Super Combat Soldier

Chapter 1435: Chapter 1434: Comprehending the True Meaning Within the Tripod

Less than two hours remain until the Jade Door closes!

The time is getting more urgent, and the God Beating Bowl, this worthless thing, convinced that Ye Tianchen is already dead and absolutely beyond rescue, sneakily slipped away towards the Jade Door to escape from this Jade Palace. It fears being trapped and unable to break free from the world within the Jade Palace—such an event would be a great disaster for the God Beating Bowl, and many things it wishes to accomplish would become impossible!

The night is gradually becoming brighter and dawn is approaching. Once the sun rises, the Jade Door will be completely shut. Throughout history, within the many ages past, the world of the Jade Palace has birthed countless strong individuals, yet none have ever managed to leave this place without passing through the Jade Door. In other words, if Ye Tianchen doesn’t leave before the Jade Door closes, it’s almost certain he won’t be able to escape the Jade Palace!

Old Feng remains seated facing the Black Tripod, his heart filled with regret and even inability to accept—originally, Ye Tianchen could have left the world of the Jade Palace, and he could have taken Taishi Dingtian, that young brat, with him. However, he discovered that formula and decided to experiment with poisons in such a crazy manner. If not for these actions, Ye Tianchen would not be in this state!

Yet, Old Feng didn’t know that more than three hours ago, a pair of eyes already opened inside the Black Tripod. The one who opened these eyes was Ye Tianchen. However, after Ye Tianchen opened his eyes, he remained unresponsive for a long time, as he seemed to be a living dead person, with all consciousness wiped away except for a tiny bit of instinct!

Pain!

Excruciating pain!

No pain can compare!

Gradually, Ye Tianchen began to feel it—a sensation not from his physical body but from his soul. He felt his soul was about to tear apart as the pain overwhelmed him, making him doubt if such pain could exist in this world. Even he found it hard to endure!

”Where am I? Am I really dead?” Ye Tianchen wondered inwardly.

He opened his eyes, yet they were devoid of focus. Feeling pain but unable to regain consciousness, Ye Tianchen felt close to collapsing. What kind of sensation is this, scarier and more unbelievable than death itself?

”No, I can’t just die like this. If I survive this ordeal, my physical body power might reach Mortal Immortal level. Then, at least in the Martial Arts World, my physical body power would be unparalleled!”

With this thought, Ye Tianchen stopped resisting, stopped instinctively avoiding, and started to perceive that pain. No matter how intense the pain, he focused on feeling it, understanding that if he could feel the pain, it meant he was still alive and had hope for survival!

Suddenly, Ye Tianchen felt the black scene before him completely transformed, revealing a figure seated cross-legged in front of him—this figure was unmistakably himself.

Ye Tianchen was startled; why was he seeing himself? And it felt so real, not like an illusion. He saw himself seated cross-legged within a Black Tripod filled with various toxic substances, which continuously seeped toxic water, enveloping Ye Tianchen bit by bit. The toxic water was vibrant with colors, not just the water but the poisonous gas as well.

”Such potent poison, even someone at the Emperor Realm may hardly survive such gas and toxic water,” Ye Tianchen thought to himself.

Ye Tianchen saw himself, cross-legged in the Black Tripod where toxins were being tempered, the toxic water and gas infiltrating his entire body and gradually seeping inside, devouring Ye Tianchen’s flesh—his soul was also being consumed, gradually dragging Ye Tianchen towards lifelessness.

”Am I dead? Have I really died? Why can I still feel pain?” Ye Tianchen pondered in his heart.

At this moment, Ye Tianchen truly couldn’t comprehend, even beginning to doubt the contents of the formula written; could it really temper the physical body into that of a Mortal Immortal? It increasingly felt doubtful and perplexing, as if all of it was false!

Ye Tianchen couldn’t help but think this way, as he realized everything seemed abnormal after the toxic gas and water invaded his body. This was far from tempering himself—it seemed entirely like leading him to death. Was this formula genuinely an Immortal Formula from within the Tripod?

”The poisons listed in the formula are increasingly potent. Anyone exposed to even one type may likely lose their life, let alone so many mixed together. This isn’t a formula for tempering oneself—this is likely a prank by someone who got the Black Tripod earlier...”

