Chapter 97: Special Transaction
Chapter 97: Special Transaction
The Celestial Measurement was strange. Unlike the Fang Tian Bao Yin or magic knife that automatically emitted certain auras, it lay dormant and silent at the bottom of the True Essence Sea, completely uncontrollable.
Yet even in his sleep, Cheng Lingyu sensed the Celestial Measurement slowly absorbing the essence from his true essence, quietly nourishing itself.
Over thirteen days, Cheng Lingyu consumed vast resources to successfully open his third True Essence Sea. This caused his cultivation level to surge dramatically, filling him with newfound confidence.
Caiyun had also cultivated during these thirteen days, showing clear improvements in strength.
The chess academy received daily visits from cultivators seeking information. Jin Miaoyi, Miao Sanxu, and Fang Zhuqing came multiple times but never managed to meet Caiyun or Cheng Lingyu.
Major changes had swept Yunyang City during this period. The Mingyue Gate annihilated the Baifo Sect, erasing it from existence.
There remained no trace of Hua Yuehong or Bai Ruomei, but details about the Golden Crow Blazing Flags became clearer. Of the eight flags from the underground palace, four were seized—the Heavenly Fire Sect, Divine Martial Sect, Tianlei Sacred Church, and Shanhua Alliance each claimed one. The Heavenly Palace had terrible luck and obtained nothing.
With the Ghost-faced Magic Vine missing, the Holy Artifact Long Sword also vanished without a trace.
The White Jade Skeleton reappeared two thousand miles north of Yunyang City, slaughtering a Blood Martial Realm expert.
The spiritual bird formed from spiritual dew remained missing, though rumors claimed Heavenly Palace experts had narrowed down its location through secret methods.
…
That evening, Lan Xiaozhu—one of Yunyang’s top ten beauties—arrived at the chess academy. She stood unnoticed in the garden, quietly gazing at the moon.
Caiyun materialized from the void and escorted her to a secret chamber. Cheng Lingyu briefly showed surprise before composing himself.
“What brings you here, Miss Lan?”
Lan Xiaozhu smiled. “To seek treatment, of course. And to share news.”
Cheng Lingyu chuckled dryly. “You truly consider me a miracle healer?”
Caiyun cut in, “First discuss recent events. Save the medical talk for later.”
Unfazed, Lan Xiaozhu murmured, “With the Baifo Sect destroyed, many hunt for Hua Yuehong, Bai Ruomei, and you two. Though Yunyang calms after the underground palace incident, unrest now brews in Guishun Valley—1,700 miles north.”
Cheng Lingyu frowned. “What’s Guishun Valley?”
Caiyun answered, “A soul convergence zone. Soul Martial Realm cultivators go there to fuse souls into themselves, gaining their powers to boost cultivation.”
Lan Xiaozhu added, “Such places exist across the Tianyang Empire, but all share one trait: even Spirit Martial Realm experts have their power suppressed to Soul Martial levels inside. Many Blood and Spirit Martial experts died there in past attempts.”
Cheng Lingyu’s eyes narrowed. “Souls there can kill late-stage Soul Martial experts?”
Caiyun nodded. “The valley’s eeriness protects it. Those below Blood Martial Realm may enter, but most avoid it past Soul Martial Fifth Realm. Higher cultivation attracts greater danger.”
“Understood. Other news?”
Lan Xiaozhu said, “Lou Ri City—among the Three Saints and Four Peerless—will recruit disciples in two months. Their first open enrollment in five centuries has caused massive excitement.”
Cheng Lingyu tilted his head. “Being Four Peerless, their standards must be extreme?”
Caiyun explained, “Lou Ri City ranks last in the Four Peerless for being both low-profile and mysterious. A thousand years ago, they produced an unparalleled genius who dominated peers from the Three Saints and Four Peerless, shaking the Tianyang Empire. He vanished mysteriously—many believe the older generation assassinated him.”
Lan Xiaozhu concluded, “Applicants must be under twenty-five with Soul Martial Realm cultivation for preliminary eligibility. You should consider trying.”
Cheng Lingyu rubbed his chin. “Me? What’s your view, Senior Sister?”
Caiyun said, “We’ll see when the time comes. Becoming a disciple of Lou Ri City wouldn’t be bad if it works out.”
Cheng Lingyu smiled faintly. Such matters depended on fate, not force.
