C13 Departing Mount Kunlun

"Bastard, how dare you rob me! You'll pay for this!" Wang Liang seethed, blood streaming from his wrist.

"You can't get rich without taking risks. Keep cursing, and I'll give you another cut," came the cold retort.

Wang Liang clamped his mouth shut as Chu Xing retrieved the gun.

"Chu Xing, you can't keep the gun. It has to be turned in," Lee Zhi urged, his voice laced with urgency.

"Pity," Chu Xing mused, realizing the truth in Lee Zhi's words. With the nation's strict gun control laws, keeping it would only spell trouble. He toyed with the gun momentarily, then removed the bullets and tossed them to Lee Zhi.

"Thanks, Chu Xing," Wang Feiqiang said, his gaze fixed on Chu Xing, the memory of their school conflict making him uneasy.

"I should be the one apologizing for school," Chu Xing admitted, looking at Wang Feiqiang's fearful expression and deciding to leave the past behind.

"I was the arrogant one, always picking fights with you. It's my own fault."

"What's the situation at school now?"

"You haven't been gone long, and the school's already on break," Wang Feiqiang informed him.

By then, Lee Qiang was assisting Wang Liang as they departed.

"Well, I'm off. Take care of yourself," Chu Xing said before walking away.

"Goodbye!"

Chu Xing found a secluded spot to examine his loot. Lee Qiang had left behind a Low Rank Yellow Grade sword.

Wang Liang's storage ring held a wealth of items: five spirit stones, five Middle Rank Yellow Grade swords, one Middle Rank Yellow Grade saber, a ginseng, a "Basic Sword Technique" manual, and a "Flight Sword Technique" manual.

"Robbing to get rich does have its logic," Chu Xing pondered.

He hadn't anticipated gaining such treasures by merely saving someone. The ginseng, now infused with spiritual energy, piqued his interest the most. He resolved to keep a closer eye on the transformation of plants.

"Any new ruins discovered lately? It's been a week since I've come across any."

"I've never seen one from the start."

"There could be some beneath the sea, but who's brave enough to venture there?"

"I've heard that a lot of animals have been flocking to Mount Kunlun lately."

"There's an abundance of wildlife on Mount Kunlun, and many people have gotten hurt."

"Recently, they've restricted access to Mount Kunlun."

"Rumor has it that Mount Kunlun conceals a vast treasure."

"My friends, refrain from violence and strife. Seek tranquility in your spiritual practice."

"O Lord Buddha, grant me a magical treasure to aid in vanquishing demons and evil spirits."

...

Chu Xing was scouring the forums for any useful leads. The reports about Mount Kunlun piqued his interest, and he decided to check it out himself—there might be something worthwhile to discover.

Two days later, Chu Xing was back in Xijing City. He reunited with his doppelganger, stowing him away in the black sphere, and set out to restock his supplies.

For some reason, he found himself drawn to his old school. Deep down, there was probably a lingering yearning. Chu Xing merely gazed at the school from a distance.

"Darling, thank you for coming with me to school," a girl's voice, tinged with a mischievous tone, rang out.

"Just be good, and that's thanks enough," the man replied with a hearty laugh.

"Yes."

Chu Xing glanced over and recognized the girl; she was the beauty of the sophomore class. The man with her was around thirty, short, standing at about 1.6 meters, with a burly appearance.

Chu Xing gave a snort, sensing the man's disdainful look, as if there was a hidden message in Chu Xing's gaze.

The woman glanced at Chu Xing and sneered, "Honey, he's just a country bumpkin, totally out of his element." She clung closer to her brash companion.

"Ha, your flattery is the sweetest. Out in the wild, I'd bury him with one punch," the man boasted, giving the woman's behind a pat.

"Oh, you're so strong," she cooed.

...

"Who'll end up buried is still up in the air," Chu Xing mused, watching the burly man walk away. He did feel a bit out of touch, having spent over twenty days in the mountains.

"The world now respects only the strong. 'The resurgence of the salted fish' must be about this," Chu Xing thought, not wanting to squander more time with the boorish man. After one last look at the school, he turned and walked away.

Chu Xing stocked up on food and water, but he devoted most of his time to purchasing an array of lifelike human skin masks, gloves, and a plethora of wilderness survival gear.

He also invested in several motorcycles and bicycles, as a car was beyond his budget with only 100,000 yuan at his disposal. Chu Xing initially bought the motorcycle for commuting, but after giving it a spin inside the black sphere, it unexpectedly captured his interest.

In the hands of his mechanical clone, the motorcycle became an extension of his own body, its inner workings crystal clear. The clone had the ability to modify the motorcycle's structure on a whim, making it an unbeatable ride.

The ancient Chinese myths spoke of deities like the Jade Emperor, Lord Tathagata, Sun Wukong, and Jiang Ziya. While the relics found in the modern world were akin to those from the myths, all related to the pursuit of immortality, none bore any direct connection to these legendary figures.

Mount Kunlun was revered as the premier sacred mountain in ancient China, rumored to be the cultivation site of the Western Mother Queen and the mythical Jade Lake.

