Chapter 209: Blood Wing Bird
Chapter 209: Blood Wing Bird
“I think the Shanhua Alliance disciples have sinister intentions. They must’ve known this place was strange, so they hurried ahead to put as much distance between us as possible. By the time we ventured deeper into the valley, they’d nearly be gone. Then they could secretly stir up these underground bones, using them to eliminate us without leaving a trace. Even if we suspected them later, they’d deny everything—since they never attacked directly, we’d have no proof.”
Pan Hong nodded. “Your reasoning makes sense. Now that you’ve awakened these bones first, they’re the ones stuck in this mess. Well done.”
Mu Hua smiled. “I’m Mu Hua from the Fifth Palace of Fallen God. And you, junior sister?”
“Pan Hong, from the Fifth Palace of Mingmo.”
The two chatted casually while watching the battle unfold.
Tian Feng watched enviously. “Elder Brother Mu is so lucky! Handsome, skilled, and now he’s cozying up to a pretty junior sister from Mingmo Ridge. It’s downright unfair!”
Cheng Lingyu smiled silently, thinking that even if he’d handed Tian Feng the chance, Tian’s cultivation level would’ve gotten him nowhere with Pan Hong.
The valley mist thickened, and bones multiplied from dozens to hundreds, turning the floor into a sprawling ancient graveyard. These skeletons varied in combat power but shared one trait: no pain, no fear, just relentless advance.
Human tactics like intimidation or intricate techniques meant nothing here. A strike that didn’t destroy them was useless—only raw power worked.
Shanhua Alliance disciples roared in frustration. Battling skeletons defied all normal strategies; a single misstep meant death. Concepts like mutual destruction held no weight against mindless bones.
Cheng Lingyu watched intently, learning more than most. Others fixated on outcomes, but he dissected the process—the key to true understanding.
“Retreat! We’ll find another route!”
As skeletons surged toward the Lou Ri City group, Han Zhen of Mingmo Ridge ordered an immediate withdrawal, abandoning the Shanhua Alliance to their fate. He led the group along ridges, avoiding mist-cloaked valleys.
Half a day later, they reached a barren stone valley—flat, mirror-smooth rock stretching endlessly, devoid of soil or plants.
“Stay alert. This place is unusual,” warned Han Zhen, their Blood Martial Fourth Level leader.
Mu Hua walked briskly beside Pan Hong, while Cheng Lingyu lingered at the rear with Tian Feng. The silence felt heavy, every step cautious.
Suddenly, Cheng Lingyu’s Glowing Star Seven-Colored Source—one of his Nine Immortal Souls—stirred. It sensed minerals hidden deep below.
All things fell into three categories: animals, plants, minerals. The Glowing Star Seven-Colored Source was a supreme Mine Source, unmatched in detecting rare ores. Cheng Lingyu now understood its origin: “Glowing Star” referred to the Brilliant Star Continent (home to Tianyang and Tianyin Empires), while “Seven-Colored” marked it as the pinnacle of Mine Sources. Forged over eons, this Immortal Soul knew every mineral on the continent.
However, whether this ancient ruin belonged to the Brilliant Star Continent remained unclear, as it existed as a small world with unknown origins.
Mineral treasures came in various forms, and those found here were blood-red rubies containing liquid resembling blood within them, emitting strange ripples.
The Stone Valley stretched vast, with numerous mineral treasures buried underground. Cheng Lingyu had already discovered over sixty, yet more lay hidden further ahead.
After traveling several miles, the group encountered a massive sunken valley.
“Trouble ahead! What’s that?”
The depression lay below ground level, nearly invisible from afar until approached.
Brilliance shimmered within the hollow as crimson auroras fluttered like wings at its base.
“Stay alert. People below. Let’s investigate.”
All recognized this place might hold treasures, each fearing rivals might claim them first.
Han Zhen entered the depression first, with others pushing forward eagerly. Only Cheng Lingyu remained composed, deliberately lingering at the entrance.
