Chapter 13: The Inspector
Chapter 13: The Inspector
After landing, Cheng Zhaojun staggered three steps back, staring at Cheng Lingyu with disbelief.
“You… you…”
“Second move. Brace yourself.”
Cheng Lingyu’s voice held no emotion as his fist erupted with 128-fold explosive power. The whistling fist wind resembled the cries of vengeful spirits, its eerie screech piercing ears while energy waves rattled the soul.
Cheng Zhaojun’s face twisted. With a sky-shaking roar, he pushed his cultivation level to its absolute limit. His counter-punch surged with 256-fold destructive force—his ultimate strike.
The second collision flung both fighters backward. Shockwaves ravaged the martial arts training ground, carving craters that bore witness to the clash’s brutality.
Cheng Lingyu retreated calmly, expression unreadable.
Cheng Zhaojun swayed like a drunkard, dazed eyes brimming with terror.
“Third move. Pay attention.”
Cheng Lingyu’s reaper-cold voice shattered Cheng Zhaojun’s mental defenses, eroding his remaining confidence instantly.
Bellowing in desperation, Cheng Zhaojun struck for glory and the Xuanhuo Sect quota, mustering every shred of combat power.
But Cheng Lingyu’s fist struck with overwhelming force, obliterating Cheng Zhaojun’s attack and hurling him skyward. A blood-curdling scream froze the spectators mid-breath.
Three moves decided the outcome. One punch claimed victory.
Cheng Lingyu’s cross-rank triumph etched itself into legend, stunning all witnesses.
“You lost.”
The flat declaration confirmed it—Cheng Zhaojun, peak Qi Transformation expert, had fallen to Cheng Lingyu.
Past humiliations from Cheng Zhaojun were now countered by this public defeat.
Family head Cheng Feng observed with concealed unease. Though the Cheng family had nurtured gifted disciples before, none had ever crushed higher-ranked opponents so effortlessly. Cheng Lingyu stood unrivaled in their history.
This should’ve been the family’s pride. Yet Cheng Feng harbored resentment over Cheng Lingyu’s feud with Cheng Zhaolong regarding Ruo Xue, dreading the youth’s rise.
Cheng Zhaojun’s severe injuries would require months of recovery. Many cursed Cheng Lingyu’s mercilessness.
Cheng Lingyu remained silent, enduring hostile glares with icy composure.
Cheng Yun smiled. His son’s victory had reshaped their standing—no one would dare belittle them now.
“Today’s duel was remarkable. Lingyu has earned the Xuanhuo Sect quota,” declared Family head Cheng Feng.
“I didn’t fight for the Sect,” Cheng Lingyu stated bluntly. “I fought to secure my father’s place here.”
Cheng Feng masked his relief with feigned concern. “Why refuse this rare opportunity?”
“My father needs care. I’ll find a cure for his injury.”
All knew of Cheng Yun’s chronic condition.
Cheng Lingyu used this as his reason, showing great filial piety.
“It’s commendable that you have such thoughts. I’ll grant your wish.”
Due to Cheng Lingyu’s refusal, the quota to join the Xuanhuo Sect went to Cheng Zhaojun instead. He would depart for the sect once his injury fully healed.
After the competition, the Cheng family convened a meeting. Cheng Yun, who rarely attended such gatherings, made an exception this time thanks to his son’s achievements.
When the meeting concluded, Cheng Yun held a new token in his hand.
“With this, you’ll become an inspector of the mining areas. You can come and go freely now.”
Cheng Lingyu accepted the inspector’s token, his handsome features softening with a faint smile.
This token meant he could use The Source Pearl to locate Mine Sources, strengthen his physical body, advance his Thousand Layers of Snow realm, and grow stronger.
“The Cheng family controls all black gold stone mines near Shiyang Town. How many mining areas do we actually have?”
Cheng Yun answered, “Thirty-two spread across a hundred-mile radius. Shiyang Town lies in the Tianyang Empire’s borderlands—scorching hot year-round with little rain. Few plants grow there, but mineral resources are plentiful.”
“Does our family control all mineral resources in these borderlands?”
“Impossible. The borderlands are mineral-rich, but we only hold the black gold stone mines—one of the Five Metal Mines.”
“Five Metal Mines?”
Cheng Lingyu blinked, hearing the term for the first time.
