Ye Chen goes out on an Adventure

"It is not impossible", Su Yaoren replied, then said, "One of them would have to give up totally. He must forsake his Path of Cultivation, give up his interests. Do you think anyone would be willing to do that?"

"It's better to kill them right? How can one forsake his Cultivation Path out of the blue?", Ye Chen asked.

"So, although they can avoid the fight if one of the two gives up, in this world, nobody will be willing to give up their hard work just to avoid a predestined future. Another way to avoid the fight is if one surrenders to the other. But if there is no absolute power by one party, it is impossible to achieve this", Su Yaoren answered.

"Master, since the Holy Son and I can't avoid the battle, what do you think I should do to make quick progress, with a steady foundation?", asked Ye Chen.

"You're sharp. That is the deciding factor of fate, Personal Strength.You need to quickly break through to the Soul Projection Realm and, try to challenge the Integrated Union Realm", he said and continued

, "To make quick progress with a steady foundation, you must indulge in constant polishing and sharpening. And the best way to achieve that is by going to the One Hundred Thousand Monsters Mountain Range for an adventure".

"One Hundred Thousand Monsters Mountain Range?", Ye Chen and Lin Qing'er echoed in unison, and,

GULU!, they swallowed hard.

"Yes. Is there something wrong?", asked Su Yaoren.

"Ah..ahem. Master, dear Master, can we not go there this time?", Ye Chen asked tentatively.

"Why not? It's the best place to quickly become stronger and also hone your combat effectiveness", the Master replied.

"It's over! Ah, it's over!", Ye Chen lamented.

"It's over indeed. Really over", said Lin Qing'er, with fear in her voice.

They knew what the One Hundred Thousand Monsters Mountain Range was like. 

The One Hundred Thousand Monsters Mountain Range, as the name suggests, is a Mountain Range of thousands of mountains, full of Monsters. Monster Qi covers the millions of miles of the Mountain Range, all year round.

It is under the area of influence of the Scarlet Heaven Holy Land, a very rich resource point.

In the Cultivation World, three basic things are needed for a force to thrive. First, the land. This is where a person builds his force. It could be on a mountain, or in a desert, or on the sea, or even at the bottom of the ocean, where there is a Node.

A Node is a place where the Spiritual Energy of Heaven and Earth is heavily concentrated and distributed to nourish the earth. It connects with the World Core through Spiritual Veins. The world Core is sustained by principles of the Dao Realm. In that principle is the independent generation of spiritual energy by each World Core in the Dao Realm.

Based on principles, or Laws as they would be known, the World Core generates Spiritual Energy. The energies are distributed to the world through Spiritual Veins, and in certain places, they are concentrated into nodes. These nodes are of different Grades of 1 to 9, and then comes the Grades according to the Cultivation Realms. Some nodes would condense into mines where Spirit Stone and Spirit Crystal are mined.

The second thing a force needs is resource points. A blessed land like the Spirit Mine, is a resource point. A Monster Forest is a resource point. A Spirit Spring, which is the liquid form of Spirit Mine, is a resource point.

The third most fundamental thing a cultivation force needs, is 'Fresh Blood'. Not blood in the sense of blood, but the physical replenishing of talents in the force. The old ones in the force will not live forever, a force needs fresh blood consistently to keep it going.

…

And the One Hundred Thousand Monsters Mountain Range is such a resource point that is so important to the Holy Land that it could go on an all out war with any hostile force that wants to occupy it.

Moreover, the One Hundred Thousand Monsters Mountain Range is a place of training for both the younger generation and the older generation. There are powerful monsters occupying the depths of the Mountain Range. Even Saint King level Monsters exist there.

Now that Su Yaoren asked them, particularly Ye Chen, to enter that place again, they were scared. The last time they were there, the Old Man asked them to enter the inner circle of the Mountain Range. 

One must know that the weakest of the monsters in the Inner Circle are Soul Formation Level monsters. The strongest are at the Peak of the Integrated Union Realm, some have taken half a step into the Saint Realm.

Last time, the Old Man, Su Yaoren, would not make a move unless their lives were in danger. So they were often either on the run, seriously injured, or hiding in safe zones. At that time, they felt bitter and also tired. But it is through that, that Ye Chen was able to break through the peak of the Soul Formation Realm quickly alongside the resources provided by the Holy Son.

And Lin Qing'er also broke through to Mid-stage Soul Formation Realm on that adventure/training/torture. Now that almost a year have passed, she has broken through to the Early Stage of the Soul Projecting Realm, surpassing Ye Chen, because of the "Blessings of the Holy Son"

…

Su Yaoren can guess what's on their mind regarding the One Hundred Thousand Monsters Mountain Range. But it is the only solution to the current issue, Quick Improvement.

So he asked, "What? What profits did you gain and what loss did you suffer from the last expedition?"

"No losses whatsoever, Master. But, will you be kinder this time? At least, don't let us suffer so much pain", Ye Chen pleaded.

"If you don't suffer a little, you wouldn't know the cruelty of this world", argued Su Yaoren.

