Chapter 201: This Is a Friend
Chapter 201: This Is a Friend
“Your Physical Body refinement falls short in the Soul Martial Sixth Realm.” Cheng Lingyu’s coldly mocking words immediately enraged the surrounding disciples.
“Cheng Lingyu! You won’t escape unscathed today! Let’s all join forces to crush him!”
The crowd roared in agreement, their heated emotions overriding any hesitation.
“Elder brother…”
Fang Ruohua’s flushed cheeks appeared utterly mesmerizing.
Cheng Lingyu grinned at her, maintaining his left arm around her slender waist while launching a counterattack with his right hand. Though Fang Ruohua bore significant injuries and retained strong combat power, she now leaned meekly against her senior’s shoulder, heart pounding with shyness.
Despite holding someone, Cheng Lingyu moved with unimpeded grace—his enviable composure stoking the crowd’s fury as much as his romantic advantage did.
“You dare mock us? We’ll beat you until you kneel and beg mercy!”
Over a dozen attacking disciples seethed at Cheng Lingyu’s arrogance in fighting single-handedly, viewing it as blatant disrespect.
“Eat this, brat!”
With a thunderous shout, a Sixth Realm disciple activated his Soul Domain Avatar. A crimson-flame-wrapped Giant hundreds of feet tall materialized behind him, radiating divine might like a blazing God King.
Cheng Lingyu’s eyes narrowed slightly. “A Soul Domain Avatar… impressive.”
The Sixth Layer of Soul Martial—the Soul Domain stage—typically focused on spatial cultivation rather than avatar manifestation. While cave heavens nurtured spirits through Soul Fusion (the third Soul Martial stage), the Sixth Layer’s avatars functioned as external incarnations—exceedingly rare and devastating in Battle.
The Giant’s fiery foot descended toward Cheng Lingyu like apocalyptic judgment.
“Watch out!”
Smiling faintly, Cheng Lingyu unleashed his Thunder Palm. Lightning converged in his right palm before erupting as a colossal bolt that struck the Giant’s foot. Crimson flames clashed with lightning in a cataclysmic explosion, the resulting Wave Shock staggering the Giant backward like a drunken titan.
The avatar-controlling disciple roared furiously, driving his massive construct to attack again.
Cheng Lingyu’s gaze hardened as radiant light engulfed him, channeling into his right hand to form a lightning sigil at his fingertips—a deadly formation he seldom employed.
Though Soul Domain Avatars were fearsome, none anticipated Cheng Yun’s lightning-based formation. The power of lightning—nature’s fiercest force—combined with unfathomably mystical formations proved devastating.
When lightning coils ensnared the Giant, terrifying strength shattered its flames and cracked its form. Within moments, the towering avatar crumbled to nothingness.
“Damn you…!”
Angry roars conveyed the man’s regret and pain; he never imagined Cheng Lingyu, with his Soul Martial Fourth Realm cultivation level, would shatter his hard-trained Soul Domain Avatar so easily.
This was unbelievable and unforgivable, driving him nearly crazy.
Cheng Lingyu ignored it all, his figure darting mid-air. Each clash with his opponents drew heart-wrenching screams. The attacking disciples flew backward—some missing limbs, others exploding into bloody pieces—terrifying the stunned spectators.
Landing softly, Cheng Lingyu released Fang Ruohua. His cold gaze swept the crowd as a calm smile touched his lips.
“Anyone else feeling bitter or stifled? Feel free to challenge me.”
His calm voice held icy cruelty. Over a dozen maimed disciples lay broken on the ground.
The agonized wails carried endless regret. Some were new disciples who’d hoped for achievements in Lou Ri City, now reduced to half-dead wrecks.
Hong Tianbao narrowed his eyes. “Cheng Lingyu, wasn’t that excessive?”
Cheng Lingyu shot back, “Where were your objections when ten attacked me together? Now you shame me for defending myself? Shouldn’t *you* blush?”
“Insolent! Know your place!” Hong Tianbao roared, though fear colored his anger.
“I hail from the Fifth Palace of Fallen God. What’s your origin?”
The quiet retort left Hong Tianbao speechless, his face stiffening.
