Gao Wu insists on cultivating immortality.

Chapter 205 Hidden Dragon
Dongwei Island, Xin'an City.

After leaving the airport, Gao Wu hailed a taxi.

He discovered that the communication network here restricted incoming numbers, and normal mobile phone software from the alliance could not be used; the phones could only make calls and send text messages.

The temporary local mobile number can access the internet, but it cannot use the alliance mobile software. Only the local mobile software works.

Fortunately, the airport has a dedicated taxi waiting area with plenty of green-striped taxis waiting for fares, so finding a car is still quite easy.

Gao Wu only brought a backpack and a 26-inch suitcase, which he could simply place in the back row.

The taxi driver was a short, balding middle-aged man wearing uniform-like overalls. He nodded and smiled politely when Gao Wu got into the car.

"Please, go to the New Star Hotel." Gao Wu had already booked the hotel before he came; it was a well-known hotel in the area.

"Are you a guest from out of town? Is this your first time visiting Xin'an?" The bald driver was experienced and could tell from Gao Wu's accent that the other party was not from the island.

Although Dongwei Island is divided into two major regions, east and west, and the accents are somewhat different, it is very different from the Alliance mainland.

Gao Wu also noticed the obvious difference in accents between the two sides. The bald driver's tone of voice had very little variation, and his pronunciation of the Alliance dialect was quite stiff.

He casually replied and asked, "I've heard Xin'an is a lot of fun. You must know it very well. Could you tell me about it?"

“You’ve come to the right person. I’ve been driving a taxi in Xin’an for twenty years and I know this place very well.”

As the bald, middle-aged man spoke, he turned his head and gave Gao Wu a smile—a smile that any man would understand, even if it was a bit sleazy.

Gao Wu may not have eaten pork, but he's seen pigs run. Before coming, he had read some information and knew that Xin'an, as a tourist city, not only has beautiful sea views, but its main attractions are casinos and bars.

This includes the sale of various prohibited items, such as counterfeit enhancement drugs, various weapons, and illegal neurotoxins.

Although Dongwei Island is under the jurisdiction of Dongzhou, it is separated from Dongzhou by a vast sea due to its geographical environment.

There are also many historical reasons why the population composition of Dongwei Island is very complex. The Alliance population only accounts for about half of the population, while the other half are immigrants from other places.

Isolated overseas with a diverse population and numerous hidden realms, Dongwei Island is a veritable enclave.

In order to develop its economy, Dongzhou deliberately indulged Dongwei Island, making it the center for external communication.

Over the past thirty years, Dongwei Island has experienced economic boom, but it has also bred countless monsters and demons.

Hai Wuji used to tolerate Dongwei Island, its ups and downs. Dongwei Island was an enclave, so it just let things rot. But not now; times have changed.
What appears to be inconspicuous rotten flesh has already spread its roots into the states of Dongzhou and Haizhou, becoming a festering sore.

Once the boils break out, they could potentially spread to several states.

Even without Gao Wu, Hai Wuji was already preparing to make a move. He had actually met with the Dragon King and the others in secret regarding the Azure Dragon Cup, catching up but saying nothing.

Because he didn't say anything, Hai Wuji already understood the attitudes of Dongzhou and Nanzhou. He was quite disappointed.

Even though he is a martial saint, he cannot do whatever he wants.

The alliance system has been operating stably for a century, forming numerous large interest groups. Various government decrees, laws, and regulations maintain a superficial order, while unspoken rules maintain a stable balance of interests.

If a martial saint acts recklessly and forcefully, it's like setting fire to his own home. It may seem satisfying, but it will cause enormous damage and could even destroy the very foundation of the alliance.

Besides, the alliance has two other Martial Saints. Even if he wanted to use force, the other two wouldn't agree.

Gao Wu's appearance was very timely. Hai Wuji felt that although this kid's martial arts talent was not top-notch, he was very fierce and powerful in fighting.

If it really comes to a fight to the death, Chu Shenxiu won't have the upper hand against Gao Wu.

On the other hand, this is indeed a very good experience for martial arts masters. If all risks could be controlled, what kind of martial arts experience would it be?

True martial artists can only unleash their full potential when facing life and death. This is also the weakness of geniuses like Yan Qiushui and Chu Shenxiu.

The stronger the drug, the more restrictions there are on its use. Even if a high-level martial artist's body can withstand the side effects, it's still difficult to bring out the full effect of the drug. This is the true meaning of real combat.

Hai Wuji did not hide anything from Gao Wu; he had clearly explained the pros and cons of the trip before setting off.

