Chapter 180: The Scheme of Xingyun Ridge
Chapter 180: The Scheme of Xingyun Ridge
Traveling through this region felt like entering a primordial world where danger lurked at every turn.
Lan Xiaozhu and Fang Ruohua were equally startled, sharing the same uneasy sensation and initially feeling unaccustomed to the environment.
“Let’s move. Those behind are waiting.”
Cheng Lingyu summoned the Sky Boat, darting swiftly through the mountains and forests.
Behind them, disciples from Feixing Ridge emerged, hastily summoning their flying magical artifacts to pursue Cheng Lingyu with relentless determination.
Standing at the boat’s prow, Cheng Lingyu unfolded the Soul Gathering Valley map, carefully noting its location within Xingyun Ridge. According to the map, the entrance lay 2,300 miles south of the Sixth Palace of Xingyun.
Fang Ruohua glanced back repeatedly, watching as dozens of Feixing Ridge disciples closed in on their magical artifacts, making no attempt to conceal their pursuit.
“They’re gaining. Seems they’re determined to make trouble for us.”
Lan Xiaozhu laughed. “Don’t worry. Chasing us won’t do them any good.”
Cheng Lingyu tucked away the map and urged the Sky Boat to accelerate, weaving through Xingyun Ridge’s ancient forests with the Feixing Ridge disciples in tow.
A thunderous crash erupted as a giant eagle hundreds of feet tall surged from the trees. Its wings blotted out the sky as it lunged at the disciples mid-air.
“Careful! That’s an Eagle King—its combat power rivals a spirit beast’s!”
The eagle was a monster king, having honed its own unique abilities, far surpassing ordinary monsters.
With a sweep of its wings, turbulent airflow twisted into a vortex, seeking to devour All Things Under Heaven.
Cheng Lingyu swiftly steered the treasure artifact to evade, while the Feixing Ridge disciples scrambled to dodge. One, slightly slower, was caught in the vortex and torn apart, staining the sky with blood.
The eagle shrieked, gulping down the blood and flesh. Its lantern-sized eyes gleamed with cruelty, and its massive claws slashed through the air as though rending time and space itself.
A flicker of alarm crossed Cheng Lingyu’s composed face—this monster king was far more fearsome than he’d imagined.
With a flash of light, Cheng Lingyu sped onward with Fang Ruohua and Lan Xiaozhu, racing toward their task’s destination.
The Feixing Ridge disciples, having narrowly avoided the eagle’s assault, resumed their chase.
The brief skirmish ended, but soon a colossal serpent, coiled like a dragon and radiating a dreadful aura, loomed ahead. A glowing ring encircled its head.
Fang Ruohua spat, “Curse this vile place! Why only these monstrosities? Where are the normal wild beasts?”
Lan Xiaozhu remarked, “Xiyun Divine Mountain is vast and untamed. Such giants aren’t unexpected here.”
Cheng Lingyu remained silent, his gaze solemn as countless thoughts raced through his mind.
Covering 1,500 miles at full speed, Cheng Lingyu abruptly surged forward, leaving the Feixing Ridge disciples far behind.
He then stowed the Sky Boat. A formation flickered beneath his feet, activating a teleportation array. In an instant, the trio reappeared outside the barrier of the Eighth Palace of Xingyun.
“Why are we back?” Fang Ruohua asked, her bewilderment mingling with a coy charm.
Cheng Lingyu replied calmly, “I’ll explain later. First, we head to the Seventh Palace of Xingyun.”
They hurried to the teleportation array, bound for the Seventh Palace. Cheng Lingyu had intended to go directly to the Sixth Palace but recalled the two women lacked the status to enter.
The journey from the Seventh Palace to the Soul Gathering Valley’s entrance spanned 2,800 miles—500 miles longer than from the Sixth Palace, but trivial to the trio.
After leaving the direct jurisdiction of the Seventh Palace of Xingyun, Cheng Lingyu brought up the temporary task.
“The temporary tasks issued by Xingyun Ridge aren’t fake, but they do hide some deceitful schemes.”
Fang Ruohua asked eagerly, “What schemes, Elder Brother Cheng?”
“Elder Brother Wan Fang once told me the Western Fallen Nine Ridges hold too many mysteries. The five ridges of Feixing, Xuan Yue, Lou Ri, Ming Mo, and Xingyun paid heavy prices to investigate each other’s territories.”
Fang Ruohua tilted her head. “How’s that related to our current task?”
“Xingyun Ridge is baiting disciples from other branches with a hundred contribution points to explore that area. To cover their tracks, they’ve even sent some disciples to fake disappearances. Even if people uncover their scheme, Xingyun Ridge can claim innocence.”
Lan Xiaozhu gasped. “How cunning! Making others take risks without leaving evidence!”
