A technologically powerful nation: The national treasure is actually myself.

Surprised, Lin Yang began to ponder.

You can't believe too much of what this weird guy says.

He guessed that this guy's words were not half true and half false; it was very likely that eight or even nine out of ten sentences were false.

Or rather, it's not necessarily false, but rather the truth being expressed in a different, recombined way.

Every word he says may not be entirely false or fabricated, but when presented in a piecemeal fashion, a single sentence may be true, but when pieced together, the truth changes.

The reason he didn't doubt that the guy was lying was because the guy could swear an oath.

Moreover, if it's all lies, it's easy to expose them.

The highest level of lying is to mix in the truth.

It's certain that this guy wants to cooperate with me. He wants to use me to escape the Origin Void Ancient Domain, so it's highly likely that, as he said, he'll help me successfully enter the valley and complete my breakthrough.

This is advantageous to Lin Yang himself.

As for the others, that remains to be verified.

Furthermore, this guy had been secretly trying to influence me, but he didn't admit it directly. After I exposed him the first time, he denied it outright. From this point of view, this guy's character is very questionable.

Therefore, even if cooperation is truly necessary, one must proceed with extreme caution.

As for a direct refusal?

This is the safest option.

To be honest, Lin Yang was somewhat tempted by the guy's claim that he could help him achieve a breakthrough.

It has now been confirmed that the woman in the red costume must have left some kind of protective mechanism on him, preventing him from forcibly attacking him.

If one's own safety is sufficiently guaranteed, any additional assistance is naturally beneficial.

For example, right now, if this guy helps him open up the valley, it will save him a lot of trouble and effort.

However, it should also be noted that this guy previously said that he could devour the power of a Great Venerable to restore himself.

What if this guy attacks him instead after he breaks through to the next level?

Although this guy said he could swear an oath that he wouldn't harm him, Lin Yang still felt a little uneasy.

There are too many things to be wary of when dealing with someone whose background is unknown and who is good at using words to manipulate people.

The risks of cooperation are very high.

Lin Yang hesitated.

This guy seemed to have noticed Lin Yang's hesitation, and then asked, "Let me ask you, how confident are you in your ability to break through?"

Lin Yang's eyes flashed.

The success rate of breakthroughs is actually not high.

Yueyou had told him before that even if all the right timing, location, and people were gathered together, along with all the other most favorable factors, the success rate of the breakthrough would at most not exceed 50%.

In other words, there is a 50% chance of failure.

A 50/50 split doesn't sound like a low score.

But in reality, this level of breakthrough is very low.

Moreover, this 50% probability is contingent on having all the factors most favorable to his breakthrough.

But how easy is it to gather all the conditions most conducive to a breakthrough?

If all the most favorable factors cannot be gathered, the possibility of a breakthrough is even lower, probably around 20% to 30%.

A success rate of 20% to 30% is shockingly low.

In addition, he is still recovering from his injuries, so taking this first step to successfully enter the valley will require even more effort.

The success rate is even lower.

Even if you go in after healing, the situation will be similar.

Because if you want to heal your wounds here, you'll have to expend more energy and effort to maintain your safety.

In summary, the success rate is already far lower than the minimum success rate estimated before entering the market.

However, he certainly wouldn't reveal the truth.

If we are to cooperate, we will definitely need to strive for more initiative.

Immediately, Lin Yang prepared to say that he was 50% or 60% confident.

The reason I didn't suggest anything higher is because this guy is clearly not easy to fool.

However, before he could speak, the other person suddenly smiled and preemptively said:

"Kid, you don't need to exaggerate the success rate to gain more leverage in your favor."

"Judging from your current situation, if you don't cooperate with me, even if you successfully enter the valley, your success rate in breaking through will probably not exceed 25%, which is no different from direct failure. However, if you cooperate with me, I am confident that I can increase your success rate in breaking through to at least 65%!"

Lin Yang's expression froze slightly.

This guy is too shrewd!
Not only did he know that he wanted to exaggerate the success rate, but he could even tell him his current true limits.

They really aren't easily fooled!

He opened his mouth slightly, as if he wanted to say something more.

But this guy still didn't give him a chance to speak, and laughed again, saying:

"And if you cooperate well enough, I'm even confident I can increase your success rate for this breakthrough to 70% or even 75% or more. So, are you sure you don't want to cooperate with me?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yang's breathing instantly became heavier, and he swallowed the words he was about to say, unable to utter them.

70%?

