. The chaos ring holds a certain law which I can't even comprehend. I can't say anymore about it but I hope to see you one day understand this law that's hidden in it.

I'm actually amazed to see such unique cultivation base. For thousands of years that I existed, I have seen many unique cultivation base but so far, yours strikes me the most. Aside from your cultivation base, your core is also unique. You must have a special background to have something like this."

"Wait, elder Kong. Chaos ring? What is that?"

"Hmm, you still have lots to know. You have a cosmic pouch isn't it? That cosmic pouch was created using the principles behind chaos rings but only less than 1% of it is used. The space in a cosmic pouch or a void ring can't support life since it doesn't have the complete fundamentals of a chaos space that is found in a chaos ring. Just imagine this, a cosmic pouch is like a pocket while a void ring can be as large as a house while a chaos ring is like a greenhouse that have its own ecosystem. That is why this chaos space located in your body can support these herbs which was originally from the outside."

"So this is really something else. And what's the main use of a chaos space?"

"Unlike void rings or cosmic pouches that can be stolen, a chaos space artifact can't be taken away since it will be part of the person who uses it. Of course, you can use this space in any way you want. You can make it as a storage space just like your cosmic pouch or you can improve it and make a civilization in it. Of course, you are not yet there but in the future, you'll be capable of such. For the mean time, use this place to grow some precious herbs. Time here is different compared to the outside where you exists. You'll see when you try."

"Thank you elder. I am learning a lot from you. It looks like my senior is becoming worried that I am taking too long. Please take care of this space while I'm out. I'll visit you from time to time."

"No worries young lad. Since I am still existing because of you, I'll offer you my knowledge and experiences. When you have time, come back and let's have a story telling session. Hahaha! Don't let this old soul be bored for too long."

After seeing Long Bai vanish, Elder Kong's voice became quiet but his thoughts became loud.

'Hm, This is such a fortune. I can't believe that a young man of a new generation possesses this kind of treasure. Back in the days when I was of the same age, I, the mighty Kong was still ignorant of the ways of the world.

Hmm, aside from that, I am supposed to fade slowly after that last ordeal but instead, I'm being slowly nourished by the light coming from his core. So warm and bright like a bright star in the vast skies.'

That was elder Kong, the former ruler who died a long time ago. Although it was not the real King Kong but like a copy of the original consciousness, its existence is undeniable.

Long Bai retrieved his consciousness and smiled back at his senior who was watching over him.

"Senior, thank you for staying and watching over me. Did something happened while I was unconscious?"

"No. I was just worried for nothing. You stayed still for 20 minutes already and I thought something bad is happening. How about the herbs? Do you know where it went?"

"Ah, don't worry about that. We have more than enough herbs already but I think we should still maximize our remaining time to search for more. If we can find more, that would be good for us."

Long Bai looked at Zhang Li and she was still beaming with doubt. Long Bai can't blame her since she doesn't know about the chaos space inside him.

"Senior Li, here's a stalk of a bloody stargazing flower. With this you have completed the minimum requirements. Will this do?"

Zhang Li was bewildered as to how her junior procured the herb. She really have a lot of questions but since this is one's fortune and lucky encounter, she will try not to dig deeper. She has an idea that the legacy he took was related to the garden that had disappeared.

After checking the surroundings, the two decided to exit the tomb. As they ascend on the stairs, surprisingly, the restriction was not there. It seems that the restriction has been deactivated after the garden in the deepest chamber disappeared. This just mean that the energy supply of the restrictive array and others might have been centralized to the deepest chamber.

"Senior Li, we must be careful. There might be someone who would like to rob us outside of this tomb. What will you do?"

"Mmn, you're right. They might have set an ambush on the entrance trying to take us by surprise. Do you have any plans?"

"Well, we can try fighting them face to face but it could be dangerous. On another note, we can just set an explosion on the entrance and use the smoke and dust as cover to get out of here. Your decision senior."

Zhang Li has seen some of Long Bai's capabilities already but as much as possible, she doesn't want to be on a fight. She is an alchemist in the first place and not a hot blooded martial practitioner.

"Since you are fast, I'll let you handle the running. Let's just escape and try to hide the fact that it was us who entered the tomb first. I know something like this will happen that's why I made some smoke bombs. I was thinking that this will be used for escaping strong beast but I did not expect to use it because of some thugs."

"But senior, we are not sure if they really want to rob us. Isn't it?"