Fang Ruohua huffed. “Xingyun Ridge is vile. Whoever devised this may be clever, but they’re certainly wicked.”
Cheng Lingyu shrugged. “Such trickery is common in worldly matters. Junior Sister Fang, studying military strategies might serve you well.”
Lan Xiaozhu nodded. “You’re too straightforward. Learn some adaptability.”
Fang Ruohua wrinkled her nose. “I dislike such things.”
Cheng Lingyu suggested, “Then play chess with me when free. War strategies mirror chess tactics.”
Fang Ruohua beamed. “Gladly! I’ll trouble Elder Brother Cheng then.”
Her sweet smile drew a subtle headshake from Lan Xiaozhu. Cheng Lingyu noticed but stayed silent.
They boarded the Sky Boat toward Soul Gathering Valley’s entrance.
The journey spanned 2,800 miles through treacherous mountains and ancient wilds that chilled the soul.
Dangers lurked in every shadow – monster kings ruled these untamed lands. Cheng Lingyu spotted spiritual herbs in their domains but dared not approach.
When the Sky Boat shattered mid-journey, Cheng Lingyu summoned the Cloud Boat, a low-grade flying spirit artifact capable of time and space travel.
By dusk, they reached the valley’s outskirts, finding many Lou Ri City disciples – mostly from Xingyun Ridge.
“Xiaozhu! You came?”
Divine Doctor Song Xuejiao stood there, unexpected. She wore flowing white, her serene features lighting upon seeing them.
Starstruck Xingyun Ridge disciples hovered around her like moths to flame.
Lan Xiaozhu explained, “We’re hunting martial souls for contribution points. You?”
While the girls drew warm welcomes, Cheng Lingyu received cold shoulders and jealous glares from Xingyun males.
Cheng Lingyu simply nodded at Song Xuejiao, long accustomed to such treatment.
“I just left the valley. It’s far deadlier than imagined, with strange restrictions.”
Song Xuejiao clasped Lan Xiaozhu’s hand while greeting Cheng Lingyu.
Lan Xiaozhu asked, “How does it compare to Guishun Valley?”
“Almost, but there was a cultivation level restriction. Experts in the Blood Martial Realm who entered would have their cultivation suppressed to the Soul Martial Realm. This seemed to be the case everywhere.”
Cheng Lingyu smiled and said, “That’s for the best; we wouldn’t encounter overly powerful experts.”
Fang Ruohua glanced at the entrance of the Soul Gathering Valley and asked, “Are there many people inside?”
Song Xuejiao replied, “Around one or two hundred, mostly disciples from Xingyun Ridge, with some from other branches.”
Cheng Lingyu asked, “I heard each Soul Gathering Valley in the Western Fallen Nine Ridges holds many Immortal Souls. Is that true?”
Song Xuejiao hesitated. “There are indeed Immortal Souls here, but I’ve heard only five remain—far fewer than rumors suggest.”
Fang Ruohua remarked, “That’s still considerable. Nine ridges combined would total forty-five Immortal Souls.”
“You’re mistaken, junior sister. That’s not the right way to calculate it.”
A handsome young man in his twenties suddenly spoke behind Song Xuejiao, drawing Fang Ruohua’s attention.
“How should it be calculated, then?”
The young man smiled. “While there are nine Soul Gathering Valleys, not each holds the same number of Immortal Souls. Lou Ri City’s legacy spans millennia, and many Immortal Souls have been absorbed over time. The remaining number is certainly under forty.”
Song Xuejiao added, “This is Brother Gu. He’s been at Xingyun Ridge for years and knows much about Lou Ri City.”
Fang Ruohua gave a faint nod, her disinterest leaving Brother Gu visibly deflated.
“Time is running short. We should enter. Miss Song, care to join us?”
Cheng Lingyu scanned their surroundings, eager to move from the exposed location.
Song Xuejiao chuckled. “It’s been ages since I last saw Xiaozhu. Let’s catch up while guiding you in.”
With a graceful turn, she took Lan Xiaozhu’s hand and strode forward.
“Junior sister…”
Brother Gu called softly before hastening after them, trailed by seven or eight fellow disciples.
A few Xingyun Ridge disciples lingered outside, glaring enviously at Cheng Lingyu’s retreating figure.
“Junior Mu, go to Lou Ri City. Spread word of Cheng Lingyu’s presence here.”
“Brother Zhang aims to borrow Feixing Ridge’s blade against him?”
“Need you ask? Go.”
“Right away.”
Song Xuejiao and Lan Xiaozhu walked ahead hand-in-hand, Cheng Lingyu and Fang Ruohua following side by side. The encircling Xingyun Ridge disciples cast a chill over the atmosphere.
Fang Ruohua’s brow furrowed under the weight of lingering stares.
“Elder brother, these people are unbearable.”