Even 75%?

this.
It's important to understand that the higher the realm, the more difficult it is to break through. Treasures with a high success rate are worth paying a heavy price for.

Now this guy is actually saying he can directly increase his success rate to 70% or even 75%.
"Damn it, bottoms up!"

Lin Yang took a deep breath and, without further hesitation, said directly, "Okay, I agree to this cooperation!"

What does a 75% success rate mean?
It more than doubled his current success rate!

Once the success rate reaches 50%, it becomes extremely difficult to increase it by even 10% or 50%.

This 75% success rate is enough to make it worthwhile for him to continue the cooperation despite the risks!

risk?

Only after we achieve a breakthrough can we talk about risks!

This is similar to ordinary people seeking medical treatment. One option is a method with an extremely high cure and survival rate but also a very high probability of infection, while the other is conservative treatment with a generally lower cure rate or even a high probability of death.

The same principle applies here.

Only the living are worthy of being infected!

If he fails to break through this time, he will surely die when the boundary rules are completely broken and the Yin Realm Grand Venerable completely invades.

By cooperating with this guy now, there's at least a chance to become a Great Venerable!
Only after becoming a Great Venerable can one be qualified to consider other things.

So he didn't hesitate any longer.

"Happy cooperation!"

Seeing that he agreed, the strange fellow chuckled.

Lin Yang took another deep breath, suppressing the various thoughts in his mind, and slowly said:

"Then swear an oath: you must do everything in your power to help me break through, and you must not leave any hidden dangers that are detrimental to me during the breakthrough process, nor can you cheat, scheme against, or harm me in any way or by any means!"

"no problem!"

The other party agreed readily and then immediately began to swear an oath: "I, [Yu Xu Zhao Ling Fa Sheng Hao Zhu] Yuan Yan, hereby swear an oath, and..."

"What's your name again, little guy?"

"...Lin Yang."

Lin Yang replied, but inwardly he was thinking that this guy's name, or rather his title, was far too long and a bit strange. He couldn't quite understand the meaning of the title for a moment.

"Very well, I, [Yu Xu Zhao Ling Fa Sheng Hao Zhu] Yuan Yan, hereby swear an oath of destiny to become allies with the junior Lin Yang before me. We will help each other, and I will do my utmost to help him break through to the Great Venerable Realm. I will never scheme against him or plot against him in any way, nor will I ever harm his life in any way. If I break this oath, may my soul and body be annihilated!"

This [Yuxu Zhaoling Fasheng Haozhu] Yuan Yan immediately made a life-bound oath, and then said to Lin Yang, "It's your turn."

"..." Lin Yang was silent for a moment.

He had originally thought that this guy might play some word games when making his oath.

But to my surprise, the other party seemed genuinely sincere about cooperating and didn't play any word games.

As for the name, it wasn't fabricated.

When making such a vow of one's destiny, if one's name is mispronounced, both parties will be aware of it.

Moreover, the most important thing about making such a vow of one's destiny is not that the consequences of breaking the vow depend on the name, but that one's own soul is branded with it.

Otherwise, one could freely use someone else's name to make an oath.

Therefore, Lin Yang was somewhat taken aback after hearing this oath.

The other party's sincerity seems a bit too much.

Then, he suppressed his thoughts and began to swear an oath.

Since the other party has already sworn an oath, he naturally has no way out.

"I, Lin Yang, hereby swear an oath of destiny to become allies with the person before me, [Yu Xu Zhao Ling Fa Sheng Hao Zhu] Yuan Yan. If he fully assists me in breaking through and does not harm me in any way, I will also do my best to help him escape this predicament. If I break this oath, may my soul and body be annihilated!"

Lin Yang then swore an oath as well.

After listening, Yuan Yan suddenly said, "You seem to have omitted a bit."

"What?" Lin Yang asked, puzzled.

“Neither of us should intentionally harm the other. I said that, but you didn’t. You should fill in the gap, otherwise it doesn’t seem fair to me. After all, if you want to harm me as soon as you break through, I might not be able to defend against it,” Yuan Yan said solemnly.

“…Okay.” Lin Yang’s lips twitched slightly. He then repeated the oath again, and after considering his words, he added:
"Similarly, provided that he does not actively harm me, I must not use any means to actively plot against or harm him. However, if he actively harms me, I am not bound by this oath and have the right to retaliate at will!"

After he finished speaking, Yuan Yan immediately laughed: "You kid are quite cautious. Even when making a Dao oath, you are so careful, leaving yourself room for maneuver."

