Chapter 155: Liyun Palace
Chapter 155: Liyun Palace
“The teleportation array of Xiyun Divine Mountain is unique—it sends you downward. To ascend, you must know how to activate it. Since your cultivation level is still low, I’ll leave a mark on your left hand. This mark will let you operate the array and return to the Supreme Spirit Palace,” Wan Fang explained.
He gripped Cheng Lingyu’s left hand, imprinting a glowing mark on its back that faded into his skin moments later.
Wan Fang then activated the teleportation array. A hazy light enveloped them, transporting them near the Third Palace.
“This is Yunhuang Palace, the Third Palace of Fallen God Ridge. It’s slightly smaller than the Supreme Spirit Palace. Three reside here: Palace Master Hong Chenkong and his two disciples, Lin Kun and Chen Huang.”
Cheng Lingyu observed Yunhuang Palace, built into the mountain. Though a quarter smaller than the Supreme Spirit Palace, it still towered grandly, bathed in swirling light and divine radiance.
“Does it also have three overlapping palaces inside?”
Wan Fang laughed. “Yunhuang Palace has two stacked palaces. Palace Master Hong rarely appears. Lin Kun and Chen Huang emerge every fortnight. If you meet Hong Chenkong, call him ‘Uncle Master’ for familiarity or ‘Palace Master’ for formality.”
“Yunhuang Palace must rank second only to the Supreme Spirit Palace here,” Cheng Lingyu remarked.
“Fallen God Ridge is quiet—few people, fewer matters. The upper four palaces stay undisturbed. Our Master hasn’t left the Supreme Spirit Palace in decades. Even Hong Chenkong hasn’t stepped out in twenty years.”
“Twenty years without leaving?” Cheng Lingyu gaped.
“That’s Fallen God Ridge. No one notices or cares. Let’s visit the Fourth Palace.”
They soon reached the Fourth Palace via the array. Though similar in size to the Third Palace, it was marginally smaller. Known as Yunsan Palace, it too housed three: Palace Master Mei Yifeng, who rarely appeared, and his disciples Wang Han and Li Zhi.
At their arrival, two middle-aged men emerged—Wang Han, late-thirties, clad in sky-blue robes with sharp features and a cool demeanor, and Li Zhi, fortyish, round-faced and amiable.
“Brother Wan, what brings you here? And this is…?” Li Zhi greeted warmly as Wang Han studied Cheng Lingyu.
“This is Cheng Lingyu, Liyun Palace’s new disciple. I’m showing him around. Cheng Lingyu, greet your seniors.”
Cheng Lingyu bowed. “Lingyu pays his respects. I’ll rely on your guidance.”
Wang Han remarked, “Brother Wan personally escorting him? You must see potential in this junior.”
“Divine Trees’ Portal sent two disciples recently—one to the Seventh Palace, one here. Rare for our quiet ridge. We hit it off, so I brought him. How’s Uncle Master Mei?”
Li Zhi answered, “Same as ever. This junior has promise. With effort, he’ll surpass us.”
Cheng Lingyu demurred, “You flatter me, Senior Brother Li.”
“Since you’re here,” Wang Han said, “let’s tour the palace.”
Inside Yunsan Palace lay a smaller inner structure where Mei Yifeng cultivated. The outer palace’s spiritual energy hung thick, nearly liquid.
“Such dense energy!” Cheng Lingyu exclaimed.
Li Zhi chuckled, “It’s too potent for your current level. Return after reaching the Blood Martial Realm.”
Wan Fang laughed, “Look around all you want. You rarely get to visit this place.”
Cheng Lingyu observed the surroundings and sensed a strange aura within Yunsan Palace, filled with profound mysteries.
Li Zhi showed great fervor, while Wang Han remained aloof. Both were much older than Cheng Lingyu, so they had little in common to talk about.
After wandering for an hour, Wan Fang led Cheng Lingyu away to the Fifth Palace of Fallen God—Liyun Palace.
This was the first of the Middle Four Palaces, one-third smaller than Yunsan Palace but livelier.
