Chapter 138: Trouble Arrives
Chapter 138: Trouble Arrives
Li Xiang said, “It’s hard to confirm, but Lou Ri City likely has protective measures. Besides Soul Martial Realm cultivators, many Blood Martial Realm experts have reportedly joined this time. Anyone under twenty-five can register.”
Cheng Lingyu showed mild surprise. Masters at the Blood Martial Realm—where practitioners dominated as kings—rarely sought opportunities in Lou Ri City.
Qi Wei noticed his puzzlement and chuckled. “This makes sense. The Tianyang Empire spans vast lands, with hundreds of million-population cities like Yunyang City and ten massive cities housing over ten million. Among countless people, some hidden geniuses inevitably exist—those who never joined the Three Saints and Four Peerless or other major Forces due to circumstances. This is their prime opportunity.”
Cheng Lingyu nodded. “Your reasoning holds, Brother Qi.”
Meanwhile, Lan Xiaozhu piloted the Sky Boat over the wind pillars, evading the immediate danger.
“Thank you for your aid, Brother Cheng. We’ll remember this kindness and repay it later.”
The trio departed swiftly after the threat passed.
Cheng Lingyu dismissed the incident, concentrating on cultivation to reach peak condition before arriving at Lou Ri City.
By night’s end, he had elevated all his ultimate skills, significantly increasing his combat power.
At dawn, the Sky Boat reached Xi Yang Pass—a small town of 100,000 inhabitants two thousand miles beyond Xitian Gate. Many cultivators bound for Lou Ri City paused here to rest and gather news.
Lan Xiaozhu frowned uneasily at the sight of Xi Yang Pass.
“Careful. I sense danger.”
Cheng Lingyu also detected killing intent. “Bypass this place,” he ordered.
The Sky Boat soared over Xi Yang Pass without stopping. From the bow, Cheng Lingyu observed Fang Cuiyu, Li Xiang, and Qi Wei—unexpectedly ahead of them—before the town vanished behind.
Yet their sense of crisis deepened.
Abruptly, ripples distorted the void. The speeding Sky Boat lurched into shifting surroundings.
“Trouble! A spatial formation relocated us!”
Though versed in the Heavenly Spirit Diagram, Cheng Lingyu had no time to act.
The landscape morphed into a desert where a blurred figure approached. Recognition struck Cheng Lingyu.
“Ouyang Lie?”
“Correct. I lacked time to deal with you in Guishun Valley, but now…”
Ouyang Lie’s handsome features twisted into a cold smirk, radiating undisguised killing intent. Their first meeting had seen Cheng Lingyu thwart Ouyang Lie’s scheme to harm Caiyun. Later, Cheng Lingyu’s closeness to Caiyun—even calling her “Senior Sister”—fueled Ouyang Lie’s jealousy.
This encounter was fated hostility.
“How did you track me here?”
Cheng Lingyu masked his tension, buying time to strategize.
“Of course someone told me, but unfortunately that’s no longer important to you.”
Ouyang Lie smiled coldly, his eyes glinting with malice.
Cheng Lingyu wondered silently: Who had exposed his movements?
“You invited me to this desolate place today. Surely not just for old times’ sake?”
Cheng Lingyu remained composed, showing no trace of fear.
Ouyang Lie said, “You were among the four who entered the Holy Emperor’s underground palace in Yunyang City. Is that reason enough?”
“Hua Yuehong and Bai Ruomei already reappeared long ago. Haven’t you learned the truth yet?”
“Do you think the Heavenly Palace and Heavenly Fire Sect would reveal what happened there?”
Cheng Lingyu countered, “What’s the point of asking now that the underground palace is sealed?”
“At least I’ll know what truly occurred there – and why the Sun God Tablet vanished without a trace.”
Cheng Lingyu chuckled. “Had there been further developments, the Heavenly Palace and Heavenly Fire Sect would’ve acted first. But that bamboo plate you’re holding… It’s from Lanling Holy Palace, isn’t it? Plenty must covet that treasure.”
Ouyang Lie’s face twisted. “Silence!”
Cheng Lingyu tilted his head. “What’s wrong? Others lurk nearby. Why not call them out? Introduce me properly.”
His guess hit true – more than Ouyang Lie were present, hence the latter’s panic over the bamboo plate’s mention.
