Chapter 12: Self Destruct Countdown!

It seemed as though being in the ‘crossroad of purification’ caused there to be a difference of 10 percent in the compatibility rate.

Even though ignoring it could increase the success rate, Shang Xia knew that he would regret it.

Next, he thought about the flash of inspiration. It caused the compatibility rate to drop by 10 percent, and it wasn’t a negligible amount.

What in the world did it mean?!

Would it actually be worth it to try getting inspiration when breaking through?!

The blood red tablet seemingly provided the optimal recipe and techniques belonging to Shang Xia, and it looked as though compromising the success rate for compatibility rate wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

“Whatever. I’ll take a look at what the hell the crossroad of purification is before deciding!” Shang Xia shook his head as a bitter smile appeared on his face.

There were several legends he heard in his original world and he needed to verify if the world he was currently in worked the same way. If he went crazy and did whatever he wanted to, he might lose control of his inner qi during the advancement process. When that happened, he would lose his little life for a second time!

Moreover, the legends he heard in his original world were merely rumors. There was no way he was going to act on them without truly understanding the dangers involved.

When Shang Xia turned his attention away from the blood red tablet and got ready to write down all the treasures he would need, some crackling sound came from his sea of consciousness. Jumping in fright, he quickly turned his attention back to the blood red tablet.

He saw a crack running down the right face of the tablet, and it didn’t take long to extend all the way down to the base of the tablet.

What was going on?!

Did it happen because he tried to play around and improve the recipe for the Powder of Purification?

“Did I exhaust all its power by making it come up with so many different versions? Maybe it had something to do with the Chaos Essence Lightning Palm too!”

Shang Xia thought of several different reasons in an instant.

Now that the right face was completely cracked, it was possible that the tablet would shatter soon enough!

As soon as he thought about it, a terrifying premonition filled his mind. It came from the depths of his soul, and his doubt that the tablet would shatter vanished. He also became sure that the day the tablet shattered was the day his soul would scatter.

It was at that moment he knew, the tablet had fused into his soul! Their fates were linked!

“... If that’s the case, shouldn’t there be a way to restore the tablet?”

There had to be!

Shang Xia refused to believe that his soul would activate a self-destruction timer the moment he transmigrated!

“Three other faces of the tablet look alright. If it works like how I think it does, I have three more chances to create the strongest version of any technique or recipe I obtain. Before using up all three chances, I have to find a way to restore the tablet!”

…

“Crossroads of purification?” Zhang Haogu frowned as his mind started to spin.

Shang Xia looked at him expectantly.

It didn’t take long for the instructor to retrieve a book from one of the many bookshelves filling his home. Opening it slowly, Shang Xia noticed a talisman contained within. Looking at the intricately carved runes on the talisman, he knew that it was several times better than the Lightning Wood Charm he created.

Signs of extreme wear and tear, along with indications of rotting could be seen on the bamboo strips under the talisman. It was a sorry sight, and many bamboo strips seemed to be defaced by messy writing.

Even though he was slightly taken aback, Shang Xia knew that the bamboo strips were far from ordinary. With the way Instructor Zhang treated them, they looked to be some sort of treasure!

Zhang Haogu casually reached out and tapped his finger in the air above the book. It hovered in the air for a quick second before flying through the air.

Focusing the best he could, Shang Xia could only read the words inscribed on the first bamboo strip.

He was greeted with several words carved disorderly on the surface of the bamboo strip. ‘Secret Manual’

Of course, those were the words he barely made out. The rotting was so bad that nearly half of it was unreadable.

Trying his best to understand what was written after, a feeling of agitation affected his heart. The short distraction caused him to turn his gaze away.

It seemed as though he would have to reach the Martial Intent Realm before he could truly use the power of his soul to counteract the weird power coming from the bamboo strips.

Once he entered the Martial Intent Realm, he would be able to replicate what Instructor Zhang did. He would be able to suppress the distraction to read the entire content of the book.

“I found it!” Zhang Haogu interrupted his thoughts all of a sudden.

Raising his head slowly, ?Shang Xia saw a complete bamboo strip hovering before Zhang Haogu.

“... Since the creation of paradise, clear qi filled the skies and turbid qi entered the grounds…”

Without Shang Xia reading it for himself, Zhang Haogu recited the words on the bamboo strip.

Staring at Instructor Zhang in shock, a trace of excitement soon filled Shang Xia’s heart.

When Zhang Haogu turned to stare at him, he saw the look of confusion plastered on the kid’s face.

