36: Three months of hibernation! Target: the depths of the chaotic starry sea!

A thousand meters underground, in a subterranean river of lava.

This was a forbidden zone for life. Aside from the flowing magma and the occasional sound of rising bubbles, there was no other movement.

Until one day, three months later.

Gurgle—

A sudden burst of massive bubbles rose to the surface of the lava river.

Immediately after, a large hand, crimson and translucent as if carved from ruby, reached out from the magma and gripped the rocks on the bank.

Splash!

Gu Yang climbed out of the lava, his naked body emitting plumes of white steam under the high temperature.

Compared to three months ago, his appearance had undergone a significant change.

His originally dark-gold skin had turned into a translucent, glazed crimson color, with golden blood vessels faintly visible flowing beneath the surface.

His short hair had also turned crimson, fluttering like burning flames in the wind.

Although his height hadn't surged, remaining around two meters, his muscle lines had become tighter and smoother, like refined steel compressed thousands of times by a hydraulic press. Every inch of his skin contained a suffocating explosive power.

Phew—

Gu Yang exhaled a breath of turbid air, which actually transformed into a crimson line of fire, burning a scorched mark onto the ground.

He clenched his fists, feeling the boundless power within his body.

“Although I haven't broken through to the Flesh Body Golden Core yet, these three months of lava saunas weren't in vain.”

“Now, my physical hardness is comparable to a Peak Low Grade Magic Treasure. As long as that old man doesn't use that damned golden wheel, I can pin him down and beat him.”

But he didn't plan to seek revenge on Ancestor Blazing Fire.

It wasn't that he didn't dare, but that it wasn't worth it.

“Killing a Golden Core is too much effort, and that old man is dirt poor (all the good stuff is in his Storage Pouch, which I haven't snatched yet). It's not worth the trouble for so little meat.”

Gu Yang rubbed his stomach, which was starting to protest again.

“The priority right now is to get money and get food.”

“I've heard that the depths of the Chaotic Star Sea are rich in resources and the Yao Beasts are plump. It's time to change maps and go stock up.”

...Three days later, Red Fire Market.

This was a Cultivator market established on the edge of the Heaven-Burning Mountain Range, a bustling place filled with all sorts of people.

Gu Yang wore a large black robe to hide his conspicuous red hair and glazed skin as he walked into the largest general store in the market—the 'Myriad Treasure Pavilion'.

“Guest, are you buying or selling?”

The shopkeeper greeted him warmly.

“Selling junk.”

Gu Yang casually tossed a heavy Storage Pouch onto the counter.

The shopkeeper opened it and almost bit his tongue.

It was densely packed with various damaged Magical Artifacts, Flying Swords, and some unknown Ores (stock from the Black Fiend Sect and previous loot).

Although most were Low Grade or Medium Grade Magical Artifacts, the sheer quantity—hundreds of them—was impressive!

“This... esteemed guest, did you go and rob a Sect?”

The shopkeeper wiped his sweat.

“Something like that.”

Gu Yang didn't want to say much. “Exchange it all for Spirit Stones, and also give me a detailed map of the Chaotic Star Sea.”

A moment later.

Gu Yang walked out of the Myriad Treasure Pavilion with five thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

“Only five thousand? This purchasing power is way too low.”

Gu Yang was somewhat dissatisfied.

According to his appetite, these five thousand Spirit Stones would only be enough for him to Cultivate at full speed for ten days to half a month.

“I need to find a way to make money fast.”

He walked into the largest restaurant in the market, 'Drunken Immortal Abode', ordered a table full of signature Spirit Beast meat, and began to feast while listening to the conversations of the surrounding Cultivators.

This was a habit he had brought from the Human Realm—restaurants were often information hubs.

“Hey, have you heard? The Giant Spirit Sect ruins deep in the Chaotic Star Sea are about to open!”

At the next table, a burly man with a full beard was talking excitedly, spraying saliva.

“Giant Spirit Sect? That was an ancient Body Cultivator Sect! It's said that back then, they were tough enough to tank the Heavenly Tribulation with their Physical Bodies!”

“Exactly! It's said the ruins contain the Legacy treasure left by the Giant Spirit Sect, the 'Giant Spirit Divine Blood', as well as countless Body Refining precious medicines!”

