Chapter 1763: Pursuit and Kill

Zhao Yang felt a surge of joy—he could sense his strength had reached the peak of Foundation Establishment, far stronger than before, confirming this was indeed the tomb Zhao Yunshan had described.

"What will you do next?" Zhao Yunshan's voice continued.

After a moment of thought, Zhao Yang said: "I need to find a way out, leave this place. I have many things left to do—I can't stay here forever."

"Leave here?" Zhao Yunshan's voice sounded surprised. "Do you know what this place is?"

"A tomb!" Zhao Yang replied.

"That's only part of it. This is a secret realm jointly constructed by me and other elders. We used an ancient sect's teleportation array to transform it into a secret realm, allowing us to harness its power to forge our bodies and souls."

Zhao Yang was startled: "Why did you do this?"

"To uncover the secrets of the Dragon Transformation Scripture," Zhao Yunshan's voice grew low. "To transform into a dragon, one must forge body and soul. But the process is excruciating—slight missteps lead to death and the collapse of one's Dao. That's why we turned this into a secret realm—to use its power to forge ourselves."

Zhao Yang understood at once—he found this explanation entirely reasonable.

"So what are you planning to do next?" Zhao Yunshan asked.

"I need to find a way out," Zhao Yang said firmly. "This secret realm may be wondrous, but it's not my own world. I have many things to accomplish—I must leave."

"Alright," Zhao Yunshan sighed. "Since you've made up your mind, I'll help you. I know the exit of this secret realm—I can tell you. But you must promise me: once you leave, never reveal you're a Dragon Vein heir."

"Of course," Zhao Yang quickly agreed. "I'll be careful."

"Good," Zhao Yunshan nodded slightly. "Find the array's core, then channel your true qi into it—you'll open a passage to the outside."

"The array's core? What does it look like?" Zhao Yang pressed.

"The array's core is a peculiar spatial node that absorbs surrounding heavenly energy for its own use. Find it, channel your true qi into it, and the passage to the outside will open," Zhao Yunshan explained.

"Understood," Zhao Yang's anticipation grew. "Then set off quickly!" Zhao Yunshan said. "I'm already eager to learn the secrets of the Dragon Transformation Scripture."

Zhao Yang took a deep breath and nodded.

He immediately unleashed his speed, racing forward.

He knew that to leave, he must find the so-called array's core.

In Zhao Yunshan's secret realm, the array's core was not easily found.

But Zhao Yang held a strong conviction—he believed that with enough effort, he would find it.

He kept running, extending his perception to its limit, scanning every detail around him.

Time passed steadily.

Gradually, Zhao Yang noticed the secret realm contained numerous traps and mechanisms.

He had to be cautious—otherwise he'd fall into danger.

But this wasn't difficult for him—he was a Dragon Vein heir.

After persistent exploration, Zhao Yang finally found a peculiar place.

It was a valley, with a towering peak rising into the clouds at its center.

At the peak's summit, Zhao Yang sensed an intense surge of power.

He knew—this must be the location of the array's core.

He immediately accelerated, racing toward the peak's summit.

Near the top, he discovered an entrance.

The entrance was narrow, barely wide enough for one person to pass.

Zhao Yang entered and found a vast, empty space.

In the center stood a massive circular array.

Its surface was carved with complex runes and patterns, radiating an ancient, mysterious aura.

Zhao Yang instantly realized—this was the array's core.

He immediately activated his true qi and channeled it into the array.

As his true qi flooded the array, it began glowing intensely.

Then the entire space trembled.

Moments later, a blinding light erupted from the array, shooting skyward.

The space twisted and warped.

Moments later, a massive spatial black hole appeared before Zhao Yang.

The black hole radiated brilliant light and emitted a tremendous pull.

Zhao Yang knew—this was the passage to the outside. He stepped onto its edge, and the immense force sucked him in.

His vision brightened—he found himself back in the forest where he'd been before.

Zhao Yang felt joy surge within him—he had successfully left the secret realm.

He surveyed his surroundings and realized he was not far from his previous location.

This confirmed to him—he was truly back in his own world.

