C2 The Mysterious Picture Scroll

Poison the young mistress of the Zhang Family?

Upon hearing the chilling words spill from Zhang Che's lips, Zhang Chen nearly collapsed in terror.

The young mistress was the apple of the Zhang Family patriarch's eye. Not only was she strikingly beautiful, but her martial arts prowess was formidable. Zhang Chen wouldn't dare to poison Zhang Yuner even if he had the audacity tenfold.

Zhang Chen stood frozen, his expression one of shock, prompting Zhang Che's face to turn icy. "You refuse? It seems I must enforce the family's law and teach you the consequences of illicitly learning martial arts! Besides, now that you're privy to my intentions, you cannot remain in this world!"

Zhang Che's ultimatum was crystal clear: agree to his demand or face immediate death.

Zhang Chen's complexion grew deathly pale upon hearing this.

Murdering the young mistress was a death sentence in itself. Whether he succeeded or not, the Zhang Family patriarch would ensure his demise.

"Well? Have you made up your mind? My patience is wearing thin!" A voice, sinister as the devil's, echoed in Zhang Chen's ears, the threat of death looming.

As the eldest son of the Zhang Family, Zhang Che was at the Martial Master Stage, just like Zhang Xiao. To him, taking Zhang Chen's life was as effortless as crushing an ant.

With Zhang Che's patience waning, Zhang Chen, through clenched teeth, reluctantly agreed and accepted the porcelain bottle filled with Blood Dissipating Powder from him.

A smirk flickered across Zhang Che's face as he saw Zhang Chen's compliance.

"You're wise to see reason. Once Zhang Yuner is gone, and I ascend as the family patriarch, your loyalty will be handsomely rewarded." Satisfied, Zhang Che nodded, then turned and strode away, leaving Zhang Chen alone, reeling by the desolate well.

"What now..."

Staring at the Blood Dissipating Powder in his grasp, Zhang Chen's face was ghostly pale, his heart sinking into the depths of despair. He understood that whether he administered the poison or not, his fate was sealed; the only question was who would deliver the fatal blow.

He rose to his feet, leaning on the edge of the parched well, his clothes soaked through with a cold sweat.

Then, a glimmer of an idea sparked in Zhang Chen's eyes as he peered into the depths of the well before him.

Six months ago, he had accidentally tumbled into a well and stumbled upon a hidden passage. The passage was thick with cobwebs, its destination unknown. But escape meant a chance at survival.

"I'm dead either way..."

Zhang Chen muttered to himself, consumed by a single thought—escape!

Over the years, countless servants had attempted to flee, but all were caught and executed before they could even leave Canglan City. And the true end of this secret passage was a mystery; if it led to a dead end, he would be doomed.

"May my fate not be sealed just yet..."

Once sure he was alone, Zhang Chen inhaled deeply and leaped into the desolate well.

Inside the passage, darkness enveloped him, devoid of any light. Zhang Chen had no choice but to grope his way forward.

After what felt like hours, a glimmer of light suddenly pierced the darkness, catching Zhang Chen's eye.

Initially, he thought he was nearing the exit, but what he saw next nearly scared him out of his wits.

A skeletal figure, emitting a dark golden glow, sat before him, clutching an unfurled scroll.

The skeleton's bones shone with a metallic sheen, indicating the strength of the expert it once was. However, upon closer inspection, Zhang Chen noticed the skeleton was riddled with cracks, evidence of the severe injuries it had suffered before death.

"This person was undoubtedly a master of the Diamond Stage!" Zhang Chen steadied his nerves and speculated.

"This mysterious scroll must be a precious treasure; it can't be left here to gather dust."

With that thought, Zhang Chen braved his fears, reaching out to take the scroll from the skeleton's grasp.

Buzz!

The moment Zhang Chen's fingers brushed the mysterious scroll, a powerful will rushed into his mind, overwhelming him.

Overcome with exhaustion, Zhang Chen collapsed to the ground, unable to stay conscious.

As he slept, a soothing warmth enveloped his body, and he felt an incredible sense of comfort.

In his dream, Zhang Chen found himself in a mystical realm. Amidst the clouds, a resplendent palace shimmered with gold and jade, surrounded by golden trees and silver flowers. Before him, the Young Man In White sat under a tree, gazing pensively at a shallow pool of water.

It was unclear what was drawing the young man in white to the shallow water.

"Each one is weaker than the last!" Suddenly, the young man in white raised his head, glanced at Zhang Chen, and shook his head in disappointment.

Zhang Chen was taken aback when he recognized the face of the young man in white—it was his own!

"Who are you?" Zhang Chen asked, gathering his courage.

"I am the Artifact Spirit of the Universe Diagram. You are inside the Universe Diagram. Many years ago, someone found me, but he was too weak for my liking. I never expected someone even weaker would come along," the young man in white said, his face etched with profound disappointment.

Zhang Chen was astounded by his words.

The skeleton outside was at least a Diamond Stage Expert, and yet the Artifact Spirit of the Universe Diagram looked down on him?

"However, I've been lonely for countless years, and it's been quite dull. If you can take me out of this gloomy place, I might offer you some rewards."

Clearly, the Universe Diagram was an extraordinary treasure, possessing an Artifact Spirit of great intelligence.

"Alright!" Without hesitation, Zhang Chen agreed.

He intended to leave this place anyway, and carrying the Universe Diagram with him was convenient, especially if it meant receiving benefits.

Upon Zhang Chen's agreement, a smile flickered across the young man in white's lips. With a wave of his hand, Zhang Chen lost consciousness, a warm current rushing through his body, bringing such comfort that he nearly cried out.

When Zhang Chen came to, he discovered the skeleton had crumbled to dust, and he was clutching the Universe Diagram in his hand.

The next moment, surprise washed over Zhang Chen's face.

His once gaunt frame had filled out, his bones had strengthened, and he was brimming with power.

"Have I really advanced to the Martial Warrior Stage?"

Feeling the transformation within, Zhang Chen was in disbelief.

To train one's body to the point of withstanding a thousand kilograms was to reach the Martial Disciple Stage. Further refining of muscles and bones would lead to the Martial Warrior Stage. Given the changes in Zhang Chen's physique, it was clear he had ascended to the Martial Warrior Stage.

"Even as a warrior, one holds no significance within the Zhang Family. Capture means certain death. The only chance for survival is to flee Canglan City, pass through Tianmen Pass, and reach the safety of the southern regions of the Great Qian Empire."

With his mind focused, Zhang Chen did not allow himself to be swept up in the elation of his narrow escape from the Zhang Family. He was determined to exit the secret tunnel and make his way through Tianmen Pass without delay.

In the dead of night, under a bright moon and sparse stars, a figure emerged from a hole amidst the thick carpet of leaves in the Hengduan Mountains outside Canglan City. That figure was none other than Zhang Chen.

Rustle! Rustle! Rustle!

As Zhang Chen prepared to depart, the sound of footsteps crunching on the fallen leaves caused him to tense up.

Suddenly, a small figure clad in purple darted out of the dense forest before him and tumbled to the ground at his feet. The sudden appearance of a person leaping out in this secluded woodland startled Zhang Chen considerably.

Before him lay a woman in a purple gown, suffering from a deep gash at her waist, from which blood flowed freely. The sight of the exposed, mangled flesh made Zhang Chen's skin crawl.

"Save me..." the woman pleaded faintly.

Upon hearing her plea, Zhang Chen instinctively glanced at the woman in the moonlight. That single look nearly frightened him out of his wits!