Chapter 174: Tianye Spirit Master
Chapter 174: Tianye Spirit Master
Qu Wei received a prize—a Shadow Transformation Pill that could solidify her martial soul during Shadow Transformation, enhancing its power.
After the awards ceremony, the friendly match was declared a complete success.
Cheng Lingyu spent a brief moment with Lan Xiaozhu, Qu Wei, Song Xuejiao, and Nie Jiaolong. As he prepared to leave, Lan Xiaozhu tugged his sleeve.
“Look there.”
Following her gaze, Cheng Lingyu spotted three familiar faces in the crowd—Li Xiang, Qi Wei, and Fang Cuiyu, whom he’d rescued earlier. To his surprise, they had actually managed to join Lou Ri City’s ranks.
“They’ve had good luck,” Cheng Lingyu remarked calmly.
Lan Xiaozhu frowned. “I sense some entanglement between them and you.”
“Entanglement from a single encounter?”
“Be cautious. Lou Ri City isn’t as tranquil as it appears.”
Cheng Lingyu nodded, parting ways with her to rejoin Mu Hua and Fang Ruohua for their return to Fallen God Ridge.
“Senior Brother Cheng, any plans to earn contribution points?” Fang Ruohua asked, her eyes bright.
“I’ll focus on cultivation first,” he replied.
Mu Hua added, “Feixing Ridge has many disciples. If we take on tasks, we should stick together to avoid trouble.”
Fang Ruohua agreed. “I’ll stabilize my cultivation level before anything else.”
Mu Hua grinned. “Let’s gather more allies when we go—safer that way.”
Cheng Lingyu gave no answer. Upon returning to Fallen God Ridge, the group dispersed.
Outside the Supreme Spirit Palace, Wan Fang lounged by the entrance.
“Soul Fusion or cave heavens next?”
“Cave heavens first—they’re time-consuming. Soul Fusion is simpler.”
Wan Fang chuckled. “Simple for you, maybe. Let’s adjust the palace’s seals. It’ll help your progress.”
“Thank you, Senior Brother.”
Inside, Wan Fang waited until Cheng Lingyu began cultivating before adjusting the spiritual energy seal. The energy concentration surged from fifty to seventy percent, instantly transforming it into spiritual liquid.
Immersed in the liquid, Cheng Lingyu’s pores drank in the energy. The ten pyramids within him trembled, radiating a fierce aura as conversion speed skyrocketed.
Wan Fang watched briefly, satisfied, then vanished into the night.
…
“Investigate Cheng Lingyu’s background.”
The city lord’s command reverberated through Lou Ri City. Simultaneously, across the Western Fallen Nine Ridges, similar orders arose from multiple palaces.
During the friendly match, Cheng Lingyu had defeated Feixing Ridge disciples using varied tactics across four matches—all without even opening a cave heaven. An unexpected victory, indeed.
Cheng Lingyu did not have a high Realm, but his limitless potential made him particularly notable.
At Anmoon Ridge, Qu Wei became a key cultivation target and formally began her training. Previously, newly arrived disciples in Lou Ri City had practiced independently while using the city’s cultivation resources. After the friendly match, each palace initiated their own training plans. Disciples chosen by Divine Trees’ Portal held the greatest advantage, followed by Tianmu Portal selections, with assigned disciples ranking last.
Qu Wei’s dual honors of being selected by Divine Trees’ Portal and bringing glory to Anmoon Ridge naturally drew special attention. At Youxing Ridge, Lan Xiaozhu received favorable treatment as she worked to open her ninth Cave Heaven – success would elevate her to genius status with prioritized training.
Song Xuejiao, Ye Xinyi, Situ Caifeng, Nie Jiaolong, and Hong Xiu Tian Xiang all distinguished themselves as outstanding newcomers.
Half a month passed quietly in cultivation.
That afternoon, a formidable figure appeared outside Xitian Gate, enveloped in Spiritual Light with swirling luminous rings. Each step he took made the heavens and earth tremble. Accompanied by two late-stage Blood Martial Realm experts, the trio paused beneath the towering gate.
