Chapter 72: The Ten Beauties of Yunyang

Caiyun observed and calculated the time, noticing Cheng Lingyu had lasted longer than before, yet ultimately fell into deep slumber, his mind strained to the limit.

Worry gripped her. She understood the profundity of the Heavenly Spirit Diagram well—even with her Blood Martial Realm cultivation, she dared not recklessly attempt the Fifth Layer.

During his second collapse, Cheng Lingyu slept a full day and night. Upon waking, he appeared more vigorous than ever, eagerly pushing Caiyun to proceed.

He successfully unraveled the Fourth and Fifth Layers. The Sixth Layer proved far more intricate. As Cheng Lingyu focused, his body trembled violently, blood trickling from his lips under immense pressure nearing his breaking point.

Caiyun’s anxiety peaked. She nearly called for abandonment, but he’d already fallen unconscious.

The third time, he slept three days and nights. When he awoke fully healed, Caiyun gasped.

“Stop here. Your cultivation’s insufficient—you’ll harm yourself.”

“Don’t fret, Senior Sister.” Cheng Lingyu’s eyes blazed. “Though my realm remains low, my spiritual cultivation now surpasses the physical. I’ll unlock the entire Diagram.”

“You’re certain?”

“Sixty to seventy percent sure. Let’s proceed—my peak condition after waking won’t last.”

The Seventh Layer’s eerie complexity pressed Cheng Lingyu beyond limits. He breached its basic transformations through sheer will, though deeper mysteries eluded him. Blood stained his chin as he collapsed.

Caiyun cradled his unconscious form, heart aching at his pallor.

Four days he slept next. Emerging unscathed, he demanded they tackle the Eighth Layer. Though troubled, Caiyun marveled at his vitality and complied.

The Eighth Layer mirrored the seventh’s ordeal but multiplied in complexity. Cheng Lingyu shattered surface-level seals before agony claimed him, crimson spattering the ground.

Five suns rose and fell before he stirred, leaving Caiyun sleepless with concern.

The Ninth Layer defied description. Spiritual patterns flickered like dancing grass blades within Cheng Lingyu’s eyes, calculating permutations.

Blood became routine—but now it streamed from his eyes. His robes disintegrated as vessels ruptured, transforming him into a crimson statue.

Horrified, Caiyun tried halting the process, yet found the Heavenly Spirit Diagram fused with Cheng Lingyu beyond her control. Only when he collapsed did the connection sever.

A blood cocoon encased him. Nine days later, it cracked open to reveal unblemished jade skin—rebirthed perfection.

His eyes snapped open, divine light piercing the chamber. Deadly allure radiated from his gaze.

“You’re awake!”

Caiyun lunged forward, embracing his nude form without thought. Cheng Lingyu reciprocated fiercely, inhaling her floral scent as they spun through the secret chamber.

“Senior Sister… I succeeded.”

Her softness against his chest ignited unfamiliar warmth, though neither moved to separate.

Caiyun’s cheeks flushed as she felt the changes in Cheng Lingyu’s body. She shot him an exasperated glance and demanded to be put down.

“Look at your messy state. Hurry and put your clothes on.”

Hearing this, Cheng Lingyu suddenly realized his dishevelment and blushed, though a flicker of anticipation lingered in his heart.

After dressing, he took Caiyun’s hand and explained, “I’ve fully comprehended the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Layers of the Heavenly Spirit Diagram. The Seventh to Ninth remain sealed for now. More importantly, I discovered it has dual aspects – yang for male cultivators and yin for females, sharing general principles but differing in details.”

Caiyun nodded. “Humans have yin-yang distinctions. Naturally, cultivation methods would reflect this.”

“Look into my eyes, Senior Sister,” Cheng Lingyu urged. “See the sprout? Its two leaves bear the unsealed diagrams – left for men, right for women. I’ve mastered the first six layers, but the final three still elude me.”

“Transfer the female diagram to me,” Caiyun requested. “Your Dreamless Technique protects your consciousness too well.”

Without hesitation, they sat facing each other. The transfer took hours due to the diagram’s complexity and Cheng Lingyu’s limited cultivation.

When finished, Caiyun impulsively embraced him, planting a kiss on his cheek. Stunned briefly, Cheng Lingyu returned the embrace fiercely, murmuring “Senior Sister…”

Caiyun’s heart fluttered at the look in his eyes. Blushing, she scolded gently, “No foolish ideas, silly boy. I must cultivate. You’ve been confined twenty days – go get fresh air.” She pecked his cheek again and shooed him out.

Emerging from the secret chamber, Cheng Lingyu wore a dazed grin, still feeling the warmth of her lips.

During his seclusion, Yunyang City had changed. Cheng Lingyu found Jin Miaoyi and arranged to meet Qu Wei, Miao Sanxu, and Fang Zhuqing.

“Look who’s back!” Fang Zhuqing clapped his shoulder. “The man who defeated Ji Yaozu! Yunyang’s newest celebrity!”

Miao Sanxu countered, “Save the flattery. Little Yuzi’s made lifelong enemies of the Xuanhuo Sect.”

Qu Wei updated him: “The Situ family heir’s corpse was found, but Situ Caifeng remains missing with the mid-grade spirit artifact Red Lily. Meanwhile, Baifo Sect’s Saintess Hua Yuehong rivals Caiyun’s fame now.”

Cheng Lingyu frowned. “This Saintess… I’ve never heard of her before.”

“She was already among Yunyang’s Ten Beauties,” Fang Zhuqing explained. “Though her cultivation was weak before. Now she’s jumped from True Martial to Soul Martial Realm, defeating experts from Lièyáng Sect, Broken Blade Hall, and Flying Dragon Gang.”

Miao Sanxu listed the Ten Beauties: “City Lord’s daughter Yun Xi, Shenhuo Sect’s divine doctor Song Xuejiao, Xuanhuo’s Soul Martial Fifth Realm expert Ye Xinyi, missing Situ Caifeng, Caiyun from the chess academy, Baifo’s Hua Yuehong, Mingyue Gate’s Bai Ruomei, Flying Dragon’s Nie Jiaolong, Yaxin Cottage’s Lan Xiaozhu, and Baicao Sect’s ‘Poison Phoenix’ Du Yaru.”

Jin Miaoyi added, “Two external forces emerged – the saint-producing Tianlei Sacred Church and Shanhe Alliance, both Tianyang Empire powers eyeing Lanling Holy Palace’s treasures discreetly to avoid attention.”

Qu Wei noted, “Hua Yuehong’s beautiful jade coffin worries even Blood Martial Realm experts. Its divine might makes it conspicuous among the palace treasures.”

When asked about his plans, Cheng Lingyu touched the wrapped head at his belt. “I’ll bring Cheng Zhaolong’s head to Ruo Xue’s grave. Teacher deserves closure.”