Chapter 308: Fated Crossroads
Chapter 308: Fated Crossroads
Next came Yang Yan’s faction, equally formidable.
Few knew Yang Yan’s origins, but Cheng Lingyu could surmise connections to the Tianyang Holy Emperor.
Hua Yuehong had acquired the beautiful jade coffin – a Holy Artifact from the Orchid Saintess – while Bai Ruomei remained shrouded in mystery. These peerless talents, backed by the Heavenly Fire Sect and Heavenly Palace, made their alliance comparable to Wu Xuanbo’s forces.
Cheng Lingyu and Lou Ri City appeared weaker by contrast. His cultivation level stagnated at Blood Martial First Level, paling against Yang Yan and Wu Xuanbo. Moreover, Lou Ri City ranked last among the Three Saints and Four Peerless. Though the Western Fallen Nine Ridges held some power, their disunity rendered them inferior to the Jiu Yang Sacred Palace and other major factions.
The three factions locked gazes, their expressions revealing divergent thoughts as destiny intertwined.
Yang Yan and Wu Xuanbo glared at Cheng Lingyu with poorly concealed jealousy. That dragon-shaped jade hook containing unparalleled ultimate skills had fallen into his hands unexpectedly.
When the Xuan Star Saint entered the blood lake years prior, none discerned his true purpose – though all suspected the jade hook’s involvement. Wu Xuanbo’s failure to obtain it, nearly dying to the Black Desire Monkey only for Cheng Lingyu to benefit, left him bitter.
Secret rivalries simmered between the Jiu Yang Sacred Palace, Heavenly Fire Sect, and Lou Ri City. The ancient ruin expedition’s chaotic twists had birthed this unforeseen outcome.
“The Blood Moon ascends with choking evil energy. We shouldn’t linger,” urged the Daoist of the Three Suns.
Wu Xuanbo sneered at Yang Yan: “You should depart first.”
“After being sealed here so long, perhaps you’ve grown attached?” Yang Yan countered.
The seal’s mention darkened Wu Xuanbo’s face – though it had granted him the Xuan Star Saint’s Supreme Bone legacy.
“Stay if you resent leaving empty-handed.”
True gains belonged to Wu Xuanbo’s group – Shui Yingyue, Ye Anlan, Yunxiu – not Cheng Lingyu. Yang Yan’s Blood Moon Wasteland venture yielded only reunions with Hua Yuehong and Bai Ruomei.
“This game’s just begun. Final victory remains undecided,” Yang Yan scoffed, leading his companions away. Heavenly Fire Sect and Heavenly Palace experts followed in grand procession.
Cheng Lingyu watched Yang Yan’s receding silhouette, brow furrowed.
“Night falls. We should depart.”
Hu Yuer tilted her head. “Why rush? Last to leave sees most.”
Cheng Lingyu glanced at Wu Xuanbo. “Sandwiched between their vanguard and rear guard – isn’t this their desired formation?”
Wan Fang chuckled. “And yours too, no?”
“None know me like my elder brother,” Cheng Lingyu laughed.
Qiu Yu turned wordlessly, ignoring Wu Xuanbo’s faction completely. This deliberate disregard – treating them as mere air – stoked silent fury.
Let them preen and posture. She simply chose not to see.
The seven members of Lou Ri City departed with Hu Yuer. Their dismissive reaction made Wu Xuanbo, Daoist of the Three Suns, and others grind their teeth in fury, wishing they could devour the entire Lou Ri City group whole.
…
The Blood Moon Wasteland grew sinister at night, unsuitable for travel.
After leaving the blood river, the eight-person Lou Ri City group settled at a resting spot rather than risk nocturnal movement.
The blood lake regained tranquility. Wu Xuanbo’s party departed last, following the same direction as Yang Yan and Cheng Lingyu toward the gathering place of major sect experts.
“What’s on your mind?”
Hu Yuer leaned against Cheng Lingyu’s side, her voice soft.
Cheng Lingyu answered calmly, “Wondering if I’ve missed something during our journey.”
Hu Yuer tilted her head. “Why think that?”
“Not sure. Just a sudden thought. Elder brother, tell me about your group’s experiences.”
“Right. Our six-member team encountered numerous events… skirmishes… quasi-sacred herbs… Thousand Questions… the Frozen Heart Blood Jade Lotus struggle…”
Cheng Lingyu’s expression shifted upon hearing Ghost-faced Magic Vine and Yin Xuan mentioned.
“I met Yin Xuan in the ancient ruin – a fearsome man. The Ghost-faced Magic Vine wields a Holy Sword from Yunyang City’s Holy Emperor’s underground palace.”
Qiu Yu interjected, “That Holy Sword now belongs to Yang Yan, though he keeps it concealed.”
Feixue’s eyes widened. “How did Yang Yan obtain it?”
