Chapter 181: Nine Ring Star Vortex
Chapter 181: Nine Ring Star Vortex
Cheng Lingyu laughed, “That’s because you’re too beautiful. That’s why they’re making those faces.”
Fang Ruohua snorted, “Disgusting. Let’s walk faster, elder brother.”
She grabbed Cheng Lingyu’s arm, pretending intimacy as she leaned against him, while shooting hostile glances at the Xingyun Ridge disciples around them. Her message couldn’t be clearer.
Cheng Lingyu’s brow twitched briefly before his handsome face settled into an inscrutable smile.
Many Xingyun Ridge disciples darkened at the sight.
“If you’re tired, Junior Sister Fang, I could carry you,” offered a Xingyun Ridge disciple attempting to curry favor.
“Get lost. I don’t know you. Don’t make me curse you.”
Fang Ruohua’s icy tone kept everyone at arm’s length.
Song Xuejiao glanced back and murmured, “Junior Sister Fang is our guest. Mind your manners, senior brothers.”
Her words immediately subdued the Xingyun Ridge disciples.
The group entered Soul Gathering Valley, different from Guishun Valley with its barrier-free entrance leading deep into the mountain’s core.
Dim light filtered through the valley, occasional soul fires flickering like eerie will-o’-the-wisps in the gloom.
“Past that stone door, the environment shifts and cultivation levels may fluctuate,” Song Xuejiao warned, slowing her pace.
Cheng Lingyu strode ahead of the three women to inspect the stone door. Though ordinary in appearance, crossing its threshold sent strange ripples through his senses.
Beyond the door, souls multiplied like stars in a night sky, their soul fires shimmering and shifting forms.
“Big place?” Fang Ruohua asked absently.
“Vast enough for ten days’ exploration,” Song Xuejiao answered. “Tens of thousands of souls dwell here, though Immortal Souls mostly cluster deeper in. This is merely the entrance.”
As they trekked through the shadowy caverns, Cheng Lingyu spotted a martial soul species listed in their long-term tasks. He stayed his hand, unwilling to reveal his capabilities before Xingyun Ridge disciples.
Lan Xiaozhu, sensing his hesitation, suggested, “Why don’t you two scout for targets? Xuejiao and I have catching up to do.”
“Good idea. Wait here,” Cheng Lingyu said, whisking Fang Ruohua away through the valley.
Some disciples gave chase while others stayed behind.
“Shake them, elder brother!” Fang Ruohua urged, tugging Cheng Lingyu’s sleeve.
They darted through the shadows like wind, changing directions until their pursuers fell away.
When they halted, flames erupted behind Cheng Lingyu, revealing a fire-wreathed giant bird – the Nine Nether King Sparrow.
Fang Ruohua let go of Cheng Lingyu’s sleeve, showing no shyness as she calmly scanned their surroundings.
Seeing Cheng Lingyu summon his Immortal Soul, she followed suit, a giant eagle materializing behind her while she focused on sensing the hidden Immortal Souls within the Soul Gathering Valley.
“Five Immortal Souls… one feels unusual.”
Cheng Lingyu frowned slightly, tilting his head toward the valley’s depths.
Fang Ruohua nodded. “Four are Immortal Beast Souls. Only one is an Immortal Flower Soul.”
“Let’s investigate.”
Cheng Lingyu took a step forward. The ground beneath him rippled with distorted time and space, unveiling an intricate defensive formation.
Fang Ruohua studied him with curious eyes, again reminded how he constantly defied her understanding.
With an easy smile, Cheng Lingyu grasped her sleeve. They vanished instantly.
By the time an incense stick would’ve burned, they reached a shimmering landscape where several Lou Ri City disciples kept watch.
“Stunning… yet deadly.”
Fang Ruohua breathed in awe at the spectacle before them.
Nine concentric rings of fire souls pulsed in shifting colors, tightening toward the center where a swirling nebula churned like a cosmic vortex.
“A star map?”
Cheng Lingyu’s sharp gaze locked onto the central nebula.
Fang Ruohua shuddered. “My Immortal Soul resists approaching. It fears this place.”