“However, the environment there is extremely harsh, with gravity five hundred times that of the outside world! Ordinary Spell Cultivators can't even stand steadily inside, let alone hunt for treasure. Only Body Cultivators or those with top-tier defensive Magic Treasures dare to try their luck.”

“Body Cultivator? Gravity?”

Gu Yang, who was gnawing on a spirit lamb leg, suddenly paused, his eyes lighting up like two light bulbs.

Isn't this a coincidence?

Isn't this a buffet custom-made for me?

Five hundred times gravity? To him, that was practically the feeling of going home!

“It's decided! I'm going to the Giant Spirit Sect ruins to stock up!”

Gu Yang finished his meat in a few bites, paid the bill, and left.

But he soon encountered a new problem—transportation.

To go deep into the Chaotic Star Sea, one needed to cross Endless Sea regions where Yao Beasts ran rampant. Even those at the Golden Core Stage didn't dare to cross with their physical bodies; one had to take a giant sea-crossing vessel.

And the price of a ticket... “Ten thousand Spirit Stones?!”

Gu Yang stared wide-eyed at the sign hanging at the ticket office.

“Why don't you just rob someone?!”

The ticket-selling Cultivator glanced at him. “Take it or leave it. This is the 'sea god', with a Nascent Soul Ancestor presiding over it, so safety is guaranteed. No money? If you have no money, then swim over.”

Gu Yang touched the remaining four thousand-plus Spirit Stones in his pocket (having just spent a few hundred on a meal) and fell into thought.

Rob them? This was a market with a protective Formation and experts guarding it; it wouldn't be good to cause trouble right after arriving.

Besides, he was a reasonable person (physically).

Just then, he saw the massive circular building in the center of the market—the 'Colosseum'.

A huge banner hung at the entrance:

【Seeking Warriors! Hand-to-hand combat with Yao Beasts! Win one match for 1,000 Spirit Stones! Win ten matches in a row for 20,000 Spirit Stones!】

【Life or death is not guaranteed, though most end in death.】

“Hand-to-hand combat with Yao Beasts? Free money?”

Gu Yang smiled, a very kind smile.

“I have no other hobbies; I just like playing with small animals.”

...Half an hour later, at the Colosseum.

The stands were bustling with noise as countless gamblers waved their tickets and roared frantically.

“Next match! Challenger—Iron-Headed Kid!”

The announcer shouted loudly.

The iron bars slowly rose, and Gu Yang, empty-handed, strolled into the blood-scented arena.

To stay low-key, he still wore his black robe, revealing only a pair of eyes full of anticipation.

Opposite him, another iron door opened.

Roar!!!

A tyrannical roar sent dust flying.

A three-meter-tall Iron-Backed Bear (a Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Yao Beast) covered in heavy iron armor charged out.

Its eyes were blood-red, clearly stimulated by drugs and in a state of frenzy.

“Tear him apart! Tear him apart!”

The audience screamed wildly, looking forward to seeing a scene of flesh and blood flying.

Seeing Gu Yang, the Iron-Backed Bear immediately charged like a tank, its massive paw whistling through the air as it slammed down toward Gu Yang's head.

This strike was enough to shatter rock!

Gu Yang stood his ground, neither dodging nor avoiding.

He even offered a critique: “Bear paws are good stuff, whether steamed or braised. The hide is a bit tough, but it could make a good cushion.”

Just as the bear paw was about to hit him.

Gu Yang moved.

He used neither Divine Abilities nor Martial Skills.

He simply raised his hand and delivered a backhanded slap.

Slap!!!

The crisp sound of the slap instantly drowned out the cheers of the crowd.

The frenzied Iron-Backed Bear spun around three and a half times like a top that had been slapped.

Then its eyes rolled back, and with a thud, it collapsed to the ground, foaming at the mouth and unconscious.

The entire arena went dead silent.

Everyone's mouth hung open, and tickets dropped to the ground everywhere.

One slap?

He slapped the Iron-Backed Bear, known for its defense, unconscious with one slap?

Gu Yang paid no attention to the gazes around him.

He turned his head and looked seriously at the stunned referee:

“Um... Referee, I don't want this bear.”

“Could you trouble the kitchen to process it for me? I want to pack it up and take it as rations for the road.”