Chapter 175: Passing on the Immortal Soul
Chapter 175: Passing on the Immortal Soul
Inside the Supreme Spirit Palace, Cheng Lingyu was focusing on his cultivation, unaware of the events unfolding in Lou Ri City.
Over half a month, he had consecutively opened two cave heavens, which had greatly increased his cultivation level and boosted his combat power.
The effect was markedly different from having one cave heaven to three.
Each of Cheng Lingyu’s cave heavens had expanded to their maximum capacity, each equivalent to a hundred ordinary ones.
As their numbers grew, his strength grew significantly, while the time needed to open new cave heavens decreased correspondingly.
At dusk, Wan Fang emerged from the Supreme Spirit Palace and roused Cheng Lingyu.
“An incident occurred in Lou Ri City today. The Divine Martial Sect’s Tianye Spirit Master arrived unexpectedly. It’s said he’s personally investigating the disappearance of another Spirit Master from their sect.”
Cheng Lingyu stiffened. Back then, Chi Mei’er had slain Martial Arts Spirit Master without leaving traces, so he hadn’t dwelled on it.
Now he realized his naivety.
The death of a Spirit Master-level figure always caused massive stirs. Even mysterious disappearances prompted thorough inquiries.
“Is Tianye Spirit Master formidable?”
“He’s at the Fourth Stage of Spirit Martial in the Heavenly Realm. Few in the entire Tianyang Empire reach such heights.”
Cheng Lingyu gasped. “That powerful? Surely Lou Ri City has other Spirit Masters who can match him?”
Wan Fang laughed. “The city has many Spirit Masters, but few rival Tianye. Hua Mantian’s currently investigating. Tianye will return in three days for updates.”
Cheng Lingyu furrowed his brows. “Elder brother sought me specifically. Do you have questions?”
Wan Fang tilted his head. “Doesn’t junior apprentice have something to share?”
Their gazes locked, neither yielding.
“Have you visited Yunyang City?”
“I did. Heard numerous tales about you.”
It turned out Wan Fang had journeyed to Yunyang City to dig into Cheng Lingyu’s past.
“What do you wish to know?”
“Was the Divine Martial Sect Spirit Master’s disappearance connected to you?”
Cheng Lingyu nodded grimly. “Ouyang Lie held grudges after I foiled his schemes against my Senior Sister. At Xi Yang Pass, he and his master ambushed me with Martial Arts Spirit Master. I nearly died.”
Wan Fang leaned closer. “Then?”
“Someone rescued me at the critical moment… and eliminated them all.”
Cheng Lingyu kept his account brief, omitting details.
“Any witnesses?”
“Only Lan Xiaozhu knows. She’ll stay silent.”
After pondering, Wan Fang devised a plan.
“If questioned, deny everything. Claim you never met Ouyang Lie’s group. Without evidence, Divine Martial Sect can’t act. Inform Lan Xiaozhu. I’ll consult Master now.”
Wan Fang gave Cheng Lingyu’s shoulder a reassuring pat before departing.
“Thank you, elder brother.”
Cheng Lingyu felt touched; this elder brother he hadn’t known for long genuinely protected him.
Arriving at Youxing Seventh Palace, Cheng Lingyu waited before finally meeting Lan Xiaozhu. He quietly told her about Divine Martial Sect investigating Martial Arts Spirit Master’s whereabouts.
Lan Xiaozhu had successfully opened nine cave heavens, greatly improving her status in Youxing Seventh Palace.
“We must prepare cautiously for the worst. If Tianye Spirit Master attacks forcefully, Palace Master of Liyun Palace couldn’t resist him.”
“I’m not worried about that. I came to warn you – if this traces back to us, they might target you.”
Cheng Lingyu had Fallen God Ridge’s protection, so Tianye Spirit Master might not touch him.
But Lan Xiaozhu differed. Though her cultivation was decent, she belonged to Middle Four Palaces’ Third Palace – far inferior to Cheng Lingyu’s First Palace of Falling God status.
