Super Combat Soldier

Chapter 1554: Chapter 1553: The Road Ahead, The Things to Come!

Ten Thousand Year Old Ginseng!

That’s right, in the current state of diminishing spiritual energy on Earth, which only has three major Ancient Martial Worlds left, Spiritual Medicine Divine Grass is already very rare, not to mention finding an Immortal Elixir for life extension!

However, in such a place where everyone believes it is unsuitable for cultivation, there unexpectedly exists a Ten Thousand Year Old Ginseng. As a martial artist, one would understand the significance - Spiritual Medicine Divine Grass growing for ten thousand years, and an Immortal Elixir can potentially exist eternally as long as its life force is not interrupted. A Ten Thousand Year Old Ginseng, even if not an Immortal Elixir for life extension, holds some divine effects, and if cultivated, it might indeed transform into a true Immortal Elixir within ten thousand years; that’s very possible!

Back then, Ye Tianchen, shortly after becoming a martial artist, ventured into the tomb of the ”Purple Bamboo Great Saint” with He Chang, the knife-wielding man, Wuji Taoist, and the Golden Elder. At that time, He Chang obtained the Divine Spear of the ”Purple Bamboo Great Saint” and its legacy, while Ye Tianchen had the fortune of acquiring the ”Holy Heaven Prison,” which even the ”Purple Bamboo Great Saint” could not fully understand. It was there that they discovered a Ten Thousand Year Old Ginseng; however, this ginseng already had its spiritual sense and thoughts and managed to escape from the attacks of several masters!

Later, Hu Gao was critically injured by the Blood Killing Organization, narrowly surviving thanks to He Chang’s rescue. Nevertheless, to heal Hu Gao’s injuries at that time, the only remedy was to find that Ten Thousand Year Old Ginseng. In such circumstances, Ye Tianchen went to many places and, based on some deductions, indeed found the ginseng. What Ye Tianchen hadn’t anticipated was that this ginseng already had its spiritual wisdom and, surrounded and unable to escape, transformed into a beautiful, naked woman appearing in Ye Tianchen’s mind, begging him to let her go. Ye Tianchen, not one to kill without cause, adhered to his promise after healing Hu Gao without sacrificing the ginseng and freed the ginseng!

By now, the ginseng must have developed not only its spiritual sense but its own thoughts, capable of flying and escaping. Naturally, it wishes not to be found, for any powerful individual seeking it would want to consume it to enhance cultivation and extend life. Undoubtedly, it is hidden in an extremely difficult-to-find place, and Ye Tianchen has no absolute confidence in finding it.

One year of life left, Ye Tianchen only has one year left, and the three major Ancient Martial Worlds are considerably larger than the Mortal World outside. Finding the Ten Thousand Year Old Ginseng within this year is inherently arduous, and even if found, can it really extend Ye Tianchen’s life? It’s known that this ginseng, though powerful compared to regular Spiritual Medicine Divine Grass, is still not a true Immortal Elixir for life.

”One year of life is enough for me to change many things. I am not someone who submits to fate, and I believe I can heal this final Dao injury!” Ye Tianchen said resolutely.

Then Ye Tianchen, Wang Luanxiang, the God Beating Bowl, and Little Zhu Yan returned to the bamboo forest together. When the Fishing Old Man and Xiao Ling saw Ye Tianchen and the others return safely, they also breathed a sigh of relief.

As night fell, a bonfire burned in the clearing of the bamboo forest. Above the bonfire was a roasted piglet, accompanied by a few jars of wine. Ye Tianchen, Wang Luanxiang, the Fishing Old Man, Xiao Ling, the God Beating Bowl, and Little Zhu Yan all gathered together, chatting, drinking, and eating, with a harmonious and pleasant atmosphere!

”Ye, when are you planning to leave here?” Little Zhu Yan, slightly drunk, asked.

”Tomorrow!” Ye Tianchen replied after considering.

”Tomorrow? So soon?” Xiao Ling asked, surprised.

”Yes, I have some important matters to attend to, and this is what I wanted to tell you. Xiao Ling, you will stay here temporarily, and I’ll take you with me next time I return!” Ye Tianchen nodded.

”No, I want to go with you!” Xiao Ling hurriedly said, seemingly anxious.

”Listen to me - I promised your mother to take care of you. But now, it’s safer for you not to follow me. Staying here will be much safer!” Ye Tianchen said earnestly to Xiao Ling.

