Chapter 279: Luo Fan
Chapter 279: Luo Fan
The Blood Moon Wasteland was notorious as a deadly place, harboring ancient evil spirits that had buried countless experts over time.
Qiu Yu had avoided fighting earlier because she sensed unseen entities lurking in the void.
Her curiosity fixated on these hidden presences, leaving her distracted from the Fire Scorpion Sorceress’s attacks.
Soon after, Zhang Bin suffered another injury. Blood spilled from his wound, only to vanish instantly into thin air—devoured by the invisible force.
Though described plainly, this eerie pattern unsettled everyone, feeding a growing sense of dread.
Liang Wei kept watch, determined to uncover the hidden threat, but his efforts yielded nothing. The unseen foe remained elusive.
…
Within the blood lake, Cheng Lingyu broke through to the Seven Levels of Soul Martial Arts and cleared the eleventh trial, advancing to the twelfth.
This stage proved brutal. One expert had already been trapped there, unable to progress.
When Cheng Lingyu arrived, the man narrowed his eyes in disbelief.
“Cheng Lingyu… Reaching this stage with the Soul Martial Realm? Even in the Tianyang Empire, few could manage such a feat.”
“You honor me. What’s your name?”
“Luo Fan. From a minor sect in the empire’s east.”
Luo Fan appeared in his twenties, dressed in dark green robes. His sharp features carried a shadow of worry.
Hu Yuer remarked, “Surviving this trial is no small task. For someone at the Blood Martial Third Level, you’re stronger than the last two challengers.”
Luo Fan gave a bitter laugh. “Yet here I remain, stuck. The blood lake’s rules are clear: without overwhelming power, greed kills.”
Cheng Lingyu stepped forward. “We’re your way out. Sacrifice us, and you’ll pass.”
Hope flickered in Luo Fan’s eyes before fading.
“Even if I kill you, the fourteenth trial would be my limit. Each trial grows harder. I’d still be trapped.”
Hu Yuer chuckled. “Sharp mind, seeing through that.”
Cheng Lingyu locked eyes with Luo Fan.
“There’s another path.”
“What path?”
“Persuade me. Use any method. Succeed, and I’ll take you through.”
Cheng Lingyu’s voice stayed neutral, revealing nothing.
Luo Fan frowned. “What do you want from me?”
“Depends on what you offer.”
Hu Yuer tilted her head. “Cheng Lingyu, why bother with this?”
“He reached the twelfth trial at Blood Martial Third Level. That’s no accident. He has something special.”
Luo Fan’s brow furrowed. “You want me to beg?”
“Not beg. Fight. How badly do you want to live? Why cultivate? Why cling to life?”
Luo Fan hesitated and said, “I cultivated to chase dreams, and lived for a promise.”
“You came from the empire’s eastern lands, having traveled thousands of miles. Did you ever regret it?”
Luo Fan paused, then murmured, “I’d never considered it before. But now… perhaps a little. Isn’t that human nature?”
Cheng Lingyu neither agreed nor disagreed. “Does cultivation follow one’s instincts, or pursue the profound truths of the Great Path?”
Luo Fan countered, “Is there a difference?”
“Your greatest strength?”
“Regarding cultivation level? The fusion of Formation Martial Arts.”
Cheng Lingyu smiled, producing a chessboard and pieces.
“A game with me.”
Luo Fan’s eyes brightened. “Excellent! It’s been ages. If I win, will you help me revisit my past?”
Cheng Lingyu chuckled. “Uncertain. Let’s play first.”
Chess mirrored setting formations – the purest expression of Formation Martial Arts.
Luo Fan excelled at intricate layouts, each move interlocking like gears. Cheng Lingyu moved with relaxed assurance, his mastery of the Heavenly Spirit Diagram evident. Their pieces flew across the board, forming starkly contrasting strategies.
Hu Yuer observed from the sidelines. “A true match of equals,” she breathed.
Luo Fan’s brow furrowed as his moves grew deliberate, each placement heavier than the last. Cheng Lingyu maintained his breezy rhythm, amused eyes tracking his opponent’s tension. The disparity puzzled both spectators – how could anyone remain so carefree as the game’s dangers multiplied?
Mid-game, Luo Fan froze. “How?” he demanded.
“Your spiritual achievements trail mine,” Cheng Lingyu answered simply.
Though unfinished, Luo Fan withdrew. Continuing meant inevitable defeat.
“I’d considered myself accomplished in spiritual cultivation,” he muttered.
“Losing to me means little.” Cheng Lingyu waved dismissively. “I’ll free you from this place. In exchange, find someone for me – three years. Fail, and the debt vanishes.”
“That’s all?”
“Complexity breeds in mortal minds, not in the act itself.”
“Done. Your method?”
“Simple containment within a magical artifact until we escape.”
Luo Fan hesitated. “My spirit artifact may resist ordinary vessels.”
“Show me this artifact.”
Luo Fan took out a square jade plate engraved with grids, revealing a miniature chessboard.
“This chessboard’s actually a high-grade spirit artifact. Impressive.”
Cheng Lingyu examined it curiously, genuine admiration in his eyes.
“I’ll safeguard this for now and return it when we leave.”
Luo Fan hesitated. A high-grade spirit artifact was no small matter, and this was their first meeting. Trust didn’t come easily.
Cheng Lingyu summoned the Flying Flower Snow Moon Sword, its edge gleaming.
“How’s this blade?”
Luo Fan’s eyes widened. “Unparalleled sharpness. A peerless weapon.”
“It was a gift.”
Both Luo Fan and Hu Yuer stared in disbelief.
“Who’d give away such treasure?”
A nostalgic smile touched Cheng Lingyu’s lips. “My life’s benefactor.”
Hu Yuer’s brow arched. “A woman?”
“Clever. Your decision, Luo Fan?”
After tense silence, Luo Fan relented. “Keep it safe.”
Cheng Lingyu nodded. “Choices define destinies.” He stored Luo Fan in a storage ring before tucking it into his Spirit Cloak Ring.
Dusk approached as Cheng Lingyu faced the twelfth trial’s blood shadow guardian. Where the eleventh trial had been manageable, this challenge proved arduous. Even Hu Yuer watched warily, having reached this point without magical artifacts – a testament to her skill.
The Blood Moon’s ascent loomed. Cheng Lingyu fought desperately against time, determined to clear the trial before the stone pillars submerged. This second trial since reaching Seven Levels of Soul Martial Arts marked the critical midpoint between easier initial challenges and the deadly final six trials.
Elsewhere, experts clustered in later trials: Shui Yingyue struggled at the Seventeenth Gate for days, while Ye Anlan and Yunxiu stalled at the same. Heavenly Palace’s trio reached the Sixteenth Gate, Hua Yuehong’s beautiful jade coffin radiating celestial light. Not to be outdone, Heavenly Fire Sect’s Bai Ruomei matched her progress. Jiu Yang Sacred Palace and Tianlei Sacred Church disciples pressed onward.
As the blood lake churned with horrifying disturbance, Cheng Lingyu’s final strike succeeded moments before the Blood Moon rose. The thirteenth trial greeted them with sinking pillars and bloodwater waves. His scroll unleashed golden light, forming a special defense barrier – stronger now with his improved cultivation.
Through two nights in the blood lake, they’d learned much. While Cheng Lingyu meditated to prepare for coming trials, Hu Yuer kept watch. Her cultivation path differed; overnight gains weren’t possible. The true challenges lay ahead.