Chapter 174: When are we leaving?

"About that..." Realising what she meant, Yi Chen answered the next moment, "Madam Gao, my answer is the same as it was before...I’m willing to do it. However, I still have a few questions for which I need Madam Gao’s clarification."

A sincere expression formed on his face as he finished those words.

"Of course," Gao Zhen nodded with a pleased smile when she heard his response and said with a vibrant expression, "Ask me as many questions as you want, Young Master Chen.

Since you’re the one helping me, it’s only right for me to answer each and every doubt that you may have."

Seeing this, Yi Chen felt at ease and with a nod, he asked the question he had in his mind.

"Madam Gao had previously mentioned that with me in your team, your chances of success will be much greater.

Why is that? At most, my strength is equal to a Ninth Meridian Refinement Stage Cultivator, so any cultivator at that level will be able to take my place.

Moreover..." Yi Chen paused to take a breath and, under Gao Zhen’s encouraging eyes, asked the next question he had.

"Has there been any instance of cultivators rapidly advancing to the next stages after incorporating their newly acquired physiques or using the techniques which they received from the ancient ruins?"

For Yi Chen, this question was very important, as whether he would be able to participate in the Silver Cloud Tournament rested upon this fact.

Being well aware of it, Gao Zhen decided to answer his second question first.

"Several," she said with her signature smile and continued, "There have been several such incidents. There are even some cultivators who were able to directly jump from the First Level of Qi Absorption Stage to the Core Building Stage after fully absorbing the new physique which was granted to them.

Therefore, Young Master Chen need not worry. The chances of you finding what you’re looking for are extremely high.

Moreover, since my motive for clearing the Sky Devouring Tomb is not to obtain these treasures, you will have a clear claim over them."

Gao Zhen stated with an assuring smile.

With a furrow on his brows, Yi Chen asked with a curious expression the next instant, "...Then why is it that Madam Gao wants to clear it?"

He found it hard to believe that Gao Zhen was putting herself at risk by entering the Sky Devouring Tomb, not because of these ancient treasures and relics but because of some other reason.

’Could there be something even more valuable than these treasures?’ he thought to himself.

"Well...it’s for personal reasons," Gao Zhen stated with a smile. The meaning behind those words was obvious, and Yi Chen decided not to probe any further.

’So, there’s something more to it...’ Yi Chen concluded after seeing her reaction.

"Ah...I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to probe that much," Yi Chen apologised the next second while scratching the back of his head.

"It’s alright, Young Master Chen, it’s only natural for you to be curious," Gao Zhen softly chuckled, seeing his uncomfortable expression, and steered the conversation back to the main topic.

"Now, coming to the first question which you had asked. How will our chance of success rise with your presence, right? Do I remember it correctly?"

Gao Zhen asked as she leaned forward slightly.

"Yes, that’s right," Yi Chen said while nodding.

"Good." Subtly nodding to herself, Gao Zhen began her explanation the next second, "Yes, Young Master Chen is right when he says that his strength is similar to a Ninth Meridian Refinement Stage cultivator, so from your perspective, it indeed makes sense for me to look for them rather than you. However, that’s not how the Sky Devouring Tomb works,"

The smile on Gao Zhen’s face widened as she continued.

"The moment one enters this tomb, he or she is separated from the people with whom they had arrived. As a result, they are now left all alone in a massive forest that is filled with terrifying ghost-like beasts.

It’s only after dealing with them for several days that one is finally able to reunite with their separated team members and make way towards the tomb’s core, the place where the black temple is situated."

Gao Zhen paused briefly and, while pointing towards the scroll placed on the table, continued, "That’s also the place where the writer of this scroll failed to enter."

’The black temple...?’ Yi Chen thought as his imagination started running wild.

Seeing the expression of curiosity and interest on his face, Gao Zhen felt satisfied and continued on with her explanation.

"To open this temple’s doors, one has to go through a trial, and it is only when they succeed that this door opens.

