Chapter 130: The Nature of Humanity
Chapter 130: The Nature of Humanity
Caiyun furrowed her brow, gazing at the now tranquil sky, and sighed softly, “Most people might never witness such a being in their lifetime, yet we’ve been blessed to see it.”
Lan Xiaozhu murmured, “If we stay with him, we’ll encounter even more wonders ahead.”
Caiyun shot a glance at Cheng Lingyu and grumbled, “He’s got a knack for tangling with these unnatural beings.”
Cheng Lingyu cried out, “It’s not like I choose this!”
Caiyun huffed before finally studying him properly. He truly had transformed.
From True Martial Sixth Realm to third stage of Soul Martial—crossing the Thunder Stage, True Fire Stage, Yuan Dan Stage, and Soul Hunter Stage in under two months. His progress was staggering.
Yet what truly shocked Caiyun wasn’t his speed. Since entering the Soul Martial Realm, he exuded a Temptation that left women powerless to resist.
“Turning into a young man really did make you more captivating.”
Cheng Lingyu corrected, “Not young—full-grown.”
Caiyun sneered, “Barely sprouting fuzz and already claiming manhood?”
Cheng Lingyu stared at her, mischief flashing in his eyes as a grin spread.
“Senior Sister could ask Xiaozhu—isn’t I a properly ‘grown’ man?”
Lan Xiaozhu’s cheeks flushed crimson as she stammered, “He… is… larger than most men.”
Caiyun glared. “Don’t get smug—you’re still wet behind the ears.”
Cheng Lingyu slid his arms around her slim waist. “Then teach me properly, Senior Sister.”
Caiyun’s breath hitched. The bewitching glint in his eyes unnerved her—especially since she already fancied him.
“In your dreams—maybe if I’m bored. Now explain: how’d you anger two supreme beings in there?”
Releasing her, Cheng Lingyu clasped both girls’ hands as they flew toward Yunyang City. He recounted their trials in Guishun Valley.
Caiyun listened with growing delight. “Not bad—snagging half the Eight Indestructible Souls, even Xiaozhu benefits. You’re a walking blessing.”
Lan Xiaozhu whispered, “Fortune and calamity intertwine. Greater gains demand greater burdens.”
As heir to Celestial Cataclysm Divination, she grasped life’s truths deeper than most.
Cheng Lingyu shrugged. Reaching Soul Martial’s third stage had steeled his confidence, reshaping his ambitions.
“Two months lost in Guishun Valley—wonder what’s happened in Yunyang City?”
Since the Holy Emperor’s underground palace incident, he and Caiyun had vanished. Many sought answers about the palace’s secrets.
Even Tianyang Empire’s two saints and three brilliant ones had hunted him—until Hua Yuehong and Bai Ruomei’s reappearance diverted attention.
Now his emergence from Guishun Valley exposed his location. What awaited their return?
Caiyun explained, “The palace sealed itself. Rumor says the five major forces’ experts scoured Yunyang’s depths, but it’d already disappeared—relocated mysteriously.”
Cheng Lingyu blinked. “A whole palace just… moved?”
Caiyun chuckled. “At your cultivation level, you won’t grasp how common such oddities are. Take Lanling Holy Palace—a roaming sacred tomb, functioning like a perpetual magical artifact.”
Cheng Lingyu said, “Seems I’ve been ignorant. I should learn more when I have time.”
Lan Xiaozhu spoke softly, “Experience comes with time. You’ve cultivated less than two years since leaving Shiyang Town, so you haven’t seen much. When you leave this place, your view will widen naturally.”
“I’ve been too hasty. Let’s go.”
Cheng Lingyu took the two girls and flew away, reaching Yunyang City by midday.
“Senior Sister reached Blood Martial Third Level now?”
Caiyun laughed, “Yes. I couldn’t stay stagnant after two months of cultivation. Progress slows in higher realms compared to lower ones.”
Walking through Yunyang City’s streets, they noticed less bustle than before, leaving unusual quietness.
“Something’s wrong. We should ask around.”
Cheng Lingyu tried to seek Jin Miaoyi, but Caiyun stopped him.
“Return to the chess academy first. Your status remains sensitive for meeting him.”
Cheng Lingyu agreed and dropped the idea.
Lan Xiaozhu said, “I’ll visit Yaxin Bamboo Cottage briefly and return.”
Her gaze lingered on Cheng Lingyu with affection.
“Go ahead. I’ll wait at the chess academy.”
Cheng Lingyu smiled, waving as she left.
Caiyun remarked plainly, “Fancy her?”
