Chapter 702 - 382: The Tide Rises on the Qiantang River (Part 2)

The reappearance of the Immortal Platform Life Crane had brought with it a pressure even more suffocating than that of the original.

But now that he knew he was the Life Crane’s weakness, it didn’t matter anymore.

No matter what, at least until the Life Crane achieved its goal, it wouldn’t just watch the efforts it had poured into him go to waste.

"Master, are there any other ways?"

Yang An asked, already knowing the answer.

"There are."

But it was He Tou who answered his question, a cunning look immediately appearing on its face.

"I will personally accompany you."

"..."

The moment He Tou finished speaking, its figure suddenly transformed into a white shadow and burrowed into Yang An’s chest.

A tearing pain erupted from his chest. The old monster had forcibly ripped through his flesh and blood to enter his body.

However, for someone like him who was often injured, this kind of pain was nothing. Besides, the old monster certainly wouldn’t kill him.

Before long, Yang An felt a sharp pain in his neck as a sharp, downy, white-and-red head poked out from his nape.

This was the first time Yang An had been this close to the old monster. The two were now one.

’This is bad!’

’The tides of the Qiantang River rise... Am I the Life Crane now?’

Yang An couldn’t imagine looking at his own appearance right now. If he put on a mask, would he truly become the Life Crane?

’You are a Life Crane, I am a Life Crane, everyone can be a Life Crane.’

"From now on, as long as you are in the Xian Origin Land, I can help you temporarily open the 6th Floor. You know what needs to be done."

To Yang An, the Life Crane that had lost its crane head looked very strange.

He felt just as strange about himself, now possessing a crane head.

Perhaps unlike the Life Crane, his mind and He Tou’s were completely independent. He Tou’s voice rang in his ear like a Demon’s whisper, making him very uncomfortable.

It spoke in a very calm tone, but its words were not without a hint of threat.

But Yang An’s eyes darted around, and he suddenly asked with a strange smile:

"Master, do you believe in the light?"

Hearing Yang An’s words, He Tou’s eyes suddenly narrowed. Its sharp beak almost touched Yang An’s forehead. A single peck wouldn’t just leave a bloody hole; it would probably shatter his entire skull.

"Disciple, don’t court death."

"Heh."

Yang An let out a soft laugh and said no more.

’He already knew the answer. It seemed he and He Tou were one entity, but in reality, they were not.’

’You’re the one who’s taken over my body, and you’re the one who’s been talking. But when it’s my turn to shine, don’t you dare blame me for it.’

"Go quickly and return quickly. Do not delay."

the Life Crane urged from the side.

Yang An glanced sideways at the old fellow, then lowered his head. "Yes!"

...

One day later, Yang An finally arrived at the border of the Treasure Temple Domain, near the Land of Shattered Armor.

At his speed, he could have reached the Land of Shattered Armor from the Golden Thread Pavilion in a very short time. But he didn’t do that, instead traveling at a moderate pace.

The old monster’s patience was extremely strong. Although its gaze remained somewhat irritable, it only hurried Yang An along once during the journey and then said no more.

...because Yang An had shut it up with a single sentence.

"Since Master trusts me enough to entrust me with such an important task, then please rest assured. I know what I’m doing and cannot afford to be careless."

"..."

Upon reaching the Barrier of the Land of Shattered Armor, Yang An stopped. He had a question.

"Master, please enlighten me. All powers fail within the Land of Shattered Armor, so how am I supposed to activate the Earth Spirit Stele?"

"Heh, so now you remember me? Why do you think I merged with you in the first place?"

He Tou said coldly. But after it spoke, its head began to contort, transforming into a layer of white-and-red matter that crept onto Yang An’s head, quickly forming a mask.

On the white mask burned a crimson flame pattern. It was the very same mask that He, the Boundary Repairer, had worn when Yang An first saw him.

"Wear the mask and enter the Land of Shattered Armor."

He Tou’s voice, issuing the command, rang out from within the mask.

Yang An’s hand carefully reached up to touch the mask. A cold sensation spread from the point of contact, and he could even feel a powerful aura emanating from it.

"Inside the Land of Shattered Armor, you can freely enter the 6th Floor of the Xian Origin Land, but only the 6th Floor that I open for you.

If you encounter an insurmountable obstacle, enter the 6th Floor to find hope.

Switch between illusion and reality; two minds become one."

"Also, be careful not to die. Otherwise, I won’t save you."

He Tou reminded him, seemingly explaining the method to enter the 6th Floor.

"Won’t save me? Or is it that Master can’t save me even if he wanted to?"

Yang An said with a smile.

’In the Land of Shattered Armor, where all powers fail, even the old monster would probably struggle to maintain its living form, let alone save me.’

Although he had openly and covertly mocked the old monster, Yang An quickly sobered his thoughts. He knew this matter was difficult and by no means easy.

He had traversed the Land of Shattered Armor a few times before, shuttling between the two great domains, but that was only in its outermost layer, along the shortest distance between the domains.

This time was different. He had to go to the deepest part of the Land of Shattered Armor. Who knew what he would encounter there.

The Golden Thread Pavilion was now the ruler of the Treasure Temple Domain, so the sect was bound to have many Primordial Stones. With a Primordial Stone, one could hide their aura within the Land of Shattered Armor and avoid detection and attack from the monsters inside, the Beng Birds.