Traveling across the globe for the first time

Zhang Haoran quickly realized that the scene's collapse had only slowed down, but had not stopped. He immediately understood the seriousness of the problem and cursed, "Damn it, this is a death trap! No matter what I choose, it's wrong. These old bastards are too cunning!"
If Lao Tzu absorbs more than half of the energy, he will pass the level directly.

If too little is absorbed, the level will continue to deteriorate and eventually collapse completely.

This is an attempt to kick me out!

It seems impossible to complete three forgings in this stage.

At this moment, the phantoms revived, and before they even left the room, a new cycle was about to begin.

Zhang Haoran immediately released his mental energy to carefully observe the energy changes within the checkpoint.

When the scene repeated itself, he finally understood what was going on. Those unstable primal forces that required the interweaving of three different energies were actually modeled by the power of laws.

The absorption of these primal forces reduced the energy within the level, which is why it gradually fell into disrepair.

Logically speaking, he didn't absorb much, so it shouldn't cause the scene to collapse.

After all, this energy will be replenished quickly once it is used up.

They had fought the Overlord Emperor for so long, each strike unleashing the power of a king, consuming millions of times more energy than this battle, yet they hadn't run out of energy.

He only absorbed a small portion of the power of the rules here before the scene began to collapse, which was clearly caused by someone tampering with it.

It could be a seed, or it could be the Eastern Emperor, or it could be the result of the two of them working together.

The seed no longer inputs rules into this level, or it may input very few, insufficient to compensate for the absorbed rule power.

Donghuang concentrated all the power of the rules within the barrier onto the exploding ball of light, which caused the space to be unable to withstand the impact of the explosion.

In fact, Zhang Haoran knew that the seed could not completely cut off the supply of the power of the rules here, otherwise this level would have collapsed long ago.

Once he stops absorbing the Force, the energy within the level will recover after a period of time.

But he won't do that.

Seed has plenty of ways to scheme against him, but for now, he's sticking to the rules and doesn't want to go too far.

If Zhang Haoran really waits for the energy here to recover so he can continue absorbing it, they might change the rules again.

For example, you can pass a level by surviving a certain number of attacks.

Since the seed is determined not to let him complete the three forgings, it will definitely go to extremes.

Rather than letting the other party change the rules and put him in a more disadvantageous position, it's better to just stay in this stalemate, at least we can push the forging progress of the jade bone a little further.

Zhang Haoran said dejectedly, "Damn it, has Seed gone mad? What grudge do I have against him? Why is he targeting me so relentlessly?"

He had a feeling that something was definitely wrong with the seed projection here; it was actually actively breaking the rules of this place.

You must understand that the seed is equivalent to the Heavenly Dao of this small world. Disrupting the rules here will have the greatest impact on the seed.

He can't absorb the Force; at most, the forging speed will be a little slower, but there won't be much loss.

The rules here are the foundation of the seed's existence. If all the rules collapse, the seed will also disappear. This is not a matter of hurting the enemy a thousand while losing eight hundred of your own, but rather hurting the enemy a hundred while losing ten thousand of your own.

The seeds have already shown a do-or-die attitude, so they will only become more ruthless afterward.

Perhaps this is the last perk Zhang Haoran can enjoy at Boundary Point.

The next challenge will definitely be more difficult, ensuring he doesn't gain any advantage.

He analyzed the situation and decided to remain unchanged and continue to absorb the power of the rules. Based on his previous observations, he should be able to push the forging progress to 70% before the level collapses.

As for being targeted in other levels, it doesn't matter. With his current strength, he's not going to perish. He'll just deal with whatever comes his way.

He began to focus on refining his jade bones and observing the changes within the level.

Sure enough, with each burst of the Force, the energy was continuously absorbed, the level became increasingly dilapidated, and the phantoms became even more illusory.

"Boom!"

The outermost palaces began to collapse, and dark spatial rifts appeared at the edge of the checkpoint.

Zhang Haoran said dejectedly, "Damn! That was fast. Looks like I'd better hurry up."

He began to speed up the forging process, and large amounts of life essence were absorbed into his body...

He gritted his teeth and absorbed a few more drops of true blood. Every little bit helps. Although true blood can't temper jade bones, it can strengthen the body and speed up the forging process a little.

