Chapter 323: The City Lord’s Visit

Han Cang said calmly, “That no longer matters.”

Wan Fang grinned and changed the subject. “The divine light in the southeast of the Tianyang Empire has been glowing for a full day and night. What are your thoughts, Master?”

The divine light from the Fire Rain Marsh had manifested clearly even from thousands of miles away, shaking the world and drawing attention from all directions.

“Being early isn’t as important as being timely. The expedition to the ancient ruin was a lesson. If the Western Fallen Nine Ridges keep scheming against each other and refusing to unite, it’s better not to go at all.”

“Master speaks wisely. Unity brings strength. But Lou Ri City’s situation is different from other sects.”

Han Cang stayed silent, gazing at the sunset as if tasting the eternal loneliness of the world.

Inside the Supreme Spirit Palace, Cheng Lingyu’s spiritual patterns grew denser and more potent. The pyramid within him vibrated with deafening noise, echoing the sounds of the Great Dao.

The Blood Martial Second Level’s engraving stage required carving spiritual patterns into every part of his blood and flesh, refining his Physical Body by drawing on the power of all things. Removing impurities and retaining essence would enhance his body’s resilience and quality.

Superior spiritual patterns yielded greater results, making the Blood Martial Realm demanding—only those skilled in engraved formations could excel.

Cheng Lingyu had a natural advantage. He directly inscribed the Heavenly Spirit Diagram into his blood, flesh, meridian points, and organs.

Though time-consuming, his prior experience engraving the diagram onto the pyramid simplified the process.

His technique of origins synergized perfectly with the Heavenly Spirit Diagram, a treasure of creation, accelerating his progress flawlessly.

Upon entering the Blood Martial Realm, Cheng Lingyu could now deploy the first four layers of the Heavenly Spirit Diagram.

He was currently etching its first layer into his body, followed by the second and third layers. Simultaneously, he aimed to elevate the pyramid’s diagram to the third layer, aligning their power.

Success would skyrocket his strength to unimaginable heights.

As he worked, his latent potential stirred—the accumulated power of all things he’d absorbed began surging forth.

The divine light alarmed Lou Ri City’s higher-ups, prompting the city lord to convene a meeting. After discussions, they agreed to send experts to scout the Fire Rain Marsh and select disciples to seek opportunities.

Cultivation was never easy. All cultivators knew the importance of seizing resources, timing, and treasures like divine weapons and magical artifacts.

The Fire Rain Marsh’s phenomenon shook not only the Tianyang Empire but also the Tianyin Empire and experts from the Shadow Star Continent.

The Jiu Yang Sacred Palace, closest to the marsh, sent experts into the Sixth Realm of the Fire Marsh first. Others followed—Heavenly Palace, Tianlei Sacred Church, Heavenly Fire Sect, Divine Martial Sect, Shanhua Alliance. Even Yang Yan and Wu Xuanbo dispatched trusted aides to investigate.

Lou Ri City’s silence puzzled outsiders. After their massive gains in the Blood Moon Wasteland, why hesitate now?

In truth, the city lord struggled to choose whom to send.

That afternoon, he visited the second palace of the Fallen Gods with Mu Bai, seeking Han Cang’s counsel on Cheng Lingyu’s progress.

Han Cang stood outside the palace, not inviting them in. With Wan Fang beside him, the four conversed in the open.

Wan Fang reported, “Junior apprentice Cheng is still in seclusion, nearing the end of his breakthrough. He’s reached the Blood Martial Second Level and is perfecting his engraving.”

Mu Bai nodded. “Remarkable progress in twenty days. With treasures emerging in the Fire Rain Marsh, we can’t lag behind. But selecting the right team is tricky.”

The city lord asked Han Cang, “What if we send Cheng Lingyu?”

Han Cang countered, “Who else? The Fire Rain Marsh is deadlier than the Blood Moon Wasteland.”

“We’ve burned bridges with Heavenly Palace and Divine Martial Sect. This time, a Lou Ri squad of top talents from every ridge will show our strength.”

Han Cang frowned. “A risky plan. Think carefully.”

The city lord said, “I know it’s dangerous, which is why I’ve hesitated until today to seek your opinion.”

Han Cang gazed at the divine light on the horizon and replied flatly, “Risk and opportunity go hand in hand. Choosing who to send and weighing its worth—those are your decisions, not mine.”

The city lord sighed bitterly, “Still as cold as ever, pushing others away. Lou Ri City stands isolated. Many disciples here show promise, but raw talent needs tempering. I want them tested in the wider world.”

Han Cang countered, “The Fire Rain Marsh isn’t a training ground. It’s a death trap.”

“That’s why I’m torn about candidates. Among our four most promising youths, Cheng Lingyu stands out. When we last recruited eight hundred and one disciples, two excelled—Cheng Lingyu and Xiling Yue from Mingmo Ridge. She jumped from Blood Weapon Second Level to fifth level of Blood Martial in mere months. Astonishing progress.”

Han Cang’s brow furrowed slightly. “The First Palace of Ming Mo… second only to Chun Lei.”

“Exactly. Mingmo Ridge pins great hopes on her. Qiu Yu even brought her special gifts before leaving for Guishun Valley.”

“The other two come from Lou Ri Ridge and Xuanmoon Ridge?” Han Cang asked.

The city lord nodded. “I want them to prove Lou Ri City’s worth through this trial.”

Mu Bai interjected, “That divine light in Fire Rain Marsh will draw experts from across the empire. But the place devours the strong—even Spirit Martial Realm masters avoid the Sixth Realm of the Fire Marsh. This makes Blood Martial Realm youths perfect candidates for both survival and growth.”

Wan Fang added, “Our Blood Moon Wasteland journey taught us preparation is key. With Qiu Yu at Guishun Valley and tensions high, we must avoid attention while guarding against Divine Martial Sect and Heavenly Palace reprisals.”

This formed the dilemma keeping the city lord hesitant—nurturing geniuses meant gambling their lives between glory and early graves.

Han Cang understood. When the city lord suggested Cheng Lingyu, he stayed silent. Compared to fifth and sixth level Blood Martial prodigies, the youth’s cultivation level remained lacking.

Cheng Lingyu’s fame bred silent jealousy. Han Cang preferred keeping him longer in Supreme Spirit Palace for cultivation until stronger.

The city lord sighed, “No need for haste. Consider it. I’ll consult Mingmo and Xuanmoon Ridges.”

As the leaders departed, Wan Fang whispered, “Master worries about our junior apprentice?”

“Among peers, his lower realm and shorter training time put him at disadvantage.”

“Then let others go first. Survival matters most.”

Han Cang offered no answer, retreating into Supreme Spirit Palace. Wan Fang studied the distant divine light—beautiful yet perilous.

…

At Ruo Xue’s grave in Shiyang Town, a green-clad man stood motionless with vibrant flowers.

“This woman shaped Cheng Lingyu’s fate—his eternal wound.”

Luo Fan’s face tightened at the tombstone. Town gossip revealed much—how the empire’s laughingstock became its sensation in two short years.

Departing at dusk, Luo Fan traced Cheng Lingyu’s old path to Yunyang City. His steps ate the road effortlessly.

Distant clashes carried on the wind—roars of rage, cries against fate, desperate last stands. Luo Fan ignored them until:

“Run! Find Cheng Lingyu in Lou Ri City! Tell him to avenge us!”

The name worked its magic. Luo Fan materialized in a blood-soaked valley where a battered figure fought two attackers.