Chapter 330: Divide into Two Paths
Chapter 330: Divide into Two Paths
Cheng Lingyu chuckled awkwardly, “Does this really matter much?”
Meng Ninghen’s eyes shifted as she gazed into the distance. Lin Xi smiled knowingly, understanding the unspoken truth.
Xiling Yue pursed her lips, her beauty both mesmerizing and intimidating.
Baili Jingfeng murmured thoughtfully, “This is about trust.”
Cheng Lingyu’s smile stiffened. “Senior Brother Baili is right. I hail from the First Palace of Falling God—the Fallen God Palace.”
Though they’d anticipated this answer, Meng Ninghen, Lin Xi, and Xiling Yue still showed surprise. The Fallen God Palace’s fame stemmed from legends of a fallen deity, after all.
Xiyun Divine Mountain derived its name from the Fallen God Ridge, while Lou Ri City emerged much later.
Baili Jingfeng remarked, “Four First Palaces competing in the same generation—this rivalry will produce dazzling brilliance.”
Lin Xi demurred, “You flatter us, Senior Brother Baili. Currently, you surpass us all in strength.”
“Strength ebbs with time,” Baili Jingfeng countered. “I’ve lived decades more than you. Your futures outshine mine.”
The Rift Sky Beast raced forward, carrying the five swiftly onward.
As they traveled, Cheng Lingyu observed his companions: Meng Ninghen spoke sparingly, Lin Xi remained steady, and Xiling Yue burned with fiery determination—a woman rivaling men in valor.
Baili Jingfeng’s aloofness left Cheng Lingyu as the group’s primary talker. This Lou Ri team felt mismatched—unfamiliar geniuses forced together, their clash of temperaments more hindrance than help.
Baili Jingfeng lacked leadership skills. Meng Ninghen’s icy grace kept others distant. Lin Xi’s quiet poise contrasted with Xiling Yue’s sharp intensity. Managing such disparate personalities proved challenging.
Cheng Lingyu studied them with wary curiosity. Meng Ninghen and Lin Xi’s silence veiled unfathomable depths. Though young, Xiling Yue’s dangerous edge demanded caution. Only Baili Jingfeng, despite his coldness, felt predictable.
“Fire Rain Marsh approaches. We change course.”
Baili Jingfeng’s voice snapped Cheng Lingyu from his thoughts. The Rift Sky Beast vanished as they descended onto a mountain peak.
“We’re in Tianyang Empire’s east, crawling with sect experts. Stay inconspicuous until we reach the Sixth Realm of the Fire Marsh. Avoid attracting Heavenly Palace or Divine Martial Sect attention.”
Xiling Yue suggested, “First locate the Feixing Sun and Moon team for intel.”
“They’ve likely penetrated deep into the marsh,” Lin Xi added. “We’re still outside—let’s question bystanders.”
“Leave this to me,” Cheng Lingyu offered. His sweeping gaze triggered the Destruction of Space Divine Thought Wave, flooding his mind with environmental data.
One step carried him across space to a pine grove where two middle-aged men conversed. His deliberate footsteps interrupted their discussion.
“Who’s there?”
The two middle-aged men turned simultaneously, watching Cheng Lingyu warily. The instant their eyes met his, they became ensnared in his gaze.
Moments later, the men jolted awake, blinking at their surroundings. “What… what were we discussing earlier?”
“Didn’t we mention…”
Unaware of the encounter, they resumed conversing as if nothing had occurred. Cheng Lingyu’s figure had vanished from their minds, along with all memory of their meeting.
Half a mile away, Cheng Lingyu strode briskly through the woods. He’d extracted every scrap of their knowledge about Fire Rain Marsh using the Fifth Layer of his Magic Eyes’ Illusive Shadow technique, then erased their recent memories.
Since entering the Blood Martial Realm, his perception of existence had sharpened.
“Each Realm brings new comprehension. This endless cycle… this is true cultivation.”
As he walked, Cheng Lingyu’s awareness expanded. Mountains and streams materialized in his mind alongside pine needles and microbes – each object radiating distinct colors, rhythms, and Life imprints.
