Chapter 318: Return to Fallen God Ridge

“What happened?”

Han Cang and Luo Feng Spirit Master noticed the commotion and brought everyone over to where the three were standing.

Wan Fang blurted out excitedly, “Junior apprentice knows Chun Lei’s location!”

“What?!”

Han Cang, Luo Feng Spirit Master, Feixue, and Mu Bai all exclaimed in shock, their faces filled with disbelief. This revelation stunned them utterly.

For a full millennium, Chun Lei’s whereabouts had remained unknown. None expected Cheng Lingyu to hold the answer.

Feixue beamed with joy, clutching Qiu Yu’s trembling shoulders in shared excitement.

Tears welled in Qiu Yu’s eyes. After a thousand-year search, this breakthrough left her breathless. Suddenly she remembered Thousand Questions’ cryptic hint—the answer had been among their acquaintances all along. It pointed to Cheng Lingyu.

Han Cang recovered first. He nodded at Luo Feng Spirit Master, who promptly withdrew the other disciples into his spatial artifact to prevent information leaks.

Only Han Cang, Luo Feng Spirit Master, Qiu Yu, Feixue, Mu Bai, Wan Fang, and Cheng Lingyu remained.

“Where is he?”

Cheng Lingyu met Qiu Yu’s gaze. “Trapped in the fourth Spirit Hall… deep within Spirit Valley. Four halls exist there, but I suspect a fifth lies buried underground. During my time there, I acquired the Four Immortal Souls…”

Qiu Yu surged forward. “I’m going now—”

Feixue yanked her back. “Wait! Let him finish explaining.”

“Spirit Valley’s dangers rival Blood Moon Wasteland,” Cheng Lingyu continued. “The skeletal guardian and man in gray… their power overwhelms. Even if we reach the fourth hall, its restrictions suppress cultivation. Rescuing Chun Lei won’t be simple.”

Mu Bai rubbed his chin. “We need careful planning.”

“Find him first!” Qiu Yu insisted, trembling.

Luo Feng Spirit Master intervened. “Report to Lou Ri City’s lord. We’ll strategize together.”

The group hurried back to Lou Ri City.

Han Cang’s voice turned icy. “Wan Fang—take your junior to Fallen God Ridge. Now.”

He glanced toward the city lord’s residence where ridge masters gathered—no place for Cheng Lingyu.

“Understood.” Wan Fang whisked Cheng Lingyu away toward Supreme Spirit Palace.

Luo Feng Spirit Master opened his mouth but closed it after seeing Han Cang’s warning look. Releasing the other disciples, he sent them scattering across the city.

Meanwhile, the city lord convened higher-ups to discuss the ancient ruin expedition and Blood Moon Wasteland incidents. Defense measures against Divine Martial Sect and Heavenly Palace dominated the talks.

Cheng Lingyu entered Supreme Spirit Palace silently, avoiding all contact as shadows lengthened over Fallen God Ridge.

At dusk, Han Cang returned to the Supreme Spirit Palace and summoned Cheng Lingyu.

“Qiu Yu has gone to Guishun Valley. For now, focus on cultivation at Fallen God Ridge and improve your strength quickly.”

Cheng Lingyu nodded without asking questions, and Han Cang offered no further details.

After Cheng Lingyu left, Wan Fang said, “Master, regarding Chun Lei…”

Han Cang replied, “Mingmo Ridge will handle it. Your task is to assist your junior apprentice in growing stronger.”

“Should we teach him any ultimate skills?”

“Not yet. He’s absorbed many techniques and needs time to process them.”

Cheng Lingyu stood at the cliff’s edge, gazing at the mist-shrouded Fallen God Ridge with a changed perspective.

As his cultivation level rose, his understanding of the world deepened.

The mysterious Xiyun Divine Mountain now felt distinctly different to him.

Noticing the mountain summit where the First Palace of Falling God stood, he resolved to revisit it soon.

At sunset on his first night back in Lou Ri City, Cheng Lingyu lingered by the cliff, savoring the lightly cool air.

The next morning, he visited Youxing Seventh Palace to find Lan Xiaozhu.

She rushed into his arms the moment she saw him.

Cheng Lingyu smiled, holding her close while stroking her hair.

“Why were you gone so long? I worried endlessly.”

Tears glimmered in Lan Xiaozhu’s eyes as she spoke.

“The ancient ruins expedition proved more complex than expected,” Cheng Lingyu explained. “Let me tell you everything properly.”

They found a quiet spot to share their experiences.

Cheng Lingyu’s cultivation had greatly advanced, while Lan Xiaozhu had reached Blood Martial First Level – progress that pleased him.