He immediately sped toward his former camp.

As he ran, his excitement grew.

He understood—this experience had been invaluable.

Though he hadn't gained the secrets of the Dragon Transformation Scripture, this journey meant everything to him.

He reached the camp and found everything familiar and comforting.

He quickly packed his belongings, then searched for food and water.

He needed to restore his strength, then continue toward his planned destination.

As he prepared to leave the camp, he suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"Zhao Yang?" a middle-aged man asked, puzzled. "What are you doing here?"

Zhao Yang looked up—the man was Zhao Yunshan, who had been with him before.

A surge of joy rose in his heart, and he immediately ran to the other's side.

"Senior Zhao, I got lost in the forest just now, but later I found the exit on my own," Zhao Yang explained.

"Is that so?" Zhao Yunshan nodded slightly. "Then what do you plan to do next?"

"I intend to continue moving in the direction I had planned before," Zhao Yang said firmly. "I still have many things to do, so I must leave here."

"Very well!" Zhao Yunshan sighed. "Since you have made up your mind, I will not stop you. But you must be careful with your safety."

"Alright." Zhao Yang felt deeply grateful for Zhao Yunshan's concern. He took his leave of Zhao Yunshan and continued his journey. He ventured deep into the mountain range, hoping to find some medicinal herbs to enhance his cultivation.

The mountains were fraught with dangers, yet Zhao Yang felt no fear at all. He activated his true essence, and his entire body became like a sharp sword; every obstacle blocking his path was cut down one by one.

He entered the depths of the mountains, where rare medicinal herbs grew. He carefully dug them up and stored them in his traveling pack.

After digging up some herbs, Zhao Yang felt his cultivation had improved once again. He sat cross-legged and began to cultivate.

Time passed quickly, and the sky gradually grew dim. Zhao Yang opened his eyes; he knew the mountains were even more dangerous at night. He had to be extremely cautious, or he could lose his life at any moment.

He lit a bonfire and began roasting some wild beasts to satisfy his hunger. The firelight illuminated his face, giving him a sense of warmth.

Just then, he sensed something was wrong. A chill struck from behind. He spun around abruptly, only to see a person holding a sharp blade, thrusting toward him.

"This visitor means no good!" Zhao Yang was startled. He immediately flipped his body, dodging the other's attack.

The opponent's figure was agile, moving with great speed. Zhao Yang's true essence was already circulating, yet the opponent showed no opening whatsoever.

The opponent was a man dressed in black. He said not a word, merely staring coldly at Zhao Yang. The killing intent in his gaze made Zhao Yang shiver with fear.

Zhao Yang understood in his heart that this man in black had surely come for him. He did not know the other's origin, nor why the other had attacked him.

But he knew he must defeat him, or he would be in danger.

He launched an attack, his true essence surging forth from within his body. He employed the technique of the Dragon Transformation Art and struck with a fist.

The man in black dodged aside, then slashed a blade toward Zhao Yang. Zhao Yang once again channeled his true essence, blocking the other's attack.

The two fought fiercely; dust flew around them, and the grass and trees were destroyed in disarray. Yet Zhao Yang remained at a disadvantage.

His cultivation was one tier lower than the man in black's, and the opponent was extremely cunning, always seizing opportunities to ambush him. Zhao Yang felt his strength gradually waning.

As the man in black slashed a blade toward him, Zhao Yang blocked the attack with all his might. However, the man in black's blade still sliced a wound across his arm.

Zhao Yang felt the pain; blood streamed down his arm. But he knew this was not the time to show off. He had to find a way to escape.

He recalled a tactic he had used before and began setting traps around him.

Seeing Zhao Yang's actions, the man in black was greatly puzzled. Yet he pursued without the slightest hesitation.

When he stepped into the trap, Zhao Yang immediately launched his attack. His true essence surged forth from within the trap, enveloping the man in black in layers.

The man in black sensed something was amiss; it was too late to retreat. The trap had been sealed shut, and he was trapped within.

Zhao Yang walked step by step toward the man in black, his gaze filled with caution and killing intent. He dared not approach until he was certain the man in black posed no threat to him.