"But it was not 'Little Suffering'. I had my arms almost removed, and Brother Chen had his heart gravely punctured in that Soul Projection Monster's lair", Lin Qing'er complained.

"But you didn't die. You even obtained benefits. The Twin Shura Lotus Flame you obtained gave you quick recovery, and made you make further progress", the Old Man said.

"Ok, we'll go. But, please Master, let's not suffer that much this time", Ye Chen begged.

"Do you think I also enjoy watching you suffer? Okay, this time, I promise you won't suffer much", Su Yaoren said.

Hearing his promise, both Ye Chen and Lin Qing'er sighed in relief. No one in this world, not even this world of cultivation, wants to subject himself to constant pain and suffering. 

Next, they made plans. Then Ye Chen and Lin Qing'er went to the Holy Lord's Peak. He is also their Master, and the person who brought them into the Holy Land. It is not right to leave without his knowledge.

They flew over a tall and fairy mountain. It looks grand with several beautiful palaces around it. At the Center of the Peak stood a Majestic Hall. This is where the Holy Lord stays and where he welcomes his guests.

They flew over to the Golden Door at the front of the Hall. The guards standing here, dressed in golden Battle Robes, saluted Ye Chen and Lin Qing'er as they entered the Hall.

Entering the hall, it has the same setting as the Holy Son's Main Hall. Only the Main Seat was not golden, it was Crystal clear as glass, with a dragon head. The seats on the front row on either side are golden, and the seats behind the golden seats are silver.

There are more Popping Cherry Trees at the Corners behind the Main Seat. And behind the Main Seat, there stood a short tree, standing at 145 cm. It has very few leaves, and the few of them are deep green, glowing, and small. This is the Enlightenment Tree. A single leaf can clear the mind and give a Cultivation a chance to enter the State of Epiphany. 

A single Epiphany can resolve the mystery that has troubled a cultivator for years. One can imagine the value of such an important resource.

…

Qin Bailong was seated on the Main Seat at this moment with his eyes closed. Sensing the appearance of his two personal disciples, he looked with appreciation as he said, "You're here. Have you been living well?"

"Ye Chen(Lin Qing'er) salutes the Master", Ye Chen and Lin Qing'er saluted, then answered the question, "Yes Master. Thank you for taking care of us".

"You don't need to be so polite. You are my only disciples. Of course, I need to take care of you. Otherwise, what would become of my name outside?", he said, waving a hand as a gesture for them to take their seats. Then he continued after they sat down on either side of him, "Seeing that you are here, have you encountered any trouble in your practice?"

"That… Master, we came this time to request permission to leave the Holy Land", Ye Chen spoke first.

"Leave the Holy Land? Have you still not given up? Do not let your mind be clouded by thoughts of revenge all the time. It is not good for your practise", Qin Bailong advised.

"Ah! No. It's not that Master. We want to go out this time to practise in the One Hundred Thousand Monsters Mountain Range", Ye Chen clarified.

"Oh, since it is a practice adventure, it's not a problem. But are you sure you want to go to the One Hundred Thousand Monsters Mountain Range again? And do you plan on not taking Protectors with you this time too? If that's your plan, you can forget about going out this time", the Holy Lord warned sternly.

Ye Chen and Lin Qing'er felt warm in their hearts. They knew that the Master was after their well being, and not trying to control or restrict their movements. 

"Master, we will go with Protectors this time. It was difficult to navigate the last time. With the Protectors, it would be much safer and easier to move in the Shiwan Monsters Mountain Range", Lin Qing'er said.

"Good", said Qin Bailong in satisfaction. Last time he was so worried when these little ones did not return after 7 months of going out. 

"Then, you still have my Bracelets. You just need to transfuse Spiritual energy into it to activate it. Do not allow yourselves to be bullied by any man or monster out there, understood?"

"Yes, Master", the two replied.

"Okay, go on, and make sure you come back in time for the Holy Lands' Competitions. You are both the Holy Maiden and the Champion at the previous Grand Competition. You have to represent the Sacred Land at that time, since only Holy Sons can compete with Holy Sons", Qin Bailong instructed.

"We will do as the Master says, you can rest assured", they replied.

"Hmm", Qin Bailong hummed and closed his eyes again in meditation. That was a cue to Ye Chen and Lin Qing'er, and they retreated sensibly.

After they left, Qin Bailong, still with closed eyes, said into the air, "Make sure they don't suffer any injustice or get injured. Be sure to bring them back safely before the Holy Lands' Competitions".

"As the Holy Lord Orders", voices came from the void and then, everything returned to silence.

…

And so, Ye Chen and Lin Qing'er left the Holy Land, grandly this time because their Master sent Protectors with them. And not just 2 few Protectors, there are 4 of them.

This time, they are leaving on a Flying Boat that is exquisitely decorated and engraved in formation runes, both for defence and escape. It is a Saint Grade Treasure. It can withstand the attacks of a Saint for a while.

Treasures and weapons are divided into Ranks 1 - 9, and then they are divided according to the Cultivation Realms after Rank 9.