Underground Cave

Wu Kuishan sighed softly. "At present, the people in the Underground Cave keep assaulting the cave entrance. Every assault causes tremors on the surface—the stronger the tremors, the closer they are to breaking out.

"So whenever there are surface tremors, we must immediately dispatch a large number of martial artists inside and inflict effective casualties!

"They can die too. Once enough of them die, they'll retreat.

"That's why I need to send high-level combatants out every time there's disaster relief."

"The Demon Capital Underground Cave is the cave our Magic Martial Academy is primarily responsible for. So far, thirteen cities have been detected within it!

"The one currently fighting us is Heaven's Gate City, directly opposite us."

At that point, Wu Kuishan stopped walking and looked at Su Yi with a complicated expression. Slowly, he said, "Your parents died in battle against Heaven's Gate City. They accepted a mission to clear out the 'Meat Grinder,' but along the way...

"Along the way, they encountered Heaven's Gate City's Commander and were killed. Of the six members of the entire team, only Qin Nansheng was saved by the Grandmaster who rushed over.

"Qin Nansheng was seriously wounded as well and spent nearly two months recuperating."

Su Yi's eyes instantly reddened. He lowered his head, doing his best to control his expression.

After a while, Su Yi raised his head and forced out a smile as he asked Wu Kuishan, "Teacher, what's the name of that Heaven's Gate City Commander? How strong is he?"

His tone was gentle, like two friends showing concern for one another.

If not for his bloodshot eyes and slightly trembling voice.

Wu Kuishan hesitated. Su Yi was still too weak. But he was already Third Grade; these things should not be kept from him.

This child had suffered far too much.

"Gu Qiang. Heaven's Gate City's Commander is at the Seventh-Rank High Stage."

After saying that, he hurriedly added in a comforting tone, "Su Yi, you're still too weak right now. Grow stronger. Only when you reach the Grandmaster realm will you have a chance to avenge them."

"Gu Qiang! Gu Qiang!!"

Su Yi repeated the name twice, each time with a heavier tone than the last.

Taking a deep breath, Su Yi steadied himself and said to Wu Kuishan, "Teacher, I understand. The current me truly isn't qualified to seek revenge.

"I need to become stronger. I'm already Third Grade now—when can I enter the Underground Cave?"

Wu Kuishan frowned. He was not sure whether Su Yi's hatred had clouded his judgment.

Su Yi more or less guessed Wu Kuishan's concern and felt somewhat helpless. He was not someone easily ruled by his emotions.

He solemnly assured Wu Kuishan, "Teacher, I know the gap between myself and a Seventh-Rank. I won't do anything foolish."

He might be able to fight a Fourth Grade, but a Seventh-Rank? Forget breaking through their defenses—even getting close would be impossible.

Wu Kuishan watched Su Yi carefully for a while and found that he was indeed perfectly rational. He nodded slightly.

It was very good that he could face everything clearly and not let hatred blind him.

But being so desperate to grow stronger was both a good thing and a bad thing.

Overall, though, it was more good than bad. Wasn't a martial artist supposed to become stronger?

As for the risks along the path to strength, they had to be borne eventually.

"As for the Underground Cave, Martial University students may enter at any time once they reach Third Grade. Whether they go or not is entirely voluntary. Generally speaking, they choose to enter only after reaching the Third-Rank High Stage. I explained the Third-Rank High Stage to you before—the survival rate is much higher at that level.

"But it's still very dangerous. Even Hope City in the Underground Cave cannot be considered one hundred percent safe. Mm, Hope City is one of humanity's major strongholds in the Demon Capital Underground Cave. You'll know what it's like once you get there, so there's no need for me to explain too much.

"The Underground Cave holds danger, but it also holds opportunities. The Underground Cave world is far richer in resources than ours. There, you can obtain many good things.

"Take Energy Ore, for example. A piece the size of a fingernail can be exchanged for a High Rank pill. Although the large chunks of ore are deep inside, there are some in the outer regions as well.

"Underground Cave creatures normally use Energy Ore too. Weapons and pills can also be obtained in the Underground Cave."

"Then can I enter now?"

"No!" Wu Kuishan snapped. He had not even attended the Underground Cave knowledge classes—what was he going in for?

Had he really not been affected?

But on second thought, he had only just graduated from high school. Wasn't adolescence precisely like this?

Su Yi was already controlling himself very well, far more mature than others his age.

Little Duo'er would be enrolling this year too. If Su Yi looked after her, they could probably rest much easier.

Both he and Lyu Fengrou often entered the Underground Cave. Though they tried their best to go in separate batches, there were often times when neither of them was home.

His father-in-law spent all day holed up in the research institute too.

Su Yi had a pretty good temperament—tall, handsome, and sunny as well.

Hm? As Wu Kuishan thought about it, his heart suddenly thumped. What if such a fine young man spirited Duo'er away?

Though, if he did not go against his conscience, Su Yi truly was an excellent choice.

But wasn't this far too early? Duo'er had only just graduated from high school.

The moment he imagined Duo'er linking arms with Su Yi and walking up to him together, the picture was too beautiful—Wu Kuishan did not dare look.

Wu Kuishan's face darkened. That was his precious little cotton-padded jacket. How could he hand her over so early?

But Su Yi really was a perfect match!

No, when the time came, he had to keep a close watch on him. Wu Kuishan silently made up his mind.

Watching the changes in Wu Kuishan's expression, Su Yi was genuinely confused now. Was this face-changing?

If he wasn't allowed to go, then so be it. What was he even thinking about?

Good grief, his expression changed again.

Putting those messy thoughts aside, Wu Kuishan realized that Su Yi had been staring at his face in confusion.

"Ahem."

