Chapter 67: Growing Strong in Seclusion

The mad Seven Spiral Slash whirled like a raging chainsaw within the beast’s triple jaws, turning its mouth crimson as if the very waters around them were being heated. Zhang Kai urged the three-headed monster to dive recklessly downward.

Roaring in fury, the other two heads lunged at him with snarling bites. Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Kai released his grip, twisted his body mid-water, and between his hands, a torrent of dragon-shaped energy coiled—then erupted.

He unleashed the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, pounding relentlessly at the three monstrous heads.

Thud, thud, thud—

With each muffled blow, the beast reeled and staggered, unable to withstand the onslaught.

“Take this—Heavenly Cripple Kick!” Zhang Kai followed the surging dragon energy, his foot smashing into the creature’s belly. Violent internal force burst forth, battering its insides.

He struck something hard; a vortex appeared, swallowing both Zhang Kai and the beast.

Irresistible pulling forces spun them wildly; suddenly, they broke free from the water, landing in a narrow river channel.

Here, the air felt chillingly strange. Even Zhang Kai felt discomfort. He shot five or six meters above the water, surveying his surroundings. Only then did he realize he’d emerged from a waterfall; the river was barely eight meters wide, flanked by shadows and gloom.

With a nimble flip, Zhang Kai landed on the shore. He glanced back at the river—only to find the three-headed beast gone.

Having failed its ambush, the creature must have retreated underwater, perhaps even fled. But this place felt nothing like the mortal world—it had to be the heart of the Nether Spring.

Could there truly be a deity here, shaping a paradise of their own?

Zhang Kai stayed vigilant, watching the river while examining his surroundings.

All was still; even the waterfall lacked the usual rush, falling like a slow stream—eerily quiet.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone—the latest Apple model. He dried it off, pressed a few buttons, and found it still working; it hadn’t been ruined by water.

He breathed a sigh of relief.

This was his greatest asset. If it failed, he’d be crippled—unable to respond to trouble.

But the phone couldn’t connect to any signal.

He must have been cut off from the mortal realm.

After a moment’s thought, Zhang Kai began to operate his phone. He scavenged from downloaded short videos—snatching up virtual phones from gameplay clips, cooking shows, and the stockpile of movies and dramas he’d recorded.

Anything stored on his phone could be extracted. For convenience, Zhang Kai always bought his own devices, recorded videos, and kept them in reserve.

Preparedness had paid off; now, it was time to use them.

He produced five phones in succession, several power banks, waterproof pouches, and a backpack. Only then did he feel somewhat secure.

A self-made paradise—this was even more terrifying than a forbidden land.

Anyone capable of such a feat was no mere mountain or earth deity; either a celestial god, a Buddha, or a lord of the underworld.

Here, Zhang Kai’s strength—so formidable in the mortal realm—seemed inadequate.

So he didn’t act rashly; instead, he planned to observe the area, find a safe spot to hide and bolster his power before exploring further.

Once ready, Zhang Kai patrolled the riverbank for a while. Finding no trace of the three-headed beast, he left it be.

They were both trapped; the creature’s escape would likely be harder than his own.

Next, Zhang Kai scouted both sides of the river.

After more than half an hour, he surveyed a five-kilometer radius.

No signs of life—not even a single plant. Only black earth and scattered rocks, desolate and barren.

But at the foot of the waterfall’s mountain, he discovered a cave—not an animal’s den, but a natural hollow, five or six meters deep and flat, easily overlooked.

Zhang Kai immediately hid inside, attempting to cultivate.

Madam Liu watched him curiously but remained silent.

She too sensed the difference; this place diverged from legends of the Nether Spring.

It was likely a great power had shaped this world using the Nether Spring itself.

There was nothing to do but rely on Zhang Kai now; otherwise, she too would be trapped.

Moments later, Zhang Kai opened his eyes, abandoning internal force refinement.

As in the mortal world, without the conversion of spiritual energy, progress was too slow.

It didn’t suit his goal of rapid growth.

Perhaps another path was needed—become stronger first, then explore.

Zhang Kai took out his phone, browsing through science fiction movies.

He had never liked relying on technology to grow stronger, fearing it would compromise his dream of immortality.

But now, there was no choice.

Survival mattered most; everything else was meaningless.

Luckily, he had downloaded anything of potential use beforehand; otherwise, he’d have nothing to choose from.

First, enhance his physical constitution.

There were several options.

The most famous and conventional was the Super Soldier Serum—used to create super warriors.

Captain America exemplified its power, living long enough to battle the ultimate villain, Thanos.

There were others: Hulk’s transformation, mutant growth hormone, psychic crystals, and so on.

Zhang Kai dismissed the mutant hormone; using it would turn him into a beastman, irreversibly and grotesquely.

Compared to that, Hulk was more acceptable—he could revert to normal, and as long as his anger was controlled, there were no side effects, plus greater power.

After some deliberation, Zhang Kai made his decision.

He would use the Super Soldier Serum first to strengthen his genes—an enhancement, not a mutation.

Then, he’d steal Hulk’s abilities.

With a fortified foundation, his transformed state might surpass Hulk’s own strength, and with limitless rage, he could smash the three-headed beast into a lump of bronze.

Afterward, he’d use the psychic crystal—an all-purpose item.

It could unleash psychic blasts, enable flight, manipulate objects.

Even the film’s protagonist hadn’t fully developed its powers; there was room for growth.

If he could further develop it, perhaps there’d be surprises.

Combining these abilities would bolster his defense, grant flight and combat prowess, and ensure he was never powerless.

With that decided, Zhang Kai got to work.

He opened the movie, seized Captain America’s serum, then pulled out Blood Bodhi, the Great Elixir, and the book from “The Immortal Crane Needle,” which promised strength upon consumption.

Once prepared, Zhang Kai injected himself with the serum.

Instantly, a pain surged through him, nearly touching his soul, and his vision went dark.

He had steeled himself for this, but the agony was overwhelming.

He could distinctly feel his body changing—a cycle of tearing and strengthening, muscle and flesh writhing.

Almost visibly, Zhang Kai’s physique expanded, growing taller and more imposing.

Unable to bear the pain, he quickly activated his internal force, forcing calm and nourishing his body, supplying energy for the evolution.

When his internal force was depleted, he consumed Blood Bodhi, the book, and the Great Elixir.

Wave after wave of energy fueled his strengthening, granting unmatched support and unlocking a potential more terrifying than Captain America’s.

Madam Liu was thoroughly stunned.

Was this summoning magic, or a universal treasure trove?

And the speed of his transformation—astonishing!

Within moments, his vitality and strength multiplied more than tenfold, and he was still growing.

What on earth had he used? His body hadn’t burst from the strain!

This mountain—was he not a monster himself?