The teleportation array lay five miles from Liyun Palace. Outside, a disciple practiced martial skills in an open area, his movements sinuous as a dragon and swift as swirling clouds.
Wan Fang quietly pulled Cheng Lingyu into Liyun Palace without a sound.
The palace was vast, its interior astonishingly spacious.
“Wait here. I’ll return shortly,” Wan Fang instructed before leaving alone.
Cheng Lingyu stood still, studying the area. The spiritual energy here felt dense but noticeably weaker than in Yunsan Palace.
Wan Fang reached the grand hall’s center and met Palace Master Zhang Chengtian of Liyun Palace to discuss Cheng Lingyu’s background.
As a disciple of Master Han Cang, Wan Fang held high status within Fallen God Ridge.
After listening, Zhang Chengtian asked, “Which of the upper four palaces does Cheng Lingyu belong to?”
Wan Fang replied, “The Master wishes to keep that undisclosed. Simply announce he’s from Liyun Palace.”
Zhang Chengtian frowned. “Is this necessary? Fallen God Ridge has always been ignored. Even if Divine Trees’ Portal sent a disciple to the upper palaces, no branch would care.”
Wan Fang said, “The past is irrelevant now. Give him a Liyun Palace token. I’ll handle the rest.”
Zhang Chengtian handed over the token and asked about other branches.
After a brief summary, Wan Fang asked, “Is that disciple outside from Tianmu Portal?”
“His name is Mu Hua. Twenty-three, Blood Weapon Second Level cultivation. Talented—I intend to train him well.”
Wan Fang chuckled. “After years of silence, it’s time for some noise.”
Wan Fang returned to Cheng Lingyu, gave him a quick tour of Liyun Palace, then brought him back to the hall.
By then, Zhang Chengtian had gathered all five disciples. Aside from young Mu Hua, his three followers were middle-aged men.
Zhang Chengtian eyed Cheng Lingyu oddly.
“This is Cheng Lingyu, our new disciple from Divine Trees’ Portal. The Master ordered secrecy until now.”
Cheng Lingyu bowed. “Disciple greets the Palace Master and senior brothers.”
Mu Hua stared curiously, while the older brothers exchanged surprised glances—they’d heard nothing of this.
“No need for formalities, junior apprentice,” Zhang Chengtian said.
Fallen God Ridge had long been desolate, so the newcomers brought welcome cheer.
Cheng Lingyu found these senior brothers simpler and kinder than Yunyang City’s cultivators.
With his identity settled, Cheng Lingyu gained a resting spot in Liyun Palace, becoming its nominal disciple—though he’d seldom stay.
“Carry on. I’ll show him around,” Wan Fang said, whisking Cheng Lingyu to the Sixth Palace.
“Liyun Palace has five disciples. Notice anything?”
“Only Mu Hua is new. The others’ ages suggest no recruits for years,” Cheng Lingyu answered.
Wan Fang sighed. “The Fallen God branch is left with only the old and weak. These thirty-two disciples are fresh blood. Work hard—the future rests on you.”
“I will, senior brother.”
They teleported to the Sixth Palace.
“Six disciples here. The Seventh and Eighth Palaces each have eight, including one from Divine Trees’ Portal. I’ll take you there later.”
Wan Fang explained the Sixth Palace’s details as they toured, introducing Cheng Lingyu to disciples.
From Wan Fang, Cheng Lingyu learned the Middle Four Palaces had recently gained seven disciples via Tianmu Portal: one for Liyun Palace, two each for the others. The Seventh Palace, with three newcomers, was the busiest.
In the teleportation array, Wan Fang handed Cheng Lingyu a token—a mist-swirled ancient jade.
“This token marks your identity. Use it to teleport near the Middle and lower four palaces across eight ridges. Try it.”
Guided by Wan Fang, Cheng Lingyu channeled his aura into the jade. Light flared, projecting a map of Western Fallen Nine Ridges with 108 palaces.
Grayed-out upper four palaces were inaccessible. The remaining 72 glowed, selectable for instant teleportation.
“Incredible! A magical artifact!”
Cheng Lingyu marveled—this was perfect for traversing the massive Xiyun Divine Mountain.