Chapter 215: The Power of Time
Chapter 215: The Power of Time
Waiting was a painful matter, especially when filled with anxious worry. Though only the time it took for an incense stick to burn had passed, Cheng Lingyu felt as though he’d waited a century.
Suddenly, the heart of the vortex erupted with chaotic brilliance, and a figure emerged—Thousand Snow.
“You’re out! But your face looks pale… are you injured?” Cheng Lingyu blurted, rushing forward.
Thousand Snow stood enveloped in flickering light, her aura wavering violently. Her fair complexion had turned ashen, delicate brows knitted together.
“Don’t come closer. I’m contaminated by the power of time erosion—it’ll harm you.” Her voice carried weakness but remained composed.
Cheng Lingyu halted steps away. “Did you meet that Man in Black?”
Thousand Snow nodded. “We fought. He lured me into a zone of disordered time where the power of time assailed me.”
“How severe is it? When will you recover?”
“The power of time is both terrifying and eerie—beyond your current comprehension.” Though calm, her appearance fluctuated unnaturally, moments showing her younger self before reverting.
“Your condition worsens. If you trust me… give me your hand.” Cheng Lingyu spoke after long hesitation, unable to watch her struggle.
Thousand Snow studied him skeptically. “Even merged with artifacts, your Soul Martial Fourth Realm cultivation can’t withstand time’s erosion.”
“My cultivation’s low, but my Constitution’s unusual. Let me try.” His tone held resolve.
“This risks your life. Think carefully.”
“Some things must be done. Since fate brought us together, I won’t let you suffer alone.” His smile held quiet warmth.
Thousand Snow’s gaze lingered thoughtfully before she slowly extended her right hand.
Cheng Lingyu stared at the slender jade-like fingers, sensing horrifying disturbance radiating from them—an abyss threatening to consume him. Steeling himself, he abruptly seized her hand with his left.
Upon contact, violent tremors wracked his body. As their palms locked, his frame convulsed painfully. His features regressed—eighteen years melting to seventeen, sixteen, fifteen—while his stature shrank and cultivation crumbled.
Thousand Snow’s lips parted soundlessly, shock overtaking her. She watched Cheng Lingyu’s aura diminish as endless time energy flooded into him, gradually stabilizing her condition.
His transformation halted at fifteen years old, all former cultivation erased. The power of time within Thousand Snow persisted for another incense stick’s duration before Cheng Lingyu fully absorbed it.
The terrifying power of time was mostly absorbed by the six-star pyramid within Cheng Lingyu’s body, while a small portion flowed into the True Essence Sea in his right foot, drawn away by the Celestial Measurement.
The Celestial Measurement served as a suppressive divine weapon inherently connected to time.
Having absorbed massive amounts of time’s power this time, the weapon showed visible tremors and signs of awakening from its sealed state.
“How… how are you feeling now?”
Thousand Snow gripped Cheng Lingyu’s hand tightly, her face etched with concern and remorse.
“I’m alright. Just tired. A good sleep will fix it.”
Weakness weighed on Cheng Lingyu as he gently pulled back his left hand and crumpled to the ground, eyelids closing in instant slumber.
When Thousand Snow bent to lift him, she found him already deep asleep.
“That fast?”
As she stared in puzzlement, faint light began emanating from Cheng Lingyu’s sleeping form. Countless energy waves converged from all directions, weaving a shimmering light cocoon around him.
Thousand Snow withdrew her outstretched hand and watched carefully. His features gradually regained their sharpness, his frame lengthened, his face matured, and his lost cultivation level steadily returned.
“Strange. How’s this possible?”
Never had she encountered anyone like him. Curiosity burned through her.
The ravine’s bitter cold hung heavy.
Cheng Lingyu’s body floated upward, surrounded by pulsing light that throbbed with hidden mysteries.
“He’s merged numerous treasures within himself, yet something always stays veiled. Could it be…?”
Though Thousand Snow’s sharp eyes pierced many of his secrets, the mysterious space containing his six-star pyramid remained obscured – the core of Cheng Lingyu’s most guarded truths.
For two days he slept in the ravine’s depths while she kept vigil. Upon awakening, not only had he fully recovered, but his cultivation showed marked improvement.
“You’re awake. Good recovery.”
Thousand Snow’s smile shone with relieved warmth, her earlier guilt dissolved.
“Better than ever. My cultivation’s progressed, and that time power actually helped.”
He referred to the Celestial Measurement’s increased activity in his True Essence Sea. Mastering the first layer of Heavenly Laws would let him command this divine weapon.
“Your Constitution’s unique,” Thousand Snow observed. “Capable of merging all things’ power. Your growth could become formidable… though the path will be treacherous.”
Cheng Lingyu had suspected this, yet hearing it aloud startled him.
“You honor me, Thousand Snow.”
“Just Thousand Snow. Though I missed finding the Sky Insight Stone, meeting you counts as worthwhile.”
Her smile softened the lingering Aura of Holiness, warming her presence.
“Meeting you brought me fortune too – the Primordial Stone.”
They ascended from the ravine to the cliff’s edge.
“I continue my search for Sky Insight Stone. You should find your companions. Farewell for now.”
With a wave, Thousand Snow stepped onto star paths materializing beneath her feet – luminous trails bridging the void to distant horizons.
Cheng Lingyu kept waving until her figure vanished completely, then slowly lowered his hand.
“This is strange. Why am I reluctant to leave? Her beauty, or the Dao’s aura around her?”
Cheng Lingyu frowned. Though Thousand Snow’s beauty was unmatched, he wasn’t one to develop feelings easily – that’s why this puzzled him.
As his cultivation level grew, his obsession with pursuing the Dao intensified.
The Dao’s mysteries held endless allure.
Eight simple words, easy to grasp but hard to explain.
He retraced his steps to where people had fought over the stone tablet earlier, only to find the area deserted and the tablet missing.
Moving deeper into the small world, Cheng Lingyu hunted for spiritual herbs, magical artifacts, and monster cores while tracking Lou Ri City disciples.
Random searching proved futile in this massive realm unless Luck smiled upon you. Cheng Lingyu had an edge – The Source Pearl helped him find spiritual herbs, monster cores, and two ancient battlefields containing broken spirit artifacts and Spirit Treasures.
Though damaged, these items could help unlock the Ghostly Magic Blade’s second layer seal, boosting his combat power. Currently stuck at Soul Martial Fourth Realm, he needed accumulated strength to form his Tenth Cave Heaven. His perfectionist nature demanded even more resources than usual.
Beyond a great mountain lay flatlands ending at an ancient castle. Cheng Lingyu stared from the summit. “A castle? Xuan Star Saint’s old dwelling, or something older?”
The small world stretched endlessly. Cheng Lingyu leaped down, a teleportation array flashing underfoot. Short-range teleportation carried him thousand miles per step – faster than any Movement Technique.
Approaching the castle’s towering walls, he found hundreds of cultivators gathered outside.
“Why’s no one entering?”
“Think we’re lazy? That eerie gate rejects most – for every hundred trying, only three or five get through.”
Cheng Lingyu understood the crowd’s grim expressions now. He spotted no Lou Ri City disciples, but recognized Ji family members from Tianhua City and Zhan Wumen cultivators. Luo Binghe and Ji Yaozu might already be inside.
The weathered castle’s single gate pulsed with protective barriers. Defiant cultivators kept charging, only to be thrown back. No other entrances existed – this gate was the only way.