Lan Xiaozhu scanned their surroundings nervously. Though she saw nothing, dread coiled tighter in her chest.
Ouyang Lie barked, “Enough delays! Speak of what transpired in the Holy Emperor’s underground palace!”
Cheng Lingyu retorted icily, “Are you interrogating me? I respond better to honey than vinegar.”
Ouyang Lie’s laughter turned dangerous. “Shall I crush you like an ant?”
“Only minions rush to act first. Compared to your hidden masters, you’re nothing.”
“DIE!” Ouyang Lie roared.
He lunged, mountainous aura splitting the void. Terrifying divine might erupted as space fractured.
Cheng Lingyu yanked Lan Xiaozhu backward. Their Sky Boat shot forward to intercept, only to be swatted aside like a leaf.
“Halt!”
A frigid voice froze the scene. Rippling light waves solidified into two figures emerging from torn space.
Cheng Lingyu paled. Lan Xiaozhu’s spirit quaked. The arrival’s grandeur overwhelmed their Soul Martial Realm senses.
Before them materialized a striking middle-aged man in his forties, clad in shimmering Spirit Armor. His chiseled features glowed with Spiritual Light, every inch of his armor woven from glowing runes into mesmerizing patterns.
The Spirit Armor pulsed, drawing heaven and earth’s essence. Luminous phantoms swirled around him like orbiting stars, the very sky bowing to his dominion.
This colossus’ radiance dwarfed all others, making Cheng Lingyu and Lan Xiaozhu overlook his companion – a hook-nosed man in brocade robes, his fifty-year-old frame oozing venomous darkness.
Ouyang Lie immediately dropped into a respectful bow.
“Greetings, Martial Arts Spirit Master. Greetings, Master.”
The handsome middle-aged man casually replied, his gaze piercing as he looked at Cheng Lingyu, and said indifferently, “Though young with low cultivation, your foundation is remarkably solid. Not bad.”
Cheng Lingyu’s heart tightened. He had dispersed all his true essence when they arrived, yet the Spirit Master still detected clues.
“Your praise honors me, Spirit Master. Have you come for the Holy Emperor’s underground palace?”
Cheng Lingyu kept his voice steady, though dread coiled in his mind. Against Ouyang Lie alone, he might have countered using the magic knife. But facing a Spirit Martial Realm expert? No escape existed.
“Not solely. Yet the palace intrigues me.”
The man spoke with casual arrogance, his eyes swirling with cosmic phenomena.
Cheng Lingyu glanced at Ouyang Lie and his master. “Did you create this space?”
“Indeed. No teleportation, no information leaks—not even spirit artifact ripples escape.”
Ouyang Lie sneered, “Confess everything, and I’ll make your death swift. Otherwise…”
Lan Xiaozhu spat, “Shaming yourself by bullying a Soul Martial cultivator?”
Ouyang Lie’s master scoffed, “Fairness? We’re not here for fairness. Speak now, or suffer.”
Releasing Lan Xiaozhu’s hand, Cheng Lingyu growled, “I’ll talk—if you let her go.”
“You bargain? You’ve no right!” Ouyang Lie snapped.
Lan Xiaozhu gripped Cheng Lingyu’s hand. “I stay.”
Ignoring Ouyang Lie, Cheng Lingyu asked the Spirit Master, “Do I truly lack bargaining rights?”
The man smiled. “You do.”
Unfazed, Cheng Lingyu turned. “Calculate his remaining lifespan.”
Nodding, Lan Xiaozhu clasped the Key of Fate and Cheng Lingyu’s hand, eyes shut.
Ouyang Lie jeered, “Fortune-telling? Pathetic trick!”
Cheng Lingyu retorted, “Hear her out—you’re not pressed for time.”
Lan Xiaozhu trembled violently, sweat drenching her face, blood seeping from her lips. The episode ended quickly.
Meeting Cheng Lingyu’s questioning gaze, she wiped her brow, exhaustion lining her faint smile. “He dies here today.”
“Certain?”
“Utterly.”
“Good…”
Ouyang Lie mocked, “Empty threats! Who fears this farce?”
Cheng Lingyu fixed burning eyes on the Spirit Master. “Ever heard of Celestial Cataclysm Divination?”