Chapter 283 - 39: The Mountain God Summons, a Great Demon’s True Form

Chapter 283: Chapter 39: The Mountain God Summons, a Great Demon’s True Form

"There are countless master Swordsmen in this world, and countless among them are far stronger than I am. Given your stature, Senior, a single call would surely bring innumerable Inner Realm experts—even Core Formation Stage powerhouses—flocking to serve you. Why choose an obscure nobody like me?"

"Because none of them will do." Yuan Lan shook his head, his tone resolute.

"This act is not a simple severing. You must understand, for me to Transform into a Dragon and ascend is an act that defies the heavens themselves. Severing my tail is also about severing the karmic ties connecting me to this world and to my thousand-year-old demon form. Therefore, this strike requires more than just power. It requires a will—and a destiny—capable of severing karma."

"And I have seen this possibility within you."

"My Talent Divine Technique allows me to glimpse threads of future karma. Thus, I saw that on the day I Transform into a Dragon, a blade will sever my bonds. The person holding that blade... is you."

Chen Ye fell silent.

’Because what Yuan Lan said... it might actually be true.’

’The core Talent of his Hundred Tribulations Blade Master Profession, the Tribulation Eye, was all about severing and detonating Tribulation Lines. Yuan Lan’s Dragon Transformation Tribulation might just be one of those tribulations he was destined to sever.’

’It all sounded very mystical, but to a Cultivator, concepts like karma and destiny were not some ethereal fantasy. They were real.’

’Although the risks were enormous, this was also an immense opportunity.’

’If what Yuan Lan said was true, then succeeding would mean forging a favorable bond with a future Dragon Monarch.’

’Leaving everything else aside, the value of that favor alone would be immeasurable.’

"So, are you willing to help me?" Yuan Lan asked.

"Senior, I have one more question." Chen Ye raised his head, looking Yuan Lan straight in the eyes. "What makes you so certain I’ll succeed? I’m only at the Sea Condensation Realm, not even the Inner Realm yet. Besides, the future is unpredictable. If I fail, won’t I drag you down to your death and destruction as well?"

This wasn’t cowardice on Chen Ye’s part. He was simply confirming the ultimate risks.

He had to understand the source of Yuan Lan’s confidence.

"I saw it." Yuan Lan’s reply was simple and direct. "In the sliver of the future I glimpsed, you succeeded. Though the blade that severed my flood dragon tail was blurry, I could feel that it was your Awakening."

"Of course," Yuan Lan’s tone shifted, "the future is not set in stone. What I saw was merely the most probable outcome. But out of all the possibilities, you are the only one who succeeds."

"As for your own strength..." A confident smile played on Yuan Lan’s lips. "You are at the Sea Condensation Realm now, not far from the Inner Realm. But without the right opportunities, it’s normal to be stuck for decades."

"However, with my help, none of that will be a problem." Yuan Lan’s voice brimmed with immense confidence.

"I promise you: within five years, I will help you reach the Inner Realm!"

Reaching the Inner Realm in just five years!

Even someone as worldly and experienced as Chen Ye couldn’t help but be stunned.

The weight of that promise was simply immense!

Few in the entire world would dare make such a bold claim.

After all, the Inner Realm was a major turning point on the path of Cultivation. Once a Cultivator stepped into it, they could gaze inward upon their own body, let their spirit roam beyond the heavens, and their lifespan would increase dramatically. It was a Realm countless Cultivators dreamed of achieving.

Chen Ye estimated that even with the boon from his Profession and this incredibly favorable environment, it would take him at least eight to ten years, perhaps even longer, to break through to the Inner Realm on his own.

But now, Yuan Lan had cut that time in half, and with an ironclad promise.

It was a temptation Chen Ye couldn’t refuse.

He was an extremely pragmatic person. Since the risks and rewards were both laid out before him, there was nothing to hesitate about.

Fortune is sought from peril. The path of Cultivation itself was an act of defying the heavens—how could it be without risk?

"Alright!" Chen Ye took a deep breath, his eyes shining with an unprecedented light. "I’ll do it!"

"Five years from now, on the day of the Seven-Star in a Row, I, Chen Ye, will sever your shackles, Senior, and help you Transform into a Dragon and ascend to the heavens!"

His voice wasn’t loud, yet it was firm and decisive, echoing through the spacious cave.

Hearing Chen Ye’s reply, a genuine smile spread across Yuan Lan’s face.

"Hahahaha, very good! You truly haven’t disappointed me!"

As Yuan Lan laughed, the entire Immortal Cave began to tremble violently. Stalactites shook loose and rained down from the ceiling as a terrifying shockwave erupted from him. Had he not consciously restrained it, Chen Ye would have been sent flying in an instant.

After the laughter subsided, Yuan Lan’s gaze toward Chen Ye softened considerably.

"From this day on, you and I are allies. You no longer need to call me Senior. Just call me Yuan Lan."

He waved his hand, and a palm-sized cloth pouch flew in front of Chen Ye.

"This is a Qiankun Bag. It contains ten zhang of space. Consider it a greeting gift."

Chen Ye accepted the Qiankun Bag and probed it with a trace of his True Essence. As expected, a spacious area appeared in his senses. In a corner, he found a pile of bottles and jars, along with several stalks of herbs that radiated a dense Spiritual Qi.

"Take these Elixir Pills and Spirit Grass for now," Yuan Lan said. "They will help you solidify your current Cultivation and refine your True Essence, making it denser and purer."

"Once you’ve absorbed these, I’ll prepare the resources for your next stage."

Chen Ye was inwardly delighted. Not standing on ceremony, he tied the Qiankun Bag directly to his waist.

"My thanks."

"There’s no need for thanks between us." Yuan Lan waved his hand dismissively. "From now on, you can come to this back mountain whenever you wish. I will prepare a dedicated Quiet Chamber here for your Cultivation."

Chen Ye’s heart leaped with joy. With Yuan Lan’s promise, he could now focus on his Cultivation here without worry.

"Alright, you can go back for now," Yuan Lan said. "You will officially begin your Cultivation tomorrow."

"Yes." Chen Ye nodded. The next instant, he felt the surrounding mist envelop him. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself back in his residence in Kawa Village.

Chen Ye was shaken to his core. ’So this is the Divine Technique of a Core Formation Realm Great Demon? I didn’t even feel the slightest fluctuation of Spiritual Qi, yet he sent me from the back mountain right back to the village. Truly incredible.’