Chapter 260: Devouring the Blood Fetus
Chapter 260: Devouring the Blood Fetus
“It’s you!”
The voice was tinged with nervousness and a hint of overreaction.
Cheng Lingyu laughed, “Indeed. Pity Ji Yaozu and Ji Yaozu aren’t here.”
“What do you want?”
The twelve glared at Cheng Lingyu with hostility, poised to attack.
“I pity you. Ji Yaozu and Ji Yaozu fled to save themselves, abandoning you to die for the Ji Family.”
These twelve were experts from the Ji family of Tianhua City. Before leaving, Ji Yaozu and Ji Yaozu had ordered them to monitor activity in the ancient ruin.
“Serving the Ji Family is our duty. Leave now, or face the consequences.”
“Save your courtesy—I’ll show you none in return.”
Still holding Hu Yuer’s hand, Cheng Lingyu advanced steadily toward the Ji Family experts.
“Arrogant fool!”
A Ji Family expert lunged forward, slamming a palm strike toward Cheng Lingyu’s skull.
Cheng Lingyu stood motionless, utterly calm.
Hu Yuer’s eyes flickered. The fox in her arms squirmed but remained trapped in her grip.
As the strike neared, a figure darted sideways, kicking the attacker’s arm away.
“Fight me instead.”
Han Zhen countered coldly.
“This feud is between the Ji Family and Cheng Lingyu! Lou Ri City has no part in it!”
“Cheng Lingyu is a Lou Ri City disciple. We claim our share.”
Han Zhen pressed his assault relentlessly.
The Ji Family experts surged forward, outnumbering Cheng Lingyu’s group six to twelve.
Most Ji Family fighters were at Blood Weapon Second Level or Blood Martial Third Level. Only two reached Blood Martial Fourth Level.
Against Xiao Lingfeng’s Blood Martial Fifth Level and three Blood Martial Fourth Level opponents, their numbers meant little.
Cheng Lingyu watched idly from the sidelines.
Hu Yuer tilted her head. “You bear a grudge against the Ji Family?”
“I fought Ji Yaozu in Yunyang City. He nursed resentment. Later in Guishun Valley, Ji Yaozu took dislike to me. Does that count?”
Though speaking softly, his words carried clearly.
Hu Yuer giggled. “How petty!”
Cheng Lingyu smirked. “Some matters brook no magnanimity.”
Mid-sentence, he vanished. A scream followed—a Ji Family expert collapsed, soul devoured.
Chen Song startled. He’d gravely wounded that expert and meant to finish him, but Cheng Lingyu struck first.
“Cheng junior apprentice, what are you…?”
Cheng Lingyu replied calmly, “Each time I advance is a struggle. I need vast resources, and they serve as potent nourishment for me.”
Zuo Yi questioned doubtfully, “You’re only at the Soul Martial Realm. How can you absorb the cultivation of those in the Blood Martial Realm?”
Cheng Lingyu chuckled. “My capacity to digest such energy has always been exceptional. It should suffice.”
Xiao Lingfeng declared, “Then we’ll wound these foes and leave them for Cheng junior apprentice.”
The Four Top Experts of Lou Ri City unleashed their full power, carrying out a merciless slaughter. Cheng Lingyu darted across the battlefield as anguished cries pierced the air.
Hu Yuer stared at his figure, muttering, “He’s an anomaly. His Constitution defies reason – how is this possible?”
This mystery baffled not just Hu Yuer, but even Cheng Lingyu himself.
Among the twelve Ji Family experts, two were at the Blood Martial Fourth Level, four at the Blood Martial Third Level, and the remainder at the Blood Weapon Second Level. Cheng Lingyu first struck at the Blood Weapon Second Level foes, shattering their souls and devouring them to strengthen his spiritual capabilities.
This feat relied on the Destruction of Space Divine Thought Wave and Dreamy Magic Eyes.
Any cultivator reaching the Blood Martial Realm possessed exceptional talent and endured grueling trials. Their spiritual achievements were formidable, with consolidated souls and ironclad wills.
For cultivators, the “three flowers gathering at the crown” represented the essence of spirit, energy, and vitality – painstakingly refined spiritual energy bearing unique imprints. Absorbing another’s essence was nearly impossible without surpassing their cultivation level.