Cheng Lingyu nodded. “A little. Senior Sister, is it normal for someone like me to feel this?”
Caiyun chided, “Don’t fish for answers. Figure it out yourself. Humans are strange—ninety-nine percent don’t know what they truly want.”
Cheng Lingyu asked, “What do you mean?”
Caiyun gazed afar, lips quirking.
“People are selfish. Power, fame, brothers, family—they’re just ornaments. When you gain power, you crave more. When danger comes, you’ll discard them all.”
Cheng Lingyu paled. “Is that true?”
Caiyun said self-mockingly, “Beauty hides ugliness. Few admit this.”
“Why?”
Caiyun met his eyes solemnly. “That’s humanity. Truth is ugly, appearances deceive, the world terrifies, and the heavenly way shows no mercy.”
Cheng Lingyu froze. He’d never doubted her words before, but now hesitated.
“Then why cultivate?”
“Mortals are flawed. Cultivation lets us evolve. Become good or evil—that’s your choice. Evolution amplifies your nature: magnify kindness, become just; magnify malice, become wicked.”
Cheng Lingyu stayed silent. This theory shocked him, overturning all he knew about cultivation.
Caiyun sighed. “Light and dark, life and death—all spin around a force called heavenly way, fate, or destiny.”
Cheng Lingyu pondered her words through the source path, his mind expanding.
“This is Senior Sister’s view of cultivation?”
Caiyun said, “These are the gains I made during my three years in Yunyang City. The World Tempers the Heart, repeated refinement breeds mastery. You’re still too young.”
Cheng Lingyu smiled bitterly, sensing the earnest care behind his Senior Sister’s words.
When they returned to the chess academy, the place had become eerily quiet, devoid of its former liveliness.
Caiyun inquired about recent developments in Yunyang City and obtained useful information.
“The former structure of One City, Two Sects, Three Treasures, Four Families, and Five Major Gangs has shifted significantly. City Lord Yun Ao hasn’t been seen publicly for some time, and his status remains uncertain. Both the Shenhuo Sect and Xuanhuo Sect have abandoned their previous domineering attitudes, becoming reclusive and discreet. The three auction houses have remained closed recently. Among the four great families, only three remain. The Baifo Sect was destroyed by Mingyue Gate, while Lièyáng Sect, Broken Blade Hall, and Flying Dragon Gang all show signs of being absorbed by Mingyue Gate.”
Cheng Lingyu looked surprised. “How could Mingyue Gate expand so aggressively without opposition?”
“Wouldn’t the Shenhuo and Xuanhuo Sects normally prevent Mingyue Gate from swallowing other forces like this?”
Caiyun replied, “I believe this relates to Bai Ruomei. After Hua Yuehong left Yunyang City, Heavenly Palace withdrew its influence here. Bai Ruomei allied with Heavenly Fire Sect, giving Mingyue Gate powerful support. That’s why the city lord and both major sects pretend not to notice – they don’t want to provoke Heavenly Fire Sect.”
“Your reasoning makes sense, Senior Sister. If this continues, Mingyue Gate will soon surpass Shenhuo and Xuanhuo Sects in Yunyang City.”
“With Heavenly Fire Sect’s backing, that’s inevitable. Pity I must leave after nearly three years here.”
Cheng Lingyu stared in shock. “You’re leaving?”
Caiyun laughed. “The World Tempers the Heart – this was just one stage of my cultivation journey. Meeting you here, unlocking the Heavenly Spirit Diagram, reaching Blood Martial Realm… it’s time to move on.”
Her manner appeared casual, showing no particular attachments.
“Where will you go? I’ll come with you.”
Cheng Lingyu couldn’t accept parting from his Senior Sister.
“I’m still deciding – no hurry yet. You should focus on your own path. What will you do next?”
Cheng Lingyu fell into deep thought. If his Senior Sister left Yunyang City and him behind, where should he go?
Search for his father?
Continue cultivation?
With Cheng Yun missing and the path of cultivation being treacherous, he truly needed to consider carefully.
“Take your time. Maybe Lan Xiaozhu will have good suggestions.”
Caiyun patted Cheng Lingyu’s shoulder before leaving the hall.
News of their appearance spread quickly through Yunyang City, attracting many cultivators’ attention.
Miao Sanxu arrived first at the chess academy, anxiety written across his face.
“Where did you vanish for two months? We’ve been worried sick!”
Cheng Lingyu gestured for him to sit. “You know my situation – too many seekers forced me into hiding. How’s everyone faring?”