Chapter 100: I Will Not Go
Chapter 100: I Will Not Go
Cheng Lingyu stared in that direction, sensing the strange fluctuations as an odd feeling rose within him.
Under the night wind, faint soul shadows drifted through the valley, swiftly closing in on the pair.
A vengeful spirit suddenly morphed into a fierce ghost in a flash of eerie light, lunging at Cheng Lingyu.
Lan Xiaozhu cried out, “Watch out! Dodge! The cursed resentment of these spirits is venomous—”
She flicked her finger, releasing a streak of green brilliance that knocked the charging ghost off course.
Cheng Lingyu yanked Lan Xiaozhu back to his side and growled, “Stay back. Let me handle this.”
As the fierce ghost turned to charge again, Cheng Lingyu’s eyes blazed like twin suns. Activating the Third Level of Magic Eyes, Heart Invasion, his mental power erupted into a sharp blade infused with a bewitching aura, shooting straight from his gaze.
Though invisible, this mental attack struck true, piercing the ghost and drawing a shrill scream.
This was Cheng Lingyu’s first attempt at attacking with the Magic Eyes. Though unskilled, the technique’s power proved formidable.
Lan Xiaozhu gaped, astonished he could harm such a spirit. These were remnants of experts who’d reached at least the Blood Martial Realm—some even the Spirit Martial Realm—after death. Far stronger than common ghosts, they should’ve been beyond Cheng Lingyu’s lower cultivation level. Yet he fought effortlessly.
The vengeful spirit persisted, its hatred unyielding.
The fierce ghost howled, attacking wildly. Cheng Lingyu dodged lightly, eyes locked on his target. Each mental strike from his Invasion of the Mind sliced like a blade, weakening the specter.
Soon, the ghost dissolved into smoke. The nearly indestructible spirit shattered, its soul power becoming silvery threads absorbed through Cheng Lingyu’s eyes.
Closing his eyes, Cheng Lingyu noted his mental power had grown slightly—a boon from consuming the spirit.
Lan Xiaozhu gasped. “You can devour soul power?”
Cheng Lingyu nodded.
“Let’s hunt more souls.”
Most cultivators hunted plant souls or Beast Souls. But Cheng Lingyu meant targeting vengeful spirits of dead experts—their dense soul power nourished him uniquely.
Such a feat was impossible for others, yet he achieved it.
In Guishun Valley, cultivator spirits were rarer than plant or Beast Souls. After a night’s search, Cheng Lingyu only destroyed three, absorbing their power. His mental energy swelled, refining both his Magic Eyes technique and technique of origins.
“Dawn approaches. Rest awhile,” Lan Xiaozhu murmured.
Though not tired, Cheng Lingyu agreed. Closing his eyes, he slipped into a dreamless state, floating mid-air as his body relaxed.
An unseen energy streamed toward him, seeping into his flesh. Visible energy glowed around him, brightening steadily until he shone like a beacon in the predawn gloom.
Lan Xiaozhu watched, her expression conflicted. Lips parting briefly, she ultimately stayed silent.
After dawn, the light in Guishun Valley grew slightly stronger but remained murky and dim, covered in thick haze.
Cheng Lingyu awoke near the end of the morning hours, revitalized and brimming with strength as his cultivation advanced further.
“This place suits me well. It aids my cultivation.”
He smiled, his bright eyes carrying an unconscious allure that made Lan Xiaozhu’s heartbeat quicken.
“Focus on breaking through to the Soul Martial Realm here.”
Lan Xiaozhu turned her face away, cheeks faintly red.
“Let’s keep moving.”
Cheng Lingyu naturally grasped her jade hand as they traveled through the perilous valley.
Lan Xiaozhu watched him quietly, her gaze tender. For now, she pushed aside all worries, wanting only to remember this moment.
Cheng Lingyu noticed but remained silent, his lips curving in a peculiar smile.
Beyond the ridge lay a deep chasm. An eerie ravine cut through the land, its icy breath unsettling all who approached.
Many cultivators had gathered around the ravine, watching and looking for any signs of souls.
Cheng Lingyu’s brows furrowed as he recognized several figures from Yunyang City.
“Don’t show your true selves,” Lan Xiaozhu warned quietly.
Though their appearances were altered, their auras could still betray them in battle.
