Chapter 111: Semi-Divine Beast
Chapter 111: Semi-Divine Beast
Cheng Lingyu asked curiously, “Has no one gone in to investigate?”
“Plenty did! Over a hundred experts entered already, but all vanished like stones sinking into the sea. They were likely dead. Now everyone’s watching cautiously, afraid to act recklessly.”
Lan Xiaozhu scanned their surroundings and whispered, “Many major forces have gathered here.”
“Exactly! Aside from Jiu Yang Sacred Palace and Lou Ri City, all five remaining forces under the Tianyang Empire’s Three Saints and Four Peerless sent their elites. The Ji Family of Tianhua City and Zhan Wumen dispatched their disciples. The Beichen family from Xinghua City came too, along with countless mid-tier sects. People like us can only spectate.”
Cheng Lingyu studied the canyon’s surroundings intently, spotting many familiar faces that made him frown.
Lan Xiaozhu pinched his arm and transmitted her voice: “Hua Yuehong’s here too, standing with Heavenly Palace experts.”
Cheng Lingyu had already noticed. Bai Ruomei was present as well, standing alongside Heavenly Fire Sect members.
“Seems they’ve both chosen to seek support from the Three Saints and Four Peerless.”
“Ouyang Lie’s also here with Divine Martial Sect experts. His power’s suppressed to Soul Martial Realm, but he’s still among the strongest here.”
Cheng Lingyu stayed silent, his focus on Hua Yuehong. Beside her stood a strikingly handsome man in his early twenties radiating extraordinary presence.
“Another holy son from Heavenly Palace?”
Cheng Lingyu muttered. A nearby cultivator answered, “Indeed. That’s Yu Feilong, one of Heavenly Palace’s five holy sons. Though his true strength is Blood Martial Realm, here he remains at Soul Martial Realm’s peak.”
Cheng Lingyu scoffed internally but remarked, “Heavenly Palace sending holy sons shows their seriousness. I wonder which experts other factions brought?”
“From Tianlei Sacred Church, holy disciple Dongfang Hong rivals Yu Feilong in fame. He’s guarded by fellow disciples and elders. From Divine Martial Sect, Yunyang City’s greatest talent Ouyang Lie is strong, but pales compared to Yan Fei—one of their Ten Heroes.”
Cheng Lingyu asked, “Where does Ouyang Lie rank among Divine Martial Sect’s younger generation?”
“Around twentieth. The Ten Heroes dominate the top ten spots—all geniuses.”
Cheng Lingyu nodded slightly, observing notable figures like Yu Feilong, Dongfang Hong, and Yan Fei.
Dongfang Hong appeared twenty-five, coldly arrogant with an intimidating aura.
Yan Fei wore blue and looked slightly younger but more muscular, his sharp eyes blazing with determination.
“At Shanhua Alliance, Xiang San Shao’s most famous, followed by slippery Shi Busi with that awkward name.”
Xiang San Shao wore white, his mesmerizing smile neither wholly righteous nor wicked. Shi Busi, in black, had left deep impressions during Cheng Lingyu’s Yunyang City visit.
“Heavenly Fire Sect’s Azure Sky Dragon—one of their five legendary talents—stands with Bai Ruomei. This Yunyang City beauty recently chose their sect despite many suitors, becoming Hua Yuehong’s sworn rival.”
“Weren’t Bai Ruomei and Hua Yuehong both top Yunyang beauties? How’d they become enemies?”
“Unclear. Days ago they clashed fiercely upon meeting, neither yielding.”
Both Lan Xiaozhu and Cheng Lingyu wondered—especially Cheng Lingyu, who’d witnessed their unyielding clash at Holy Emperor’s palace.
“Beyond these five forces, Ji Yaozu (Ji Family), Luo Binghe (Zhan Wumen), and Beichen Haoyu (Beichen family) are prominent figures surrounded by experts.”
Nine peaks encircled the canyon. Eight housed major forces in prime positions, while the ninth drew widespread attention.
A solitary figure stood atop it, robes fluttering, wearing a shifting mask as he arrogantly surveyed the land.
“What strange mask is that?”
Cheng Lingyu blurted out in astonishment.
Lan Xiaozhu explained, “That’s the Thousand Phantom Mask, forged by merging a phantom bead with multiple rare materials. It’s a spirit artifact capable of repelling poison, warding off evil, and shielding against soul invasions.”
Cheng Lingyu gasped, “A spirit artifact! Why make something as simple as a mask so extravagant?”
Lan Xiaozhu shook her head. “You’re mistaken. This mask holds great mystery. Every face shown on it belonged to previous wearers. If you wish to impersonate any of them, the mask lets you perfectly mimic their appearance and aura—undetectable even by spiritual senses.”
Cheng Lingyu frowned. “If it’s so powerful, why does it display so many faces?”
“Because countless people fought to claim it. Many died moments after wearing it. Over time, these accumulated faces remained.”
Cheng Lingyu sighed. “Treasures invite disaster. Who’s that figure dominating the mountain peak alone?”
A nearby cultivator interjected, “He’s shrouded in mystery. Though appearing solitary, hidden allies support him. When asked, he called himself Young Master of Thousand Phantoms. He’s slain over ten peak Soul Martial experts single-handedly in ten days here.”
Lan Xiaozhu murmured, “A ruthless character.”
Cheng Lingyu’s gaze drifted to an inconspicuous corner, spotting the dull-faced youth. In twelve days, the youth had reached Soul Martial Second Realm—a shocking leap.
He also noticed Yun Xi, Du Bin, Nie Jiaolong, and Jiang Mufeng, each flanked by formidable experts. After lingering, Cheng Lingyu tugged Lan Xiaozhu toward the dull-faced youth.
“What’s your plan?” Lan Xiaozhu whispered.
“In Spirit Hall, a white tiger manifested on his face—likely one of Guishun Valley’s eight Immortal Souls. His rapid advancement suggests he fused with an Immortal Soul.”
“Even so, he’d never share that secret.”
Cheng Lingyu grinned. “We’ll observe and learn.”
As they approached, divine light pierced through the Mist in the canyon. Colorful clouds rose from the valley, coalescing mid-air into a three-headed spirit snake as massive as a mountain. Each serpent head bore different hues, its scaled body etched with intricate patterns.
Perched on the central head grew a fiery sapling bearing agate-like fruits. Runes shimmered on each fruit, radiating sacred energy that stirred primal hunger in onlookers. Though mere projections, the serpent and tree seemed lifelike, igniting frenzy among cultivators.
“The legend’s true! Guishun Valley has Dragon Nurturing Fruits!” shouted a peak Soul Martial expert. “That three-headed spirit snake merged from three spirit snakes—now at least a semi-divine beast! Only true dragon blood could grow those fruits!”
Another cultivator added, “Subduing such an Immortal Soul would be harder than scaling heaven!”
Dozens rashly charged into the Mist-choked canyon. Moments later, bloodcurdling screams echoed out. None returned.
Mid-air, the serpent’s six eyes gleamed with slaughterous intent. The crimson tree blazed like flame, its nine fruits tantalizing. On a distant peak, Ji Yaozu of the Ji Family glowed, a hazy martial soul hovering above him—drawing the serpent’s attention.
Cheng Lingyu frowned. “Using his innate Immortal Soul to provoke it? Reckless.”
Luo Binghe of Zhan Wumen slashed his hand downward. Sword energy tore through the sky toward the serpent.
“Curse you!” Ji Yaozu roared. “Using a spirit artifact ruins everything!”