A fifty-year-old elder with a distinctive reddish left eyebrow reported respectfully: “The final tracking traces lead here, but Xitian Gate’s disruption prevents precise location.”
A robust forty-six-year-old man in lavish robes added: “Our latest news places them at Xi Yang Pass before their disappearance.”
“Beyond Xitian Gate lies Lou Ri City’s territory. Personal investigation seems necessary.” The leading figure entered the gate with his companions.
Appearing moments later at Xi Yang Pass two thousand miles away, their powerful aura alerted Lou Ri City’s stationed cultivators.
“Search within thousand-mile radius.”
As the two experts flew off, the luminous figure remained motionless, his halo pulsating with cosmic patterns.
“Honored guest, Lou Ri City apologizes for inadequate welcome.” A figure emerged from Xi Yang Pass – Hua Mantian.
“Unexpected visitors hope for your tolerance.” The visitor’s voice carried transcendent authority.
“Spirit Master, what brings you here?” Hua Mantian’s polite query revealed the visitor’s status.
“During your disciple recruitment, a Divine Martial Sect Spirit Master vanished here. We suspect foul play.”
Hua Mantian paled at this news of a Spirit Master’s disappearance within their territory. “Lou Ri City will provide full assistance.” He stated with forced composure.
“This is the territory of Lou Ri City. We must rely on your assistance in this matter.”
The Spirit Master spoke courteously, acknowledging Lou Ri City’s equal standing with the Divine Martial Sect and their jurisdiction over this area.
“Your humility honors us. This is our duty. Now…”
“My two companions are conducting a search nearby. We’ll pay our respects to the city lord upon their return.”
Hua Mantian bowed. “Then I shall return to make preparations for your esteemed arrival.”
After the Spirit Master nodded approval, Hua Mantian departed.
Half an hour later, the skies above Lou Ri City blazed with sunset hues as they welcomed the Divine Martial Sect’s Spirit Master – an extraordinary occurrence for the isolated city.
Lou Ri City maintained minimal contact with other factions. Only during major events in the Tianyang Empire would Spirit Master-level experts visit, sometimes not for years.
The arriving Tianye Spirit Master commanded great respect, boasting Fourth Stage of Spirit Martial cultivation – a true realm-shaking powerhouse. Even Second Stage Spirit Masters paled in comparison.
The Spirit Martial Realm comprised five stages. From a hundred First Stage cultivators, barely ten reached Second Stage. Among a thousand Second Stage experts, fewer than five attained Third Stage. Of ten thousand Third Stage masters, perhaps three might ascend to Fourth Stage.
Those reaching the Fourth Stage – the so-called Spirit Martial Heaven – were legends forged through countless trials.
Lou Ri City spared no effort in welcoming Tianye Spirit Master. The City Lord himself escorted the trio into the city.
In the grand hall, Lou Ri City’s delegation included several Spirit Master-level experts.
After exchanging pleasantries with his old acquaintance the City Lord, Tianye Spirit Master stated his purpose: “The Divine Martial Sect remains uncertain why Martial Arts Spirit Master appeared at Xitian Gate. However, as our valued member, we must investigate his sudden disappearance.”
“Naturally,” the City Lord replied. “Where will you begin?”
“His disappearance coincided with your disciple recruitment period. Perhaps witnesses exist among the newcomers who saw him.”
“I’ll order an investigation immediately. Results should come within two days.”
“Your efforts are appreciated. I’ll return in three days.”
Without further ceremony, Tianye Spirit Master departed with his retinue.
After seeing off the visitors, the City Lord initiated the investigation.
Hua Mantian soon reappeared in the hall. “Initial reports confirm sightings of Divine Martial Sect members near Xi Yang Pass. While uncertain about Martial Arts Spirit Master, disciple Ouyang Lie was definitely seen.”
“And then?”
“No further traces. Ouyang Lie also vanished mysteriously afterward.”
“Conduct a swift three-day inquiry. Better to resolve this Divine Martial Sect matter quickly.”
Hua Mantian accepted the task – as overseer of disciple recruitment, the investigation burden fell to him.