“So the underground palace incident about the Holy Emperor’s legacy just… ended like that?”
Lan Xiaozhu answered, “Three days after Mid-Autumn, the palace entrance sealed itself and never reopened. The disappearance of all four of you turned the Holy Emperor’s legacy into an unsolved mystery, stirring endless rumors. More importantly, news spread two days ago that Lanling Holy Palace has reappeared, drawing the attention of Heavenly Palace, Tianlei Sacred Church, Shanhua Alliance, Divine Martial Sect, and Heavenly Fire Sect.”
Caiyun chuckled. “The Holy Emperor’s legacy was mere speculation—no proof exists. Lanling Holy Palace is concrete. That’s why the five major forces shifted focus there, leaving Yunyang City quieter.”
Cheng Lingyu frowned. “Quiet’s relative. My reappearance would still bring trouble.”
Lan Xiaozhu advised, “You should leave until your cultivation level improves. Return when you’re stronger.”
“Miss Lan’s idea sounds reasonable. But where’s suitable for my current strength?”
“Guishun Valley.”
“A True Martial Realm cultivator going to Guishun Valley? Isn’t that unwise?”
Caiyun interjected, “It’s dangerous, but not unheard of. In True Martial Realm, the River Stage and Thunder Stage consume the most time. The Thunder Stage refines, while the True Fire Stage breaks through. For you, once past the River Stage, the later phases won’t take long.”
Cheng Lingyu shook his head. “Senior Sister makes it sound simple. Others might speed through, but I can’t. The River Stage alone needs twenty more days.”
Caiyun gaped. “Twenty days? You’ve unlocked three True Essence Seas already! One remains—how’s that twenty days?”
Cheng Lingyu nodded bitterly. Twenty days was fast by his standards.
Lan Xiaozhu warned, “Time’s short. If you don’t leave within three days, your location will be exposed.”
“Why?” Caiyun demanded.
“The Iron Bone Diviner arrives in Yunyang City in three days. With his skills, hiding here’s impossible.”
Caiyun paled. “The Iron Bone Diviner? He’s involved?”
Cheng Lingyu frowned. “Is he that powerful?”
Caiyun’s grim nod answered him.
“Pack quickly. We leave in two days.”
Cheng Lingyu blinked. His domineering Senior Sister avoiding confrontation? This Iron Bone Diviner must be formidable.
“What about you, Miss Lan, if we go?”
“I’ll join you. I’ll help you gain what you seek in Guishun Valley. In return, cure my illness.”
Cheng Lingyu hesitated. “Your condition… It’s the backlash of the heavenly way from using Celestial Cataclysm Divination. How can I treat that?”
Lan Xiaozhu explained, “The backlash suppresses my cultivation. Remove it, and I’ll advance rapidly. Higher cultivation means better resistance. If I avoid frequent divination, the backlash won’t flare.”
Skeptical, Cheng Lingyu glanced at Caiyun.
“Junior Brother, wait outside. I need to speak with her alone.”
Once he left, Caiyun fixed Lan Xiaozhu with a piercing stare.
“Have you weighed the consequences?”
“Three outcomes: First, a clean transaction—no debts, no ties. Second, one of us gets entangled. Third, both do. I hope for the first.”
Caiyun snorted. “First’s impossible. Only second or third.”
Lan Xiaozhu sighed. “Celestial Cataclysm Divination users die young. I just want to avoid early death. I know your plan—use me to temper him. Make him mature, immune to feminine charms.”
Caiyun nodded. “Women understand men best. Knowing desire teaches him to distinguish love from lust. Your beauty makes you perfect for this.”
“So you agree?”
“Why refuse? If you mean no harm, chase love while you live.”
Lan Xiaozhu started. “You… guessed.”
“I was young once too.”
With a bitter smile, Lan Xiaozhu muttered, “Should I thank you?”
“Thank me when you leave.”
Caiyun summoned Cheng Lingyu back.
“We’ve settled the treatment. There’s something you must know.”
“Senior Sister?”
He noticed both women’s odd expressions.
“The cure requires yin-yang dual cultivation. Only through… union can her Backlash Power transfer fully to you.”
Cheng Lingyu froze. “This… Senior Sister, this can’t…”
“I’ve consented.”
He turned desperately to Lan Xiaozhu. “Miss Lan… how…”