Chapter 43: The Ghostly Magic Blade
Chapter 43: The Ghostly Magic Blade
Cheng Lingyu snorted, “Ye Xiaoyun must’ve been blind to take a liking to him. With less than half a year until the Double Ninth Festival, I’ll kill him before then to keep my promise.”
Cheng Lingyu had initially planned to stay with the Cheng family until Cheng Zhaolong returned to exact his revenge, but that plan was no longer feasible.
“First, heal your injuries. We’ll discuss other matters after you recover.”
Cheng Lingyu handed his father a spiritual grass to consume, then sat nearby, pondering their next steps.
In Shiyang Town’s Cheng residence, Cheng Lingyu’s killing of Cheng Feng sent shockwaves through the family. Family head Cheng Feng ordered the pursuit of Cheng Yun and his son, both to avenge Cheng Feng and to eliminate Cheng Lingyu before he grew stronger.
The Cheng family’s experts spread out in all directions. Many suspected Cheng Lingyu might flee to Green Island, as it was soon discovered he’d recently returned from there.
Since fighting was forbidden in Green Island’s central area—a perfect sanctuary—the Cheng family dispatched numerous experts, only to find nothing.
Some Cheng family members, ignorant of Green Island’s dangers, assumed Cheng Lingyu’s sudden power boost came from spiritual herbs in the Soul-Luring Forest. They recklessly entered the forest and perished.
After three days with no trace of Cheng Yun or his son, Cheng Feng’s fury grew.
In the Wushan mining area, Cheng Lingyu recalled the mysterious stone room housing Thousand Layers of Snow, the Magic Eyes technique, and sixteen golden characters.
Cheng Yun consumed a spiritual grass and, following a day and night of healing, temporarily regained his peak condition.
Cheng Lingyu led his father to the stone room to treat his chronic ailments undisturbed.
With the Spiritual Pulse Cold Spring and two low-grade spiritual herbs prepared, they discussed their approach.
Cheng Yun said, “I’ll first drink the Spiritual Pulse Cold Spring. If it expels the fire poison like the Minghe Cold Spring would, I’ll then take the herbs to boost my strength. If not, we’ll save the herbs.”
Cheng Lingyu agreed, guarding the stone room while monitoring his father’s condition through the Magic Eyes technique.
A single bottle of Spiritual Pulse Cold Spring proved potent. Upon consuming it, Cheng Yun’s body froze instantly, the icy aura encasing the entire stone room in crystal-like ice.
For three days and nights, Cheng Lingyu watched as the fire poison—a flickering ember buried deep in the marrow—was slowly forced out by the cold spring’s power.
Once the poison vanished, the spring’s spiritual energy revitalized Cheng Yun’s body, restoring his strength.
Overjoyed, Cheng Lingyu handed his father a spiritual herb the moment he awoke.
Cheng Yun consumed the herb and cultivated nonstop for nine days and nights. His cultivation soared from the early Gathering Lake Stage to the mid-Torrent Stage.
The True Martial Realm comprised eight stages: Pressing Origin, Unblocking Channels, Flying Waves, Rivers, Gathering Lake, Merging Seas, Torrent, and True Fire.
Cheng Yun jumped from the True Martial Fifth Level to the Seventh Level. His strength surged, his wrinkled skin shed, and his gray hair turned black, making him appear a decade younger.
Now resembling a man in his mid-thirties, Cheng Yun radiated vigor, his complexion rosy, his former handsomeness restored.
“Fifteen years… Finally, I’m free from that curse!”
Cheng Yun roared, his exhilaration tinged with bitterness as memories of past suffering surfaced.
Cheng Lingyu rejoiced—his father’s recovery meant he could resume cultivation and reach greater heights.
“Take the remaining herb, Dad. Regain the Soul Martial Realm.”
Cheng Yun chuckled, “Patience. Let my body adjust first. Rapid growth can backfire.”
This wisdom came from experience Cheng Lingyu yet lacked.
“This stone room hides secrets. Thousand Layers of Snow originated here.”
Cheng Yun rose, eyeing the Thousand Layers of Snow technique etched in the corner, his expression awed.
“It seems this cultivation technique isn’t exclusive to you. Others can practice it too, though reaching your level would be difficult. I’ll attempt it myself later to see if I can meet the basic requirements.”
“These sixteen characters also glow with golden light and possess an intense hypnotic quality.”
