The serpent’s transformation into a dragon had failed. At the moment its inner core shattered, countless golden droplets scattered in all directions, yet no one noticed a single streak of golden light shooting off into the distance.
The golden light pierced through layers of dense forest before finally falling to the ground. A dazzling golden pearl rolled to a stop at Chen Nan’s feet. He had seen everything clearly. Excited, he crouched down and picked up the golden pearl. Its surface shimmered with flowing light, radiating a peaceful aura that made him feel calm and at ease.
Chen Nan was well-versed in the legends of dragons, and to him, the golden pearl held no secrets.
Although the serpent had failed to complete its transformation, it had still reached a half-dragon state. Half of the power within its body carried the attributes of a serpent, while the other half bore the essence of a dragon. The shattered core was a crystallization of its life essence, the concentration of all its energy—half serpent, half dragon. When the core exploded, the serpent’s essence scattered into the air, vanishing entirely. But the dragon’s essence did not dissipate; instead, it condensed into a single, pure form—this dragon pearl.
"A dragon pearl… This is truly a dragon pearl!" Chen Nan gasped in awe.
Though small in size, the dragon pearl contained pure, formidable dragon energy, making it a priceless treasure.
Chen Nan understood its significance well. For one hour, the dragon pearl remained active. If consumed during this time, and if one could withstand the violent impact of its immense power, they would be able to absorb thirty to forty percent of its essence, gaining unfathomable strength. However, if left untouched after an hour, the pearl would lose its luster, its vast energy retreating deep within. Its outer layer would harden to an impenetrable degree, requiring a divine weapon of celestial grade to break it open—rendering the dragon’s power sealed within, impossible to extract.
A thousand years ago, Chen Nan’s lineage dictated that he must become a powerful warrior. Yet his cultivation had never progressed, and his lack of strength had been his greatest torment. He had long yearned for true power, and now, the opportunity was right before him. But still, he hesitated.
It was not the fear of being overwhelmed by the dragon’s energy and perishing that held him back. Instead, his father’s words surfaced in his mind.
Chen Zhan had once told him, “Heavenly treasures may grant immense power in an instant, turning an ordinary man into a supreme master. But all gains come with losses. The moment he acquires the strength he has always dreamed of, he also seals his fate—he will never reach the pinnacle of power. Strength obtained externally will always shackle one’s own potential, becoming an unbreakable cage.”
Chen Nan had replied, “Even if I can’t become the strongest, becoming a top-tier expert isn’t a bad deal.”
Chen Zhan had shaken his head. “One who can endure the impact of such immense spiritual energy is no ordinary man. Not only must he possess an extraordinary physique, but he must also have an indomitable will. How could such a person tolerate the agony of knowing that he will never progress further? In the end, he will only destroy himself.”
Chen Nan had frowned. “It can’t be that extreme, can it?”
Chen Zhan had said, “A true master does not fear loneliness. What he fears is stagnation—being forever trapped in the pursuit of power, unable to move forward.”
Chen Nan did not entirely agree with his father’s philosophy, but he had to admit there was some truth in it.
"If I swallow this, I may become a great warrior in an instant… or I may be torn apart by its energy and die on the spot. But either way, I will have lost the chance to reach the absolute pinnacle of power."
He smirked at himself. "For someone like me, whose progress has long been stagnant, perhaps swallowing the dragon pearl is the best choice. After all, this might be my one and only chance to leap through the Dragon Gate."
"Could this be a gift from the heavens?"
Chen Nan gazed down at the shimmering dragon pearl in his hand, hesitating for a long time before finally sighing. "But I refuse to accept it! I, Chen Nan, do not need ‘gifts’!"
Looking back on his past, he felt a deep sense of loss.
Before the age of sixteen, he had been hailed as a martial arts prodigy, his cultivation advancing at an astonishing pace. Among his peers, he was considered the undisputed number one. But then, his nightmare began. No matter how hard he trained, he could no longer make any progress. Worse yet, the profound martial arts passed down in his family, which he had cultivated to the second realm’s grand completion stage, inexplicably regressed to the middle stage of the first realm. Watching his peers surpass him one by one, he was filled with bitterness and despair. Though he had faint suspicions that his decline was caused by certain "external factors," he could not uncover the truth.
With the aura of genius stripped away, ridicule and mockery rained down upon him from all sides, yet he could say nothing in his defense. The judgment of the outside world, the heavy expectations of his family—an unbearable weight pressed down on his heart like a mountain. His lack of progress made even him feel that he was nothing more than a mediocrity, unworthy of being born into such a distinguished lineage.