“Instructor…”

Content with Shang Xia’s desire for knowledge, Zhang Haogu explained, “If this old man isn’t wrong, purification probably has something to do with clear and turbid qi!”

“From what you just said, the different types of qi reside in different places. How can there be a place called the crossroad of purification?” Shang Xia frowned.

After hearing what Zhang Haogu said, the cloud covering Shang Xia’s mind seemed to have disappeared. How terrified would Zhang Haogu be if he realized that Shang Xia’s understanding of the contents on the bamboo strip was much more thorough than himself?

“It’s indeed possible…” Zhang Haogu muttered.

“What about paradise?! Didn’t it say something…” Shang Xia wanted to continue, but he cleverly shut his mouth when he saw the look on Zhang Haogu’s face.

Sighing lightly, Zhang Haogu avoided the question and continued, “There is definitely a possibility for the crossroad of purification to exist. It might exist in the battlefield between the two worlds!”

That again?!

Thinking about it, Shang Xia realized that it was indeed possible.

Without the need to ask another question, Zhang Haogu carried on with his explanation. The battlefield between the two worlds is a giant crossroad itself. When the qi between the two worlds clash, it mimics the creation of the world…”

Shang Xia sucked in a cold breath before asking, “Is there a way to determine if the location is a crossroad of purification?”

“No idea. Everything I just told you was something I thought of myself. Nothing has been proven yet.”

Rejoicing inwardly, Shang Xia noticed the stare on Zhang Haogu’s face. The instructor finally asked, “The crossroad of purification seems to be an important factor in your advancement.”

“That’s right.” Shang Xia didn’t plan to conceal the fact. He couldn’t be stupid enough to think that everyone else had no idea what he was up to. Moreover, that was Instructor Zhang they were talking about!

The world he was in might not be as developed as his original world, but they were on the right track. They could easily make interpretations of Shang Xia’s actions.

Regardless, Shang Xia could agree on one thing. The way they coined their cultivation realms was a mess.

Zhang Haogu was content with the reply, and he started to lay out his guesses. “Our ancestors said that the battlefield between the two worlds came into existence because of the collision between the worlds. It created a mysterious land, and there are places with extreme weather conditions. Some of the places are cold and dark, without a single ray of sunlight. Others experience rain and shine intermittently, and there are some regions where the sun and moon hang in the sky simultaneously. These regions might not be the place you’re looking for. However, they might be somewhat connected to it. You’ll have to see for yourself.”

Shang Xia nodded his head when he heard the introduction of the battlefield between the two worlds. After all, he was definitely heading there after some time.

Now that he learned what he came for, it was time to take his leave. Before he could bid his farewell, he saw the smile on Zhang Haogu’s face and an idea flashed in his mind. “Instructor Zhang, I’ll be heading to the battlefield between the two worlds soon. Is there something you need my help with?”

Roaring with laughter, Zhang Haogu said, “Our institution is planning to send over a batch of resources to the Tongyou Peak. Now that the holidays have arrived, we can’t seem to find enough disciples from the Protection Division to head over. Since you’re planning to go over, feel free to help us!”

“...”

…

After leaving Zhang Haogu’s courtyard, Shang Xia planned on returning to the Shang Clan, but he stopped when he heard the hasty footsteps behind him.

“Shang Xia, wait a minute!”

Turning around, Shang Xia raised an eyebrow in shock. “Teacher Sun, can I help you?”

Sun Haiwei revealed an embarrassed expression while speaking. “I heard that you were planning to head over to the battlefield between the two worlds and will be sending the resources to the Tongyou Peak…”

“Yeah… Is there anything else?” Shang Xia didn’t understand her reason for stopping him.

“... This… This is related to the holiday training schedule!” Sun Haiwei continued.

Shang Xia finally realized what she wanted.

“Because there were sixteen students in our outer division eligible to enter the inner division, I was planning to bring them to the battlefield between the two worlds for them to gain some experience. But…”

As soon as she got that far, Shang Xia knew what she was getting at. “Are you planning to ask me to bring them to the Tongyou Peak?”

“I was planning to let them follow the replenishment team. That was why I went to look for Instructor Zhang. When I saw him, he told me that you were heading to the Tongyou Peak too. That’s great! If you follow the replenishment team and lead our students there, I’ll feel much more at ease.” Sun Haiwei smiled.

Shang Xia chuckled in response, “Alright. Leave it to me. The replenishment team will set off in three days. When the time comes, all of them can travel with us.”

The two of them exchanged some formalities before taking their leave.

Looking into the distance, Shang Xia muttered to himself, “Looks like the rumors of Instructor Zhang getting promoted are true…”