30 minutes ago.


    Before Yan Ji''s system upgraded.


    "M-master, Baobao''s breathe is!"


    [Keep running! We''re almost there!]


    Passing through the river of the formation of the life gate, Yan Long destroyed it. The mist from the valley vanished and a long set of stairs appeared before him. The stairs seemed to be endless and infinite as they reached the stars.


    [From here on, you can only walk up through your own willpower.]


    "Yes, master!"


    Without wasting a seconds breathe, he tightened the clothe in front as he lifted BaoBao on his back.


    Like a flash of white light, he transcended even the wind as he ran along the stairs. There was no time to waste as his friends life was at stake.


    He would never let anyone die! Over his dead body!


    Yan Long screamed these thoughts internally over and over again. It was a constant reminder of what was at stake.


    Before long, he had ran out of spiritual energy.


    When he did, he simply ate a pill that restored his energy.


    Over and over Yan Long repeated this process.


    The old wise man in the ring was genuinely impressed and admired his hopeless stubbornness.


    [If we can get up to the medicinal valley, you have a chance to save BaoBao''s life!]


    Above the mountains and the clouds was the Heavenly Medicinal Valley.


    The group of disciples and even Shen Yuexin were looking through a large fountain in the middle of the sect.


    Through this fountain, they could see Yan Long as he ran as fast as he could.


    "W-wow! Whose holy son is this!? I''ve never seen him before!?"


    "From what I can tell, his clothings seem to be from the Tear Valley Sect. But I''ve only heard of Yan Ji, not anyone else! Could this be Yan Ji?"


    "No, Yan Ji was pronounced dead a couple of weeks ago! Now that you mention Yan... Wasn''t there also another Yan member?"


    "I know! I know! Yan Long! He crippled his uncle and I even heard that he assassinated Yan Ji the night before their duel!"


    If it was any other time, Shen Yuexin would have enjoyed the whispers and talks, but she felt so weak. Still, she felt great admiration towards Yan Long.


    "To go so far for this...This person must be a loyal and kind person."


    Her voice gently spoke.


    Her grandfather looked at the fountain.


    "Not right now, we have to deal with your situation first! Men, go down and–"


    "Grandfather, that''s against the rules."


    "But–"


    "You''ve already broken a lot of rules for me already, I don''t want to see you break another one."


    Her grandfather looked at her pleading eyes and sighed.


    "Fine, grandfather will listen to you." He patted her head lovingly.


    Meanwhile a greater force was steadily approaching the sect.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    He opened his crimson eyes.


    "A measly formation wants to stop me?"


    He pushed his body slowly against the walls of the formation meant to keep intruders out. The moment they touched him, they shattered into a thousand pieces like glass.


    Demon Lord Tian Zun continuously broke through every barrier that appeared as simple as the last.


    He had no time to spare for these petty tricks!


    His body moved as the world seemed to have made a path for him to the stairs. However, instead of climbing the stairs, he flew and shot out like a arrow released from a bow.


    On the top of the mountain, several students were shocked at how this man had made it here.


    Yan Long breathed heavily. Wiping away the sweat, he looked at the students around him. He knelt down on the ground and with a bow, he spoke:


    "I ask that the Heavenly Medicinal Valley cure my friend! In accordance of the rules, I have broken all 9 formations, passed the stairs of virtue, and knelt down towards the medicinal''s saintess statue!"


    He begged again.


    "I ask that the Heavenly Medicinal Valley cure my friend! In accordance of the rules, I have broken all 9 formations, passed the stairs of virtue, and knelt down towards the medicinal''s saintess statue!"


    And again.


    "I ask that the Heavenly Medicinal Valley cure my friend! In accordance of the rules, I have broken all 9 formations, passed the stairs of virtue, and knelt down towards the medicinal''s saintess statue!"


    They could feel his desperation and felt a great sense of admiration.


    To be able to let ego go and to bow 3 times showed great respect. It was clear that he knew the rules almost even better than they did!