As he continued to absorb the surroundings, the scenery became even more dilapidated.

When the surrounding rooms, buildings, and even the square begin to appear unreal...
He knew the final moment was approaching. The jade bone was now 65% complete, which was a bit short of his expectations, but the barrier hadn't completely collapsed yet and could still absorb a few more waves of energy.

Zhang Haoran's eyes began to flicker; he was considering how to leave.

"There are only a few conditions for passing the test: either save these disciples or bring the Force to a balance. How should I choose?"

To be honest, he really didn't want to save these disciples; he was heartbroken!

Teachers don't care about their students' lives or deaths, so what business is it of an outsider like him?

Who told them to be so blind as to cling to Donghuang's coattails? They deserved to die.

Besides, this is just a projection, not a real person.

However, there is an advantage to doing this: it allows you to absorb more energy. If you can absorb that Force cluster directly, you will get much more energy than after it explodes, since explosions also consume energy.

Another option is to follow the method described in the original work and provide a portion of spiritual energy and life force...

Seed and Donghuang can manipulate the rules, adding extra rules, but the original rules for passing the level will not change. By balancing the Force, they should be able to pass the level.

In fact, Donghuang gave a hint from the beginning. He said that if there is too much Qi and Blood, then it is necessary to appropriately increase the other two types of energy in order to achieve balance.

Having absorbed so much unstable primal force, Zhang Haoran had long since deciphered its proportions, making this task easy for him.

Choosing this approach would be following the rules, seemingly the safest method, but he always felt it might be a trap. His spiritual energy and life force, taken by Donghuang and the seed, might lead to something, which could be one of their objectives.

Moreover, this possibility is not small. Zhang Haoran had fought in previous levels, and a lot of energy and blood had been dissipated, but that energy and blood was difficult to utilize.

If he actively injects his life force, the effect will be quite different. The energy will be extremely stable, almost identical to its state within the body, and he might actually cause some trouble. Although this world emphasizes martial arts and has very few underhanded tricks, it's not without its insidious methods.

Especially the seed, which wields the power of the Heavenly Dao and has access to too many laws. Who knows what law might use these life forces to trick it? So we must be careful.

Although reluctant, Zhang Haoran still decided to save those disciples, hoping to gain more benefits while avoiding risks.

When the projections gathered again from all directions, lined up in the center of the square, ready to jump into the fire pit, he was on high alert. This was the last wave of Force he could harvest.

Then the scene began to repeat itself: first, Donghuang spoke, then the disciples split into three teams and began to unleash their energy; qi, blood, life force, and spiritual power intertwined in the air... Origin Force was born, began to become unstable, and would explode in the next moment...

"It's now!"

Zhang Haoran flashed into the sky, where a large golden hand reached out and suppressed the mass of primal force.

The large hand gradually tightened, compressing the ball of primal force until it was only the size of a ping-pong ball, which he then swallowed.

As he felt the Force explode within his body, a smile appeared on his face. Sure enough, the Force was more effective without the explosion.

There's absolutely no problem forging the jade bone to 70%.

He stood shoulder to shoulder with Donghuang, turned to look at the projection and said, "I only used the power of the ninth level to easily suppress this primal force. You didn't save these disciples back then. You're really cold-blooded."

When he saw Donghuang's expression, he was taken aback.

Only then did he realize that the Eastern Emperor's projection had not become illusory like the surrounding scenery; instead, it had become more solid and was now looking at him with a mocking gaze.

Because the Force cluster was swallowed up, the disciples below were not torn apart, so these phantoms did not disappear. Unlike their previous indifference, everyone was looking at him with strange eyes.

Everyone seemed to be questioning, "Our experiment was going perfectly well, how did you manage to swallow the Force?"
Zhang Haoran was determined and naturally wouldn't be affected by this small scene. He said in bewilderment, "I know you're sane, so stop pretending!"
I just want to ask, why didn't you save these disciples back then? Their deaths were so pathetic, utterly pointless.

This was actually what puzzled him the most. No matter what Donghuang's purpose was, he shouldn't have watched these disciples perish. Even if they were just tools, their deaths should have been more meaningful.