”No, it shouldn’t be this way. If it’s a prank, the Taishi family wouldn’t have missed this after possessing the Black Tripod for such a long time. If it’s not a prank and everything recorded on the formula is true, then...”

Suddenly, Ye Tianchen considered a possibility, though he dared not confirm if it was true. If he guessed wrong, he might miss a crucial moment and die.

”How have I become so timid? Why have I become so hesitant? This isn’t my character, Ye Tianchen. Once determined, one must act without hesitation. Only then is it truly me!” Ye Tianchen reaffirmed his conviction and thought.

Gradually, Ye Tianchen began to perceive the kind of heart-wrenching pain that felt worse than being killed. Using this pain, he slowly made his consciousness clear, recovering bit by bit, and when fully restored...

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

Suddenly, mysterious sounds came from within the Black Tripod, startling Old Feng, who was sitting cross-legged in front of it. He looked in disbelief at what was happening; it all came too suddenly. Initially, he thought Ye Tianchen was already dead, that he was undoubtedly doomed, with less than an hour before the Jade Door would close. Ye Tianchen hadn’t lifted the tripod lid to come out by now; could there still be a chance?

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! ...

The continuous sounds emanated from within the Black Tripod, as if someone inside was striking it. Old Feng wanted to open the tripod lid immediately but heard Ye Tianchen’s voice.

”Old man, don’t intervene; I’ll open it myself!” Ye Tianchen’s voice echoed out.

”Good, good, truly wonderful!” Old Feng exclaimed excitedly.

Fist marks, palm marks, finger marks... continued to emerge from within the tripod, then quickly vanished. This scene persisted for what seemed like an hour before it halted.

”Grandfather, what’s happening?” Taishi Dingtian asked, having heard the sounds, as he arrived at Old Feng’s courtyard.

”I don’t know, I don’t know what’s going on...” Old Feng said with furrowed brows.

By this time, after hearing Ye Tianchen’s voice and the series of sounds from inside the tripod, almost an hour had already passed. Had Ye Tianchen truly survived? Why was there no movement from him inside? Considering this, Old Feng remained worried; could it be Ye Tianchen’s last flicker of life?

”Let me take a look!” Taishi Dingtian said, glancing at the Black Tripod.

”Don’t go!” Old Feng grabbed Taishi Dingtian, and simultaneously, a deafening explosion shook the earth.

Boom!

The entire lid of the Black Tripod was blown off, and a figure rushed out, covered in poisonous gas and water. But quickly, he shook them off, disappearing without a trace. Ye Tianchen stood on the edge of the Black Tripod, smiling and said, ”That was close! Almost lost my life!”

”Brother Ye, you... you’re alright?” Old Feng asked in amazement.

”Unbelievable, truly unbelievable, to survive and endure such torment!” Taishi Dingtian gasped.

”I’ve understood the real meaning of the formula within this tripod. It’s not truly for tempering the physical body; it tempers one’s willpower. Under utter despondency, when not only others but even oneself think death is certain, it’s the hope and courage to survive that ignite. That’s the most important and real purpose of this formula!” Ye Tianchen said earnestly.

Old Feng was overwhelmed with excitement. He walked up to Ye Tianchen, glanced at the Black Tripod, and said, ”Brother Ye, you truly have exceptional talent and potential. When you entered the tripod, you were already thought to be dead, yet you managed to endure such tempering; it’s beyond belief!”

”Rest assured, since I have survived this ordeal, and gained a deeper understanding of the secrets of this Black Tripod, I will surely proceed with further tempering at a deeper level!” Ye Tianchen nodded.

”Gosh, are you courting death? Still want to undergo such tempering? You must think you have a long life ahead!” Taishi Dingtian couldn’t help but click his tongue in disbelief.

Ye Tianchen looked at Taishi Dingtian, grinning mischievously, ”You’re the heir of the Taishi family, and this Black Tripod is your family heirloom. Later, you will also use this tripod to temper yourself. If you can’t endure it, don’t blame me!” (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to vote for it with recommendation votes and monthly votes on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)