Chapter 156: Hope of Mingmo Ridge
Chapter 156: Hope of Mingmo Ridge
“This token can only be activated by your unique aura. It has multiple functions like teleportation, location tracking, and messaging. Let’s head to the Seventh Palace to see the disciple chosen by the Divine Trees’ Portal.”
As the formation activated, the two arrived near the Seventh Palace. From afar, they spotted three figures practicing outside the palace, with a stern middle-aged man standing nearby.
Wan Fang approached with Cheng Lingyu, and the middle-aged man greeted them.
“Senior Brother Wan, what brings you here? Quite a rare visit. And this is…?”
“Cheng Lingyu from Liyun Palace. I’m showing him around. These three must be the new junior apprentices?”
Cheng Lingyu smiled politely at the man, addressing him as “Senior Brother.”
“Yes! Three lively youngsters—they’ve brightened up this dreary place.”
The middle-aged man studied Cheng Lingyu and remarked, “The Fifth Palace outshines ours. Work hard, Junior Brother Cheng.”
Cheng Lingyu nodded, but his gaze lingered on the three newcomers, his expression turning strange.
Among them, a girl in green stood out. Her tight attire accentuated her figure, her features delicate yet sharp-eyed, radiating a heroine’s spirit that rivaled even men’s.
She was striking—slender, poised, but with a fierce, competitive glint in her eyes. Around eighteen, she seemed.
The two male disciples were equally remarkable: handsome, youthful, both at the Soul Martial late stage, their cultivation levels higher than hers.
Wan Fang asked, “Which one’s the chosen one?”
“Junior Sister Fang Ruohua, sent directly by the Divine Trees’ Portal. Zhou Jun and Qian Junjie were handpicked by the Palace Master—both talented.”
Wan Fang squinted slightly, golden light flickering in his eyes.
“A natural martial soul. Rare indeed.”
Cheng Lingyu hid his surprise. He’d observed Fang Ruohua but missed this detail—a clear gap between their abilities.
The middle-aged man called the trio over for introductions.
Though awed by Wan Fang’s status, their attention soon shifted to Cheng Lingyu.
In cultivation level, Cheng Lingyu was no match for them. Yet as a Fifth Palace disciple, he ranked higher—a fact that visibly rankled them.
Wan Fang chuckled, sensing their resentment. “The Divine Trees’ Portal sent two to Fallen God Ridge: Junior Sister Fang and Cheng Lingyu. Bond closely—the future glory of our Fallen God branch rests on you.”
Cheng Lingyu demurred, “You honor me too much, Senior Brother Wan.”
Fang Ruohua shot him a glance and declared, “I’ll strive twice as hard to bring glory to our branch!”
“Ambition! I expect great things,” Wan Fang praised.
Zhou Jun and Qian Junjie stayed silent, eyeing Cheng Lingyu with thinly veiled hostility.
Cheng Lingyu kept his head down, keenly aware their dislike stemmed from his proximity to Fang Ruohua.
After brief chatter, dusk settled.
“Time to return. We’ll visit again.”
Wan Fang led Cheng Lingyu through the teleportation array back to the Supreme Spirit Palace.
“So, how’d today feel?”
Wan Fang wore an odd smile—one Cheng Lingyu couldn’t begin to mimic.
“It felt peaceful here, almost desolate. Not at all like a major sect – stagnant and lifeless.”
“This place is good for cultivation, but it can wear down your fighting spirit. Join competitions from other branches when possible to stay motivated. Now appreciate the sunset – Lou Ri City’s famous spectacle.”
Wan Fang patted Cheng Lingyu’s shoulder before entering the Supreme Spirit Palace alone.
Cheng Lingyu stood at the cliff’s edge, watching the sun sink into cloud seas. A peculiar sensation stirred within him.
From Shiyang Town to Yunyang City, then to Fallen God Ridge – each journey brought new experiences blending sweetness, bitterness, and lingering melancholy.
As the sun dipped lower, Senior Sister Caiyun’s face surfaced in his mind. He missed her.
That night, Cheng Lingyu matured through solitary reflection on the cliff.
Loneness breeds maturity, isolation breeds sorrow.
He thought of his father Cheng Yun, wondering where he was and how he fared.
“Must train harder. Need to catch up.”
Silently turning, Cheng Lingyu disappeared into the night.
…
Halfway up Lou Ri Ridge between Sixth and Seventh Palaces stood Lou Ri City – legendary and massive.
This special site on Xiyun Divine Mountain had teleportation arrays for city disciples. Most areas were restricted, but the main square remained open.
The city lord ruled here, managing affairs and receiving visitors.
Major Tianyang Empire factions always came directly to discuss matters with city leaders.
The current disciple recruitment was Lou Ri City’s biggest event in five centuries – a crucial test for their isolated society.
At dawn, a white-clad figure entered the city’s ancient central palace.
In the grand hall sat a shimmering, ethereal figure distorting surrounding space-time through sheer presence.
The white figure was a silver-haired youth – handsome in profile, elegant from behind.
“Report.”
The commanding voice brooked no argument.
“Nine Ridges situation clarified. Of eight hundred and one disciples: 72 chosen by Divine Trees’ Portal, 6 entered upper four palaces – one from each ridge except Anmoon, Yunjir, and Fallen God.”
“First: Le Tian, 23, Blood Martial First Level – Feixing Third Palace. Second: Peng Yue, 22, Seven Soul Martial Levels – Xuanmoon Fourth Palace. Third: Bai Mufei, 24, Blood Martial Third – Youxing Second Palace. Fourth: Ye Tianming, 20, Blood Martial Fourth – Lou Ri Second Palace. Fifth: Xiling Yue, 19, Blood Martial Second – Mingmo First Palace. Sixth: Shi Xinghun, 21, Blood Martial Second – Xingyun Third Palace.”
“Mingmo Ridge again? Investigate Xiling Yue thoroughly. Scrutinize Bai Mufei and Ye Tianming too. Their growth could strengthen us for coming trials.”
“Agents already investigate all six. News expected within a month. With Mingmo’s new talent, who’ll lead in Xuanmoon/Lou Ri/Mingmo competitions?”
“If Xiling Yue matches that unparalleled genius from a millennium ago, results stay uncertain.”
The white figure withdrew silently, vanishing into sunlight.
After a thousand years, Mingmo Palace’s second inheritor – continuation of glory or nostalgic pursuit?
The city lord pondered alone.
…
At dawn, Cheng Lingyu teleported from Supreme Spirit Palace to Youxing Seventh Palace near Lan Xiaozhu’s quarters.
Emerging miles from the palace, he found a crowded training field – far busier than Fallen God Ridge.
A middle-aged man guarded the palace path.
“Name, branch, purpose?”
Cheng Lingyu showed his ancient jade token. “Cheng Lingyu from Fallen God’s Fifth Palace. Here to see Lan Xiaozhu.”
“Fallen God’s Middle Four Palaces? Unexpected. Companion’s name?”
“Lan Xiaozhu. Divine Trees’ Portal sent her here.”
After scrutiny, the guard waved him through.
“Junior Sister Lan trains on the field. I’ll take you.”
Thanking him, Cheng Lingyu followed. Young male disciples stared as they approached.
“Junior Sister Lan! Visitor!”
Lan Xiaozhu spun, spotting Cheng Lingyu. “Lingyu!” She dashed over, embracing him tightly.
Cheng Lingyu returned the hug, his smile belying inner excitement. “You’ve been well?”
He gently stroked her hair. On the field, male disciples burned with envy – Lan Xiaozhu ranked among Yunyang’s top ten beauties, rare jewel in this male-dominated palace.