Curse of the Mysterious Existence

Lu Chuan judged that he could only cultivate in the Heavenly Spirit Pool for ten minutes.

Even so, Chu Feng still believed that Lu Chuan could reach Fifth-Rank in one go.

This made Lu Chuan doubt if the Heavenly Spirit Pool was truly that effective.

Could he really advance two ranks in just ten minutes?

As if sensing Lu Chuan's thoughts, Chu Feng smiled and said, "Do you think a mere ten minutes isn't enough?"

Lu Chuan nodded.

"You're worrying for nothing."

Chu Feng chuckled, "I can tell you clearly, ten minutes is more than enough for you."

"The mystery of the Heavenly Spirit Pool far exceeds your imagination."

"Let alone you, even True King level powerhouses above Ninth Rank can gain significant improvements while cultivating inside."

"If not for the lack of a replenishment method, and the Heavenly Spirit Pool could only restore its spiritual energy on its own, we wouldn't even get a chance to use it."

"Brother Feng, since this Heavenly Spirit Pool is so powerful, how did it end up with Master?" Lu Chuan inquired.

"That's a long story."

A nostalgic look appeared in Chu Feng's eyes. "Do you know who the previous faction leader of our Combat Department was?"

Lu Chuan nodded.

There were many legends about that person.

The most monstrous genius in the history of the Combat Department, a top-tier powerhouse who suppressed an era, a peerless killer who prevented the Myriad Races from leaving their homes…

These were just a few of the countless titles bestowed upon the previous faction leader.

At that time, everyone believed that under his leadership, humanity would surely dominate all realms and become the sole overlord of the star-filled Myriad Races.

But unfortunately, for some unknown reason, that existence suddenly disappeared.

Some said he perished, while others said he accidentally entered an ancient secret realm.

In any case, regardless of the reason, that existence left humanity and the Combat Department.

Because of this, the Combat Department began to decline, eventually losing its position among the six major factions.

"Don't tell me the Heavenly Spirit Pool was acquired by the previous faction leader?" Lu Chuan guessed.

"Something like that."

Chu Feng smiled flirtatiously, "The Heavenly Spirit Pool was acquired by our Patriarch, Master's father."

"Back then, the Patriarch followed the previous faction leader into the Heavenly God Race's lair and snatched it from the Heavenly God Race's leader, keeping it as the Combat Department's foundation."

"Nominally, the Heavenly Spirit Pool belonged to the Patriarch. When the Patriarch died, it was naturally passed down to Master."

"Invaded the Heavenly God Race's lair?" Lu Chuan gasped!

The Heavenly God Race, the number one ranked race among the star-filled Myriad Races!

Heavenly God Race members were Ninth Rank powerhouses from birth. They were truly favored by the heavens, no, it was more like the heavens forcibly spoon-fed them.

Such a terrifying race's lair must have been fraught with danger.

The previous faction leader managed to break into their lair and snatch the Heavenly Spirit Pool right in front of their leader. Truly insane!

Truly formidable!

If such an existence hadn't died, the Heavenly God Race, let alone the star-filled Myriad Races, would have been restless day and night!

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Hurry up and go cultivate," Chu Feng urged.

"Yes."

Lu Chuan nodded and then pushed open the manor gate.

As soon as he entered, Lu Chuan felt an extremely dense spiritual energy, as if there was a spiritual eye here, constantly inhaling and exhaling spiritual energy.

Following the direction of the spiritual energy, Lu Chuan arrived before a grand hall.

The hall was surrounded by dense formations, so many that one's heart pounded just by looking at them.

Standing before the hall, Lu Chuan took a deep breath and then placed his identity card on a black screen in front of the hall.

"Verification successful!"

"Welcome Lu Chuan of the Combat Department to cultivate in the Heavenly Spirit Pool!"

After a series of checks, a mechanical voice emanated from the main gate of the hall.

Immediately, the gate rumbled open.

Stepping through the gate, he was greeted by a large pool filled with churning golden liquid.

Spiritual energy, so dense it was almost tangible, continuously surged out from the churning golden liquid, forming clouds of white mist.

"Such dense spiritual energy. Just by taking one breath, I can feel my cultivation improving. If I were to cultivate in the pool…"

A determined glint appeared in Lu Chuan's eyes, and he then leaped into the pool.

Suddenly, an inexplicable pressure descended upon Lu Chuan's heart.

It felt as if his soul would be torn to shreds in the next moment.

It wasn't just his soul; Lu Chuan's physical body was also enduring a terrifying pressure.

Upon closer inspection, his body was crumbling, bit by bit.

Although the rate of disintegration wasn't fast, he could only hold on for about ten more minutes.

"Seize the time to cultivate!"

Lu Chuan, ignoring the pain, quickly circulated the Sky Swallowing Art.

Immediately, the pain lessened. At the same time, streams of spiritual energy surged into Lu Chuan's body, devoured by the Sky Swallowing Art and transformed into his martial arts realm.

One minute later, Lu Chuan was sweating profusely from the pain...

Three minutes later, Lu Chuan was trembling uncontrollably from the pain...

Five minutes later, Lu Chuan's consciousness was already blurring from the agony. Only a desire to grow stronger remained, supporting him.

"I must persevere!"

"I refuse to believe that if others can endure this, I cannot!"

"I am no worse than anyone else!"

After a roar, Lu Chuan clenched his fists, forcefully suppressing the pain and frantically absorbing the spiritual energy from the Heavenly Spirit Pool.

Ten minutes later.

At this point, it had reached the limit Chu Feng had mentioned.

Lu Chuan also decided to stop.

After all, no treasure was worth more than his own life.

Especially now, his entire body was covered in wounds, soaked in blood, with no part left intact.

If he persisted any longer, he would likely be crushed into dust by this pressure.

"It's time to leave."

Just as Lu Chuan was about to leave, a line of text suddenly appeared before his eyes.

[Detected: Curse of the Mysterious Existence. Simplify?]

Lu Chuan: ???

Could it be that the pressure enveloping him was actually a curse?

And this curse could be simplified by the Simplification System?

No matter what, he had to try.

"Simplify."

With Lu Chuan's command, the remaining ten-odd simplification points he possessed vanished instantly.

Another line of text then reappeared before Lu Chuan's eyes.

[Simplification Successful!]

[Curse of the Mysterious Existence —> Trial of the Mysterious Existence!]

[Trial of the Mysterious Existence: A method used by an ancient mysterious existence to select disciples. It inflicts soul-scorching pain but does not endanger life.]

[Duration: Fifteen minutes.]

Suddenly, an even more intense wave of pain washed over him, making Lu Chuan wish he were dead.

But Lu Chuan did not leave. Instead, he grinned menacingly, "It's just pain. As long as it doesn't endanger my life, I can endure it!"

"Unfortunately, if I had known this mysterious pressure could be simplified, I would have saved more simplification points."

After a brief grumble, Lu Chuan continued to focus on his cultivation.

Meanwhile, outside the manor.

Glancing at his watch, Chu Feng muttered, "Judging by the time, Lu Chuan should be coming out by now."

"But why haven't I seen him?"

"Could Lu Chuan have fainted from the pain?"

Chu Feng frowned. This was not a good possibility. If he had fainted outside, it would be one thing, but if he fainted inside...

"Fortunately, when a martial artist reaches their limit, the Heavenly Spirit Pool will issue an alert."

"I'll keep a close watch; rescuing Lu Chuan won't be a problem."

With this thought, Chu Feng leaped forward, flashing to the outside of the main hall, his eyes fixed intently on the hall.

Spiritual energy surged within him at that moment.