    "I hear you."


    Shen Yuexin''s grandfather walked out among the crowd.


    "Show me."


    He wanted this to get over with quickly. He couldn''t spare another second that he could use to save his granddaughter.


    However as he looked at Baobao...


    "T-this is!"


    Yan Long seeing his shocked expression, showed both expectations and also fear.


    "Does sir know what this disease is?"


    However, Yan Long needed to test whether the this man really knew or was just playing him for a fool.


    He wasn''t someone that would willingly await to be scammed!


    Shen Yuexin''s grandfather thought to himself as he caressed his beard.


    He spoke.


    "I can''t save him, please leave."


    This completely baffled Yan Long.


    "What!?"


    After finally reaching here, after seeing a glimpse of hope? He had come too far to just turn back now!


    "Sir, please check again!"


    "No matter how many times I check, I can''t save him!"


    "Sir! I''ve heard that by passing your trials, you would cure them without fail!? I think that''s simply a lie now that I''ve seen your true face!"


    "Enough, go down the mountain! This one is on me. Come back when you have another–"


    "Grandfather!"


    Yan Long saw a beautiful fairy in all white. A light veil covered her lower face, but he could tell without a doubt that she was extremely pretty. With but a glance, kingdoms fall; with but a smile, cities collapse.


    She stood there like a fairy descended from the nine heavens, untouched by mortal dust. A single glance from him, and hearts would burn.


    Yan Long blushed red and gulped down any saliva he had.


    Of course, even though he had tried to hide it as best as he could, Shen Yuexin still noticed.


    She sighed.


    Obviously she could tell when someone was attracted to her through simply their gaze.


    Oh how she wanted to feel another person touch by the hand, love in the air as petals flew, and to hold a lover close to her heart.


    However every time a man looked at her, it was only filled with lust, desire, and obsession.


    After countless years and countless experiences, she had no choice but to hide her face behind a piece of clothe.


    This pained her grandfather greatly, but nevertheless, he stood by her decision.


    "Yuexin..."


    However this time....he knew why she had come out.


    "Let''s use the Radiant Mirror."


    "But.."


    "As long as I''m nearby, it shouldn''t affect me too much right?"


    This was indeed true. But to have someone use it at this time? What if this young man was trying to steal it for himself? What then?


    Seeing his granddaughter''s eyes, he knew she wouldn''t yield. Not when it came to saving a persons life.


    "Alright....you, come with me."


    Her grandfather quickly walked as Shen Yuexin gave Yan Long a light nod. Yan Long shook his head awake.


    [What? Are you interested in that girl?]


    "T-that''s not it! I was just thankful for her."


    [sure you are.]


    The wise old man smugly responded and fell quiet shortly after.


    The 4 of them entered into the infirmary.


    "Put him down there." He pointed to a bed.


    As Yan Long did so, he saw the old man take out a jade mirror from who knows where?


    Scanning BaoBao, he sighed, "It''s just like I thought...".


    Yan Long asked, "What exactly is the problem!?"


    "This disease is actually like my granddaughter''s."


    "What!?" He looked at Shen Yuexin, "But why is miss fine, but Baobao fine?"


    "It might be because of time, it might be the dose, it could be a lot of things. But right now, this man will die in the next 3 days if your lucky."


    "...If I''m not lucky?"


    "Then he can die at any moment."


    Yan Long gripped his hand to a fist.


    [Ask him if this is a curse]


    "Is this a curse?"


    "No...If it was, the radiant mirror would have already shown some signs of it."


    Boom!


    "Sect master, get out here now! Otherwise, excuse my behavior!"


    A echoing voice belonging to the demon lord vibrated through everyone''s ears.


    [Yan Long, I have to hide against this man, be careful. If you need help, I can only help you once!]


    However because of this voice, it made the already weak Baobao cough up blood. He really seemed like any second now he would die.


    "Bastard!"


    Yan Long wasn''t afraid of whoever was out there. With his master''s help, he could even take on heaven and not be scared!