Therefore, Gao Wu understood Hai Wuji's purpose very well, and he knew exactly what he wanted.

Gao Wu chatted casually with the taxi driver while looking out at the city scenery through the car window.

Xin'an City has a history of several decades, and many buildings on the outskirts of the city show obvious signs of age.

The walls of most urban buildings are made of reinforced concrete, and the buildings are mostly not tall, probably for earthquake resistance.

Entering the city center, skyscrapers multiply, giant billboards and colorful lights illuminate the streets, and pedestrians are mostly well-dressed, with women sporting heavy makeup and men dressed impeccably. There are also young people with outlandish hairstyles and avant-garde fashion, creating a bustling metropolis with a touch of decadent and dissolute atmosphere...

The driver proudly explained, "When the neon lights come on at night, the entire city center becomes a huge entertainment venue—lively, bustling, fun, and exciting."

"If you want something more exciting, go to Meixinzhai, which isn't far from the Xinxing Hotel. You can get there by following the crowds when you go out at night."

"Meixinzhai is a secret realm, beyond the jurisdiction of the Alliance's laws. As long as you have money, you can have whatever you want..."

The driver then went on and on about all sorts of fun things, like casinos, nightclubs with beautiful women, and life-or-death duels between martial artists.

The taxi came to a smooth stop at the hotel lobby entrance. The driver hurriedly got out of the car, opened the door, helped Gao Wu take out his suitcase, and then handed the suitcase to the doorman.

With a forced smile, the driver handed Gao Wu a business card: "Here's my phone number. You can contact me if you need a ride. It only costs three thousand yuan a day to charter a car."

“I am very familiar with Xin’an; I can find whatever you want.”

Gao Wu took the business card and glanced at it. The driver's name was Tanaka Yoshi. He nodded slightly and said, "I'll contact you if I need anything."

After dismissing the driver, Gao Wu followed the doorman to the front desk to check in. He used his real name, but he would always activate the Hidden Dragon Sword when interacting with people.

Originating from the Hidden Dragon Sword, it can slightly alter its own form through subtle changes in source energy and muscle movements, and also possesses the special ability to distract others.

"Hidden dragon, do not use" means to keep one's abilities hidden. Even if one stands in the center of the stage, one will not attract attention.

Although Gao Wu's aptitude was not as good as Xiao Song's, he still managed to advance the Heavenly Dragon Secret Sword to the proficiency level after three months of training.

Using the Heavenly Dragon Secret Sword in everyday life is very simple for him, especially for ordinary people.

The Hidden Dragon Sword can even interfere with cameras. The subtle interference of its source energy on facial muscles, combined with the slight flow of its light, is imperceptible to the human eye, resulting in a somewhat blurry image on camera. Furthermore, the Hidden Dragon Sword's subtle adjustments to body shape make it impossible for facial recognition or body shape recognition software to accurately identify him.

As for Gao Wu's ID card, Hai Wuji helped him get it, so no matter who checks it, they won't find any problems.

After completing the check-in procedures, Gao Wu took his room key and went to the executive suite on the 20th floor.

For this training, Hai Wuji prepared a card for him with a whopping 200 million in cash, which was equivalent to his entire fortune. Naturally, he didn't need to be frugal when it came to spending money.

As the most upscale hotel in the area, the rooms are very clean, and the furnishings and decor are modern, comfortable and cozy.

Gao Wu checked briefly and found nothing wrong, then took out his phone and sent a message to that number: "Senior Brother Zhang, I've arrived at the New Star Hotel. 2011."

Hai Wuji said he wouldn't come along, but he arranged for someone to meet him.

After all, Dongwei Island is so large, and the various forces involved are intricate and complex. Hai Wuji can't just throw Gao Wu in and then ignore him.

He arranged for someone to meet Gao Wu and told him to contact him directly once he arrived in Xin'an.

The reply came quickly from the other end of the phone: "I'll be there in thirty minutes."

The other party was very punctual; thirty minutes later, Gao Wu heard a knock on the door. Opening the door, a chubby middle-aged man entered. He was wearing loose-fitting black Chinese casual wear, and had a round face with a smile; he seemed like the kind of person with a very good temper and easy to get along with.

Through the Yin Spirit, Gao Wu could see that the middle-aged man was surrounded by a brilliant field of source energy, so bright it was almost dazzling.