Yet Cheng Lingyu defied this truth, devouring higher-level energies despite his lower realm.
The Blood Martial Realm’s six levels included the crucial pregnancy phase at the Third Level, where blood essence condensed into a Blood Fetus within meridian points, eventually evolving into a Blood Soul to breach the Fourth Level.
Absorbing a Blood Martial Third Level expert’s Blood Fetus provided immense benefits for those below that realm. However, the merging process risked fatal backlash – akin to suicide for the unprepared.
The Lou Ri City experts fretted over Cheng Lingyu’s safety. While easily consuming Blood Weapon Second Level souls, he proceeded cautiously with the Third Level Blood Fetuses.
As Ji Family members fell, their two Blood Martial Fourth Level experts roared helplessly before attempting escape. Though Han Zhen and Zuo Yi intercepted, both fugitives slipped away.
After absorbing four Blood Fetuses, Cheng Lingyu resembled a drunken man – his Handsome Face flushed crimson.
“Are you unharmed, Cheng junior apprentice?” Xiao Lingfeng’s concern showed. Even at the Blood Martial Fifth Level, he wouldn’t dare attempt such absorption.
“I’ll be fine after refining the energy,” Cheng Lingyu assured.
Han Zhen urged, “We must find shelter immediately.”
Supported by Hu Yuer, the six swiftly departed. Blood-hued night enveloped lifeless mountains, radiating desolation.
Hu Yuer stood atop a peak, pondering their location. Han Zhen guarded Cheng Lingyu nearby while Chen Song, Zuo Yi, and Xiao Lingfeng formed a triangular defensive perimeter.
Cheng Lingyu sat cross-legged in mid-air, blood light swirling around him as he absorbed the essence of the Blood Fetus – a rare tonic for his body.
After an uneventful night, he awoke the next afternoon with no trace of blood light remaining.
Springing to his feet, his joints cracked like popping beans. His frame had grown taller and more defined, radiating newfound maturity.
“Did you consume all four Blood Fetuses?” Han Zhen blurted, eyes wide.
“Mostly.” Cheng Lingyu rubbed his palms. “The surplus energy’s stored in my meridian points.”
Xiao Lingfeng tilted his head. “Still at Soul Martial Sixth Realm? No breakthrough?”
“Can’t reach Seven Levels without first mastering Soul Domain Avatar.”
Chen Song chuckled dryly. “No equal in your Realm, then.”
“Limitless potential,” Zuo Yi added, “though growth comes slower this way.”
Hu Yuer reappeared at Cheng Lingyu’s side, head cocked. “My, how you’ve sprouted! Soon you’ll be taller than winter pines.” She patted his shoulder like praising a child.
The group snickered. Cheng Lingyu shot back: “Says the girl still waiting for her growth spurt. Shall I measure your… development?”
“P-pervert!” Hu Yuer’s shriek cut through the air. “Someone stop this rogue!”
One sharp smack later, her protests dissolved into crimson-cheeked silence. The men roared with laughter.
“You brute!” She pouted, lips trembling. “You’ll take responsibility!”
“For spankings? Gladly.” Two more playful swats landed on her springy curves before she wriggled free, fleeing with scarlet ears.
“Mark my words, Cheng Lingyu!”
“Oh I will.” His smirk held playful danger. “Most memorable hand feeling I’ve had.”
Though fuming, a spark of curiosity lingered in Hu Yuer’s doe eyes.
“Enough dallying.” Cheng Lingyu stepped forward, scenery blurring as he teleported short distances. The fox-eared girl trailed behind, grumbling.
Han Zhen fell into step beside him. *Cheng junior apprentice,* his voice transmission whispered, *that Fox People girl reeks of seduction. Stay wary.*
*Her lineage traces to Fox Immortals,* Cheng Lingyu mentally replied. *Still in Xuanyin state – stronger than she lets on. Has motives, but means no harm… for now.*
They followed the crimson river across plains, covering thousand li by dusk.
Cheng Lingyu halted abruptly. “Hold.”
“What is it?”
“An old acquaintance awaits.”
Hu Yuer sniffed. “Your ‘friends’ usually come with blades drawn. Did Zhan Wumen remnants join forces with Ji Family dogs?”
Cheng Lingyu turned with wolfish grin. “Sharp tongue deserves reward, wouldn’t you say?”