From sixteen to twenty, life felt exhausting. At times, he even considered ending it. He wandered in confusion, lost in his own despair. But deep in his heart, a belief remained unshaken—one day, he would break through the chains that bound him, shatter the barriers that held him back. That belief was the only reason he never abandoned his family’s martial arts.
Now, after being reborn ten thousand years later, his martial cultivation had not advanced in the slightest. Yet, the suffocating pressure from his family had vanished entirely. After a year of adjusting, he had fully adapted to this new world. He had freed himself from the suffering of the past and returned to his true nature.
"Perhaps today I let go of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but I have no regrets!"
The once-lustrous dragon pearl gradually dimmed, its brilliance fading entirely. Its golden hue shifted to a deep green, leaving it looking like nothing more than an ordinary gemstone.
Chen Nan tucked the pearl away and retraced his steps, unwilling to linger even a moment longer—he feared being entangled once again by the little demon princess. Climbing to the top of a high mountain, he gazed into the distance. The princess and her companions were still gathered around the volcanic crater. Letting out a long sigh of relief, he murmured, "Phew… finally, I’ve escaped that little demon’s nightmare."
For three days, Chen Nan had been wandering through the vast mountain range. Now, an embarrassing realization struck him—he was lost. The endless expanse of mountains stretched in all directions. If he could not find his way out soon, he might be forced to live like a savage in the wilderness.
Just then, a wisp of smoke curled into the sky from the distant forest. Overjoyed, Chen Nan hurried toward it. When he reached a hundred paces from the smoke, he stopped abruptly. He dared not rush forward recklessly—if the smoke belonged to the little princess’s group, he would be walking straight into his own grave.
After careful observation, he confirmed that the people there were strangers. They seemed to be searching for a way out of the mountains. For the next two days, he followed them from a distance, keeping to the shadows.
But fortune always seemed to elude him. On the afternoon of the third day, as he trailed behind the group at a steady pace, shadows suddenly leapt out from all around him. Seven or eight figures emerged, encircling him completely. Their piercing gazes and the chilling aura of killing intent radiating from their bodies made it clear—these were seasoned warriors, men who had survived countless life-and-death battles.
The group ahead quickly turned back, revealing a total of more than twenty people. Their leader was a young man, strikingly handsome, with an air of dominance about him. He scrutinized Chen Nan from head to toe, his brows furrowing. "Who are you? Why have you been sneaking behind us?"
Chen Nan explained calmly, "I am a lost hunter. I was following you in hopes of finding a way out of these mountains."
"A hunter? And you dare venture into the depths of this mountain range?"
"I was tracking a white deer when I unknowingly wandered too far. By the time I realized, I had already lost my way."
The young nobleman gestured toward a burly man beside him. "You—go test him."
The tone of his command revealed that he was accustomed to giving orders. Chen Nan instantly deduced that this young noble was no ordinary figure—he was someone with significant status and power.
The burly man wielded a massive sword, both broad and long. As he stepped forward, he swung it down at Chen Nan without hesitation. Chen Nan swiftly dodged to the side, causing the first strike to miss, but the second followed immediately. The sword’s blade emitted a faint azure glow as it slashed diagonally toward his waist.
Chen Nan’s mind reeled. No way—solidified sword energy! This means he’s at the level of a grandmaster! How could someone like him be willing to serve as another’s subordinate?
Despite his shock, he instinctively dodged in time.
"Shhh!"
The pale blue energy carved a shallow groove into the ground.
Chen Nan found it puzzling. The power of solidified sword energy shouldn’t be this weak. Even ordinary sword energy should be far stronger than that strike.
Could it be Western battle aura? He carefully observed the swordsman’s technique, confirming his suspicion.
The burly man pressed the attack relentlessly, forcing Chen Nan into battle. Wave after wave of battle aura surged forth, the pale blue glow pushing him into a perilous situation.
Watching from the side, the young noble smirked. "Does an ordinary hunter possess such martial skills? If you don’t tell the truth, you won’t survive past ten more moves."
Chen Nan quickly called out, "Wait! I’ll talk!"
The young noble clapped his hands. "Stop."
The burly man withdrew his sword and stood at ease, then smirked at Chen Nan. "Not bad, kid. You actually held out for over twenty moves."