Hong Xiu Tian Xiang whispered, “Elder brother Hong, we should depart.”
She turned gracefully, her lingering glance at Cheng Lingyu mixing admiration with allure.
Cheng Lingyu answered with a faint smile.
Lan Xiaozhu eyed the resentful but silent disciples. “Leave,” she stated flatly.
After brief hesitation, the crowd scattered.
“Elder brother, should we go too?”
“Not yet. Heal first. Then we hunt souls.”
They retreated to a secluded spot where Fang Ruohua began healing wounds.
Lan Xiaozhu scanned their surroundings. “Something troubles you.”
“Someone’s watching us. Unknown identity or purpose.”
Lan Xiaozhu stiffened. Despite merging two Immortal Souls in Soul Gathering Valley, she’d sensed nothing.
“When did you notice?”
“When Hong Xiu Tian Xiang appeared. A strange presence started observing us.”
“Now?”
“Lurking nearby, shifting positions. Likely hidden by a spirit artifact.”
“Should I expose them?”
“No need. Let them watch. Didn’t you teach me two ways to hide strength? Let’s test our true skills catching souls.”
Lan Xiaozhu sighed. “You grow wiser—and more inscrutable.”
Cheng Lingyu smiled and said, “Isn’t this change a good thing?”
Lan Xiaozhu replied, “It is good, but you’re becoming more ethereal, like a fleeting dream.”
“Cultivation is about constant progress. To stand above the heavens, one must keep moving forward.”
Lan Xiaozhu fell silent, sensing Cheng Lingyu’s extraordinary intuition on the path of cultivation.
An hour later, Fang Ruohua recovered from her internal injuries.
“Elder brother, I’m fine now. Let’s go.”
Cheng Lingyu nodded and explained their situation as they walked.
“Let’s try capturing souls barehanded and see who gets the most.”
The three pretended to search, experiencing firsthand how exhausting soul-catching could be.
Hidden in shadows, the silver-haired man in white watched from afar, a peculiar smile on his handsome face.
“This Cheng Lingyu is clever. He might’ve sensed me. Interesting.”
After observing briefly, the man vanished without a trace.
Cheng Lingyu suddenly turned, but saw nothing in the distance.
“That man’s no ordinary foe. Lou Ri City truly has hidden talents.”
After ensuring they were alone, Cheng Lingyu took out the Soul Guide Banner.
“Elder brother, is the area clear?”
Fang Ruohua glanced around, pink cheeks dimpling with a smile.
Lan Xiaozhu urged softly, “We should hurry to avoid complications.”
Cheng Lingyu nodded. Of the sixteen soul types in the valley’s ten thousand spirits, he’d captured about four thousand.
Half an hour later, they left Soul Gathering Valley.
Disciples scattered like leaves in wind at Cheng Lingyu’s approach.
“To Lou Ri Square first. I’ll visit Qu Wei afterward.”
Since the women couldn’t enter Sixth Palace, Cheng Lingyu escorted them to the square before heading to Anmoon Sixth Palace alone.
He arrived just as Qu Wei emerged from seclusion – now at Soul Martial Seventh Realm Spirit Communication stage, an astonishing leap.
“Congratulations on your breakthrough.”
Qu Wei smiled. “The palace master’s guidance helped. The spiritual energy there accelerates cultivation. I’m merely at Spirit Communication’s initial phase – the peak remains distant. What of you?”
“I’ve been exploring Soul Gathering Valley. Let’s head to the square.”
They conversed freely during the walk.
When Cheng Lingyu mentioned contribution points, Qu Wei admitted she’d only exchanged a few before seclusion.
“These souls are too numerous to exchange at once. Could you assist?”
Cheng Lingyu spoke openly, as with any trusted friend.
Qu Wei chuckled. “Meeting you was my fortune.”
“That’s friendship – sharing gains and losses.”
After comfortable silence, Qu Wei remarked, “They say Xiyun Divine Mountain has spirit beasts like Lightning Weasels.”
Cheng Lingyu grinned. “Perfect timing.”
“Exactly. I’ll thank you properly after catching one.”
Cheng Lingyu simply smiled. Between them, gratitude needed no words.