Starting with Proficiency Panel-Chapter 551 - 549: Milestone

Lu Ren's dreadful injuries on the outside, however, recovered completely in just the span of a breath, showing no trace of being harmed.

But people are aware of their own situation; to withstand Bian Zhuang's thrust, Lu Ren's body had almost consumed nearly all his Primordial Qi, almost shattering his Great Witch Body.

"Ding, you have successfully slain Marshal Tianpeng Bian Zhuang, awarding you 5 Skill Points."

Not far away, Sun Wukong also employed various Secret Techniques, using Nine Revolutions Profound Skill, laboriously expelling the Abnormal Power that had invaded his body, beginning to reconstruct his flesh to return to form.

He turned his head to see Lu Ren, who appeared as calm as ever, his pupils slightly shrinking before returning to normal.

"Looks like your luck saved you from dying, huh."

Lu Ren saw Sun Wukong looking over, and without hesitation, spat a retort.

How could he not know this old monkey's thoughts? Honestly, if he showed even a hint of weakness now, this Monkey Sun would undoubtedly seize the chance to eliminate him, whatever the cost.

Unfortunately, Lu Ren secretly observed for quite a while, but this Monkey Sun showed no vulnerability, seemingly still with energy to spare.

It made Lu Ren feel a bit regretful; if he could hammer this monkey to death here, Lu Ren was sure the system would award him several Skill Points.

The earlier death of Bian Zhuang and the system's 5 Skill Points reassured him that this trip was worth it. As his Realm and power increased, gaining Skill Points became increasingly difficult.

Finding opponents of the same Realm was hard, and previously, while clearing those strange creatures on the continent, the system offered no hint.

Sun Wukong coldly snorted, promptly rolling his eyes around, cursing.

"That damned Pigsy, that shot almost knocked my cultivation back down, I barely just rose but now must descend again."

Lu Ren couldn't help but glance at Sun Wukong, concerned: "How does the Great Saint feel? If something touches on your origin, I can escort you a segment of the journey."

Sun Wukong sneered: "You're just sending me off, aren't you?"

Lu Ren reproached: "With all my good intentions, you actually say this about me; truly, a kind heart fed to the dogs."

"Haha."

While they were scoring points off each other, Bian Zhuang, who had been unmoving all along, suddenly emitted a strange ripple that spread out, vanishing into the distance.

The two instantly ceased talking, warily watching Bian Zhuang, somewhat clueless.

Lu Ren sensed the peculiar ripple that had long since vanished, pondering carefully: "This phenomenon feels somewhat like radar."

"Damn it!!" Sun Wukong suddenly jumped up, looking panicked, cursing: "That damn Bian Zhuang, even in death he's not at peace, is he a marker?"

"Marker?" Lu Ren felt an ominous foreboding.

At this moment, Sun Wukong swiftly calmed down, realizing the situation was irreversible, coolly looked at the still Bian Zhuang and said: "We've been played; Pigsy seems simple and lazy, indulgent in food and lust, but actually his thoughts are cunning, possessing abilities beyond ordinary imagination."

Seeing Bian Zhuang's aged, glaring expression, Sun Wukong uttered a strange laugh: "This guy actually willingly used his body as a spatial marker, anchoring it to facilitate those unknown Immortal Gods' comeback. Though his strength wasn't enough, upon sensing our arrival, he forcibly used his last True Power to make us clash with him. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

If he could kill us, it would be best; failing that, he could extend the marker with our strength, guiding those Immortal Gods from unknown realms as a beacon."

Speaking of this, Sun Wukong's expression became terrifyingly grim. He wasn't opposed to the Immortal Gods descending in principle; what he couldn't tolerate, however, was an opponent who was once handily defeated by him, now turning the tables on him.

This was something he couldn't endure, but tragically, the opponent was long dead, even with soul scattered, offering no opportunity for revenge.

For his typically proud personality, this would be enough to wake him up in anger even while sleeping.

Lu Ren couldn't hold back and his expression was no longer able to maintain its cool demeanor. He took several large strides to Bian Zhuang.

Circling around him, he frustratingly found it was as useless as the shell of a Golden Cicada Shell.

"Is there any way?"

Sun Wukong wanted to ridicule again but hearing Lu Ren's serious tone, he clicked his tongue and said: "Bian Zhuang used his Primordial Spirit as a guide, using his last bit of vitality as fuel, sacrificed his life to light the marker, forming a beacon—it's irreversible."

There was a time and place for everything; if he kept mouthing off now, Lu Ren might recklessly fight him out of fury.

Although Sun Wukong wasn't afraid, he also understood that Lu Ren had just gained a major fortune, and if misjudged, he might die in Lu Ren's hands.

Upon hearing this, Lu Ren felt complicated, Mad, had he delivered himself into the trap?

Next to him, Sun Wukong carried the Ruyi Stick, inspecting Bian Zhuang carefully, then spoke: "There's no need to blame yourself too much, this coffin-bound fellow had prepared for hundreds of thousands of years; we became mere catalysts by arriving.

Even if we didn't come, within a year or two, Bian Zhuang would have burned out his Essence, Qi, and Spirit, establishing the marker to guide Immortal Gods from unknown realms, if they want to return, they'll have to face great terror."

Speaking of which, Sun Wukong remarked: "I actually want to know what promise the Jade Emperor made to Bian Zhuang, making him willingly stay here, withering for hundreds of thousands of years just to leave a marker."

He turned to Lu Ren, his gaze revealing mystery: "You must understand, this guy was once a mighty figure in the Earth Immortal Realm, when I fought my way into the South Celestial Gate, one of my opponents was him; though no match for me, he was formidable enough to stand above many Immortal Gods."

Lu Ren took a deep breath, standing from a half-crouched position, "No matter what deal he struck with the Jade Emperor, willingly staying here to serve as a marker to guide them back, it doesn't matter anymore; what matters is how to respond."

Sun Wukong looked up at the broken South Celestial Gate: "How about going in to take a look?"

Lu Ren shook his head slightly: "It's dangerous inside, my deepest instincts tell me that entering would lead to terrifying danger, something very powerful lurks inside—if you want to go in, I won't stop you."

It's not that Lu Ren wished to hold back, he certainly wanted to goad Sun Wukong to explore, but when Sun Wukong suggested going inside, Lu Ren realized that this old monkey clearly sensed the danger within.

Sun Wukong didn't mind the response, playing with his stick, saying: "You've gained Thick Earth's great fortune, I suppose those Immortal Gods would hesitate to act rashly even if they descend."