Chapter 230: Enemies on a Narrow Path
Chapter 230: Enemies on a Narrow Path
An intense light flashed, shaking both heaven and earth.
The Sword of the Reaper clashed against a shield, unleashing apocalyptic shockwaves.
The shield radiated unfathomable mystical energy, its released waves terrifying even Cheng Lingyu. Were it not suppressed by the Sword of the Reaper, he would have been blasted away instantly.
Upon impact, the Sword of the Reaper trembled violently as the glowing “death” character on its blade crawled toward the tip.
Ye Tianlong’s figure shuddered, disbelief flashing across his face as the shield slowly retreated, pierced inch by inch by the relentless sword.
The “death” character now blazing at the sword’s tip corroded all existence, boring through the shield’s defenses.
With a furious roar, Ye Tianlong vanished into thin air.
Cheng Lingyu’s eyes narrowed as the Youchen Nine Domains Orchid materialized behind him, warping time and space.
“Reveal yourself!”
The surrounding void turned translucent as Cheng Lingyu used the orchid’s power to counter the Invisibility Technique. Ye Tianlong suddenly reappeared mid-lunge, his blade aimed at Cheng Lingyu’s heart to halt the pursuing deathblade.
Though gravely injured, Cheng Lingyu stood firm. His right hand slashed downward, the reviving magic knife in his palm emitting dreadful energy.
Ye Tianlong roared and summoned his shield back with uncanny timing, barely blocking the strike before retreating.
Cheng Lingyu recalled the Sword of the Reaper—maintaining it drained his true essence dangerously. Activating a six-fold gathering formation, he began absorbing heaven-earth energy to replenish himself. The magic knife in his hand transformed into a colossal black dragon coiling skyward.
Ye Tianlong stood gripping his damaged shield, face dark. What should have been an easy mission had spiraled beyond control. Now the gravely injured hunter found himself the hunted, facing an opponent growing stronger by the moment.
Though arrogant, Ye Tianlong wasn’t reckless. Continuing this battle with an enigma like Cheng Lingyu could prove fatal. Meanwhile, Cheng Lingyu maintained his stare while calculating how to rescue Nie Jiaolong and Tian Feng.
Light wings suddenly burst from Cheng Lingyu’s back as he activated Skywing Escape. Through spatial manipulation, he materialized beside the captured duo.
Ye Tianlung raised his shield defensively—too late.
Cheng Lingyu’s magic knife arced toward Ye Tianlong’s ally, unleashing Blood Martial-level power despite cultivation restrictions. The companion barely dodged, abandoning the prisoners.
Securing Nie Jiaolong and Tian Feng in his storage ring before transferring them to the Spirit Cloak Ring, Cheng Lingyu finally relaxed.
After brief consultation, Ye Tianlong’s group withdrew. Cheng Lingyu let them go—chasing would waste energy he couldn’t spare.
Vanishing in a flash, Cheng Lingyu fled hundreds of miles. This commotion would draw cultivators like moths to flame. He deliberately avoided the stone tablet area—undoubtedly already occupied.
Cheng Lingyu chose an extremely remote location, carefully inspecting the surrounding terrain. After setting up multiple defense formations, he finally released Nie Jiaolong and Tian Feng.
“How are you? Is your injury severe?”
Nie Jiaolong gazed at Cheng Lingyu with concern.
“Where’s Ye Tianlong? How did we get here?”
Tian Feng looked around while asking about the process.
“I’ll recover after resting. Ye Tianlong left. Let’s heal first.”
All three were injured and unfit to travel further.
Nie Jiaolong and Tian Feng agreed, wanting to heal quickly for safety. Cheng Lingyu gave brief instructions before separating to heal alone, avoiding interference.
Cheng Lingyu’s robust Constitution rarely allowed injuries. Only Ye Tianlong’s terrifying power and ruthless tactics could have caused this outcome.
Though wounded, Cheng Lingyu gained much from the desperate battle. Sparing no effort at any price revealed his true capabilities – the most crucial realization.