Cheng Lingyu stared at the stone wall where sixteen large characters shimmered with the world’s most mysterious hues, utterly captivating his focus.
Cheng Yun narrowed his eyes, quietly observing until he became entranced.
With a soft sigh, Cheng Lingyu guided his father out of the stone room to recover his senses gradually.
Three days later, Cheng Yun’s recovery progressed further, reaching the True Fire Stage of True Martial Eight Levels—a temporary plateau.
“To reclaim my Soul Martial Realm strength, I’ll need spiritual herbs. For now, cultivating Thousand Layers of Snow will be time-consuming.”
Cheng Yun understood Thousand Layers of Snow’s profundity. Mastering even its basic standards would dramatically elevate his future achievements.
Cheng Lingyu said, “Focus on your cultivation here, Father. I’ll investigate the Cheng family’s movements and plan our Revenge.”
Shiyang Town, the Cheng family’s stronghold, remained under heavy guard.
Disguised simply, Cheng Lingyu infiltrated the town after nightfall to gather intelligence.
The Cheng family had dispatched dozens of experts to kill Cheng Lingyu, with half sent to Green Island. All perished there, resulting in heavy losses and Cheng Feng’s fury.
After over ten days without tracing Cheng Yun or his son, the family assumed they’d fled far away, easing their pursuit temporarily.
Under moonlight, Cheng Lingyu perched in a tree, gazing at Ruo Xue’s tombstone while contemplating vengeance.
Cheng Zhaolong, now favored in the Xuanhuo Sect, rarely returned to Shiyang Town. Ambushing him here was impractical.
Luring him out for an interception seemed the optimal approach—but how?
Cheng Lingyu resolved to visit Yunyang City to monitor Cheng Zhaolong’s activities and seize the right timing.
In the silent night, he kept vigil by Ruo Xue’s grave, bitterness permeating the stillness.
“Next time, I’ll offer that beast’s Head to honor you. His blood will commemorate our love.”
His mournful whisper hung in the air as shadowed light flickered in his palm, summoning the curved blade.
This was its first appearance since leaving Green Island—and its transformation shocked him.
The blade now radiated oily blackness, runes pulsing across its surface as dark energy swirled like awakened formations. An eerie strength quickened within, as though the weapon had gained a Soul.
Cheng Lingyu stared in disbelief. The blade had never exhibited such changes on the island. Had the Pardon Stone Tablet suppressed it there?
Green Island’s eerie mysteries included that enigmatic tablet—its purpose unknown.
Studying the blade, he sensed its growing power constrained by invisible shackles. Closer inspection revealed layered seals restricting its deeper strength, permitting only partial release.
His current cultivation level couldn’t discern all seals, but the blade’s awakening revealed its name: Ghostly Magic Blade.
The “demonic” label explained its resonance with his Magic Eyes technique—both steeped in Demonic Energy.
A wrist flick sent dark brilliance streaking outward, obliterating a distant hillock in an instant.
The loud bang shattered the night’s quiet, startling Cheng Lingyu and alerting Cheng family experts. He retreated swiftly, smiling grimly.
“Impressive power. This blade’s rank must be extraordinary.”
The weapon gleamed cryptically, as if conveying secrets beyond his current comprehension.
Returning to the stone room, Cheng Lingyu checked on his father before examining the Fang Tian Bao Yin’s intricate Patterns. Their complexity defied his limited formation knowledge.
Closing his eyes, he fell into deep sleep. The seal’s designs imprinted vividly in his mind while dark energies flooded his body, channeling into hidden storage spaces he still couldn’t fathom.
Cheng Yun progressed through Thousand Layers of Snow cultivation—advancing from Ordinary Martial Realm, First Level to Third Level in three days, achieving basic mastery with vastly strengthened foundations.
The Spiritual Pulse Cold Spring and low-grade spiritual herbs enhanced his Constitution, easing the cultivation process.
After nine days of deep sleep, Cheng Lingyu’s true essence reserves reached forty percent. His skills harmonized completely, hitting an advancement bottleneck.
“You’re awake! I’ve completed Ordinary Martial Realm Seventh Level refinement through Thousand Layers of Snow. The Spiritual Pulse Cold Spring and herbs made early stages smooth—my foundation’s tenfold stronger, with tenfold growth potential.”
Cheng Yun rejoiced. Thousand Layers of Snow had transformed both father and son, though their disparity remained evident.