After checking, it was found that this person had at least fifty acupoints. He was clearly a martial arts grandmaster. Gao Wu was not surprised by this; the person Hai Wuji had arranged for him to meet him must be quite capable, otherwise how could they meet him... The middle-aged man warmly shook hands with Gao Wu: "My name is Zhang Yunpeng, and I work for the Dongwei Island Surveillance Department. Hai Gong has already told me to fully cooperate with you."

Gao Wu shook hands firmly with the other person: "My name is Gao Wu. Lord Hai sent me to Xin'an for training. I don't know anything, so please take care of me, Senior Brother Zhang."

"Don't dare."

Zhang Yunpeng was very polite. Of course he knew that Gao Wu was the King of Youth. He was incredibly popular last year and was recognized as a genius by the league.

That's not all. What's truly remarkable is that Hai Wuji personally called him, instructing him to do everything in his power to ensure Gao Wu's safety, no matter the cost.

Zhang Yunpeng is not Hai Wuji's disciple, but he received guidance from Hai Wuji when he was young. He can be considered a member of the Hai faction, but he is not in the core circle.

This was the first time he had received a call from Hai Wuji, and the first time Hai Wuji had made such a clear and forceful demand. He immediately realized how complicated the matter was.

As the head of the Dongwei Island Supervision Department, Zhang Yunpeng was well aware of how dire the situation was on Dongwei Island. However, he didn't have any good solutions.

This murky water is too deep; if he doesn't know what's good for him and goes into it recklessly, he'll surely die in it.

In this situation, Hai Gong entrusted him with protecting Gao Wu, and he felt powerless. However, he had no right to refuse Hai Gong's orders, nor was he in a position to negotiate.

Zhang Yunpeng explained, "Meixinzhai is a replica of a secret realm in the city center, so it's fully equipped with buildings and facilities. It can connect to electricity and communicate via external wiring. You can enjoy the tranquility and comfort of modern city life within this secret realm..."

"The two largest ones inside are Pegasus City and Golden Lion Plaza. Pegasus City belongs to the Scorpion Cult and is managed by seven Level 5 priests. They are all believers from top to bottom."

"That's why they are so strict in their management. As long as guests don't insult their beliefs, all their requests will be met."

"How many of them are there?" Gao Wu asked, somewhat curious.

Given how strict the Alliance is with the followers of the Demonic Cult, it's somewhat unbelievable that the cult can openly conduct business and proselytize in such a place.

On the other hand, this kind of thing is very common. The more remote the place, the more likely it is to form such a powerful local power center.

As the saying goes, "The mountains are high and the emperor is far away."

"Their methods of recruiting believers are very brutal. They usually use various means to lure people in, and then control them through drugs and other methods."

Zhang Yunpeng said with some helplessness, "Ordinary people have weak wills and can be quickly assimilated by the crowd in just one or two days. Once they become believers, there is no possibility of turning back."

"Over the decades, Meixinzhai actually has at least 200,000 followers of the Demonic Cult, or even more. Among them are a large number of alien races... and countless experts."

Zhang Yunpeng handed Gao Wu a certificate: "This is a Level 1 Inspector's Certificate from the Ministry of Supervision. The paperwork is complete. It carries some weight on Dongwei Island. But it's useless for entering the secret realm. It only provides you with a legitimate identity for your actions."

"What's the situation deep inside Meixinzhai?" Gao Wu asked.

"If you venture a hundred miles in, you'll find the entrance to the other world. On the other side is a primeval forest, home to a group of tortoise-shelled aliens and a large number of strange beasts—it's extremely dangerous!"

Zhang Yunpeng was also unclear about the situation in the other world, only knowing the general outline.

After all, he couldn't even handle the secret realm, so understanding the situation in another world was meaningless.

He said earnestly, "The Scorpion Cult is a demonic cult, and its followers are all madmen who cannot be reasoned with. Junior brother, whatever you do, you must think it over carefully. It would be best if you could communicate with me beforehand so that I can help you."

"I'll assess the situation first and won't act rashly. If there are any problems, I'll definitely consult Senior Brother Zhang." Gao Wu smiled. He didn't completely trust Zhang Yunpeng, even though he didn't see any demonic aura on the other party.

As the highest-ranking official of the Dongwei Island Supervisory Department, Zhang Yunpeng certainly has connections with various parties. Of course, Hai Wuji is his master and would never intentionally frame him.

However, it's always better to be safe than sorry; he couldn't entrust his safety entirely to Zhang Yunpeng, a complete stranger.

Because of his position, Zhang Yunpeng couldn't go out to eat with Gao Wu. The two chatted for a long time, and Zhang Yunpeng didn't leave until it got dark.

