Chapter 153: Fallen God Ridge
Chapter 153: Fallen God Ridge
“Is Lou Ri Ridge currently the strongest in Lou Ri City?”
“In terms of overall strength, yes. But predicting future achievements is difficult.”
“Why?”
Wan Fang hesitated. “This generation has produced several outstanding disciples. Time will tell who rises above.”
“Elder brother, explain Fallen God Ridge to me. I’m new and know nothing.”
“Our Fallen God branch is the smallest—only eighty members now, including you. The Divine Trees’ Portal sent two disciples this time: you and another assigned to the Third Palace of the Middle Four Palaces. The Tianmu Portal chose ten—three to the lower four palaces and seven to the middle.”
Cheng Lingyu asked, “So Fallen God Ridge had just sixty-eight before we arrived?”
“Correct. The upper four palaces are sparsely occupied. The First Palace stands empty. The second is the Supreme Spirit Palace, housing only Master and me. The Third and Fourth Palaces each have three disciples. Once I gather information on other branches, I’ll show you around. Master wants your identity hidden for now, so stay here.”
“Do all Nine Ridges’ palaces have names?”
Wan Fang shook his head. “Only the upper four. For example, Fallen God Ridge’s First Palace is Fallen God Palace, while Lou Ri Ridge’s is Lou Ri Palace. Others like Feixing Palace and Xuan Yue Palace follow similar patterns. All Nine Ridges share ‘Supreme Spirit Palace’ for their second palace, but third and fourth palaces vary.”
“So the Middle and Lower Four Palaces use numbers?”
“Exactly. Too many names confuse people. Our branch’s Middle Four Palaces include Liyun Palace, but outsiders call it the Fifth Palace of Fallen God—clearly indicating its rank below the upper four.”
Cheng Lingyu nodded. “Makes sense. With 108 palaces on Xiyun Divine Mountain, memorizing every name would be chaotic.”
“Don’t stress—you’ll learn in time. Now share stories from the selection process. I’ve been starved for conversation here.”
Understanding the loneliness, Cheng Lingyu obliged. “I arrived with one companion. Outside Lou Ri City, we met another. The three of us faced the challenges together.”
“How did your friends fare?”
“Luck favored us—we passed all three trials. The Divine Trees’ Portal teleported both girls away, though I don’t know where.”
“Both chosen by the Divine Trees’ Portal? Remarkable! Tell me about them.”
Cheng Lingyu described Lan Xiaozhu and Qu Wei. “…Could you find where they were sent? I’d like to visit once settled.”
Wan Fang smirked, slinging an arm around him. “Ah, so they’re beauties! No wonder you’re concerned. Consider it done.”
Cheng Lingyu flushed but stayed silent at his brother’s teasing grin.
“Elder brother—when Lou Ri City assigns disciples to palaces, can they advance later?”
“Rarely, but possible. It depends on potential, strength, and loyalty. This batch has eight hundred recruits from diverse backgrounds. Some might harbor ill intent, and many will eventually leave.”
“True. Every sect and family faces this—human nature’s fickleness endures.”
Wan Fang shrugged. “Your foundation’s solid. How went your Third Challenge?”
Cheng Lingyu recounted his trial.
“Fine work, junior apprentice!” Wan Fang applauded. “But nearly killing that monkey may bring trouble.”
“Please advise, elder brother.”
Wan Fang said, “After entering the mountain gate, you’re located within Feixing Ridge, the first of the Western Fallen Nine Ridges. That monkey is a spirit beast still in its early growth stage, possessing the ultimate skills of Three Heads and Six Arms and golden fiery eyes. It has potential to evolve into a divine beast. Hailing from the Fourth Palace among Feixing Ridge’s upper four palaces, it belongs to a junior apprentice around your age – early twenties. Since you nearly beat it to death, its owner likely won’t let this slide.”
Cheng Lingyu frowned. “A spirit beast… no wonder it was extraordinary. I must intensify my cultivation, or life will become difficult.”
“No need to worry – they won’t dare act against you in Lou Ri City. Your current situation is special though. The third stage of Soul Martial and Soul Martial Fourth Realm support each other, making advancement challenging.”
Cheng Lingyu smiled bitterly. “Every breakthrough feels arduous – I’m accustomed to it. Are there Beast Souls for merging in Xiyun Divine Mountain?”
“Each ridge of Western Fallen Nine Ridges contains Immortal Souls. Depends on your luck.”
“Many Immortal Souls?”
Wan Fang chuckled. “Not countless, but plentiful. Unique cultivation resources of Lou Ri City, unavailable elsewhere. Come, I’ll take you to Supreme Spirit Palace for lodging and training.”
They reappeared in Supreme Spirit Palace’s outermost grand hall. Wan Fang led Cheng Lingyu to the remotest corner.
“Why here, elder brother?”
“Your cultivation remains weak for other areas.”
Light waves flowed from Wan Fang’s feet, forming an Extremely Mysterious formation that cracked a seal. Powerful spiritual energy erupted, coalescing mid-air into a shimmering spiritual energy bed three feet above ground.
“Rest and cultivate here. This bed’s made from pure spiritual energy by unlocking one-third of this corner’s seal – perfect for Soul Martial Realm. Fully unlocking it would overwhelm you. Try it.”
Cheng Lingyu marveled. Even this sealed edge area contained energy so dense it formed a tangible, elastic bed – beyond his wildest imagination.
Lying down nervously, he felt spiritual energy flood his body. The pyramid structure compressed it into pure true essence, rapidly boosting his cultivation.
“Amazing! Better than pills or herbs!”
Wan Fang laughed. “This explains why people scramble to join Three Saints and Four Peerless. Their cultivation resources surpass smaller sects – priceless advantages.”
“Other palaces similar?”
“Varies greatly. You’re fortunate – Supreme Spirit Palace has the Twelve Palaces’ richest energy. Rest now. I’ll check other areas.”
Cheng Lingyu slept instantly. The Dreamless Decision activated automatically, wrapping him in spiritual energy that formed a glowing light cocoon.
Wan Fang vanished, reappearing in a small palace with Master Han Cang.
“Master chose well. Though weak, junior apprentice shows solid foundations and good character. Proper training will make him Fallen God Ridge’s pride.”
“His unique constitution and cultivation method require monitoring. I’ll arrange differently after he reaches Blood Martial Realm.”
“Don’t worry, Master. I’ll hasten his progress.”
Wan Fang smiled, anticipating livelier days with a new junior apprentice.
Han Cang cautioned, “Let it develop naturally.”
Two days passed swiftly.
The third batch of five hundred disciples finally received assignments after anxious waiting:
Lou Ri Ridge – 100
Feixing/Xuanmoon/Mingmo/Xingyun Ridges – 70 each
Youxing/Anmoon Ridges – 50 each
Yunjir Ridge – 40
Fallen God Ridge – 20
Through Divine Trees’ Portal, Tianmu Portal, and manual assignments, Fallen God Ridge totaled 32 disciples – exactly 100.
Han Cang remained impassive, neither contesting quotas nor complaining – maintaining Fallen God Ridge’s reputation as the stagnant anomaly among Western Fallen Nine Ridges.