Chapter 277: Carefree Fairy
Chapter 277: Carefree Fairy
In this situation, Cheng Lingyu gritted his teeth and held on. His physical body endured devastating blows, while his spiritual energy surged rapidly under the heavenly tribulation’s pressure. His Dreamy Magic Eyes and Destruction of Space Divine Thought Wave merged completely to resist the overwhelming heavenly might.
Bolts of lightning and claps of thunder transformed into a shimmering Rain of Light, draping the blood lake in a translucent crimson hue that looked breathtaking.
Encased in a light cocoon, Cheng Lingyu’s body flickered with overlapping layers of time and space. Swirling vortexes, soaring dragon-phoenix illusions, and towering pagodas radiated around him.
This was both a life-or-death trial and a moment of transcendence. Surviving it would propel Cheng Lingyu to new heights.
The heavenly tribulation lasted two hours. The power of all things disintegrated into pure energy, absorbed by Cheng Lingyu and fused into his Soul Domain Avatar. The Ten Immortal Souls merged flawlessly, breaking through the Soul Martial Sixth Realm’s limits and ascending to the Soul Martial Seventh Realm Spirit Communication stage.
When the tribulation faded, Cheng Lingyu opened his eyes. The world seemed transformed—every detail sharp and vivid.
All light, wind, illusions, and remnants of the past surged toward him, absorbed by his glowing body. Gradually, he calmed, his form exuding an otherworldly grace.
This was the heavenly way’s charm manifesting through him, leaving Hu Yuer spellbound.
Cheng Lingyu now carried a peculiar aura—the fading allure of the heavenly way. His gaze turned distant as he pondered the lingering traces of cosmic truths.
“So cultivation holds such wonders,” he murmured.
His spirit soared with newfound joy. Reaching the Soul Martial Seventh Realm elevated his entire presence.
Hu Yuer snapped from her daze. “You faced heavenly tribulation at merely the Soul Martial Seventh Realm! This news would shake the entire Tianyang Empire.”
Cheng Lingyu replied calmly, “Cultivation reveals one’s true self. Why hide it?”
His elevated realm brought fresh perspectives. True cultivation meant constant evolution through transcendence.
Cheng Lingyu’s rock-solid foundation and relentless pursuit of perfection ensured each breakthrough surpassed ordinary limits.
Hu Yuer countered, “Laws are countless and mysterious. Your view isn’t wholly right.”
Cheng Lingyu chuckled. “Right and wrong depend on perspective—others’ approval versus your own conviction.”
Hu Yuer stared at him, startled. “You’ve changed.”
“Change is constant. Why the surprise? Let’s move—night approaches.”
He strode toward the blood shadow guarding the next challenge. Hu Yuer followed with a wistful smile, walking beside him toward the Eleventh Gate’s sentinel.
…
In the Blood Moon Wasteland, Lou Ri City’s six experts reached a lifeless Stone Valley at dusk.
From above, the valley resembled an enormous right palmprint stamped into the earth—dozens of kilometers wide and utterly barren.
Wan Fang stood atop a giant stone, frowning at the valley.
Zhang Bin paused. “Elder Brother Wan, why stop?”
“This place feels strange. Should we bypass it or investigate?”
Wan Fang observed the group, noting Fang Mu and Tian Yi’s focused investigation. Feixue’s delicate brows knitted slightly, while Qiu Yu stared intently into the Stone Valley’s depths as if sensing something.
Zhang Bin asked curiously, “What’s strange? I don’t sense anything.”
Wan Fang answered, “Fly up and look, Junior Apprentice Zhang. You’ll see.”
Puzzled, Zhang Bin soared into the air. Scanning the Stone Valley from above, he instantly spotted the massive palmprint.
“Who could’ve left such a terrifying mark?” he blurted in awe.
Tian Yi mused, “Likely a saint. That palm strike radiates unmatched power. Was it meant to destroy something here… or suppress it?”
Qiu Yu said plainly, “Let’s investigate.”
She darted forward like a fleeting fairy, Feixue close behind. Wan Fang and the rest promptly followed.
Among the six, Qiu Yu spoke sparingly, her status surpassing even Feixue’s.
The Stone Valley stretched wide. Qiu Yu flew directly to the palmprint’s center, where the stone lay smooth as glass. A slightly raised platform blended into the terrain, easily overlooked.
As Qiu Yu landed near it, dust and gravel scattered autonomously. Weathered stone crumbled into dust and blew away.
Soon, the stone platform emerged, its surface bearing faint ancient patterns defying time’s erosion.
Fang Mu gasped, “This is…”
Tian Yi frowned. “A seal? Or perhaps a magical artifact or weapon?”
Feixue stayed silent, observing.