After seeing Zhang Yunpeng off, Gao Wu opened his suitcase and took out a small metal medicine box.

The medicine box contained a Level 7 Heavenly Dragon Potion. Level 7 corresponds to the Martial King level. This potion was entirely refined by Hai Wuji in his own laboratory, and its use is based on a special formula.

According to Hai Wuji, this is a formula passed down from the Martial Emperor. However, the Level 7 Heavenly Dragon Potion retains the powerful genes of otherworldly dragon beasts, making it extremely aggressive.

Hai Wuji also conducted various tests on Gao Wu's physique before confirming that he could use it.

Before leaving home, Gao Wu injected himself with nine vials of the Heavenly Dragon Elixir. The effect was extremely strong, but he could clearly feel that he had only absorbed about one-tenth of the elixir's potency. The other nine-tenths were stored throughout his body.

Therefore, one must undergo life-or-death trials and use intense stimulation to bring out the medicinal effects.

Even if the powerful Heavenly Dragon Elixir cannot be absorbed, the energy released can satisfy all of the body's energy needs.

Gao Wu injected the last dose of medicine into his body. He circulated the sword intent of the Heavenly Dragon Secret Sword in his spiritual world, guiding the Heavenly Dragon medicine to be absorbed and digested.

It was past 10 p.m. when Gao Wu finally absorbed the powerful potion. He was now incredibly energetic, and his body was brimming with vitality.

Even the Crimson Flame Flying Dragon Armor showed some reaction under the stimulation of the medicine. After all, this thing is considered part of his body.

At this point, all ten doses of the Heavenly Dragon Elixir had been administered. According to the Book of Immeasurable Merit, no changes were observed in the data.

The most direct improvement was actually in physical strength. Although the Level 7 Heavenly Dragon Potion only released one-tenth of its effects, it increased his physical strength by about 50%.

This effect is quite remarkable. In terms of physical strength alone, he is now comparable to Hai Wuji, and may even be stronger.

Hai Wuji's true strength lies in his source power and martial arts divine will; no matter how much he strengthens his body, there will ultimately be a limit.

The combination of his formidable physique and the Crimson Flame Flying Dragon Armor further enhanced his physical strength. To be honest, Gao Wu is now completely unfazed by martial arts masters. Unless it's a freak like Chu Shenxiu…

Gao Wu took out the Crimson Thunder Eagle and examined it; sometimes a pistol is more useful than a sword.

The Heavenly Destiny Sword was wrapped around his left arm, like a black arm guard. Its ability to undergo multi-dimensional transformation allowed it to become a strip of cloth. In fact, most divine weapons could do this.

Gao Wu used to like carrying a sword, but now he has to be more low-key.

Having made preparations, Gao Wu left the hotel and followed the flow of people slowly forward along the long street. After walking for less than ten minutes, Gao Wu felt the source energy around him rippling like water, and he had arrived at the entrance of the secret realm.

The entrance to the secret realm looked like a bustling long street, with nothing special about it. Only an invisible source of energy gathered at the entrance, forming a water-ripple-like wall.

Ordinary people coming and going are completely unaware of these anomalies.

This was the first time Gao Wu had ever seen such an ordinary secret realm, since other secret realms were guarded by large armies and were heavily guarded.

The open, secluded realm, where anyone could freely enter and exit, truly broadened his horizons.

As Gao Wu entered the secret realm with a group of tourists, he discovered that the concentration of source energy had suddenly increased tenfold, and even his acupoints had become more active.

The streets on both sides were illuminated by psychedelic lights, the air was filled with the smells of alcohol and various fragrances, and shrill, frenetic music blasted from the buildings.

Gao Wu's gaze, however, fell upon a colossal black statue a hundred meters tall in front of him.

The statue was dressed in heavy armor, with a triangular head that looked extremely sinister, and six thick arms, all with pincer-like hands... It was none other than the Scorpion King, the demon god of the Scorpion Cult.

In the plaza at the foot of the Scorpio King, thousands of believers dressed in black robes were bowing in worship, and someone was standing in front of them leading the worship and chanting.

Although there were many onlookers, they all seemed used to it. Gao Wu glanced at the statue with his Yin Spirit, and it exuded an evil aura.

The worshippers kneeling around were all shrouded in a dark aura, and not only that. Looking around, most people were enveloped in a dark aura…

Although Gao Wu knew the situation beforehand, he was still surprised to see such a large group of demon god believers.

What, is this an internal testing zone where humans and demons live together? Or a special experimental zone where humans and demons live in equality?

(End of this chapter)