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Chen Nan sighed softly in the ancient tongue of the continent, "No matter the era, strength is what commands respect. Now that my martial skills have regressed, I’m bound to suffer all kinds of indignities. A fallen tiger gets bullied by dogs…"
After a brief moment of thought, he said, "Young master, if I claimed to be just an ordinary hunter with some martial training, you wouldn’t believe me. But I can prove it to you."
The young noble raised an eyebrow. "And how do you intend to prove it?"
"As a hunter, I’ll prove it with a hunter’s skills." Chen Nan crouched down, scooped up a handful of dirt, and brought it to his nose. "I can say with certainty that within a three-mile radius, there is only one large predator—a tigress. There are no other big beasts."
"Oh? Are you absolutely certain?" the young noble asked.
"I am."
"Good. Yang Chong, take a few men and check the area."
A young man stepped forward and answered, "Yes, sir." With that, he led a small team into the depths of the forest to investigate.
In just the time it took to finish a cup of tea, a distant tiger’s roar echoed through the forest. Before long, several men returned, dragging the carcass of a dead tiger behind them.
The young noble glanced at the slain beast, then smiled faintly. “It seems you really are a hunter. But I still have some doubts. Even at the fastest pace, it would take three days to walk out of these mountains. Are you telling me you’ve been chasing that white deer for three days and nights?” His voice suddenly turned cold. “Tie him up.”
Several expert fighters surged forward, pressing their blades against Chen Nan’s vital points. He knew resisting was as futile as an ant trying to shake a tree, so he didn’t fight back. He could only smile bitterly—having just escaped the clutches of the little princess, he had now fallen into someone else’s hands.
One of the young noble’s subordinates hesitated before speaking. “T-Third Young Master, why bother tying him up? We should just kill him.”
From that faltering “Third Young Master,” Chen Nan picked up on something subtle. This man was no ordinary figure.
The young noble said, “Lock him up for now. I have a feeling he’s not so simple. Until he made a move, I didn’t even realize he was a martial artist.”
And so, Chen Nan found himself imprisoned for the second time. But this time, the “treatment” was much better—at the very least, no one treated him as private property, frequently “expressing their excitement” at his expense. These men were highly disciplined and spoke little. Only the young noble occasionally murmured a few words to those beside him.
Two days later, Chen Nan couldn’t help but marvel at fate’s strange twists—he had once again encountered the little princess.
Now, her group had dwindled to just ten people. In their battle against the giant serpent, four royal guards and two apprentice mages had perished. The survivors were all seriously injured and had yet to recover.
When the little princess saw the young noble and his men, she was visibly startled. Her brows furrowed slightly, but she quickly broke into a radiant smile. “The Tianyuan Continent really is small! I never expected to run into His Highness the Third Prince here.”
The young noble also smiled warmly. “Indeed, I never thought I’d meet Princess Yu in this place.”
The little princess chuckled. “Shouldn’t the Third Prince be enjoying a life of luxury in the capital of the Moon Worship Empire? What brings you all the way to the borders of our Chu Kingdom? Are you here on a diplomatic mission? But I doubt such a mission would require venturing deep into the mountains.”
Not far away, Chen Nan listened to their exchange with growing amazement. In just a few days, deep within these vast mountains, he had encountered both a princess and a prince.
The Third Prince smiled. “Princess Yu, your words remain as sharp as ever. But I wouldn’t dare bear the accusation of ‘trespassing across borders.’ If I remember correctly, these central mountains of the Tianyuan Continent don’t belong to any nation.”
The little princess replied, “A prince as busy as yourself wouldn’t come here without reason. This place is near the Chu Kingdom’s borders—it’s only natural to arouse suspicion.”
The Third Prince chuckled. “Haha, you worry too much, Princess Yu. I came here because I heard that a qilin, a divine beast, had appeared in the Luofeng Mountains. I wanted to try my luck and catch a glimpse of the legendary creature.”
The little princess raised her brows. “Oh? I see. I never thought news would travel so fast, reaching even the Third Prince of the distant Moon Worship Empire.”
The Third Prince smiled. “It is said that the appearance of a qilin heralds the rise of a sage. The arrival of a divine beast has already shaken the continent—word of it has spread like wildfire.”
The little princess sighed. “Ah, I really wish I could see that qilin for myself. But, unfortunately, I won’t have the chance.”
The Third Prince was intrigued. “Why do you say that, Princess?”
She pouted in frustration. “On the way to the Luofeng Mountains, I ran into my master. He said it was too dangerous and forced me to turn back. Such a disappointment!”
A sharp glint flashed through the Third Prince’s eyes. “Could it be the esteemed Master Zhuge Chengfeng?”