Currently, Chu Xing found himself on the outskirts of Mount Kunlun, gazing at the distant mountains shrouded in a mist of immortal Qi.

Having replenished his supplies in Xijing City, Chu Xing had made his way to this location.

Mount Kunlun's allure for wildlife meant that many animals aggressively targeted humans, leading to the closure of the primary access routes into the mountain.

The government sought to unravel the mysteries behind Earth's dramatic transformations, and for reasons unknown to Chu Xing, they had not forbidden entry. Consequently, many individuals teamed up here in the name of safety.

"Need one more for a team of four; rugged off-road vehicle provided. Experts wanted."

"Seeking a small group of five, currently including one gold and one fire spiritual root. Only those with special abilities need apply."

...

"Hey, young man, we're assembling a group of twenty to head in together. You're welcome to join us," a man in his thirties invited Chu Xing.

"No thanks, I'm already part of a team," Chu Xing declined with a shake of his head.

Indeed, Chu Xing had his own team - he planned to enter with his mechanical clone. He was confident that together with his clone, his safety was substantially assured, and he needed to keep the clone's secret capabilities under wraps.

What intrigued Chu Xing was the presence of a trading zone for magic treasures right here. It resembled a flea market where vendors spread out cloths on the ground to display their wares for sale, drawing crowds of onlookers and potential buyers.

Chu Xing took a stroll through the bustling market, where an array of items caught his eye. It was clear that good fortune wasn't exclusive to him alone. Among the wares were talisman treasures, immortal swords, cultivation techniques, and ginseng. A particular Profound Grade Middle Rank sword piqued Chu Xing's interest. He was currently wielding a Low Rank Profound Grade broken sword, but the seller's asking price of 50 spirit stones was beyond his means, forcing him to move on.

Storage Bags were a rarity and in high demand, with many eager to purchase them. Those lucky enough to possess one kept it securely in their pockets, too cautious to wear it openly for fear of theft.

"Spirit stones for your Storage Bags!" shouted three young men in front of a tent.

"How much are you asking?" inquired Chu Xing.

Chu Xing had four Storage Bags on hand and was willing to part with them for the right amount of spirit stones.

"Come inside to discuss," one of the young men suggested, gesturing towards the tent.

Ducking into the tent, Chu Xing found himself face-to-face with a bald man in his thirties, a practitioner of Qi Training at the First Layer with a Fire Spiritual Root.

"Show me your Storage Bag," the bald man requested.

"It has a nine-square-meter capacity," Chu Xing replied, placing the bag on his palm without handing it over. He knew all too well how money could tempt, and he wasn't about to take any chances.

The bald man, unfazed and familiar with Storage Bags, offered, "Ten spirit stones."

"That's far too low," Chu Xing countered, confident that the bag was worth more.

The bald man casually stroked his head and asked, "What's your price?"

"Fifty spirit stones," Chu Xing responded firmly.

"You must be joking. No one has that many spirit stones on hand," the bald man scoffed internally, convinced that Chu Xing wouldn't be easily swayed.

"Give me a serious offer."

"Fifteen spirit stones," the bald man relented.

"Forget it," Chu Xing said, standing up. Though he didn't know the exact market value of the Storage Bags, he was certain they were worth more than that. After all, no one outside was selling them, and such a convenient item for carrying belongings was sought after by all.

"Wait, young man," the bald man called out hastily as Chu Xing began to leave. "Twenty-five spirit stones, that's my final offer."

"Sure," Chu Xing said, sensing it was the right time.

The bald man pulled twenty-five spirit stones from a nearby bag. Chu Xing passed over the storage bag, and after the exchange, he departed.

No sooner had Chu Xing left than three young men entered, questioning, "Big bro, did you get it?"

"Of course, what do you think I'm holding? But it cost me all twenty-five spirit stones; my savings are wiped out," the bald man lamented. "Plus, he's got at least one decent storage space." He had seen Chu Xing simply touch the spirit stones, making them disappear.

"Why not just rob him? He looks pretty young," one of the youths suggested.

"Check if he's alone. If we get the chance, let's take him down," the bald man instructed firmly.

Unaware he was being watched, Chu Xing continued his stroll, eventually selling a Yellow Grade Middle Rank sword for five million. He had never laid eyes on such a fortune and planned to upgrade his lifestyle on his next outing.

Choosing a quiet lane, Chu Xing cruised leisurely on his motorcycle.

About half an hour later, an off-road vehicle halted before him. The four individuals who had purchased Chu Xing's storage bag stepped out, brandishing knives and encircling him.

"Kid, you've got nerve, coming here by yourself," the bald man acknowledged, clearly respecting Chu Xing's audacity.

"Must still be in school. Did you steal from the grown-ups and run off?" one taunted.

"Yeah, hand over everything you've got and scram," another added.

"Don't just freeze up, move it!" the young men urged, eager for the loot.

Chu Xing drew his broken sword, facing them down. "You're not planning to kill me to keep me quiet, are you?"