Mad Doctor No. 9

Wang Tian passed through three doors that required both iris and energy verification before arriving at a spacious underground conference room.

Around the round table sat a dozen or so people, each with a distinct personality.

Sitting at the head of the table, Elder Xu looked at Wang Tian, ​​smiled slightly, and nodded. To his left sat an elderly man in a gray-blue Taoist robe, with white hair and beard, who was none other than Zhang Qingwei, the current head of Longhu Mountain.

Seated on the right is Master Li Xuanfeng, a representative figure of the Wudang School, renowned for his Tai Chi swordsmanship. Besides them are several heads of ancient martial arts families, and two middle-aged men in white coats.

"Young friend Wang Tian, ​​since everyone is here, let's start by introducing ourselves," Old Xu said with a smile.

After listening to the introduction, Wang Tian had a clear understanding of the expedition team's capabilities.

Master Zhang Qingwei of Longhu Mountain, along with his two disciples, were both proficient in talismans, formations, and thunder magic. Master Li Xuanfeng of Wudang Mountain led three true disciples who were skilled in Tai Chi sword formations and internal energy cultivation techniques.

The Nangong family, the Murong family, and the Dongfang family, three ancient martial arts families, each sent an elder and two elite disciples: one skilled in hidden weapons, one skilled in lightness skills, and one skilled in swordsmanship.

The National Institute for Special Geology and Ancient Civilizations dispatched two professors and four assistants to conduct technical analysis and data collection.

The eight-person team, codenamed "Hidden Dragon," was led by the young officer who had greeted Wang Tian before. His name was Qin Feng, and he was skilled in modern weapons and wilderness survival. All of them had practiced a simplified version of ancient martial arts.

"Everyone," Elder Xu's expression turned serious, "I won't go into the dangers of exploring the Kunlun X Node."

Based on current intelligence, the Eternal Life Society has dispatched at least three elite teams with a clear objective: to seize control of the Source of Life. Furthermore, the heart of Kunlun is rife with ancient restrictions and mutated beasts, so we must proceed with extreme caution.

Master Zhang Qingwei stroked his beard: "Amitabha. This humble Taoist has deduced the secrets of heaven, and this divination reads, 'A hidden dragon lies in the abyss, misfortune conceals good fortune.' Perhaps the star power of young friend Wang Tian is the key to resolving this problem."

Li Xuanfeng nodded and added, "According to the records in Wudang's classic texts, Kunlun is the ancestor of all mountains and the remnant of the severing of the connection between heaven and earth. Those restrictions should not have been formed naturally."

Wang Tianjing listened silently, but his mind was racing. This team was very strong, but the members had complicated backgrounds, so he needed to be wary of internal strife. The Eternal Life Society was moving faster than he had imagined; it seemed they were determined to seize the "Source of Life."

The meeting lasted for two hours and covered topics including marching routes, supply distribution, communication plans, and emergency plans.

According to the plan, early the next morning, they would take a specially made heavy transport plane and land at a camp on the outskirts of Kunlun Mountain, and then walk to the central area.

After the meeting, Wang Tian returned to his temporary residence. As soon as he closed the door, he sensed something was amiss—there was a faint energy fluctuation in the air, which he wouldn't have noticed if he hadn't cultivated the Starry Sky Body Tempering Technique.

Wang Tian calmly said, "Come out."

A figure emerged from the shadows. This person wore a black cloak, his aura almost perfectly concealed, but Wang Tian could sense a familiar, chilling aura emanating from him—the unique modified aura of the Eternal Life Society.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Wang Tian." The cloaked man's voice was hoarse. "I have brought a gift on the orders of Lord 'Ash'."

After saying that, he threw out a piece of black metal. Wang Tian reached out and grabbed it; it was icy cold to the touch and had intricate patterns carved on it.

"What is this?"

"Some forbidden maps of the heart of Kunlun." The cloaked figure smiled faintly. "The Eternal Life Society isn't united either. Lord 'Ash' and the 'Apostle' have different ideas. We'd rather... someone could stop the 'Apostle's' insane plans."

"Conditions?" Wang Tian's pupils contracted.

"This is just an investment, without any conditions." The cloaked man slowly took a few steps back and said, "If you can come out of Kunlun alive, perhaps we will have a chance to cooperate. Also, be careful, the Zhao family has already infiltrated."

After speaking, the figure of the man in the straw hat disappeared like a wisp of smoke.

Wang Tian toyed with the piece of iron in his hand, his gaze gradually turning cold. The Zhao family's power far exceeded his expectations. Using the loopholes within the Eternal Life Society as a breakthrough point was not impossible.

He infused a wisp of starlight into the metal plate, and it immediately lit up, revealing a three-dimensional topographical map and energy markers.

A quick glance revealed at least seven or eight locations marked "High-Risk Restriction," three marked "Suspected Guardian Beast Nest," and the last one was marked in crimson with a line of smaller text next to it:

"The False Well of Life. To find the True Well, one must rely on the power of the stars."

Wang Tian carefully put away the metal piece, sat down cross-legged, and began to regulate his breathing.

This trip to Kunlun was far more complicated than he had imagined. However, the more complicated it was, the higher his fighting spirit became.

Early the next morning, the transport plane roared, carrying this special expedition team, and flew towards a place deep in the mountains, covered in snow and mysterious.

Outside the window, the sea of ​​clouds rolled in, and under the rising sun, the Kunlun Mountains resembled a giant dragon, radiating a dazzling golden light. Wang Tian closed his eyes, but his heart burned with fighting spirit.

Whether it's a restriction, a ferocious beast, or an ambush set up by the Eternal Life Society or the Zhao family, we'll crush them all.

The real test is yet to come.

The transport plane opened its hatch at an altitude of 5000 meters. A biting wind blew into the cabin, and the temperature plummeted to minus twenty degrees Celsius.

"Check your equipment! Prepare for landing!" Qin Feng's voice came through the headset.

The team members quickly checked their specially made cold-weather suits, oxygen masks, and other equipment. This suit was no ordinary item; it combined modern technology with ancient runes, providing not only protection against the extreme cold but also against energy fluctuations.

Without using any ropes, Wang Tian stepped directly out of the cabin. He floated in the air like a leaf, twirling around before landing steadily on a snow slope more than ten meters above the ground.

Seeing this, the team members' pupils contracted – to be able to do this at such a high altitude and in such a low temperature using only their own strength, their abilities were unfathomable.

Master Zhang Qingwei smiled, and a yellow talisman flew out from his sleeve, transforming into a golden light barrier that protected him and his two disciples before slowly descending.

Li Xuanfeng drew his sword, his body enveloped in sword energy, resembling an immortal. The others used their abilities to land one after another. Finally, the "Hidden Dragon" team and the research group, relying on their gliders and cushioning devices, arrived safely.