Chapter 50: The Attack on Yunyang City

Their trip to Jubao Studio proved fruitful—not only did they secure two items, but Cheng Lingyu also spotted Cheng Zhaolong and learned of his current whereabouts.

“Explain your feud with that man,” Caiyun pressed as they returned to the courtyard, her curiosity piqued.

Cheng Lingyu laid bare his past without hesitation.

“Who’d have thought such a young lad would be so lovesick? How will you take revenge?”

“I’ll draw the snake from its hole,” Cheng Lingyu answered. “Kill him when he’s alone to avenge Ruo Xue.”

“Poor plan,” Caiyun countered. “True revenge should be carried out in the light.”

Cheng Lingyu gave a bitter laugh. “His backing is stronger than mine. Openly killing him would be near impossible.”

“Unresolved regrets become lifelong shadows. Since Cheng Zhaolong remains at the True Martial Realm as a Xuanhuo Sect true disciple, challenge him publicly at the right moment. Defeat and kill him before witnesses—but ensure the sect can’t interfere.”

“He’s under Ye Xiaoyun’s protection. The sect would retaliate.”

“The Xuanhuo Sect’s nothing special. We’ll find solutions. Focus on strengthening yourself—don’t let him outpace you.”

“Even now, I’d have sixty to seventy percent certainty of killing him,” Cheng Lingyu asserted with confidence. He’d slain Cheng Feng, who’d reached the late River Stage, surpassing Cheng Zhaolong’s current strength.

That night at the inn, Cheng Lingyu updated his father about Jubao Studio.

“Those Yunyang City prominent figures demand caution,” Cheng Yun advised. “We’ve four months to wait for the right revenge timing—don’t rush.”

“How fares your Thousand Layers of Snow training, Father?”

“Progress holds. The Fusion Phase grants five hundred twelvefold explosive power. Concentrating on the fourth qi vortex now—my strength grows noticeably.”

Boosted by spiritual herbs and the Spiritual Pulse Cold Spring, Cheng Yun’s Constitution now barely met Thousand Layers of Snow’s minimum standards, his overall power multiplied tenfold.

“Senior Sister insists I focus on cultivation. Should you need me, come to the chess academy.”

“Tend to your training. I’ll manage.”

At dawn, Cheng Lingyu departed for the chess academy.

Caiyun often played cultivators for stakes, maintaining her wealth. Her underground secret chamber—now Cheng Lingyu’s—thrummed with spiritual energy from a gathering formation she’d engraved, constantly drawing from Yunyang City’s ley lines.

This engraved formation proved remarkably efficient. Cheng Lingyu’s true essence capacity surged twenty percent in five days within the chamber, reaching sixty percent total.

Emerging, he remembered the peculiar plant.

Caiyun had spent days studying the painting’s seal, still unbroken.

“Senior Sister, the grass—”

He found her staring at the wall-mounted artwork.

“Table,” she murmured without turning.

Cheng Lingyu saw the crystal containing the sealed grass. Picking it up with his left hand, he felt the Fang Tian Bao Yin vibrating intensely. When transferred to his right hand, the magic knife in his palm also trembled in reaction.

Miss Caiyun had mentioned that plant souls could merge with human bodies. Over the past two days, Cheng Lingyu had secretly prepared to test this grass’s mysteries.

Crushing the crystal, he stared at the floating plant. After hovering briefly before him, the withered grass transformed into a faint light that pierced his forehead and settled in his sea of consciousness.

Through inner observation, Cheng Lingyu saw the grass’s two leaves quivering as they absorbed his mental power. Soon, a glossy green radiance emerged from the leaves, revitalizing his dormant sea of consciousness with vibrant energy.

“Interesting. I’ll test this through sleep.”

In his secret chamber, Cheng Lingyu slept while spiritual energy flooded toward him. The pyramid in his dantian’s True Essence Sea converted this energy, while the grass in his consciousness accelerated its swaying—transforming some energy into stored mental power.

After a full day’s sleep, he awoke refreshed. His Magic Eyes, Second Realm of Locking the Soul and Fixing the Spirit had sharpened visibly. The now-vibrant grass in his consciousness bore ancient patterns on its leaves—mysterious Da Dao Imprints resonating with heavenly principles. Though trained in engraved formations by Caiyun, Cheng Lingyu couldn’t yet decipher them.

That afternoon at Jin Miaoyi’s gathering, Qu Wei revealed alarming news: “Your Jubao Studio visit during the festival drew investigators. Be cautious.”

“Caiyun’s popularity makes you suspicious by association,” Jin Miaoyi added. “Even Ouyang Lei failed to court her.”

Miao Sanxu interjected, “Rumors say the ghost market will stir soon—prepare yourself.”

Fang Zhuqing’s sparring challenge ended disastrously when Cheng Lingyu’s single move left him gravely injured. “How can a River Stage cultivator defeat Slim Bamboo in one strike?!” Miao Sanxu cried.

Jin Miaoyi sighed. “I’d likely lose too. He’s genuine genius material.”

Cheng Lingyu demurred, “I merely have brute strength—no match for your finesse.”

Qu Wei warned, “Countless geniuses exist, yet few achieve fame. Also, the Hand of Stars leak means Yunyang City won’t stay peaceful.”

After Qu Wei departed for Shenhuo Sect cultivation, Cheng Lingyu mused, “This city’s unusual calm puzzles me.”

Jin Miaoyi explained, “City Lord Yun Ao’s Blood Martial Realm power and detection formation enforce peace. Even Shenhuo and Xuanhuo Sect experts were executed for disturbances.”

As Cheng Lingyu questioned exceptions, a thunderous explosion rocked Yunyang City. Buildings crumbled as a shockwave rippled through streets.

“An expert attacks!” Jin Miaoyi deduced while their building groaned.

Above the chaos, City Lord Yun Ao’s mountain-sized projection materialized, confronting a beast emerging from black clouds.

“I seek an item, not conflict,” the creature rumbled, extending a massive claw.

Yun Ao countered with a palm strike, triggering an explosion that scattered luminous fragments like falling stars.