“That old man? Yeah, that’s him.”
“Master Zhuge’s name is known across the land. His martial prowess is unparalleled, reaching the realm of the divine. He is one of the masters I admire most.”
“Is that so? If that old man heard you, he’d be overjoyed. He might even take you as his disciple.”
“If that were to happen, I would be honored beyond words.”
The little princess chuckled. “Who knows? Maybe that old man has already heard you and is now debating whether to take you in.”
A flicker of doubt crossed the Third Prince’s face, but he quickly smiled. “Haha, how could that be? Hasn’t Master Zhuge already set off for the Luofeng Mountains? No matter how extraordinary his martial skills are, he couldn’t possibly hear a conversation from hundreds of kilometers away.”
The little princess huffed. “That old man didn’t trust me—he was afraid I’d sneak back, so he’s been following me the whole way.”
“Oh? Seems like he truly cares for you, worried that something might happen,” the Third Prince said with a smile.
“He just doesn’t trust me, that’s all.”
The Third Prince glanced at the little princess’s guards. “Princess Yu, your men look terribly pale. Are they injured?”
“Yes, on our way to the Luofeng Mountains, we ran into an ancient giant. If that old man hadn’t arrived in time, things could have ended very badly for us.” A look of lingering fear crossed the little princess’s face.
“That was a close call indeed! This mountain range is full of monstrous beasts—you shouldn’t be traveling without strong protection. How about this? Allow me to escort you out of the mountains.” The Third Prince’s expression was earnest.
A cold glint flashed in the little princess’s eyes, but she smiled. “I appreciate Your Highness’s kindness, but there’s no need to trouble you. That old ghost of a master will take care of us.”
“There’s no need to be so formal, Princess Yu. Given the situation, I can’t, in good conscience, let you leave unescorted. Besides, Master Zhuge may not actually be following you.”
“I truly appreciate the thought, but we really don’t need your escort. We’re already near the edge of the mountains—there are hardly any beasts here.”
“No, I insist. I must see you safely out, or I won’t be at ease.”
Seeing that she could no longer refuse, the little princess put on a grateful expression. “Then I must trouble the Third Prince.”
“You’re too polite, Princess Yu.”
Chen Nan watched the entire exchange unfold, secretly marveling at their deft maneuvering. As expected of those born into the imperial courts, they had already waged a silent battle of wills within mere moments.
The little princess, leading her injured guards, felt a deep unease when she encountered the Third Prince of the Moon Worship Empire. She didn’t believe this was a mere coincidence—most likely, the man had been waiting for them here. To protect herself, she first took an aggressive stance, keeping the Third Prince uncertain of her intentions, and then casually mentioned Zhuge Chengfeng, hoping to make him wary. However, the Third Prince was no fool. Though he was filled with doubt, he did not back down. Instead, he decided to follow them, seeking to uncover the truth. These two could be said to be experts at “spinning lies” and “talking nonsense.”
The Third Prince and the little princess, along with their respective groups, made their way toward the edge of the mountains. Chen Nan, walking behind, silently sighed in relief, thankful that the Third Prince had distracted the little princess, allowing him to remain unnoticed at the back of the group. However, this respite was short-lived. Soon, one of the little princess’s guards noticed the bound captive, and a guard hurriedly whispered something in her ear.
In that moment, Chen Nan felt the darkness close in around him, as if the sky itself had lost its color.
The little princess’s face lit up with excitement as she walked toward Chen Nan, her smile wide. Without a doubt, this was the most genuine expression she had shown since meeting the Third Prince, but Chen Nan would rather see her fake smile than the one she wore now, a smile born of genuine pleasure.
He silently cursed in his heart, May the demons of hell take your descendants away!
At first, the Third Prince couldn’t understand why the little princess was suddenly so excited. He even wondered if Zhuge Chengfeng had arrived nearby. But when he followed the princess’s gaze, he finally understood what had caused her to be so thrilled—it was the captive they had caught the previous day.
The Third Prince was stunned, and his suspicion about Chen Nan’s identity grew. He coughed and said, “This man has been trailing us secretly on the road. My men caught him, Princess, do you know him?”
“Know him? Of course I know him.” The little princess gritted her teeth and said, “He’s a little eunuch I brought out from my palace. He was supposed to be serving me, but when we ran into the ancient giant, he was the first to run away. Xiao Li, didn’t expect to see me so soon, huh?”