Wan Fang glanced around and muttered, “We’re not alone.”
“Where?” Zhang Bin startled.
Fang Mu and Tian Yi tensed. As Spirit Martial Realm experts, they’d sensed nothing.
“Lou Ri City’s experts have some skill after all,” called a voice. From behind a large stone half a mile away emerged eight figures—members of the Shanhua Alliance from Three Saints and Four Peerless.
Wan Fang assessed them: five Spirit Martial Realm and three Blood Martial Realm cultivators. Their combined strength was formidable.
Tian Yi spoke gravely, “You flatter us, Charming Pen Spirit Master. We merely passed by. What brings you here?”
The Shanhua Alliance’s group was led by Charming Pen Spirit Master, who’d appeared at Yunyang City’s Holy Emperor’s palace and now stood in the Blood Moon Wasteland.
“Greetings, Spirit Master Tian Yi,” she replied. “We too noticed something odd here and were debating whether to investigate when you arrived.”
Fang Mu proposed, “Since we share this curiosity, let’s examine it together.”
Both factions belonged to Four Peerless—Shanhua Alliance ranked third, Lou Ri City fourth.
Wan Fang stayed quiet. Among Lou Ri City’s six members, only Fang Mu and Tian Yi were familiar faces due to their frequent travels with Luo Feng Spirit Master. Wan Fang, Qiu Yu, and Feixue remained relative strangers to outsiders.
Charming Pen Spirit Master laughed. “Exactly my thought.”
The eight newcomers swiftly approached the stone platform, joining the careful inspection.
The eight experts of the Shanhua Alliance consisted of seven men and one woman, with the female cultivator drawing particular attention.
Clad in a blue dress, she stood tall and poised, her long hair flowing gracefully. Her delicate features, fair complexion, and clear bright eyes radiated elegance. Her slender waist complemented her striking figure, making her an exceptionally beautiful woman.
This woman was Chang Yun, titled “Carefree Fairy,” a renowned beauty of the Shanhua Alliance who had maintained fame for years while wielding the formidable strength of the Spirit Martial Realm.
When Feixue spotted Chang Yun, she arched her brow. “You.”
Chang Yun smiled with tenderness. “Indeed. Years have passed, yet you still cloak yourself in mystery, refusing to show your true face.”
Feixue snorted. “My choices are none of your concern. Save your false kindness.”
Chang Yun simply smiled. Known as the Carefree Fairy, her peaceful nature had earned her widespread respect throughout the Tianyang Empire.
Besides Chang Yun and the Charming Pen Spirit Master, the Shanhua Alliance Leader commanded three other Spirit Masters: Zhou Yu, Chu Qiao, and Zheng Weijie—all celebrated experts across the empire.
The stone platform bore ancient patterns, weathered and cracked. No energy emanated from it, leaving the area deathly still.
After studying it, the Charming Pen Spirit Master frowned. “Strange. What could’ve triggered these events?”
Tian Yi remarked, “Unclear. These ruins likely date back millennia. What was once valuable might now be worthless.”
“Value remains uncertain. We’ll investigate thoroughly since we’re here.”
The Charming Pen Spirit Master summoned a Blood Martial expert to excavate the stone platform.
Experts from both Forces retreated, observing cautiously while whispering theories.
The Shanhua Alliance’s Blood Martial expert circled the platform, his steps leaving trails of brilliance. The earth trembled as debris scattered, soon revealing a massive pit.
The stone platform resembled a circular pillar buried deep underground.
After an hour’s labor, the alliance expert unearthed a cylindrical stone pillar—twelve feet wide and thirty feet long—covered in ancient, partially damaged patterns.
“Shift the pillar. Check beneath it,” ordered the Charming Pen Spirit Master. As they moved the cylinder, a cave emerged below, releasing bone-chilling winds that made everyone shudder.
“Beware! Malignant energy!”
Tian Yi’s warning sent the group scrambling backward.
A shadow erupted from the cave, unleashing unparalleled sinister energy that seemed ready to rend the world.
“Retreat now!”
The typically silent Qiu Yu vanished like mist the instant she spoke.
Wan Fang dragged Zhang Bin away while Feixue, Fang Mu, and Tian Yi reacted swiftly.
“Defense!” roared the Charming Pen Spirit Master.
She conjured a light barrier and retreated. Those slower to respond were assaulted by the deadly energy, crying out in alarm.
The shadow seized the thirty-foot pillar, which blazed with golden light before shrinking into a gleaming golden staff.
A single swing shattered the landscape. The entire Stone Valley crumbled, the massive palmprint obliterated by the staff’s strike.
From Lou Ri City’s group, only Qiu Yu escaped unharmed. The other five were blasted away by the shockwave.