Distant cultivators arriving at Stone Valley spotted Cheng Lingyu at the depression’s edge and hurried toward him.
The hundred-foot-deep hollow contained a natural cave glowing crimson. Ever-shifting scarlet lights morphed into miniature human figures demonstrating ultimate skills in the void.
When Lou Ri City’s twenty-odd disciples reached the valley floor, they found three to four hundred cultivators already gathered. The most prominent group came from Tianlei Sacred Church, numbering about thirty.
Experts from Tianhua City’s Zhan Wumen were also present, including Luo Binghe.
Han Zhen surveyed the crowd with a grim expression. Though not numerous, many formidable figures stood among them – several he recognized.
Cheng Lingyu focused on the scarlet auroras’ source – a stone wall emitting translucent crimson wings that dazzled with red light, forming tiny figures practicing mysterious techniques in the void.
Mu Hua stared at the wall, perplexed. “What is this?”
Pan Hong ventured, “It resembles the legendary Blood Wing Bird. They say Xuan Star Saint attained enlightenment while riding one, carving his ultimate skills onto its wings. That bird later evolved from spirit beast to divine beast, dominating the Brilliant Star Continent.”
“That’s the Cangling Blood Wing Bird,” corrected a tall, proud-looking Tianlei Sacred Church member in his late twenties. “Xuan Star Saint comprehended the Void Great Palm technique atop it – a peerless skill enabling lethal strikes from thousands of miles away.”
“Are you Senior Brother Ning Zhengyang of Tianlei Sacred Church?”
The man nodded gravely. “Correct. And you are?”
“Pan Hong of Lou Ri City.”
Ning Zhengyang smiled. “Junior Sister Pan. The Void Great Palm hidden here won’t be easily claimed.”
Pan Hong’s eyes gleamed. “As early arrivers, your sect must know much.”
Ning Zhengyang swept his gaze across the crowd. “Our church knows Xuan Star Saint’s history well. After engraving Void Great Palm on its wings, the bird mastered the technique. Its claw swipes could tear the sky itself. When it vanished mysteriously, none imagined it would surface here.”
Pan Hong studied the wall. “Is the bird dead?”
“Uncertain,” Ning Zhengyang admitted. “But clues remain in this indestructible wall. We must wait – the long-lost technique should emerge soon.”
Onlookers listened intently while monitoring the wall.
Cheng Lingyu observed crimson wings flowing from the stone, radiating temptation. Within him, the Nine Nether King Sparrow stirred restlessly, sensing something beyond the wall.
New arrivals drew everyone’s attention.
Cheng Lingyu’s brow furrowed as he smirked bitterly. “The Tianhua Ji family chooses its moments well.”
Ning Zhengyang’s voice turned icy. “Fate brings enemies together.”
Ji Yaozu sneered, “Where grudges exist, paths cross.”
“Excellent!” Ning Zhengyang laughed. “Since we’re both idle…”
Ji Yaozu cut him off. “We’re not leaving.”
Standing beside his brother, Ji Yaowu spotted Cheng Lingyu. “There you are, rat! Come forth!”
Mu Hua bristled. “Stop shouting! Since when does Tianhua Ji family dictate terms to Lou Ri City?”
Ji Yaowu blinked, apparently forgetting Cheng Lingyu’s affiliation. “This is personal! Make him face me!”
“Not here,” Mu Hua retorted. “The Three Saints and Four Peerless granted exploration rights, not brawling permits.”
Ji Yaozu glared. “Who are you?”
“Mu Hua of Fallen God Ridge.” Mu Hua met the hostile stare defiantly. “Bite me?”
“Don’t smirk,” Ji Yaozu warned. “This place could become your grave.”
Mu Hua snorted. “Outcomes remain uncertain. Compared to true powers, your Ji family’s insignificant.”
“Remember these words!” Ji Yaozu seethed, trembling with rage.