“The Ghost-faced Magic Vine shares an unusual bond with Yang Yan,” Qiu Yu explained. “Different from our assumptions.”
Cheng Lingyu merely frowned slightly.
Hu Yuer studied his face. “You anticipated this?”
“I explored the Holy Emperor’s underground palace with Yang Yan, Bai Ruomei, and Hua Yuehong,” Cheng Lingyu replied. “We each received one of the four Life and Death Evaporate chances from its depths.”
Wan Fang nodded. “Legends say the Tianyang Empire’s founding Holy Emperor reached the peak Saint Martial Fourth Level Realm through countless legendary deeds before vanishing mysteriously.”
“Common knowledge,” Feixue added.
Cheng Lingyu pressed, “I keep wondering – what connects Yang Yan to the Tianyang Holy Emperor?”
Hu Yuer’s eyes lit up. “You think he’s the Holy Emperor’s legacy bearer?”
“The underground palace held three treasured sites,” Cheng Lingyu continued. “The second housed the Holy Sword guarded by Ghost-faced Magic Vine. If the palace was truly the Tianyang Holy Emperor’s creation, that blade must be his original weapon – stored there under demonic guard.”
Feixue snapped her fingers. “Now the palace emerges, the demon carries out the sword, then returns it upon meeting Yang Yan – makes perfect sense.”
Xiao Lingfeng grunted approval. “Solid reasoning.”
Wan Fang scratched his chin. “Yet during the Frozen Heart Blood Jade Lotus conflict, the demon showed no recognition of Yang Yan.”
Qiu Yu clarified, “The demon didn’t know Yang Yan’s identity then. Only when the Holy Sword reacted to him did realization dawn.”
Cheng Lingyu leaned forward. “What became of the demon?”
“Sealed in Yang Yan’s magical artifact – still contained.”
Hu Yuer snorted. “Crafty fox! He withheld the Holy Sword even during the dragon-shaped jade hook scramble. Master schemer.”
Han Zhen crossed his arms. “The Holy Emperor’s legacy bearer couldn’t be ordinary.”
Chen Song said, “Wu Xuanbo isn’t ordinary either. I predict Yang Yan and Wu Xuanbo will rise swiftly, altering the empire’s Three Saints and Four Peerless structure.”
Wan Fang chuckled, “Let them bite each other like dogs. What could be better?”
Cheng Lingyu inquired, “Elder brother, if we depart at dawn tomorrow, how long until we exit the Blood Moon Wasteland?”
Wan Fang answered, “With smooth progress, we’ll reach the exit by afternoon.”
Cheng Lingyu gazed at the night sky, murmuring, “We must hasten. Better outpace Yang Yan and Wu Xuanbo, or grave trouble awaits.”
Feixue proposed, “Using space teleportation to bypass danger areas could get us out by noon.”
Hu Yuer said, “Another option: change course directly toward Lou Ri City, evading those people.”
Xiao Lingfeng nodded, “Good plan. Split into two groups – Cheng junior apprentice returns to Lou Ri City while we regroup with the others.”
Wan Fang shook his head, “Impossible. Anyone leaving to regroup will trigger ambushes from Divine Martial Sect and Heavenly Palace. This conflict’s unavoidable.”
Feixue reminded, “We already dispatched messengers to Lou Ri City. The city lord will surely send experts to aid us.”
These words brought slight relief, kindling fragile hope.
The group spent remaining hours meditating and refining their cultivation, optimizing physical conditions for coming trials.
Since reaching Blood Martial First Level, Cheng Lingyu had sustained multiple injuries. Though Wan Fang’s healing had helped, full recovery eluded him.
That night, Cheng Lingyu consumed pills and spiritual herbs for intensive healing. By daybreak, not only were his injuries gone, but his cultivation level had remarkably increased – his physical body’s latent potential unleashed through sustained damage.
“Leaving here brings danger. Should you temporarily part ways with us?”
Cheng Lingyu studied Hu Yuer, unwilling to endanger her.
“Such concern! Should I feel honored?”
Hu Yuer’s coy expression shimmered with temptation, eyes gleaming mischievously.
Cheng Lingyu said, “True peril approaches this time.”
Hu Yuer grasped his hand, smiling. “All who know you recognize me now. Dodging this crisis won’t escape the next. My only wager is placing hope in you.”
Cheng Lingyu retorted, “That’s a reckless gamble.”
“Life’s crossroads demand constant bets. Choose right at critical moments, and light fills the future.”
Showing no worry, Hu Yuer left Cheng Lingyu no room for argument.
The eight travelers departed with Wan Fang guiding and Feixue guarding the rear, employing short-range teleportation to dash through Blood Moon Wasteland.
Retracing their path granted familiarity. Beyond occasional monster kings and strange beasts, no true dangers emerged.
By midday, Lou Ri City’s group reached the wasteland’s outskirts, nearing the ancient ruin’s entrance.