Crucially, Cheng Lingyu didn’t grasp how terrifying Spirit Masters’ methods were. Since Tianye Spirit Master was a supreme figure, could he directly read minds?
Cheng Lingyu raised this concern, and Lan Xiaozhu confirmed: “Spirit Masters can easily read Soul Martial cultivators’ thoughts. But Cold Crystal Illusion Flower protects my consciousness. Don’t worry.”
Relieved, Cheng Lingyu said, “With nine cave heavens opened, I’ll give you Soul Guide Banner to reach Shadow Transformation faster.”
Lan Xiaozhu grabbed his hand, flying far from Youxing Seventh Palace.
“Qu Wei visited earlier. She’s seeking another Immortal Beast Soul to merge.”
Cheng Lingyu asked, “Didn’t you say people only merge one Immortal Soul?”
“I thought so,” Lan Xiaozhu admitted. “But Qu Wei explained nine cave heavens allow merging one Beast Soul and one Flower Soul without conflict. Merging two Beast Souls requires overwhelming mental control.”
Cheng Lingyu understood: “Qu Wei got Hidden Soul Flower’s Immortal Flower Soul from Guishun Valley. Now she can add a Beast Soul. You could do the same.”
“Theoretically yes, but Immortal Souls are rare.”
Cheng Lingyu grinned. “Take Yan Lingfeng’s Blue Crystal Fire Scorpion. I’ve been wondering how to handle it.”
Lan Xiaozhu shook her head at his charming smile. “Keep it. You wanted Immortal Souls in every cave heaven.”
“Immortal Souls vary. Blue Crystal Fire Scorpion can’t match Nine Nether King Sparrow or Jade Crystal Ice Wing Dragon. I’ll only take the best.”
“Your high standards make your progress slower,” Lan Xiaozhu chided.
Cheng Lingyu chuckled, confining the scorpion in Soul Guide Banner and urging her to merge it before Tianye Spirit Master arrived.
Lan Xiaozhu immediately found a remote spot for Cheng Lingyu to guard her fusion attempt.
Though Yan Lingfeng still lived, making fusion nearly impossible, Soul Guide Banner and Cold Crystal Illusion Flower’s power helped her succeed overnight.
Her cultivation multiplied, placing her among top peers. She later confined powerful souls in her sea of consciousness before returning Soul Guide Banner.
The spirit artifact aided soul hunting – crucial for Cheng Lingyu’s continued Immortal Soul search.
Hua Mantian’s investigation progressed slowly until next afternoon, when he uncovered bad news for Cheng Lingyu.
Short on time, Cheng Lingyu paused opening cave heavens to practice ultimate skills, particularly Formation Martial Arts fusion. He now mastered engraved formations from Heavenly Spirit Diagram’s third layer – a major breakthrough since it belonged to Spirit Chart’s Heavenly Resolution creation diagrams.
Combining technique of origins with Heavenly Spirit Diagram made Cheng Lingyu unique in Soul Martial Realm.
Three days later, Tianye Spirit Master arrived with two Blood Martial Realm attendants.
The city lord welcomed them into the grand hall.
“Any news?” Tianye Spirit Master demanded.
“Three new disciples saw Divine Martial Sect experts near Xi Yang Pass,” the city lord answered.
Tianye Spirit Master’s spiritual light flickered slightly. “Bring them here.”
Li Xiang, Qi Wei, and Fang Cuiyu stood trembling under the Spirit Master’s mountain-like pressure.
Qi Wei stammered, “We… met Ouyang Lie at Xi Yang Pass. He… was with his master, inquiring about Lou Ri City’s disciple recruitment…”
“Where did they go?”
“We mentioned Cheng Lingyu accidentally. Ouyang Lie had a feud with him… When Cheng Lingyu flew past, Ouyang Lie left to settle old scores. We never saw them again.”
“Truth?” Tianye Spirit Master pressed.
“Yes! Ask them!” Qi Wei begged. Fang Cuiyu and Li Xiang nodded urgently.