Indeed, on his way back to the bamboo forest, Ye Tianchen thought about how to arrange for the Fishing Old Man and Xiao Ling. He considered taking them to Desolate Stone Village, but if, as Wang Luanxiang’s father said, a great turmoil sweeps through the Martial Arts World and all living beings are caught in it, then no matter where you are, safety is uncertain. Comparatively, Ye Tianchen, leaving the Penglai Ancient Martial World this time, must first return to the Mortal World and settle his relatives and friends. Who knows what awaits, and bringing the Fishing Old Man and Xiao Ling would only expose them to threats and harm.

In this bamboo forest, an extraordinarily strong hidden formation exists. Throughout the years, the Fishing Old Man has lived here, sustaining a longevity of seven thousand years as a mere mortal without anyone discovering this place; it’s clear this is an excellent hiding spot where Xiao Ling is indeed safer than wandering with Ye Tianchen!

”Then... when will you return?” Xiao Ling asked, tear-eyed, as she seemed to regard Ye Tianchen as her only family, reluctant to part with him.

”Within a year, I will definitely return!” Ye Tianchen smiled.

Upon hearing Ye Tianchen’s words, the God Beating Bowl and Little Zhu Yan, those two troublemakers, wanted to speak but were stopped by Ye Tianchen’s look, swallowing their words. Ye Tianchen knew what they wanted to say - promising Xiao Ling he would return within a year, can he really? Knowing he only had one year left of life, without finding a complete cure for the Dao injury, it’s certain death. On this diminishing spiritual energy Earth, even finding a decent Spiritual Medicine Divine Grass is now nearly impossible. It seems Ye Tianchen is doomed to die after one year; could he return to Penglai Ancient Martial World to fetch Xiao Ling?

”Mm, I’ll wait for you!” Xiao Ling said earnestly, looking at Ye Tianchen with pure eyes.

Ye Tianchen nodded, glanced at Wang Luanxiang, the God Beating Bowl, and Little Zhu Yan, asking with a smile, ”What about the three of you? Are you staying with me, or going your separate ways to train?”

”I’m not leaving; I have my own matters to attend to!” Little Zhu Yan replied, pretending to be busy.

”I have matters too!” The God Beating Bowl chuckled.

Glancing at the God Beating Bowl and Little Zhu Yan, Ye Tianchen saw two rascal troublemakers, sealed within the Penglai Ancient Martial World, only now appearing. Their understanding of Penglai Ancient Martial World must be rich by now, yet now these troublemakers want to stay, clearly up to no good!

However, Ye Tianchen wasn’t worried about these two causing trouble; given their cunning, few could capture them, and both have significant backgrounds. If revealed, it might shock many, even leaving a name in the Martial Arts World. One is a progeny of the Ancient War Emperor, possessing its bloodline; if awakened, few can rival them, while the other comes from a God-beating Stone, awakening spiritual wisdom; if enraged, even divine beings cannot resist. With expertise in Divine Rune Formation, Ye Tianchen could hardly find anyone capable of stopping these two troublemakers.

”What about you?” Ye Tianchen asked Wang Luanxiang.

”Of course, I’ll leave the Penglai Ancient Martial World with you, but I won’t follow you. I intend to leave Penglai Fairy Island to see the outside world for myself!” Wang Luanxiang said playfully to Ye Tianchen.

”Alright then; once you leave Penglai Ancient Martial World, you won’t follow me!” Ye Tianchen chuckled.

”Pfft, as if I’d follow you!” Wang Luanxiang remarked disdainfully.

Deep into the night, as most creatures slumbered, Ye Tianchen sat alone by the bonfire, watching the flames. Contemplating his next steps, he knew many tasks awaited, requiring his completion. This was his fate and responsibility. With only a year left, he must achieve his desires, find a way to heal the Dao injury, or else the path ahead, his ideals and goals, would be unreachable, and he couldn’t protect his loved ones.

”Brother Ye is still awake!” The Fishing Old Man approached Ye Tianchen, also sitting by the bonfire.

”Old Man, why haven’t you retired for the night?” Ye Tianchen smiled.

”As people age, restful sleep becomes elusive, so I came to look around. You seem troubled.” The Fishing Old Man grinned.

”Considering my upcoming actions.” Ye Tianchen nodded.

The Fishing Old Man threw some wood into the fire and stirred it with a stick, chuckling, ”Though not a martial artist, I understand the martial artist’s path is a hundred times more arduous than that of a common person. You never know what tomorrow holds; the unknown frightens most!” (To be continued. If you enjoy this story, consider supporting it on Qidian (qidian.com) with recommendations and monthly votes; your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, visit m.qidian.com for reading.)