Such cosmic awareness overwhelmed ordinary minds, often driving men mad. But Cheng Lingyu’s merged Nine Ring Star Vortex and Divine Thought Kill granted him unparalleled spiritual prowess.
During his brief perimeter sweep of Fire Rain Marsh, he’d harvested intelligence from dozens of cultivators in mere incense-burning time.
“Any useful news?” Xiling Yue demanded when he returned.
“The Three Saints and Four Peerless factions have arrived,” Cheng Lingyu reported. “Yang Yan and Wu Xuanbo’s Forces cluster at the Fifth Layer of Fire Marsh, accompanied by numerous Spirit Master experts.”
Lin Xi leaned forward. “Any word on Feixing Sun and Moon?”
“Lou Ri City disciples were spotted entering the Fifth Layer.”
Baili Jingfeng crossed his arms. “What of the marsh’s depths?”
“Few dare venture beyond the Sixth Realm of the Fire Marsh. The divine light’s presumed origin lies in the Eighth Realm.”
Meng Ninghen’s brow furrowed. “That’s forbidden ground. Not even Saints tread there.”
“Other concerns?” Xiling Yue pressed.
“The marsh’s yang energy threatens yin cultivators. Its danger areas resemble the Blood Moon Wasteland, but Blood Martial Realm practitioners might find rare opportunities here.”
Baili Jingfeng moved to depart. “We’ll learn more inside.”
“Patience, Senior Brother Baili.” Cheng Lingyu raised a hand. “You and I are recognizable. Since Lin Xi and Senior Sister Meng remain unknown, we should split into visible and hidden groups.”
The silver-haired swordsman nodded. “Prudence preserves. I concur.”
“What about me?” Xiling Yue jutted her chin.
Cheng Lingyu’s lips twitched. “You’re known from before Lou Ri City. Walk openly with us while our companions shadow unseen.”
The party divided into two units approaching Fire Rain Marsh. Xiling Yue fell into step beside Cheng Lingyu, shooting him sidelong glances.
“Senior Sister Pan Hong warned me about your scheming mind,” she remarked. “Seems she wasn’t exaggerating.”
Cheng Lingyu laughed, “Thank you for the praise, Senior Sister.”
Xiling Yue huffed, “Thick-skinned! You thought I meant that?”
Cheng Lingyu blinked innocently, “Aren’t your beauty and kindness worth praising?”
Xiling Yue gritted her teeth, glaring as he grinned back.
“Flattery won’t work on me.”
Undeterred, Cheng Lingyu flicked his wrist, producing a bouquet of Vibrant Flowers.
“Like these?”
“No,” Xiling Yue snapped.
He tucked the flowers away, revealing a pulsing brilliance in his palm that emitted a special aura. Her Gaze locked onto it instantly.
“What’s that?”
“Nothing here,” Cheng Lingyu shrugged, opening his empty hand—yet the aura persisted.
“Liar! I feel it. Explain!”
Xiling Yue loomed over him like a Senior Sister disciplining her junior.
Baili Jingfeng’s lips twitched, amused by their rapid camaraderie.
Cheng Lingyu turned his palms. “See? Empty. Senior Sister’s eyesight slipping?”
“Hand. It. Over. Now!”
“But one word can’t explain it properly. Allow me—”
“I’ll beat you senseless!” she threatened, stomping.
He grinned. “Senior Brother Baili’s in charge here. We’re family, remember?”
Xiling Yue seethed. At Mingmo Ridge, her unmatched cultivation talent had always earned her deference. Yet this junior outwitted her in verbal sparring effortlessly.
Talent varied—Cheng Lingyu’s rough edges came from hard-won experience. While her cultivation prowess towered, his quick tongue left her floundering.
Lin Xi and Meng Ninghen observed silently, curiosity about Cheng Lingyu masked. Among the Lou Ri team, his cultivation level ranked lowest, yet his three-year achievement eclipsed all peers. How could they not wonder?
Baili Jingfeng forged ahead, ignoring their squabble—harmless noise beneath Fire Rain Marsh’s beauty.
Sparks cascaded like raindrops. Flames shimmered like dewdrops across the ground. A painting come alive, etching itself into memory.