Chen Nan almost fainted. To be called a eunuch…
The little princess stared at him with a fierce look in her eyes, her meaning clear: she was threatening him to cooperate.
Under the eaves, one must bow their head. Chen Nan hesitated for a moment before reluctantly saying, “Please punish me, Your Highness.”
The Third Prince smiled. “Since he’s Princess Yu’s servant, then let His Highness handle it.” With that, he turned and walked away.
“Hehehe…” The little princess looked at Chen Nan with a smile that was filled with malice.
A chill ran down Chen Nan’s spine. He lowered his voice and said, “Princess, let’s make a deal.”
Remembering Chen Nan’s earlier vulgar words, the little princess’s body trembled with anger. She hissed, “Make a deal with me? What gives you the right? In your dreams.”
“Zhuge Chengfeng isn’t here. The Third Prince wants to deal with you.” Chen Nan quickly spoke before the little princess’s hand came down.
The little princess lowered her hand, sizing him up carefully. “Looks like I underestimated you. Didn’t expect this little thief to have some brains. However—” She paused, her smile turning cold. “I’m really not in the mood right now. The deal is delayed, and now I’m going to vent!”
“Aah…” The forest echoed with Chen Nan’s miserable screams, mixed with the little princess’s triumphant laughter. The Third Prince and his men, observing from a distance, exchanged glances, gaining a deeper understanding of this infamous little devil.
A full moon hung high in the sky, its pure white light cascading down like feathers, bathing the forest in a soft glow. The night breeze carried the fragrance of flowers and grass, enveloping the entire forest in a tranquil, harmonious atmosphere.
Bruised and swollen, Chen Nan was in a tent with the little princess, quietly discussing their next move. They had both come to the conclusion that their encounter with the Third Prince and his group in the forest was no accident—it was all part of a premeditated plan. These people had been waiting for them on the path out of the mountains.
The little princess said, "I had a feeling from the beginning that they meant harm to me, but I don’t understand why they would have such a motive."
Chen Nan asked, "What is the relationship between the Moon Worship Empire and the Chu Kingdom?"
The little princess replied, "The two countries have had a decent relationship in recent years, and nothing unpleasant has happened."
"This is strange. If that’s the case, why would they want to harm the princess?" After thinking for a moment, Chen Nan smiled and said, "I understand now—they’re trying to abduct you."
"Go to hell." The little princess punched Chen Nan hard on the head.
Chen Nan winced in pain and muttered, "I’m just trying to analyze the situation for you, Your Highness. Why get so worked up? Besides, it’s not impossible."
"You don’t need to consider this. Everyone knows the Third Prince is not a man of debauched habits."
Chen Nan said, "Maybe… maybe he wants to give Princess as a gift to someone else."
Hearing Chen Nan compare her to a gift, the little princess’s eyes widened in anger. She coldly said, "You scoundrel, you have no sense of decency. Do you even know who you’re talking to?" But then, she quickly regained her composure, thought for a moment, and said, "The possibility is almost zero."
"This is strange. What else, besides the princess, could make the Third Prince take such a risk? Wait a minute…"
"The Hou Yi Bow!"
"The Hou Yi Bow!"
Chen Nan and the little princess exclaimed together, both suddenly realizing.
"When the princess used the Hou Yi Bow to kill the giant serpent, when the golden arrow cut through the sky, the Third Prince must have seen it."
"No wonder this guy keeps glancing at the box behind me. He’s after our national treasure, the Hou Yi Bow. Damn him." The little princess clenched her fist. "You scoundrel, haven’t you thought of a way to deal with this yet?"
"Well, this isn’t my fault. Even the most skilled woman can’t cook without ingredients. The princess’s guards are all severely injured, and there’s no one left to fight. What can I do? I think we should just give the Hou Yi Bow to the Third Prince. After all, those who know the situation should act accordingly... heh heh." Seeing the little princess’s lips curl into a cold smile, Chen Nan quickly stopped speaking and forced a dry laugh.
"You scoundrel, you boasted earlier about making a deal with me, but in the end, you can’t help with anything. Heh heh, this is even better. Now I can deal with you without any worries. You have no idea how hard I’ve been searching for you these past two days. I almost wish I could peel your skin off right now."
Looking at the little princess’s wicked smile, Chen Nan couldn’t help but shiver. "Your Highness, I didn’t mean to spy on you… when you were… bathing…"
Upon hearing this, the little princess’s eyes nearly shot out flames. "Ah, you damned scoundrel, how dare you mention that... I’ll kill you!"