Chapter 200: The Same State of Mind
Chapter 200: The Same State of Mind
“There exists a type of person who appears domineering and boastful, constantly flaunting weaknesses to make others perceive them as incompetent and riddled with flaws. In truth, this might be deliberate—crafting an image of a worthless playboy to lull observers into complacency. When the critical moment arrives, he exploits this underestimation, striking decisively against unprepared foes.”
Cheng Lingyu’s eyes flickered with realization; such cunning individuals lay beyond his previous experiences.
Lan Xiaozhu’s words unveiled the world’s complexities, far surpassing his youthful assumptions.
Fang Ruohua sniffed, “Such vile hypocrites.”
Lan Xiaozhu chuckled darkly, “The world teems with them. Keep your wits sharp—appearances deceive.”
As they spoke, dozens of disciple groups materialized in the distance.
Cheng Lingyu observed them with an enigmatic half-smile.
“Quite the crowd, elder brother.”
Fang Ruohua studied the approaching figures with fearless curiosity.
Lan Xiaozhu shrugged. “Merely hundreds. Remember Guishun Valley?”
Cheng Lingyu’s lone stand against multitudes there had dwarfed this gathering. But here, restraint was necessary.
The mob surged closer—Hong Xiu Tian Xiang among Feixing Ridge disciples and others Cheng Lingyu had previously bested.
“Cheng Lingyu!” A voice jeered. “First an Immortal Soul from Youxing Ridge’s Soul Gathering Valley, now Anmoon Ridge’s Three-Handed Divine Monkey? Greedy worm!”
Cheng Lingyu smiled lazily. “Which Lou Ri City law forbids this?”
Fang Ruohua beamed. “How kind of you all to celebrate my elder brother’s success!”
“Your Soul Martial Fourth Realm cultivation makes you unworthy!” Another shouted. “Surrender the Immortal Soul!”
Fang Ruohua’s smile vanished. “Why should we?”
“Our numbers demand it!”
Lan Xiaozhu’s gaze swept the throng. “Numbers? Step forward and be counted.”
“Cheng Lingyu! Hiding behind skirts like a turtle?”
“Envy suits you poorly,” Cheng Lingyu replied calmly.
“Coward!”
Fang Ruohua rolled her eyes. “If you’re so brave, go capture the Three-Handed Divine Monkey instead of howling and wailing here.”
“The Immortal Soul awaits,” Lan Xiaozhu taunted. “Claim it… if you dare.”
Understanding dawned—Cheng Lingyu’s secondary soul acquisition served multiple purposes.
“Don’t mock us!”
“Then stop acting mockable,” Fang Ruohua shot back.
Cheng Lingyu watched the verbal sparring unfold, quietly savoring the spectacle.
As disciples of Lou Ri City in the Soul Gathering Valley, most restrained themselves in this public space. Though voices rang out boldly, few actually dared to take action.
The blockade preventing Cheng Lingyu’s group from leaving became troublesome, and with heated verbal sparring, tensions inevitably rose.
Cheng Lingyu considered this an opportunity to test his self-restraint. He waited patiently while letting Fang Ruohua argue freely with the crowd, using it to temper her.
Hong Xiu Tian Xiang observed Cheng Lingyu silently, her eyes shining with soft tenderness as an elegant, alluring smile played on her lips.
Hong Tianbao stood beside her, shooting icy glares of hostility toward Cheng Lingyu. This resentment stemmed from jealousy, but Cheng Lingyu cared little—his relationship with Hong Xiu Tian Xiang was one of mutual exploitation.
Soon, the argument between the two women and the disciples intensified, words sharpening until the air crackled like drawn swords.
Fang Ruohua arched a delicate brow and sneered, “Enough empty talk. You just want the Immortal Soul? Come seize it if you dare!”
“Don’t overreach! Your Soul Martial Fifth Realm means nothing in Lou Ri City.”
Fang Ruohua barked a laugh. “If you’re so mighty, why beg for others’ spoils instead of subduing the Immortal Soul yourselves?”
Her taunt struck a nerve. A male disciple lunged forward, bellowing, “You arrogant wench! I’ll teach you humility!”
“Fight me?” Fang Ruohua smirked. “First survive a hundred moves against the Three-Handed Divine Monkey.”
“Why should I?”