Until now, no one has been able to open it.

But with time and a greater number of attempts, we got to know that the difficulty of the trial varies according to one’s level.

A cultivator in the Ninth Meridian Refinement Stage will undergo a much harsher trial with severe after effects if they fail to complete it, while a cultivator with a lower level will not go through such severe after effects even if they fail..."

’So that’s how it is...’ an expression of realisation appeared on Yi Chen’s face the very next instant.

Despite seeing this, Gao Zhen chose to continue as she was only half finished.

"...Understanding this, at first several teams of cultivators with many Ninth Meridian Refinement Stage cultivators as guards and a few First and Second Meridian Refinement Stage cultivators took shape.

However, with them being separated because of the tomb’s rules, the moment they entered, all of them died before they could even reunite with their higher-level teammates.

Thus, it was realised that anyone below the Fifth Meridian Refinement Stage stood no chance of survival inside the tomb, as it’s only when a cultivator reaches the fifth level that he can utilise martial techniques to attack and defend himself and, in this case, successfully escape imminent death.

Despite these changes, not one of these Fifth Level cultivators has been able to clear the temple’s trial and enter it.

It’s because of the following reason that Young Master Chen plays an important role in our mission’s success."

When Gao Zhen reached this point, her eyes brightened visibly.

"I’ve never seen a cultivator who’s in the Fifth Level but has abilities to surpass even those who are in the Ninth Meridian Refinement Stage! It’s true not just for the White Jade Kingdom but also at the Silver Cloud Kingdom!"

The sparkle in Gao Zhen’s eyes intensified the more she spoke.

"So, I’m certain that if it’s you, we’ll be able to clear the trial. Once that is done, we’ll become the first to fully explore the tomb’s core and achieve what had earlier been considered impossible by many."

Gao Zhen’s face had turned flush red by now, and her breathing had greatly intensified.

"This..."

Although Yi Chen was able to understand the gist of it, he couldn’t help but feel awkward seeing Gao Zhen, who always used to carry an air of authority around her, in this disarrayed state.

"Madam Gao...are you alright?" he couldn’t help but ask with a hint of worry the next instant.

At this unexpected question, the eyes which were fervently looking towards Yi Chen suddenly rose in realisation. Retreating her head, Gao Zhen coughed a couple of times.

"I apologise, Young Master Chen. Clearing the Sky Devouring Tomb really means a lot to me, so my emotions got the best of me at that moment..."

"I-I understand," Yi Chen nodded with an uncomfortable smile as she saw the redness on her face receding.

’It had become apparent to him by now that there was something extremely valuable inside the tomb which Gao Zhen was after. However, he didn’t lust after it and instead chose to stand up the next instant and thank her.

"Thank you for answering my questions, Madam Gao. If it’s just giving that trial an attempt, then you can count on me! I’ll make sure to do my best and clear that trial!"

Yi Chen exclaimed the next moment with sincerity apparent in his eyes.

"That’s great!" Gao Zhen exclaimed while having a much better control of her emotions this time.

"Then Madam Gao," Yi Chen suddenly thought of something and asked, "When are we leaving to explore the Sky Devouring Tomb?"

"Generally, the Sky Devouring Tomb opens a month from now on, but there have been variations where it has opened a few weeks prior.

Therefore, to avoid any uncertainties, it would be best if we leave for the tomb by the day after tomorrow."

Gao Zhen stated the next moment.

"So soon?!" Yi Chen exclaimed the next moment. He had thought that there would at least be a few months for him to be both mentally and physically prepared for this tomb exploration.

"Indeed," Gao Zhen nodded with pursed lips and stated, "Since the situation at the Feng Clan wasn’t stable previously, I had deliberately not relayed this news to Young Master Chen at that time.

Luckily, things ended up well on the Feng Clan’s side, so I believe there won’t be anything that would be keeping Young Master Chen busy in the following days, right?" Gao Zhen asked the next moment.