After clearing his throat twice and adjusting his tone, he continued, "Right now, you've only gained a rough understanding of the Underground Cave. You haven't systematically attended any classes on knowledge related to the Underground Cave.

"Wait until you enroll and learn more before deciding whether you want to go down into the Underground Cave."

"Then can I go to the Battle Art Room?"

"No. Wait until you enroll!"

The second floor of the Battle Art Room also contained some confidential information from Magic Martial Academy, including distribution maps of Energy Ore in the Underground Cave. Though there were guards, so Su Yi would not be able to get in anyway.

The first floor did not restrict the borrowing of Combat Method materials, but Su Yi had not enrolled yet, so it was not appropriate for him to enter.

In any case, enrollment was not far away. By then, no one would restrict him.

Wu Kuishan already knew that Su Yi had cultivated two Mid Grade Combat Methods, both of which had reached Major Achievement.

Nor did he think Su Yi wanted to learn other Combat Methods. Combat Methods were not something where more was necessarily better. He was probably after the Underground Cave materials inside.

Not receiving a definite answer, Su Yi was not terribly disappointed. It was only a little over a month, after all.

He was not the sort to stubbornly pester others. He would wait until school started.

Su Yi silently thought, Once school starts, many of my plans can be put into action.

Before long, the two arrived at the entrance to Magic Martial Academy.

After exchanging phone numbers, Wu Kuishan said with a smile, "When you return, properly consolidate your realm. Don't neglect either Bone Tempering or your Combat Methods."

Su Yi nodded in agreement.

Just as they were about to part, Su Yi suddenly remembered something and hurriedly said, "Instructor, I heard of a pill before called the Body-Tempering Pill. It can temper the body. Can I use it?"

Hm? Who had told him about it?

Had Mingjie accidentally let it slip for him to hear, or had it been Qin Nansheng?

Wu Kuishan looked at him in mild surprise for a while before slowly saying, "There is indeed such a pill. It is a Fifth Grade pill.

"It is specially prepared for Middle Three Grades powerhouses to temper their bodies. It transforms the body from the inside out, with astonishing effects. Even the Five Viscera and Six Bowels can be tempered.

"It is generally supplied to instructors."

"Then can I use it?"

Wu Kuishan thought for a while before replying, "The Body-Tempering Pill does have some effect on remodeling the human body, but that is not its main function.

"With your current condition, taking a Body-Tempering Pill would at most slightly increase your physical strength.

"As for remodeling your internal organs, however, it is fraught with danger. You might not be able to withstand such powerful medicinal effects..."

Su Yi said with some confidence, "Instructor, my Bone Tempering is extremely fast. Sometimes my physique cannot keep up with the speed of my Bone Tempering, which is why I previously bought so many Body Tempering Pills.

"My Spiritual Power is also very strong, and I can guide the medicinal power. Instructor, how many pills do you think I need to take in order to withstand the Bone Tempering progress of Third Grade Mid Stage?"

Su Yi was not particularly afraid of this. Fang Ping could take these to improve his physique. Su Yi had taken so many Body Tempering Pills, and his Spiritual Power was a level higher than Fang Ping's. There was no way he could not withstand it.

Wu Kuishan said nothing. Words were useless; he reached out and patted Su Yi several times.

"If you truly want to try it, then go ahead. Taking two or three Body-Tempering Pills should be enough.

"But the first time is rather dangerous. The medicinal power is strong, and it will also produce excruciating pain that is hard to endure. Before taking one, first consume a Third Grade Organ Protection Pill. The danger will be much lower, and you should be able to withstand it.

"However, each Body-Tempering Pill costs two hundred Credit Points. Are you sure you want to spend six hundred Credit Points on this?"

"I'm sure!"

"Six hundred Credit Points, just to let your body bear the Bone Tempering progress of Third Grade Mid Stage ahead of time. This is no ordinary waste."

Wu Kuishan was utterly speechless. At this rate, how many resources would be enough for him to squander?

"Instructor, if my physique could keep up with the speed of my Bone Tempering, I wouldn't have set my sights on the Body-Tempering Pill."

From Strengthening Fluid, to Body Tempering Pills, to the current Body-Tempering Pills, Su Yi had spent far too many resources just to keep up with the progress of his Bone Tempering.

It was Wu Kuishan's first time seeing someone whose physique could not keep up with the speed of their Bone Tempering.

Su Yi's background was perfectly clean, and he had never been to the Underground Cave. He could not have encountered any fortuitous opportunity, such as eating some unknown Energy Fruit or coming across Energy Ore.

Could Su Yi's talent really be that terrifying?

At this moment, even Wu Kuishan could not make sense of it. After pondering for a while, he said, "Body-Tempering Pills are only available in the South District. Even the Logistics Department exchange center at Magic Martial Academy does not have them.

"Three Body-Tempering Pills will cost six hundred Credit Points in total. You also need to exchange for three Third Grade Organ Protection Pills. Each costs ninety Credit Points, so three will be two hundred and seventy Credit Points.

"Each time, take the Organ Protection Pill first, then the Body-Tempering Pill.

"That way, your internal organs will not suffer too great an impact. It will be safer and more effective, and the Body-Tempering Pills can also let you begin tempering your Five Viscera and Six Bowels slightly ahead of time."

It would cost 870 Credit Points in total. After three sessions, your body would be fully strengthened—more than enough to withstand the power of the Third Grade Mid Stage."

870 Credit Points. Even after doing so many missions lately, Su Yi had only managed to save up 1,100 Credit Points.

Spending so much all at once truly made his heart ache.

Gritting his teeth, he handed his Martial Arts Certificate to Wu Kuishan. "I'll trouble you, Teacher."

"Alright. Wait here for me a moment."