Chapter 15: Chi Mei’er
Chapter 15: Chi Mei’er
After a moment, Cheng Lingyu came up with a plan, and the Fang Tian Bao Yin appeared in his palm.
Though he couldn’t fully control it yet, he thought of a crude method.
First, he tested the Fang Tian Bao Yin’s hardness, easily shattering the iron-like black gold stone without leaving a scratch.
Then, using it as a weapon, he repeatedly struck the mountain, digging through the stone wall. In just half a day, he advanced five zhang—an astonishing speed.
By dusk, he broke through the stone wall and saw the sunflower.
It was a form shaped by two active metal sources, able to change freely.
Cheng Lingyu’s aura of active metal sources deeply attracted the sunflower, drawing it closer.
Suddenly, white and black streams of liquid metal lashed out like tentacles, trying to wrap around his body.
Having faced similar situations before, Cheng Lingyu stayed calm and relaxed.
Soon, the two active metal sources enveloped him completely, slowly seeping into his body.
Darkness swallowed Cheng Lingyu as he fell into a deep, thoughtless slumber.
The two active metal sources poured into him endlessly, merging with his previous one, growing stronger and more refined.
This lasted an hour until both sources fully entered his body.
Then, he clearly saw the purple light spot in the darkness double in size, the silver-white one doubling too.
This leap in power—doubling everything—held hidden mysteries.
As he slept, a strange vortex formed around him. Invisible energies of dark matter flowed into his body, as if entering an endless void.
This process continued for four hours before the vortex faded.
Opening his eyes, Cheng Lingyu stared at the stone wall, sensing differences from last time.
Previously, the active metal sources had contained a Snake Soul, causing the stone wall to explode mysteriously.
This time, no Beast Soul fused with the sources, and the wall remained intact.
Chipping through the wall, he found the black Stone Pearl. Trying to lift it, its mountain-like weight matched his past experience.
Forced to act, Cheng Lingyu brought out the Fang Tian Bao Yin. The black Stone Pearl slowly merged into it.
During the merging, faint dust-like lines emerged from within the Fang Tian Bao Yin, darting across its surface like drawn patterns.
Once the Stone Pearl fully merged, the lines vanished, leaving no trace.
Cheng Lingyu hefted the Fang Tian Bao Yin, puzzled—its weight hadn’t changed despite absorbing the heavy pearl.
He left the mining area at dawn.
Checking the seven other mining areas, Cheng Lingyu found all active metal sources hidden deep, still undiscovered.
Each Mine Source’s depth varied based on extraction progress.
He decided to target weaker spots first to avoid suspicion.
Each area had varying numbers of miners, making stealthy merging with the metal sources challenging.
“I must finish within half a month—no later than a month. Otherwise, I’ll never catch up to Cheng Zhaolong in a year and avenge Ruo Xue.”
Cheng Lingyu set a target for himself: he needed to quickly advance from the Ordinary Martial Realm to the True Martial Realm within limited time.
Throughout the day, he carefully studied the specific situations of the seven mining areas while pondering his plans.
At dusk when he returned, his father Cheng Yun was already waiting outside.
“The Cheng family has received a guest.”
The first sentence immediately startled Cheng Lingyu.
“A guest? Who?”
Cheng Yun said, “From Chi Xue Valley. Go see for yourself.”
Entering the Cheng residence, Cheng Lingyu reached the hall and saw the so-called guest. His handsome face showed surprise.
A fiery red figure burned brightly like the midday sun, impossible to forget after one glance.
Crimson hair flowed like dancing flames, while her vibrant red dress rippled without wind, framing her tall, graceful figure and peerlessly exquisite features.
This eighteen-year-old fairy possessed heart-stopping beauty, radiating allure like living flame.
In the hall, family head Cheng Feng maintained polite conversation with this young woman.
Having lived this long, Cheng Lingyu had never seen anyone with such vivid flame-red hair – truly magnificent.
“Who is she? Why come here?”
Cheng Yun explained, “Chi Mei’er, the Chi family’s heiress. They control the Chi Goldstone Mines and surpass our Cheng family in power. She claims to be searching for something here, giving our family advance notice to prevent misunderstandings.”