Lin Yang chuckled and said, "Well, there's nothing I can do about it. When dealing with someone like you, it's best to be cautious."

"Hehe, alright, whatever you want. Now that we've both sworn an oath, you can trust me, right?" Yuan Yan said.

"What do you need me to do? Or rather, how do you plan to help me get into the valley?" Lin Yang asked.

“It’s very simple. Come to my place first, let me stay with you temporarily, and then return here. I can help you open the valley gate,” Yuan Yan said.

"Hmm? Borrowing my body? What do you mean?" Lin Yang raised an eyebrow.

"What? You've already sworn an oath, are you still not at ease?" Yuan Yan smiled. "Don't worry, it's just that my soul is temporarily residing in your body, not taking over your body, just like the last time that Yi Ling possessed me."

"Oh...you know I'm possessed by a spirit? You were observing me last time?" Lin Yang couldn't help but ask.

Yuan Yan did not deny it: "That's right. I noticed you the moment you first entered the Origin Void Ancient Domain. It's just that you were too weak before, so I didn't pay much attention to you."

"Okay, I'll come find you now." Lin Yang didn't ask any more questions.

"Follow this route." Yuan Yan sent Lin Yang a new route map.

"Okay." Lin Yang nodded and then set off according to the route map.

Yuan Yan's location was not close to this valley.

But now Lin Yang is no longer worried about encountering any trouble on the road.

Firstly, the senior woman in the red costume must have left protective measures on him; secondly, this guy would definitely protect him along the way, otherwise Yuan Yan's own escape plan would not be able to proceed.

As for why this guy was trapped here and needed external help to get out, he didn't ask.

Because it's meaningless.

This guy definitely won't tell the truth, especially since he's already sworn an oath.

Now all we need to do is follow the agreement.

……

Time has passed, and more than a thousand years have gone by.

Lin Yang successfully arrived at the area where Yuan Yan was located.

The journey was indeed very smooth, with no obstacles whatsoever, and it was even safer than traveling outside.

The only problem is that this Ancient Origin Domain is too vast, and flying is not possible.

Traveling takes too much time.

As he drew closer, Lin Yang got a clear look at the appearance of this [Yuxu Zhaoling Fasheng Haozhu].

A colossal body, nearly reaching the sky, was bound by over a hundred bronze chains, the other ends of which disappeared into the dark void, their origin nowhere to be seen.

This body is extremely large.

It's incredibly huge and towering!
To the naked eye, it appears almost as tall as the sky.

Its skin had long since rotted away, and its enormous body was riddled with holes, revealing its bare bones.

His entire body exuded an aura of decay.

Of course, a powerful and oppressive aura naturally permeated and emanated from it.

Lin Yang was startled after just one glance.

In particular, when he looked up at the guy's head and face, he was met with a pair of eyes.

A pair of empty eyes!

It's not that their eyes are lifeless, it's that... they don't have eyes at all!

Where the eyes were originally, there were two huge black holes, like two black holes!

In an instant, an indescribable and overwhelming fear surged into my heart.

It was as if what was in front of me was an extremely terrifying monster.

"you……"

Lin Yang suddenly wanted to ask who had locked this guy up here, and why.

He didn't ask before because he felt it was unnecessary, knowing that this guy would definitely not tell the truth.

But at this moment, even knowing that this person wouldn't tell the truth, he still wanted to ask.

He even felt that he might have been a bit too hasty in agreeing to the deal.

Judging from his appearance and demeanor, he doesn't seem like a good person!

The other party seemed to have seen through his thoughts, smiled again, and said calmly, "Boy, our cooperation is complete. You will naturally know the rest later. Now, help my soul break free!"

Lin Yang did not agree immediately.

He was torn.

I'm torn about whether to continue.

He felt that helping this guy get out of trouble might not be a good thing.

Yes.

He's thinking of running away.

"What? What are you hesitating about?" Yuan Yan's voice turned cold, and the chains binding him swayed, making a chilling sound.

Lin Yang's heart skipped a beat again. After hesitating for a moment, he still mustered up the courage to tentatively say, "Um... how about we just call off our cooperation for now?"

"Huh? Kid, do you know what you're saying?"

In an instant, Lin Yang felt a chill run down his spine. Even without looking up, he could feel the creature's enormous head lowering, its "eyes" like black holes staring straight at him.

An indescribable, terrifying pressure instantly stiffened his entire body. (End of Chapter)