Chapter 157: Gift of the Gab
Chapter 157: Gift of the Gab
An outsider disciple was holding the beautiful woman admired by all in Youxing Seventh Palace. How could this not anger the brothers there?
“I missed you, but couldn’t find any news. I learned Qu Wei is at Anmoon Sixth Palace but can’t visit her. Only you remained untraceable.”
Lan Xiaozhu let go, gazing up at Cheng Lingyu with deep affection.
Cheng Lingyu forced a smile. “I’m at Fallen God Ridge, a disciple of Liyun Palace in the Fifth Palace of Fallen God. I’ll visit often. Later, I’ll check on Qu Wei.”
Lan Xiaozhu frowned. “Fallen God Ridge? The weakest among the Western Fallen Nine Ridges.”
“It suits my cultivation. Your brothers glare daggers at me—your charm’s to blame.”
Lan Xiaozhu glared playfully. “Jealous and petty.”
Cheng Lingyu released her, scanning the bustling training field. “Ours is desolate. Focus on cultivating here. I’ll take tasks for contribution points and return.”
Reluctant, Lan Xiaozhu spoke to a senior brother, then led Cheng Lingyu to a cliff edge. They sat side by side, recounting their longing since parting.
Half an hour later, Cheng Lingyu left for Anmoon Sixth Palace, where dozens trained.
He found Qu Wei, surrounded by hostile-eyed brothers.
“How is it here?” he asked.
“Good. Rich spiritual energy. And you?”
“Less free than Yunyang City. Travel’s inconvenient.”
“It’ll improve,” Qu Wei said, leading him inside. The palace matched Fallen God Sixth Palace’s size and spiritual energy density.
Qu Wei’s resting area had a spiritual energy bed enclosed by a barrier.
“All live like this?” Cheng Lingyu asked.
“Yes. Isn’t yours the same?”
“Ours is empty, no barriers.”
“Many seniors here need barriers. Senior Sisters say Anmoon Sixth Palace holds a Fortuitous Encounter.”
“Fortuitous Encounter?”
Qu Wei whispered, “Some of the 108 palaces in Western Fallen Nine Ridges hide unique opportunities.”
Cheng Lingyu decided to ask Wan Fang later.
After wandering, they left without entering the central area.
Qu Wei gazed at the clouds. “When will we leave Lou Ri City? How will Yunyang’s friends fare?”
Cheng Lingyu said, “They’d rejoice. We’ll reunite once our cultivation reaches a certain Realm.”
Qu Wei sighed, “I hope.”
At noon, she hosted him lunch, enduring gazes filled with killing capability.
Cheng Lingyu shook his head and sighed. In the relatively isolated Lou Ri City, beautiful women were indeed scarce resources.
Since disciples here couldn’t leave freely and had limited contact with outsiders, their social circle remained small. Any attractive woman would inevitably attract hordes of admirers.
After dinner, Qu Wei walked Cheng Lingyu out, leaving him with this parting remark:
“For women here, a single misstep could bring eternal regret.”
Cheng Lingyu pondered her words, realizing Qu Wei meant it was nearly impossible for women to stay aloof from worldly temptations in this male-dominated environment.
Questions suddenly flooded Cheng Lingyu’s mind – why do people live? What’s the purpose of cultivation?
Having seen Lan Xiaozhu and Qu Wei, Cheng Lingyu temporarily set aside his concerns to focus on cultivation, determined to advance his Realm at maximum speed.
He expected peaceful days ahead, but unknown to him, the normally quiet Fallen God Ridge had begun undergoing strange changes since his arrival.
The very next day after meeting Qu Wei and Lan Xiaozhu, trouble arrived.
An expert from Feixing Ridge came to the Fifth Palace of Fallen God searching for Cheng Lingyu.
At that moment, Cheng Lingyu was in the Supreme Spirit Palace undergoing the critical Fusion Stage of his third stage of Soul Martial cultivation, preparing to merge with his Immortal Soul.
Wan Fang located Cheng Lingyu upon hearing the news.
“Junior apprentice, trouble’s here. Let’s go see.”
Wan Fang appeared unconcerned, while Cheng Lingyu looked puzzled.
“What trouble?”
Wan Fang explained, “The monkey’s owner is making trouble at Liyun Palace, demanding to see you.”
Cheng Lingyu frowned. “So soon? That monkey recovered in days?”
“It’s a spirit beast. Feixing Ridge has good medicine, but it’s still badly hurt.”
“Tell me about this owner.”
Wan Fang chuckled. “Zhong Zhenlong, twenty-one, Blood Martial Third Level disciple from Feixing’s Fourth Palace. Found the young monkey three years ago, dotes on it. After you beat it, he’s been hunting for you.”
Cheng Lingyu frowned. “Twenty-one with Blood Martial Third Level? That’s genius-level talent.”
“Favored in Feisheng Palace. Naturally arrogant.”
They found three men blocking Liyun Palace’s entrance. New disciple Mu Hua argued angrily with them.
Wan Fang approached with a harmless smile while Cheng Lingyu’s eyes glimmered mischievously.
“Honored guests should be invited inside! Junior apprentice Mu, where are your manners?” Wan Fang mildly scolded for show.
The trio turned. The cold-eyed youth in center glared at Cheng Lingyu, while the two middle-aged men started upon seeing Wan Fang.
“Brother Wan! What brings you?”
Wan Fang smiled. “You wanted Cheng? Here he is.”
Zhong Zhenlong appeared handsome but cold, lacking Cheng Lingyu’s magnetic charm. Men too rigid often repelled others.
“You’re Cheng Lingyu?” Zhong demanded disdainfully.
“That’s me. Why seek me out?”
“You hurt my spirit pet!”
Cheng Lingyu feigned surprise. “You came to congratulate me? I should thank you! That monkey showed mercy, or I’d have been eliminated!”
“Silence!” Zhong roared, enraged by this third stage Soul Martial cultivator’s audacity.
“Aren’t you here to congratulate me?” Cheng Lingyu pressed innocently. “They say you’re fair and selfless. Were they wrong?”
Zhong’s face turned green. Mu Hua snorted laughter.
Wan Fang chided, “Mind your words! Brother Zhong does good deeds anonymously, beyond petty reputations!”
Cheng Lingyu bowed apologetically. “My mistake! Brother Zhong came to congratulate my joining Fallen God branch. I should be grateful, not doubt him. My sincere apologies.”
Zhong trembled with rage. “Remember… this!”
Mu Hua barely contained laughter.
Wan Fang nodded approvingly. “Better. Brother Zhong’s too magnanimous to mind.”
Zhong seethed silently. Had this been anywhere but Fallen God Ridge, he’d have beaten Cheng Lingyu senseless.