Cheng Lingyu nodded. “Understood. What’s this to do with me?”
“As inspector, our family wants you to accompany her around Shiyang Town and assist her search.”
This revelation shocked Cheng Lingyu, finally understanding why his father had waited specifically for him.
“What’s she seeking? If brief, acceptable. If prolonged, this would hinder me.”
Reluctant to waste precious time, Cheng Lingyu wanted no part of this troublesome duty.
Cheng Yun shook his head. “Her exact purpose remains unclear. She only requested temporary stay in Shiyang Town with our family’s assistance. We offered helpers, but she refused them all before settling on you.”
Cheng Lingyu fell silent, staring at Chi Mei’er in the hall with odd expression.
This flame-like beauty ranked among the three most stunning women he’d ever seen, surpassing even Ruo Xue in charm, second only to Yu Wuchen.
As if sensing his gaze, Chi Mei’er suddenly turned toward him.
Straight crimson hair framed her delicate face, playful dimples appearing when she smiled.
Her eyes glowed with amethyst depths, radiating mesmerizing charm that instinctively drew male attention.
Cheng Lingyu’s expression turned strange as his heartbeat quickened. This woman seemed to emanate magic that shattered calmness.
“Come inside.”
Cheng Yun led his son into the hall.
Observing Chi Mei’er’s reaction, Cheng Feng introduced, “This is Cheng Lingyu, our family’s most outstanding youth. What do you think, Miss Mei’er?”
“Passable. Though his cultivation level’s rather low – barely adequate.”
Tossing her silken hair, Chi Mei’er revealed a bewitching smile carrying subtle arrogance.
Cheng Feng laughed, “If Miss Mei’er favors him, it’s his honor. Lingyu, from today onward, assist Miss Mei’er until her task is complete.”
Cheng Lingyu responded plainly, knowing refusal was impossible. Better to accept directly.
Cheng Yun smiled silently. This Chi Mei’er surpassed even Ruo Xue in beauty. More time with her might benefit his son.
After all, Ruo Xue had died. Cheng Yun refused to let his son remain trapped in memories.
That night, the Cheng family hosted Chi Mei’er at a banquet with Cheng Lingyu attending.
“Miss Mei’er, what brings you to Shiyang Town? How may I serve?”
Cheng Lingyu asked first, seeking to uncover her purpose.
“Patience. I’ll explain tomorrow when we depart.”
Though seemingly younger than Cheng Lingyu by a year or two, Chi Mei’er radiated a powerful aura. Her mere presence dominated their interactions, pressing down on him.
This invisible pressure irritated Cheng Lingyu. Being overshadowed by a girl chafed his pride.
“Does Miss Mei’er’s flame-red hair come naturally?”
He changed subjects, probing for information.
“Our family’s Blood Yang Ascension Technique turns practitioners’ hair red during cultivation.”
Chi Mei’er’s half-smile suggested hidden meanings behind her answer.
Cheng Lingyu’s face hardened. Her piercing gaze stirred rebellious urges he forcefully restrained.
“Miss Mei’er’s cultivation level must be remarkable. Which Realm have you reached?”
“What do you think?”
She evaded with playful laughter, her charm disarming.
Cheng Lingyu gritted his teeth. This fiery girl wasn’t just beautiful – her mesmerizing aura constantly disrupted his focus, leaving him at a disadvantage.
Cheng Yun observed their verbal sparring without concern, faintly smiling at his son’s struggles.
After the banquet, Cheng Lingyu returned to his room gloomy.
Cheng Yun entered, patting his shoulder. “Don’t dwell on it. Chi Mei’er possesses deadly allure. Previous Cheng family disciples lost themselves completely around her. Though her aura overwhelms you, maintaining composure is commendable.”
Cheng Lingyu froze, reexamining his memories. He’d overlooked crucial details.
His Dreamless Technique’s Extremely Mysterious nature made him immune to charm arts. Yet Chi Mei’er still affected him – proof of her extraordinary nature.
“Her cultivation seems formidable. Can you gauge her strength, Father?”
Cheng Yun shook his head. “I can’t. She recently returned from a supreme sect, bearing noble status we dare not challenge. Building ties with her might aid your future.”