Chapter 39
Zhang You was slowly walking out of the forest deep in thought. He was trying to figure out who he could trust to help him capture Chen Zhen when he felt a very strong energy fluctuation coming from the sky. This energy was strange because it didn't seem to originate from this world. As he tracked it with his spiritual sense Chen Zhen was surprised again to see that it was headed for the barrier. His first thought was this was the great elder who was helping Chen Zhen, but on second thought he realized this this person definitely wasn't strong enough to set up the barrier. Zhang You wasn't as strong as this new person, but he was confident he could sneak attack them and injure them heavily. From what he could tell they didn't seem to be at full strength at this moment. Zhang You was preparing to head back when the new person actually went into the barrier, with no resistance. Somehow this person and the people who set up the barrier must be connected. This would change all his plans he had made so far. Zhang You was a very cautious person. He got where he was today because he always thoroughly investigated his targets before he acted. Zhang You set up his Nullification formation again and sat down to patiently wait to see what happened next.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chen Zhen had just woken up and was headed to Mei Ling's shack for breakfast when he was alerted by the barrier that someone had just entered the clearing. Chen Zhen remembered his sense of danger from the day before, so as soon as he locked on to the intruder he rushed over at full speed. Chen Zhen saw an old monk in ceremonial robes looking around the clearing. Chen Zhen didn't get a sense of danger from him, but because of Mei Ling and the kids he wasn't taking any chances. Since the intruder looked so old Chen Zhen restrained his strength to 50% and threw at punch toward the old monk.
Gorampa was looking at a blood red streak of light rus.h.i.+ng toward him. He could feel the fighting intent of the person heading his was. When Chen Zhen was right before him Gorampa threw out a light punch to meet Chen Zhen's fist.
BBBOOOOOMMMM!!!
Chen Zhen was sent flying backward for a hundred meters, he did a back flip in the air, and righted his body leaving deep furrows in the ground before coming to a stop. Gorampa didn't move an inch, after throwing the punch he continued to look around that this marvelous place. Chen Zhen realized he couldn't underestimate this old monk anymore. Executing Fire Flash he launched himself at Gorampa again. Gorampa could feel the increase in power from Chen Zhen's attack. Instead of being worried he actually became more excited.
"This old me hasn't had a real opportunity to workout this old bones in ages. Please allow me to have a little fun!" Gorampa said before amping up his power to 50%.
Gorampa seemed as though he just light kicked off the ground, but he took off light a rocket blast straight toward Chen Zhen. When they collided together the impact from their fist created a large fireball that left a twenty-foot-wide and ten-foot-deep crater in the ground. This time both of them were sent flying back from the force of the blast. They both righted themselves and rush forward again. Gorampa started to flicker form side to side leaving afterimages, making his movements very unpredictable. Chen Zhen tried to keep up with his movements and was soon completely lost
Chen Zhen was reduced to just blocking at this point. The only reason the fight had lasted this long was because his body boasted such a tyrannical defense thanks to the Blood Lion bloodline. Chen Zhen tried using Thunder Step to keep up with Gorampa's erratic movements, but it was of no use. Gorampa's battle experience was too vast for Chen Zhen. Feeling frustrated at his limitations in battle and feeling inadequate Chen Zhen begins to fuse his power to create Thunderfire. When Gorampa felt the immense energy building in Chen Zhen's body even he was alarmed by what he felt. Gorampa quickly appeared behind Chen Zhen striking him in the neck and knocking him out cold.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chen Zhen awoke with a splitting headache. As he sat up in bed and looked around he realized he was in Mei Ling's shack. He could hear low voices speaking outside. Jumped out of bed and ran outside when he remembered the old monk he had been battling earlier. When Chen Zhen got outside he could see the kids laughing as the played around with Gorampa. Mei Ling was sitting to the side serving tea for them.
"Ah my young friend has awoken. Sorry for that b.u.mp on your head, but I couldn't let you use that dreadful energy on my. My poor old body would have surely perished. No, no we don't want that now do we," Gorampa said as he shook his head and waved his hands.
Chen Zhen was completely confused, he had no clue what was going on. Now that he wasn't on high alert and could think more calmly he felt something familiar coming from Gorampa. Since there was no danger to Mei Ling and the kids, Chen Zhen finally relaxed and joined them for tea.
"My young friend I can feel that you are from Earth as well. Can you tell me your story of how you ended up here?" Gorampa asked.
Chen Zhen took his time and explained in detail everything that happened to him since Shanggu Julong attacked his flight. When he was done Gorampa had a contemplative look on his face, Chen Zhen couldn't tell what he was thinking.
"Thank you for sharing your story with me, that has helped me to understand somethings that were confusing me. I know you must be very confused about who I am. I am a monk from a Buddhist temple in Tibet. Our temple near the Sacred Abyss you fell thru to enter into this world. We are the guardians of the history that explains the relations.h.i.+p of these two worlds," Gorampa then explained the histories to Chen Zhen, "I came thru the portal to investigate the source of the breach in the seals. I did not expect to find survivors from our world here. If you were able to survive then its possible that others from you flight might have managed to survive as well."
Chen Zhen was surprised when he heard this. he had never considered the possibility of others falling into the abyss along with him. As he looked over at Mei Ling and the kids he felt very torn at the moment.
"I can tell from your look that you are feeling conflicted in your emotions right now." Gorampa said in hopes of getting Chen Zhen to open up to him.
"Since I ended up here my only goal has been tom return home. I have my wife and kids waiting for me and I don't know if they are even ok at this moment. Even though I made arrangements for them to be provided for in the case that something happened to me, it's not the same. I would rather be there with them."
Mei Ling and the kids heard Chen Zhen's words and put on a brave face even though it hurt very much to hear he wanted to leave them. They knew this day was coming, but they didn't expect it to be so soon.
"I can understand how you feel. Being separated from your family must be very troubling for you. But can I offer you some advice from an old monk," Gorampa asked looking Chen Zhen in the eye.
"Sure. I would never turn down your advice, senior." Chen Zhen respectfully replied.
"Stay here and become stronger. Your family is safe for now and I'm quite sure they miss you dearly. But before long our world will need strong warrior to help protect it again. This vast marvelous world is full of wonderous opportunities, but it is also full of incredible dangers. And those dangers will eventually make their way to Earth. When that time comes around the very few older warriors such as myself may not have to power to fight back. We are beyond our prime. The most we can do is train and guide the next generation of warriors. You have a distinct advantage, you have the ability to train under some of the most powerful master in this world. Take advantage of this, don't squander it. So that when you do finally return to your family you will be able to protect from the future dangers coming to our world," looking over at Mei Ling and the kids Gorampa said, "and I believe that you still have some responsibilities here that you must look after before you are free to return also."
Chen Zhen looked down considering Gorampa's words. There was no telling how long before Earth would be noticed by truly powerful beings from this world. He now felt an even more urgent need to get stronger, faster.
Chen Zhen looked at Mei Ling and the kids and smiled, "You are right. I will stay for now to become stronger, and to fulfill my responsibilities. But I must ask you a favor please, Senior Gorampa."
"Of course, you don't have to be so polite, just call me Gorampa."
Chen Zhen told Gorampa where his family lived, he gave Gorampa as many of the fruits from the trees that he could care and asked him to deliver it to his family. He also gave Gorampa a message for his wife before bidding farewell to him.
Gorampa left the barrier and returned thru the portal heading back to Earth. As Gorampa was leaving Zhang You followed him with his sense. Zhang You sat there pondering what his next move should be. His interest was very piqued by the portal that seemed to appear out of nowhere.