Cheng Lingyu nodded, considering their options.
Tendrils of white mist began rising from the ravine. They twisted into a flower shape, then shifted into a beast form, puzzling the onlookers.
Flower shapes usually meant plant souls, while beasts indicated soul beasts. This shifting phenomenon defied common understanding.
“Send someone down to investigate!”
The suggestion spread through the crowd, but no one volunteered. The sinister ravine promised deadly risks.
“You there! Go check it out.”
A cultivator pointed at Cheng Lingyu – the weakest present, barely at the True Martial Sixth Realm.
“Why should I obey you?” Cheng Lingyu retorted.
“Because you’re the weakest here,” sneered the white-clothed cultivator from the Soul Martial Fourth Realm. “Refuse, and I’ll kill you now. At least this way you might survive.”
Lan Xiaozhu frowned. “We’re just passing through. Why target us?”
The cultivator laughed. “Because I feel like it.”
“Not interested,” Cheng Lingyu said coldly. “We’re leaving.”
With a ground-shattering leap, he shot skyward with blinding speed.
“Think you can escape?”
Three figures shot into the sky, attempting to intercept Cheng Lingyu and Lan Xiaozhu, but were too late.
At that moment, a massive beast materialized in the void, blocking Cheng Lingyu’s path.
“Be careful. This is Soul Transformation Art. Cultivators who’ve reached the True Martial Third Realm’s Fusion Stage can merge with Beast Souls, manifesting partial combat strength in the void.”
The enormous creature was a black spider. Its claw swiped through empty air, smashing into Cheng Lingyu and violently hurling him backward.
Over a dozen cultivators instantly surrounded the pair. Smirks of schadenfreude adorned their faces.
“Kid, you can’t run. We’re just making you scout ahead – not dangerous work. Might even profit from it. Why resist?”
Cheng Lingyu snorted. “Pretty words. Scouting means death. Think I’m easily bullied?”
“You’re the weakest here, yet came meddling. Guishun Valley claims dozens of cultivators daily. Don’t go if you fear death.”
“Show spine? I’ll send you On Your Way.”
Rage burned in Cheng Lingyu’s chest. Lan Xiaozhu bit her lip.
“I’ll go. You escape.”
She shoved Cheng Lingyu toward an exit. He stared at her with strange intensity, startled by her sudden self-sacrifice.
“How touching! Risking lives for each other. Admirable,” jeered a spectator, voice dripping mockery.
Cheng Lingyu gripped Lan Xiaozhu’s hand, shaking his head firmly. His frosty gaze swept the encircling crowd – seventy-six cultivators, twenty-one women, all Soul Martial Realm. Not one spoke in their defense. Cold indifference reigned; justice lay trampled.
“Don’t act rashly,” Lan Xiaozhu whispered, squeezing his hand.
Cheng Lingyu’s cold smile carried icy clarity. “This is perfect. Blood Martial experts can’t enter here. I’ll temper myself in Guishun Valley, breakthrough to Soul Martial Realm.”
“Can you truly survive?” Worry etched Lan Xiaozhu’s features.
Wisdom flashed in Cheng Lingyu’s eyes. Back in Yunyang City, he’d slain Lian Yunxiang – a Soul Martial Fourth Realm expert – while merely at True Martial Fourth Realm. Now at late True Martial Sixth Realm, handling Soul Martial Third/Fourth Realm foes would be simpler.
Of course, overwhelming numbers could still doom him. But he’d gamble rather than endure further humiliation.
“Your identity…” Lan Xiaozhu murmured.
“Even Spirit Masters kneel here.” Cheng Lingyu’s tone brooked no argument.
“Decision, boy?”
“Made. I refuse.”
Releasing Lan Xiaozhu, Cheng Lingyu strode toward the white-clothed cultivator.
“Refuse? Brave words. Time to die.”
The white-clothed cultivator smirked, gesturing. A Soul Martial Second Realm (Soul Hunter Stage) stout man lumbered forward.
“Grandpa Zhu’ll escort you On Your Way!”
Cheng Lingyu sneered. “Fear no godlike foe, dread pig-brained allies. You’re truly porcine.”
“Insolent!”
The stout man launched himself like fleshy avalanche, feet unleashing blindingly fast series of kicks that startled even Cheng Lingyu.