“That Immortal Soul dominates this valley,” Cheng Lingyu observed. “The strongest presence here.”
“Perceptive, boy. But abandon any designs on it – this prize exceeds your grasp.”
The warning came from a fortyish middle-aged man standing a hundred paces away.
Cheng Lingyu tilted his head. “Your name?”
“Chen Feng of Xingyun’s Fifth Palace. This place falls under my guardianship.”
“Guardianship?” A handsome thirty-year-old scoffed nearby. “Soul Gathering Valley lies open to all skilled disciples, regardless of origin.”
Chen Feng snorted. “Challenge me victoriously, and you may try your luck. Otherwise, save your breath.”
“Waste effort on you? Do I look stupid?” The younger man shot back, disdain dripping from his words.
Cheng Lingyu noted six disciples total. Besides the quarreling pair, four others – all handsome youths in their twenties or thirties – stood silently staring at the nebula vortex, faces unreadable.
“Elder brother, what occupies their thoughts?” Fang Ruohua whispered, eyeing the tense assembly.
“I wonder what they await here,” Cheng Lingyu mused. These veterans had likely lingered for days. Why had none acted? Was strength lacking… or something more complicated?
Fang Ruohua said, “We don’t have time to waste. Either act now or leave.”
Cheng Lingyu didn’t respond, still studying the vortex-shaped nebula as the mysterious grass in his mind swayed gently while probing.
“Star Soul! This is the legendary Star Soul! Why’s it here?”
Cheng Lingyu was astonished. Finding the Source Soul at Guishun Valley had been shocking enough, yet now in Lou Ri City he’d encountered this mythical Star Soul said to appear once in a hundred lifetimes.
“Nine Ring Star Vortex brings divine slaughter, devouring heaven and earth. This Star Soul’s a murderous spirit focused on aggression.”
The mysterious grass’s evaluation echoed – consuming all creation, shifting divine will, commanding stars, unleashing annihilation.
Cheng Lingyu’s expression shifted slightly. The Nine Nether King Sparrow, Dreamy Thousand Tear Bamboo, and Jade Crystal Ice Wing Dragon all clearly feared the Nine Ring Star Vortex. Only the Glowing Star Seven-Colored Source seemed drawn to it.
He calculated his odds of subduing the vortex.
“Elder brother, why so quiet?”
Fang Ruohua broke the silence when Cheng Lingyu didn’t answer.
Cheng Lingyu replied calmly, “Wondering if they’ll interfere if we act.”
Fang Ruohua eyed the six observers. “The Immortal Soul’s free for anyone to claim. Why block us?”
“Men who’ve waited hours won’t accept someone succeeding first. They’ll oppose us.”
“True. All peak Soul Martial experts. We’re outmatched.”
Cheng Lingyu addressed the group. “Fellow disciples of Lou Ri City, I wish to attempt this. Any objections?”
Chen Feng snorted. “With your cultivation? Scram.”
A handsome thirty-year-old chuckled. “Entertaining idea, but you’re too weak.”
“Go die elsewhere.”
“You’re unqualified.”
Cheng Lingyu smiled mildly. “No faith in me? Let’s wager: Survive ten moves from me, I surrender. Fail, and you’ll hunt martial souls for my contribution points.”
“Madman! How dare you!”
“Who are you to challenge us?”
“Arrogant fourth Realm trash!”
All six erupted in anger.
Fang Ruohua gasped. “Elder brother, this joke isn’t funny!”
Cheng Lingyu shook his head. “If my boldness offends, come teach me manners.”
“Seeking death, boy?”
“I’ll discipline you for your Master!”
A young man in blue flashed forward, mountain-like aura slamming Cheng Lingyu back several steps.
Fang Ruohua shouted, “Bullying with peak Soul Martial cultivation! Fight equal realms and he’d crush you!”
The blue-clad youth sneered. “Weaklings shouldn’t come begging for beatings.”
As Fang Ruohua fumed, Cheng Lingyu stopped her. “Leave this to me.”
“But elder brother—”
“Relax. I slaughtered hundreds like him in Guishun Valley.”
“Hundreds? You…”