Upon hearing the question, Donghuang's playful gaze became complicated, but his expression remained unchanged, still bearing that annoying smile as he said, "Hehe! Didn't you already save them?"
"Well done. You've satisfied my deepest desire. You can clear the game now."

The Eastern Emperor's words meant he had no intention of explaining anything to him.

Zhang Haoran didn't dwell on it. If Donghuang didn't want to talk about it, then there must be a hidden reason. Maybe someone was secretly intimidating him, preventing him from taking action to rescue him.

It's also possible that the experiment was about to succeed and he didn't want to be discovered, so he killed someone to silence them and deliberately didn't offer any help. In short, there are too many possibilities.

He was too lazy to waste his brain cells.

At this moment, the surrounding scenery became even more illusory, the palaces in the distance collapsed piece by piece, and even the faces of the disciples below began to blur, only the Eastern Emperor became more and more real.

He sighed softly and said, "The checkpoint is about to collapse, it's time for you to leave."

We'll meet again soon, but then we'll be enemies.

Although Donghuang told him to leave, he did not open the spatial passage.

They seem to really want him to take action and eliminate the problem completely.

Zhang Haoran wasn't good at scheming and didn't understand what the old silver coin was trying to do. Was he afraid that Zhang Haoran would make a move before leaving, so he deliberately said this as a way of retreating to advance, or was there some unexpected plot development after he made a move?
The situation of Donghuang is very strange. Everything inside the pass is now dilapidated, and the buildings on the outside are constantly collapsing. As the guardian of the pass, he should be affected.

However, Donghuang's projection became increasingly realistic.

If you kill him, the level might immediately collapse and teleport him to some random place.

After thinking it over, Zhang Haoran decided not to take action. Since Donghuang said they would meet again later, he would settle the score then.

The situation here is too bizarre. He didn't want to fight here, so he coldly said, "No need to wait for the future, we are already enemies now."

Don't think I don't know. As the gatekeeper, do you think you don't have the authority to replenish the energy here?
You just don't want to see me continue to grow stronger! No matter who's plotting against me, I'll hold you accountable.

The next time we meet will be your death day, not only for this projection, but also for your true form.

We, the new martial artists, have always been vengeful and never suffer a loss. Offending me is your misfortune.

He didn't need to analyze who was behind the conspiracy; he could simply eliminate all the enemies.

Donghuang's smile froze for a moment, then he nodded and said, "That would be best!"

There's nothing he can say to such an unreasonable person; trying to fool them is a complete waste of brain cells.

With a wave of his hand, Donghuang created a spatial rift that gradually formed a circular passage.

He said calmly, "You can leave now!"

Zhang Haoran did not enter the passage immediately, but sensed the aura within it. After several fixed-point teleportations, he had figured out some patterns. There would be the aura of the gatekeeper on the other side of the passage. As long as he sensed it, he could know which gate he was going to.

If it's a level where the God Emperor or the Heavenly Emperor is located, he needs to prepare in advance.

However, just as he probed the spatial passage with his mental energy, the surrounding scene began to collapse rapidly, clearly not wanting to give him time to investigate.

Rumble!
In the distance, houses collapsed one after another, replaced by endless darkness that was rapidly spreading toward the square.

What's amazing is that during the collapse of the level, a large amount of the power of the rules was absorbed by Donghuang, making the projection more and more solid.

The spatial passage began to become very unstable, seemingly on the verge of closing at any moment.

The rule here is to open a spatial passage for those who pass the level, but it doesn't specify how long this passage can be maintained. If the passage collapses due to the level's collapse, it also complies with the rules.

Upon seeing this situation, Zhang Haoran didn't bother to find out which level they would be teleported to, as it was unlikely to be a good place.

He flashed to the edge of the passage and was about to enter when he sensed a smug smile on Donghuang's face.

A thought flashed through his mind, and he cursed inwardly, "Damn it, I might be the scapegoat!"
So the reason the level collapsed so quickly wasn't just because I absorbed too much power of the rules.

This old guy is also secretly stealing energy.

So, Donghuang and the seeds might not be on the same side!

They're just using each other.

Otherwise, as the guardian of this pass, Donghuang could have absorbed the power of its rules openly and honestly; there was no need for him to do it so stealthily. (End of Chapter)