“Because I battled that beast for three hundred bouts—witnessed by many here. Can’t handle a hundred? Then you’re just embarrassing yourself.”
“You… this is outrageous!”
“Think numbers protect you from consequences?” Fang Ruohua jeered. “Fool!”
Enraged, the disciple charged. With a contemptuous laugh, Fang Ruohua retreated toward the Three-Handed Divine Monkey’s territory.
In Soul Gathering Valley, provoking the Immortal Soul’s guardian meant inviting terrible retribution. Fang Ruohua’s maneuver—”Redirecting Calamity Eastward”—proved masterful.
The disciple floundered against the Three-Handed Divine Monkey’s assault, inexperienced and overwhelmed. Fang Ruohua slipped back to Cheng Lingyu’s side, challenging the crowd: “Anyone else? Fight the monkey first—I’ll wait.”
The disciples seethed, unprepared for her audacity. Lan Xiaozhu exchanged amused glances with Cheng Lingyu, letting Fang Ruohua revel in her theatrics.
“Don’t overplay your hand,” someone warned. “Angering us will cost you.”
“Spineless cowards!” Fang Ruohua shot back. “You screech about taking the Immortal Soul yet stand frozen like wooden dummies!”
Her words snapped the tension. After prolonged bickering, grievances erupted into open fury.
“Come at us! You really think we fear you?”
Amid a furious roar, over ten disciples charged forth, their aggression palpable.
“A rotational battle? You think that scares me?”
Fang Ruohua’s laughter cut like a sharp dagger, fueling her opponents’ rage.
Lan Xiaozhu tensed to intervene, but Cheng Lingyu blocked her path.
“Wait. I’ll settle with them later.”
Lan Xiaozhu’s lips parted briefly before she swallowed her words.
Fang Ruohua stood defiant against the mob, her lithe form darting through mid-air with earth-shaking momentum.
The attackers—mostly Soul Martial Fifth and Sixth Realm cultivators—pressed their numerical and cultivation advantages, tightening their encirclement.
Cheng Lingyu observed calmly, amusement playing on his lips.
Noticing his expression, Lan Xiaozhu murmured, “What’s on your mind?”
“Watching this,” Cheng Lingyu chuckled, “I finally understand how Senior Sister Caiyun felt observing battles back then.”
Lan Xiaozhu blinked, then softly said, “How brotherly of you.”
“My departure’s inevitable. I mean to leave something for Fallen God Ridge.”
Understanding dawned in Lan Xiaozhu’s bittersweet smile. By shielding Fang Ruohua now, Cheng Lingyu hoped she’d become the pillar supporting their dwindling sect after his exit.
The clash shook Soul Gathering Valley as Fang Ruohua unleashed nine cave heavens. A giant eagle materialized behind her, radiating terrifying energy.
The Three-Handed Divine Monkey sensed this presence. With an enraged shriek, it intensified its assault, shredding a nearby disciple instantly—Immortal Souls naturally clashed when meeting, neither yielding.
Fang Ruohua’s Immortal Soul quivered under the Monkey’s challenge, creating openings in her defense.
The disciples seized this weakness. Soul Martial Sixth Realm experts activated Soul Domain techniques, trying to shackle her Immortal Soul and cripple her combat power.
Fang Ruohua fought like the eagle she channeled, razor-sharp cries splitting air as she whirled through enemy ranks.
“Break through this? Today you learn your lesson!” roared a disciple, launching a crushing assault.
The spectacle drew wide eyes. Though contained, Fang Ruohua’s unyielding spirit commanded respect.
Cheng Lingyu waited until a hundred exchanges left Fang Ruohua wounded before strolling forward.
“Bullying my junior sister in my presence—do you mock me, or Fallen God Ridge itself?”
Hong Tianbao scoffed, “What difference?”
“All the difference in consequences.”
Cheng Lingyu’s figure blurred. Suddenly beside Fang Ruohua, his left arm circled her waist.
A disciple lunged, palm striking mercilessly at Fang Ruohua’s forehead.
Cheng Lingyu’s smirk turned icy.
“Fine strike. Let’s test it.”
His right palm met the attack. Thunderous collision shook the valley.
A bloodcurdling scream followed.
“My…hand! My HAND!”
The disciple flew backward, right arm obliterated—flesh and bone vanished without trace.