Chapter 335: Blood Martial Third Level
Chapter 335: Blood Martial Third Level
The Blood Weapon Second Level represented the condensation stage, while the Blood Martial Third Level marked the pregnancy phase. These two stages were intrinsically linked, forming a continuous progression.
Condensation resembled a flat painting, while pregnancy took shape as a three-dimensional structure—both ascending and evolving through a crucial process.
Cheng Lingyu remained concealed within the light cocoon, his exact condition unknown. The Four Top Experts of Lou Ri City could only gauge his cultivation progress by observing changes in the giant tree.
During his time in the Blood Moon Wasteland, Cheng Lingyu had absorbed multiple Blood Fetuses into his body, mastering the principles of the Blood Martial Third Level long before this moment.
Now, with ideal cultivation conditions, perfect timing, and accumulated experience, he launched his full assault on the breakthrough.
The Fire Rain Marsh lay serene under the night sky. Upon a massive peak, an enormous tree swayed gently. Spiritual patterns emerged from its trunk, morphing into fiery symbols that materialized living creatures mid-air. Baili Jingfeng, Lin Xi, Meng Ninghen, and Xiling Yue watched in awe—such phenomena hadn’t occurred earlier.
The sudden anomalies indicated Cheng Lingyu’s radical transformation within the tree’s core, affecting both the giant tree and its surroundings.
The peak trembled as the colossal tree shook. Glowing roots pulsed with light while rustling leaves channeled energy through spiritual patterns and runes on their fruits, all converging toward the tree’s heart.
The luminous core functioned like a massive vortex—spiritual patterns wove together as runes solidified, emitting powerful energy waves. Ancient markings surfaced on the bark, revealing the intertwined mysteries of fire and wood.
Fire Rain poured from the night sky, drawn into the tree’s swirling vortex. Fiery clouds gathered, thunder crackled, serpents of flame writhed, and a fire dragon roared.
A crimson lightning bolt struck the tree with explosive force, its energy funneling straight to the light cocoon. The impact left a smoldering scar on the bark.
Another massive bolt followed, coiling around the cocoon before being absorbed, leaving silver streaks. Lightning strikes intensified, culminating in a dragon-shaped bolt that forced the observers to retreat.
“He’s shaking heaven and earth with this spectacle,” Xiling Yue muttered, lips pursued.
Meng Ninghen stayed silent while Lin Xi wore a strained expression, both stunned by the dramatic breakthrough.
For an entire hour, lightning rained down like divine punishment. Each strike etched glowing scars across the tree, forming natural lightning patterns that merged with the cocoon—and ultimately Cheng Lingyu’s body.
The climax came when nine dragon-like lightning bolts shattered the trunk, their energy coiling around the cocoon to form a pulsating nine-dragon pattern. Terrifying strength pulsed through every contour as the formation pressed against Cheng Lingyu.
Flames erupted across the cocoon’s surface, spiritual patterns transforming into lotus-shaped fire symbols. As lotus motifs spread, a faint figure materialized inside, its rhythmic heartbeat echoing across the marsh.
Fire Rain swayed in time with deep, resonant breaths. Leaves rustled violently before igniting mid-air, drawn toward the tree’s core. Flames climbed branches as the entire tree became an inferno, channeling energy to the cocoon.
The mountain shuddered and split, lava-like flames surging from below to engulf the roots. Blazing flames consumed everything, their glow illuminating the apocalyptic scene.
Inside the light cocoon, Cheng Lingyu swayed gently, his body radiating dazzling divine light. The spiritual patterns within him merged automatically, and the Blood Fetus had mostly taken shape, though still small.
Through inner vision, he observed a humanoid fetus in his chest and abdomen. Its features remained indistinct, wrapped in dense spiritual patterns that glowed faintly.
Seizing favorable conditions, Cheng Lingyu had taken the critical step into the early stage of the pregnancy phase of the Blood Martial Third Level, elevating his overall strength.
The light cocoon glowed continuously outside, frantically absorbing energy from the surroundings to nourish and strengthen the growing Blood Fetus.
With a crack, the cocoon shattered. Cheng Lingyu opened his eyes to find his clothes reduced to dust, leaving him exposed.
Brilliant light enveloped him, ceaselessly drawing energy from the world.
He opened the Spirit Cloak Ring, donned fresh clothes, then relaxed to savor his surroundings.
A strange shriek tore through the void. The attack came without warning, but Cheng Lingyu dodged effortlessly at the last moment.
Baili Jingfeng materialized instantly, roaring, “Who dares ambush us? Show yourself!”
The void quaked as sound waves surged like tidal ripples, leaving no hiding place.
A distorted figure solidified into a middle-aged man in gray—unremarkable in appearance but radiating calm confidence.
“Who are you?”
Cheng Lingyu appeared beside Baili Jingfeng, studying the stranger with puzzlement.
“Wang San. From the northern Tianyang Empire,” the man replied flatly.
Baili Jingfeng pressed, “Tianyin Empire’s north?”
Wang San corrected, “Tianyang’s north.”
“Why attack me?” Cheng Lingyu demanded.
“Certain parties want you dead. I haven’t accepted their offer yet. You reacted faster than anticipated today—consider this a free trial.”
Xiling Yue stepped forward, glaring. “Who’s behind this?”
“Focus not on who, but that multiple hunters stalk you. Your arrival was foreseen.”
Cheng Lingyu smiled. “Old acquaintances, then. Thanks for the warning.”
“Save gratitude. Their offer tempts me.” Wang San turned and vanished.
Baili Jingfeng frowned. “Ordinary name, extraordinary power.”
Xiling Yue narrowed her eyes. “Why reveal this? Failed attempt? Future schemes?”
Cheng Lingyu chuckled. “Overthinking mysteries wastes life.”
“Ungrateful brat! I worry for you!” she snapped.
“Enough,” Baili Jingfeng cut in. “Dawn approaches. We move.”
Lin Xi and Meng Ninghen remained hidden per their covert arrangement as the group pressed onward.
Baili Jingfeng led the way toward the distant divine light.
“Cultivators ahead,” he warned at daybreak, slowing pace.
Xiling Yue squinted at distant figures. “What’s their business?”
In a fire tree grove, dozens of Blood Martial Realm cultivators hunted flame-beasts—absurd, as these were mere manifestations of fiery essence.
“Fire beasts contain condensed essence—fire pills. More potent than absorbing ambient energy,” Cheng Lingyu explained.
“Mostly Blood Martial Third Level cultivators from minor sects,” Baili Jingfeng observed. “Too timid for the Fifth Layer of Fire Marsh.”
Cheng Lingyu gestured toward the grove. “Go ahead. I’ll investigate.”
Xiling Yue objected, “We’re nearing the Fifth Layer. Why delay?”
“Caution costs little.”
As Baili Jingfeng nodded and left with Xiling Yue, Cheng Lingyu approached the grove.
Forty-three cultivators—five at Blood Weapon Second Level, six at Blood Martial Fourth Level, the rest Blood Martial Third Level. The information flooded his mind effortlessly through the automatic operation of the Destruction of Space Divine Thought Wave, now seamlessly integrated with his heightened cultivation level.