He used to believe none in Soul Martial Realm could challenge him, yet Ye Tianlong proved otherwise. Without his merged resources and magical artifacts, he’d have died.
This intense battle taught him the world held other geniuses and numerous Soul Martial Realm experts matching his prowess.
Cheng Lingyu’s healing method differed: finding solitude to sleep, letting his body self-regulate. Nie Jiaolong and Tian Feng sat cross-legged, circulating true essence under glowing light.
After nearly two days asleep, Cheng Lingyu awoke fully healed. His cultivation level advanced to Soul Martial Fifth Realm’s late stage.
Finding his companions recovered, they rushed to the stone tablet piercing the clouds. “Three Saints Palace” blazed majestically upon it.
Around the tablet, hundreds of Soul Martial Realm cultivators hesitated to cross. The trio’s arrival drew immediate attention.
“Lou Ri City disciples?”
Some exclaimed, knowing Divine Martial Sect targeted them.
“Brave to come here as three.”
Onlookers watched with surprise, pity, and scorn.
Cheng Lingyu sensed their stares. Tian Feng and Nie Jiaolong stayed alert for Divine Martial Sect members.
Three to four hundred cultivators gathered nearby, including Jiu Yang Sacred Palace and Shanhua Alliance disciples. Zhan Wumen members from Tianhua City also watched – about a dozen. Others belonged to Tianyang Empire sects unknown to Cheng Lingyu.
Nie Jiaolong suddenly halted at a familiar figure.
“What’s wrong?”
Nie Jiaolong’s expression darkened as she said in a low voice, “I saw someone I really despise. We had a conflict before, and she insulted me verbally. Back then, my elder brothers were all there…”
Before she could finish, a sharp voice cut in.
“Nie Jiaolong, we’re fated to cross paths again. Last time, you humiliated me with the backing of Lou Ri City’s crowd. Today, I’ll repay you twice over.”
The speaker was a woman in white standing over a dozen yards away. Her snowy dress draped a tall, graceful figure, and her beauty rivaled Nie Jiaolong’s.
Nie Jiaolong snorted. “You deserved it. Don’t stir trouble for no reason.”
“I’ll do as I please. Now that you’re down, I’ll gladly take this chance to shame you.”
The woman in white flashed forward, blocking Nie Jiaolong’s path, her youthful face cold.
Tian Feng spoke up. “We don’t want trouble. Don’t push us too far.”
Cheng Lingyu studied the woman. Though only twenty years old, her cultivation level matched Nie Jiaolong’s—both were at the Soul Martial Sixth Realm.
“Who is she?”
“Zhang Shuying from Eight Star City. Her sect’s on par with the Shenhuo Sect,” Nie Jiaolong answered.
Tian Feng added, “They have ten members here. A formidable group.”
Securing ten quotas to enter this ancient ruin’s small world proved their forces’ power.
Cheng Lingyu said calmly, “No avoiding it now. Face it head-on. A cultivator’s path is walked through blood and fire.” He gave Nie Jiaolong’s shoulder an encouraging pat.
Meeting his steady gaze, Nie Jiaolong felt renewed resolve. “Fine. I’ll end this with her.”
She strode toward Zhang Shuying, courage blazing.
Zhang Shuying taunted, “Bold move. Let’s see how you handle this lesson!”
Her words still hung in the air when she struck. Nie Jiaolong was ready—both at the Soul Martial Sixth Realm, their power neared equal.
Tian Feng watched the duel intently while Cheng Lingyu scanned the crowd, sensing mockery and hostility. His eyes then turned to the massive stone tablet piercing the clouds, its surface shimmering as he studied it.
The tablet radiated an oppressive aura, its invisible defense splitting the area. Cheng Lingyu and others stood outside this barrier, the interior’s secrets still unknown.
The fight drew many spectators. Both women wielded the Soul Martial Sixth Realm’s soul domain with startling skill, their beauty matched by their strength.
Debates erupted—some backed Nie Jiaolong, others favored Zhang Shuying. All eyes clung to their clashing figures.
Zhang Shuying’s nine companions watched nearby, most at the Seven Levels of Soul Martial Arts.