"My head... why am I so dizzy?" Qian Fan murmured as he struggled to open his heavy eyelids.
Only after a long while did Qian Fan finally gather enough strength to slowly climb up from the cold, hard floor.
He clutched his aching head with one hand and braced the other against the wall, barely managing to stand.
He gazed blankly around the unfamiliar surroundings, his heart filled with confusion and unease.
The light was dim, and a stale, decaying smell hung in the air. Strange objects stood all around him, lending the place an air of mystery.
"Is this... the imperial family's secret chamber?" Qian Fan frowned, trying hard to recall what had happened.
Suddenly, a sharp pain struck. He let out a muffled groan and nearly fell to the floor again.
"I pushed myself too hard yesterday."
Qian Fan looked around.
"There's a recording stone."
Qian Fan picked up the recording stone and gently wiped the dust from its surface.
He focused and channeled his internal energy into it. The recording stone immediately gave off a faint glow.
A voice came from within.
(Qian Fan, lad, I know you want to find Yuan'er right now. But with your current strength, even if I told you who was behind this, you wouldn't be able to rescue her. Still, I'll give you a chance. If you break through to the Titled Douluo realm within six months, I'll let you go look for her.)
"So Xu Fangyuan really was the one who locked me up."
Qian Fan shook his head. That old fellow underestimated me after all.
For anyone else, going from level 85 to level 90 would take at least three years. Xu Fangyuan had hoped to trap him this way.
"But can't I just refuse to play fair?"
After all, Qian Fan still had his cheat.
[System: ...] [System: Host, how remarkable that you still remember this old servant.]
Qian Fan: ...
Qian Fan: System, hurry and check my points.
[Yes, Host.] [Checking...] [Total: seventy-one million points.]
Now it was Qian Fan's turn to be dumbfounded.
"Seventy-one million!"
[Yes, Host. Your various actions in the Seven Star Domain all earned points, and you haven't spent a single point in three years. Naturally, as the water rose, so did the boat, bringing your total to seventy-one million.]
Qian Fan nodded.
"Can I use points to raise my level?"
[Yes, Host.]
"Great! Raise my Soul Power to level 90."
[Understood, Host... executing...] [Total expenditure: ten million points.] [Reward successfully delivered.]
The system notification rang out: "Congratulations, Host! You have received a system reward. Your level has risen to level 90!"
A tremendous force instantly enveloped Qian Fan's body, and he felt his strength steadily increasing.
His muscles grew firmer, his bones grew harder, and a resolute light shone in his eyes.
As Qian Fan felt the changes in his body, joy and excitement filled his heart.
He could feel his strength continuing to rise.
"Time to get out of here!"
Qian Fan savored that unparalleled feeling of comfort.
Qian Fan stretched, feeling better than ever. He walked toward the secret chamber's exit, silently vowing that he would rescue Yuan'er.
The door slowly opened, and sunlight streamed in from outside, making Qian Fan squint. He took a deep breath and stepped out of the secret chamber.
A magnificent palace stood before him. As Qian Fan strolled through it, countless emotions stirred in his heart. He recalled his past experiences and all the little moments he had shared with Yuan'er.
Now that he possessed greater strength, he would surely be able to protect the person he loved. With firm, powerful strides, Qian Fan headed deeper into the palace.
Meanwhile...
Xu Fangyuan [???????]
"Holy shit, how did the secret chamber's door open?! I set it so it would only open once Qian Fan reached level 90. Otherwise, even a God King couldn't open it!"
Xu Fangyuan's expression changed drastically. In a flash, he rushed toward the secret chamber. But when he arrived, he found it empty.
"How is this possible? Where did that brat Qian Fan go?" Xu Fangyuan said.
Xu Fangyuan followed Qian Fan's aura until he found him.
Qian Fan spotted Xu Fangyuan as well.
Qian Fan was just about to speak when Xu Fangyuan unleashed his Divine Power. The force compelled Qian Fan to release his Martial Soul to resist it.
And in doing so, he revealed his level 90 cultivation.
????????
Now Xu Fangyuan was completely dumbfounded.
Xu Fangyuan stared at Qian Fan with wide eyes, unable to believe what he was seeing.
"You... you've actually reached level 90?" His voice trembled slightly.
Qian Fan sneered, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes.
"Your Majesty, you didn't expect this, did you? Still, I have you to thank for it. If you hadn't forced me, I wouldn't have broken through so quickly."
Xu Fangyuan's expression turned exceedingly grim. He gritted his teeth, inwardly cursing himself.
"Fine, Qian Fan. Since you've already broken through, I have nothing more to say. But you certainly can't go alone. I'll have Tang San and Chen Sixue accompany you. And I'll have a Divine God Realm expert follow you as well!"
Qian Fan's heart sank. He knew Xu Fangyuan was doing this for his own good, but for Xu Yuan'er's sake, he absolutely could not give up.
"Even if I have to brave mountains of blades and seas of fire, I'll go!"
With that, Qian Fan took out the Abyss God's token and immediately crushed it. The token dissolved into white smoke and dispersed.
A little while later...
A figure appeared. It was the Abyss God, Ouyang Tianxin.
"Young Master, what do you require of this old servant?"
Ouyang Tianxin knelt before Qian Fan as he spoke.
Utter bewilderment was written all over Xu Fangyuan's face. He couldn't help inwardly grumbling, That bastard Qian Fan must have turned the Eternal Secret Realm upside down. He even dug out the Abyss Douluo and brought him over.
Qian Fan explained what had happened to Ouyang Tianxin. Ouyang Tianxin frowned slightly, knowing that this journey would be fraught with danger. Nevertheless, he decided to follow Qian Fan, for this was his master's command.
Looking at the two men before him, Xu Fangyuan sighed inwardly. He took out an ancient map and handed it to Qian Fan. "This is a map of the route to the Phoenix Domain. Proceed with caution. I'll wait here for you to bring Yuan'er back safely."
Qian Fan accepted the map and gave Xu Fangyuan a grateful look.
Xu Fangyuan shook his head helplessly and had a servant summon Tang San and Chen Sixue. Then he took out a card and handed it to Qian Fan, his face full of anguish.
"Brat, this card holds a whopping 1,000 star coins. Don't go squandering it! That's a whole month's worth of my private savings."
Qian Fan took the card. Just then, Tang San and Chen Sixue arrived.
"Brother Fan, you're finally back."
Tang San greeted Qian Fan with a smile, and Chen Sixue smiled in greeting as well.
Qian Fan smiled.
"Since everyone's here, let's set off! Even if I die, I, Qian Fan, will bring Yuan'er back safely."
Before you continue