“Black gold, purple gold, red gold, blue gold, and green gold stone mines. Each has unique properties and serves as core materials for weapon forging. They’re found in separate regions.”
“Are all Five Metal Mines near Shiyang Town?”
Cheng Yun shook his head. “Beyond our black gold mines, only red gold exists nearby—three hundred miles west in Blood Valley, controlled by another clan. The others lie farther out. I’ve heard rumors about their locations but know nothing concrete.”
“Blood Valley, three hundred miles… I should visit someday.”
Cheng Yun frowned. “That’s another clan’s territory. Don’t stir trouble.”
“Don’t worry, Father. I’ll be cautious.”
Storing the token, Cheng Lingyu immediately resumed cultivation, determined to seize every moment.
…
After the Double Ninth Festival, peace returned to the Cheng family.
As a newly appointed mining area inspector, Cheng Lingyu now freely entered any site to monitor workers for laziness. Though the position carried authority, his novice status limited him to simpler duties.
At dawn, Cheng Lingyu arrived at Wushan mining area—the very place where his cousin Cheng Qinghua had ambushed him, leading to his acquisition of two active metal sources. The location held personal significance.
Another reason drew him here: Thousand Layers of Snow originated from Wushan’s He family.
Standing at the mountain summit, he surveyed the gray-green hills stretching endlessly under sparse vegetation.
He retrieved The Source Pearl and channeled true energy into it, watching closely.
Initially, the pearl showed no reaction.
Only when he poured over eight layers of true energy did faint movement occur—the mineral pattern among its three surface designs glowed weakly.
This marked Cheng Lingyu’s first attempt using The Source Pearl, leaving him unfamiliar with its quirks.
Yu Wuchen had not left behind any instructions for using it, so Cheng Lingyu had to figure everything out on his own.
The Source Pearl was a special magical artifact that had absorbed Cheng Lingyu’s blood, forming a connection with him. By channeling energy into it, Cheng Lingyu could activate The Source Pearl.
However, the amount of true energy required was immense, far beyond what ordinary people could supply.
Cheng Lingyu kept pouring true energy into it while closely watching The Source Pearl’s reaction. Its surface flickered faintly, and an indescribable sense of mystery washed over him.
Suddenly, Cheng Lingyu’s senses heightened sharply. The Source Pearl became like an extra eye, scanning the surroundings through its unique method. Strange images flooded his mind—including the mining area where he’d obtained the active metal source.
Another place nearby also drew his attention: a site within the Wushan region.
The Source Pearl flashed eight times, pinpointing eight distinct locations. Strong vibrations from these spots hinted at hidden treasures.
Cheng Lingyu stored The Source Pearl and rushed deeper into the Wushan mining area, soon reaching the site of the active metal source.
The stone wall there lay in ruins. After awakening here previously, he’d left in haste without thorough investigation.
Now The Source Pearl reacted to this place, signaling something remained hidden.
After scanning the area, Cheng Lingyu cleared away rubble, searching for clues.
“What’s this?”
Embedded in the broken wall was a pitch-black Stone Pearl with white patterns.
Chiseling it free, he found the thumb-sized Stone Pearl bore natural-looking patterns that seemed to conceal secrets.
When Cheng Lingyu tried lifting it, the result stunned him.
Despite his divine power of ten thousand pounds in one arm, the tiny Stone Pearl wouldn’t budge—it felt heavier than a mountain.
“What kind of object is this? Impossible to move!”
After multiple failed attempts using all his strength, Cheng Lingyu nearly gave up in despair.
Then the Fang Tian Bao Yin materialized in his palm. It emitted a strange allure, clinging to the black Stone Pearl and gradually absorbing it.
Cheng Lingyu stared in disbelief. The Fang Tian Bao Yin’s origins were already shrouded in mystery—he only knew its name, nothing more. Why had it bonded with this Stone Pearl?
Long after failing to find answers, he finally stopped puzzling over it.
Retrieving The Source Pearl again, he confirmed nothing else remained before departing.
The second site lay in an ordinary-looking valley. Hidden on a Rocky Cliff was a cave—a former secret base of Wushan’s eradicated He family, undiscovered since their downfall.
Cheng Lingyu crept deep into the cave until reaching an ancient stone room. There, his handsome face tightened as glowing words carved into the wall seized his attention.