“Qu Wei progresses faster still. She’s likely attempting to reach Blood Weapon Second Level.”

With Lou Ri City’s abundant cultivation resources, disciples developed rapidly when properly guided.

“What will you do now?” Lan Xiaozhu leaned against his shoulder.

“After surviving deadly trials, I need time to reflect and consolidate my Realm. I’ll visit everyone before beginning closed-door cultivation.”

Lan Xiaozhu sighed. “The Western Fallen Nine Ridges’ strict rules make meetings difficult.”

Cheng Lingyu laughed. “Knowing we’re safe is enough. What legacy did you gain at Youxing Seventh Palace?”

Lan Xiaozhu’s expression clouded. “A mysterious legacy connected to my Celestial Cataclysm Divination – a sacrificial art called Soul Offering to the Void.”

“Is it powerful?”

Lan Xiaozhu smiled faintly and nodded with complexity.

Cheng Lingyu noticed her strange expression and pressed, “What’s wrong? Are you keeping something from me?”

Lan Xiaozhu shook her head with a laugh. “Nothing. It’s just that the Soul Offering to the Void remains too profound for me to grasp even now.”

Seeing the clarity in Lan Xiaozhu’s eyes, Cheng Lingyu relaxed.

“Let’s walk through Lou Ri Square. I’ll summon Qu Wei to join us.”

They soon arrived at Lou Ri Square where Cheng Lingyu called Qu Wei out.

“I heard you brought great glory to Lou Ri City during your recent trip, earning widespread praise.”

Qu Wei had caught fragments of news but lacked full details.

Cheng Lingyu chuckled. “I stole the spotlight but made enemies everywhere. The mountains will swarm with strong enemies when I descend later.”

The crowded square held many familiar faces, though few knew much beyond city walls.

“Look – Song Xuejiao and Hong Xiu Tian Xiang are here. Nie Jiaolong’s approaching us too.”

Lan Xiaozhu’s brows knitted slightly, her discomfort around Hong Xiu Tian Xiang surfacing as usual.

Cheng Lingyu maintained an inscrutable calmness.

All three women – Song Xuejiao, Hong Xiu Tian Xiang, and Nie Jiaolong – shared good ties with Cheng Lingyu from past days.

“I came here hoping to see you after hearing of your return,” Song Xuejiao said with a smile.

Hong Xiu Tian Xiang wordlessly beamed at Cheng Lingyu, her eyes speaking volumes.

Nie Jiaolong’s gaze held more complicated emotions than Song Xuejiao’s open demeanor.

“Time and distance make gatherings rare, creating this sense of estrangement.”

Cheng Lingyu joined the group. All six hailed from Yunyang City and knew each other well.

Having reached the Blood Martial First Level’s Blood Refinement Stage after months apart, Song Xuejiao now matched Lan Xiaozhu’s cultivation level.

Hong Xiu Tian Xiang and Nie Jiaolong remained weaker at Seven Levels of Soul Martial Arts.

Among the five women, Qu Wei’s cultivation level puzzled observers by peaking at Blood Martial First Level without advancing to Blood Martial Second Level – a mystery Cheng Lingyu understood but never explained.

Their lively conversation centered on Cheng Lingyu’s Blood Moon Wasteland journey, which Nie Jiaolong had witnessed firsthand.

“Junior Sister Song! Here you are.”

A sudden voice interrupted as a handsome green-robed man entered Cheng Lingyu’s sight. The newcomer’s refined features glowed with spiritual vitality despite his simple attire.

Song Xuejiao brightened. “Senior Brother Shi! Why are you here?”

“I came looking for you. Is this Cheng Lingyu?” The stranger studied Cheng Lingyu curiously.

Song Xuejiao explained, “This is Cheng Lingyu. You missed meeting him during Feixing Ridge’s friendly match while in seclusion.”

With a polite nod, Cheng Lingyu asked, “You are…?”

“Shi Xinghun of Xingyun Ridge’s Third Palace.”

Everyone except Song Xuejiao startled – this man belonged to Xingyun Ridge’s prestigious upper four palaces.

“Blood Martial Fourth Level. Impressive,” Cheng Lingyu remarked.

Song Xuejiao added, “Senior Brother Shi entered Lou Ri City with us at Blood Martial Second Level. Now he’s reached Fourth Level.”

“Such astonishing speed!” Qu Wei praised.

Shi Xinghun modestly waved this aside. “My achievements pale beside Cheng junior apprentice’s exploits.” Clearly, he too knew of Cheng Lingyu’s deeds.