How could someone stand above the Qu Realm, yet nearly be killed by it?
Itâs like you know how to swim, but you end up drowning.
A bit ironic.
And somewhat absurd.
The system responded: "Although the Qu Realm is terrifying, the Earth Unrestricted Expert walking on the Qu Realm should not be a problem for a day or two. There is only one possibility, being knocked down."
"A duel between the Earth Unrestricted Experts..." Wen Ping found his thoughts drifting, imagining a battle between experts surpassing the Mountain Suppression Realm.
The scene, surely noteworthy enough to be recorded in history, right?
No matter how many years pass, there will be such a passage in the book.
Retracting his thoughts, Wen Ping shook his head, "Letâs not talk about this now. By the way, if Shi Hua is still alive, would the Sea Thought Strong Tea be able to save her?"
"To save someone in the Body Refining Realm, one cup would be sufficient. It wouldnât take long to fully restore her spiritual power either." The system was silent for a moment, then continued, "However, the likelihood as mentioned by the host is extremely low. Shi Hua is merely in the Body Refining Realm; the chances of survival are nearly zero."
"Zero..."
Wen Ping glanced at the Earth Unrestricted Expert in his hand, slowly placing it back, leaning against the cabin not far away.
He knew, if the system said it was zero, then it must be zero.
Though hard to accept, that painful feeling needed to be embraced.
It cut through him like a knife slicing his heart.
It hurt.
Very oppressive.
Looking at everything before him unsure of what to say, though moments ago words overflowed.
Slowly, Wen Ping covered his face and sat down, lost in silence.
The Flying Ship moved on its own.
Observing the movements within the Qu Realm was also entrusted to the system.
After a long time, Wen Ping bit his lip, slowly standing up, "Dragon God Sect, once Iâm out, the Vortex Cannon will point at your lair! No Mountain Suppression Realm shall remain!"
Standing up, his first words were, "System, help me increase the Flying Ship speed to its maximum, find Shi Hua quickly, and leave this cursed place sooner."
The system spoke, "Host, arenât you going to gamble?"
Wen Ping replied, "What do you mean? Speak plainly, Iâm in no mood for riddles right now."
He just wanted to get out quickly.
First, handle the Vortex Cannon.
Then, destroy the Dragon God Sect.
"It seems the host has forgotten whatâs around your neck."
Upon hearing the systemâs voice, Wen Ping glanced at his neckâthe Life Core Pendant. If swung, it could increase the likelihood of success in a matter, and surprise events might occur as well.
"Indeed. Itâs been three days since I last used it, right?"
The system replied, "The time since the host came to Bright Mirror Lake plus the time spent in the Qu Realm has already exceeded three days."
"Great!"
Wen Ping quickly tugged at his collar, pulled out the Life Core Pendant from his clothes, then moved it off his neck, holding it in front of his eyes.
Yet he did not immediately swing it.
Because the opportunity comes but only once.
"System, lend me a hand." Wen Ping instinctively called for the system.
But the system did not respond.
It might not want to help.
After all, the host has to pay even to enter the Cultivation Field!
Itâs rather rigid.
Wen Ping didnât hesitate, gently swung the Life Core with his freed left hand, watching it sway then fall.
Returning to its original position represents failure.
If it swings, then it could very well change Shi Huaâs fate.
Certainly, that is just a possibility.
Wen Ping merely wished for fate to be kind to Shi Hua, to give her a chance.
"Move... move..."
Under Wen Pingâs mental shout, the Life Core swung past its initial vertical hang.
It began to sway!
Luck ultimately stood by Wen Ping.
"It moved!" Slowly, Wen Pingâs mouth curled into a subtle smile, as if the frigid Qu Realm suddenly turned warm. Then he stored the Life Core, hung it back around his neck in a fluid motion.
Wen Ping murmured, "Hope this unexpected joy means Shi Hua remains alive."
The system promptly responded.
"The Life Core swung, increasing the probability of finding Shi Hua to one hundred percent, along with an unexpected delight."
[Unexpected Delight: One Hour of Vitality]
[Exceeding one hour will result in Shi Huaâs remnants of vitality dissipating, leaving the host with a lifeless body. If found within the hour, the host can rescue a breathing person.]
"Fate not meant to end!"
With joy, Wen Ping spoke again, "System, increase the Flying Ship speed to the fastest!"
Though only an hour remains.
But itâs a chance nonetheless.
Isnât it?
With the Sea Thought Strong Tea, as long as Shi Hua still breathes, keeping her alive isnât an issue.
"System, if I want to turn the remaining mapped area upside down, how much time is needed?"
The system replied, "At least ten hours."
Upon hearing this, Wen Pingâs expression turned solemn as he said, "In that case, we can only rely on luck."
With that said, Wen Pingâs eyes lit up with a golden glow, staring intently within the Qu Realm.
The Golden Divination Eye serves one purposeâit can see othersâ cultivation techniques and flaws, ignoring distance.
As long as the person appears in sight, even as a mere speck, Wen Ping can obtain such information.
Striving to absolutely avoid missing Shi Hua due to poor vision.
...
Time ticked away.
Ten minutes passed.
Everything he could see lacked Shi Huaâs presence.
...
Twenty minutes elapsed.
Only dead objects passed by the Flying Shipâs side.
Shi Hua remained unseen.
...
Forty minutes slipped by.
The searched area is only eight percent of the remaining mapped area.
Time dwindles.
Shi Huaâs chance of survival dwindles with it.
...
The final five minutes quietly arrived.
The search area reached ten percent, quicker than the system calculated.
At this pace, searching the remaining area will certainly take less than ten hours.
Itâs Wen Pingâs first time breaking through the systemâs estimations.
But what good does it do?
"There are sixty seconds left." The system voice whispered upon arrival.
Wen Ping stood there, eyes fixated around him, not responding, merely listening to the system count down in his mind.
Subconsciously, it reached 10, 9, 8...
"I see her!"
Within the last five seconds, far away, the introduction of Shi Huaâs cultivation techniqueâs flaws appeared before the Golden Divination Eye.
It was the Profound Level Lower Cultivation Techniqueâ"Luohe Technique" Wen Ping handed over to Ji Liangping in Cloud Sea City.
He remembered!
"There!"
Wen Ping pointed, indicating with heart and mind, the Flying Ship immediately turning toward.
The system no longer counted down, paving way for realityâs harsh truth, "Host, I regret to inform you, five seconds will allow the Flying Ship to reach there, but you wonât be able to do anything. By the time you pull her aboard, time will have long exceeded an hour."
"Thatâs enough."
Wen Ping resolutely spoke.
Finding her at the final second, indeed the drama leaves him somewhat undone, but no matter what, he glimpsed hope of success.
"If only I touch her, it should count as success, right?"
"Huh?"
For the first time, the system let out a puzzled sound, followed by a warning voice, "Host, if you do so, your spiritual power will undoubtedly suffer damage, and not just mental chaos, regarding consequences irreparable by the Thousand Layers."
"Weâll talk about that later!"
The Long Yue Sword flashes!
Boom!
Boom!
The near-transparent Double Meridian Gates openedâWind Attribute speed amplification activated.
As the Flying Ship charged toward Shi Hua floating within the Qu Realm, Wen Ping suddenly dashed out of the Flying Ship.
In one hand, grasping the Flying Sword, in the other, reaching to seize Shi Huaâs hand.
The countdown halted this instant.
Wen Ping clasped the slender jade hand.
At the same time, a formidable tearing force bore down, his head feeling as though struck by a heavy club.