Previously on Unstoppable Martial Arts: Starting with brother's wife and young sister...
After the Holy Land entrance closed, the Third Ancestor and Li Mu discussed their plans for the Human Race. Meanwhile, inside the Holy Land, Shi Lin explained its desolate nature and the significance of the Holy Mountain to Chen Xuan, warning him about the increasing pressure as they ascend and the advantage her Royal Family status provides.
"Do as you please!"
Shi Lin remained impassive and continued her ascent.
As Chen Xuan passed by the two, he offered a slight nod to Zhang Qiu.
"What did you mean by that? Being expelled from the Holy Mountain means no further opportunities?" Chen Xuan inquired.
"One can only enter the Holy Mountain once. Should you be ejected for overestimating yourself, you forfeit any chance in this lifetime," Shi Lin stated truthfully. She then cast a sideways glance at him, issuing a caution, "If you find yourself unable to endure, inform me immediately!"
"Understood."
Her repeated concern made Chen Xuan increasingly suspicious of the situation.
Was she afraid he would fall, leaving no one else for her to bear children with?
That explanation seemed plausible!
But why did Shi Lin feel so different today?
As the pair pressed onward, they encountered a growing number of the Stone Race.
Upon reaching the ten-thousand-meter mark of the Holy Mountain, fewer than thirty percent of the Stone Race members were still present.
At this juncture, Shi Lin's brow knit together tightly, and suddenly, two figures began a hasty retreat from ahead.
"Help me!"
A man and a woman cried out in panic, their limbs flailing wildly in a rather comical fashion.
"Hmph!"
Shi Lin scoffed coldly, "Wretches!"
Yet, despite her disdain, she intervened, acting as a member of the Royal Family.
The Crystal Stone embedded in her chest unleashed two beams of white light, enveloping the pair and halting their desperate flight. They landed prone on the ground, too shaken to move.
It was only when Shi Lin approached them that they slowly rose.
"Thank you, Miss Shi Lin, for your rescue!"
"Mm."
Shi Lin gave a slight nod and then spoke softly, "Act within your capabilities; do not squander this sole opportunity due to minor setbacks!"
With that, she resumed her forward movement.
Chen Xuan, however, felt a flicker of surprise. Despite her cold demeanor, her treatment of the Royal Family members differed significantly from Zhang Qiu's earlier actions.
"This must be what they refer to as 'different races, different hearts'!"
Indeed, things were like this even within a single race, let alone between disparate ones.
After they had departed.
"Let's select this stone cave here."
"Agreed."
The woman nodded, and the two proceeded directly towards a nearby stone cave.
At approximately the two-thousand-meter altitude on the Holy Mountain.
Zhang Qiu and the woman were practically crawling.
"Brother Qiu, perhaps we should stop here?" the woman ventured, her complexion paling as she genuinely struggled to continue.
But Zhang Qiu resolutely shook his head.
"If we are expelled from the Holy Mountain, our hard-won opportunity will be lost!"
The woman urged him, her heart filled with anxiety. This was the sacred domain of the Stone Race's Royal Family, a place even the three major surnames found impossible to enter.
If not for the Zhang surname having rendered great service over the years, the Third Ancestor would never have granted them this chance.
Zhang Qiu lifted his gaze slightly, surveying the caves around them. A mere two-thousand-meter elevation would yield no valuable Crystal Stones. He then hardened his expression!
He retrieved a brilliant red stone from his person.
Upon its appearance, the woman's expression shifted dramatically. "Brother Qiu... you!"
"Blood Burning Stone!" Zhang Qiu murmured, examining the stone in his hand.
Its purpose was to enhance the purity of the Crystal Stone on one's chest, but as the name suggested, it required blood for activation.
"Brother Qiu, this is far too perilous and might... might damage your foundation!" the woman pleaded, her eyes wide with worry.
"I will take the risk; the opportunity we fought for is right here, and I refuse to yield!" Zhang Qiu declared in a somber tone, his expression turning ferocious.
The Royal Family controlled over ninety percent of the Stone Race's resources, with the most superior treasures virtually entirely under their command.
Ordinary surnames were one thing; even the three major surnames could only scavenge for the remnants left behind.
However, during the conflict against the Human Race, the three major surnames of the Stone Race had formed the primary fighting force, bearing the brunt of the casualties.
This disparity fueled his growing resentment.
But he dared not voice these sentiments to anyone.
Those within his own clan held no objections to the current state of affairs, even accepting it as the natural order.
This baffled him!
Why did they think in such a manner!
Hence, his aspiration was to become powerful, to surpass everyone in the clan, at the very least becoming the preeminent figure among the Zhang surname Stone Race.
As for... the Royal Family...
"Hmph!"
Zhang Qiu scoffed coldly in his heart.
He harbored a secret unknown to anyone: he experienced no suppression when in the presence of the Stone Race!
"Are you truly intent on proceeding?" the woman persisted in her attempt to dissuade him.
Zhang Qiu, with unwavering resolve, acted swiftly. His blood infused into the Blood Burning Stone, unleashing a crimson beam that struck his Crystal Stone. Instantly, the oppressive aura of the Holy Mountain receded, nearly vanishing entirely.
"Let's move!"
Clutching the woman, Zhang Qiu bolted upwards with furious speed.
His meticulous plan had ensured no encounters with any members of the Royal Family thus far. The presence of an outsider like him would have drawn unwanted scrutiny, potentially even hostile actions from those very same royals!
Meanwhile, under Shi Lin's guidance, their ascent had surpassed forty thousand meters. They now stood unchallenged, with no other cultivators ahead of them.
"How are you faring?"
Shi Lin paused, drawing in a deep breath. Even at this extreme altitude, the immense pressure compelled her to rest and recover.
"I can still manage!"
Chen Xuan's face was ashen, his breaths ragged. This was a deliberate act; should Shi Lin, a formidable cultivator, struggle, and he appear unfazed, it would undoubtedly raise suspicions.
Despite this charade, he detected no anomalies nor any hint of the coveted Spiritual Liquid. He was merely enduring the pressure, not sensing anything out of the ordinary.
"Where could it possibly be concealed?"
"Perhaps not on this Holy Mountain after all?"
Chen Xuan pondered, his mind racing with possibilities.
Should the treasure lie beyond the confines of the Holy Mountain, its discovery would prove exceedingly difficult.
"Come here!"
Noticing his strained expression, Shi Lin, believing he was at his breaking point, extended her delicate, jade-like hand towards him.