"Foolish junior Bai. You have not experienced enough of human nature. The people outside are disciples of the two influential elder alchemists in the sect. If they'll learn that it was us who entered the tomb, these thugs may create a story and harass us later. If there is a way to prevent all those drama, I'll do it no matter how ridiculous it may seem."

Long Bai smiled awkwardly at his senior's worry. However he also has to agree. If there is a way to prevent such annoying drama due to jealousy and greed, then he'll also do it.

"Alright senior. Since you trust in my speed, I'll carry you then but only this time. After all, you are still a lady. If there is someone who should carry you in the future, it should be your martial partner. This is just an exception. Treat it as a younger brother trying to play with his older sister if it is making you feel awkward."

As they run the stairs, Zhang Li was quiet but her mind was having a lot of words. 'No..no.. you shouldn't think about it. He's too young for you. Concentrate zhang li, he is your precious junior brother.'

On the other side, Long Bai was thinking about how to disguise themselves even more in case the smoke is not enough. However, after thinking for too long, he calculates that since he can move a hundred meters a second at most, it shouldn't be a big deal. Even with the weight that's to be added, he is confident in his strength that it can compensate it.

Just a few more steps before the entrance, Zhang Li brought out a handful of smoke bombs. These smoke bombs were in reality failed pills. By using ordinary plants and weeds, a variety of smoke bombs can be made. Looking at the color of the pill bombs, the smoke would definitely be dark and pungent.

"Senior Li, you said you have 10 of those pill bombs. Before we start, use 5 of them at the entrance and after I carry you, drop the remaining 5 after a second. Can you do that?"

"That's easy for me. Then shall we start?"

Long Bai positioned himself behind Zhang Li. Just as Zhang Li threw the pill bombs, he took Zhang Li using the princess carry and dashed to the entrance.

!

That moment, the only sound heard were coughs coming from someone who were hiding. Because of the ghostly steps movement skill, Long Bai's movement became silent. Although there was an apparent movement on the smoke, there was no sound during the travel. It was as if a ghost has passed by in an instant.

While the ones who were hiding are still bothered by the pungent smoke, another smoke bomb was dropped almost a hundred meters away from the entrance. With this, Long Bai and Zhang Li's escape was successful.

Meanwhile, the ones who were hiding have their eyes and nose suffering from the smoke..

"Arggh! I'll kill them. Has anyone recognized who it was? "

Cuifen has mucus and tears coming out from his face due to the strong odor of the smoke. While struggling to find an area unaffected by the smoke, he tried opening his eyes to see what was going on. It seemed that all of them who were hiding suffered from the smoke, still trying to wear out the effects of it. Because there was no wind blowing, it was only after 2 minutes that the smoke has entirely dispersed.

"Yusheng, did you see who it was? You were the one standing the furthest so I think you were not that much affected by the smoke. Who was it?"

"I was not able to see it clearly. This is weird. I thought I saw a silhouette of two people when we just entered the tomb but just a while ago, there was only one shadow. Could it be that the other died down there?"

"Tsk. It's no use. But say, di you know someone akong the participants who have such ability? That movent was too fast for an alchemist since the two of us are the ones with highest cultivation. Was it a treasure from the tomb? Anyway, we still have time. If it was one of the remaining participants, we just need to get them. Let's go!".

Cuifen, Yusheng and the remaining junior alchemist followed the direction of the smoke bomb that was released last. With the remaining tine, they aim to find the others and interrogate them.

Two kilometers away from the tomb, Long Bai and Zhang Li were already running on their regular pace towards the south. With only an hour left, they just need to wait on the transport array back to the sect.

"Junior Bai, what was that skill you used a while ago? Ah! Why did I close my eyes in the first place? If I didn't, I should have seen what happened.

Hmmpt. I know you have a lot of secrets but can you at least tell this pretty sister of yours some of them. Can't you do that for me?"

"Ahaha, senior sister. If I tell you, will you teach me what you learned from elder Kong?"

"Huh? Why would I? At least I know you have such skills. That is enough for me. Hmmpt."

Zhang Li was acting like a spoiled child but inside she knows that she can't force anyone to reveal their secrets. On the other hand, she was thankful that she has a reliable junior.

After running for another three kilometers, the two reached the deactivated array gate. After sitting for a few minutes, the two from the merchant union just arrived. By the looks of the two, it seemed like they were able to meet the requirements in passing the test.